Forgiveness

What is forgiveness? Does one have to ask for forgiveness to be forgiven? Well according to Webster Dictionary Forgiveness- is an act of forgiving. So actually one should not have to ask for forgiveness, it is the one who has been hurt that needs to get past the situation and move on. God states that forgiveness is the willingness to put your pride away and forgive your brother/sister 70 times 7. Matthew 18:21-22 21 Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. What He actually is saying is to forgive to no end. There was a time in my life where I had been offended and hurt by someone and the prideful side of me thought it would be best to not even speak to the person again and to just brush the person off. God had another plan in mind. When I was at church one day a few weeks after the incident the Pastor was speaking about Matthew 5:21-26 21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. After I heard of these verses I felt very convicted like God was speaking directly to me. I then went straight to the person I was hurt by and asked for forgiveness. I felt like a weight was lifted from me. I felt at peace. I suggest that if you hold un-forgiveness towards someone to reconnect with that person and ask for forgiveness even if they do not except it is no longer on your shoulders. Your part will be done.