Forgive Who? Why?

13 You were once dead because of your failures and your uncircumcised corrupt nature. But God made you alive with Christ when he forgave all our failures. 14 He did this by erasing the charges that were brought against us by the written laws God had established. He took the charges away by nailing them to the cross. 15 He stripped the rulers and authorities {of their power} and made a public spectacle of them as he celebrated his victory in Christ
Col 2:13-15 (GW)

For the last 2 weeks we have been discussing forgiveness and how as we release things to God it frees us.
Several years ago we found that a close friend was dying of cancer. I knew that as long as I had known him he had distanced himself from the things of God. He was an older man and hadn't gone to church since he was a boy. He seemed not to have any use for those things. We went to see him and as we were leaving The Holy Spirit prompted me to go back into the room and talk with him about his relationship with God. I went back and sat with him. I asked him about his relation with God and his answer indicated that he did not have one. I told him that God loved him and that he could begin that relationship now. He then said something that caught me completely off guard. "Tom" he said "I just don't think I could forgive Him." At that point I really didn't know what to say to him. I told him that I would not bring this up to him again but If he wanted to talk I would come back anytime. We went back other times but he never brought it up.
Forgiving God what a concept, but a very real thing. If we look back on our lives maybe there are things that we have blamed God for; a death of a child or spouse, divorce, financial problems, it can be one of many things. Consciously or unconsciously you may think all of these things are God's fault and develop a deep seated resentment, like there was with my friend.
If there is any unforgiveness in you for yourself, God, a family member or anybody that has ever done anything against you it is absolutely imperative that you forgive. The choice is up to us. We can make a consciuos decision to forgive or not. Just say those words and let God take over. He will see the desire of your heart to forgive even if you don't feel you are able to forgive and begin a work in you. Things will probably continue to rise up but just keep forgiving and ask God to help you. You will find a release and a relief from the weight of unforgivness and the flow of God's Kingdom will open up to you.