June Hunt How to Forgive When You Don’t Feel Like It. in her book lists a few of the risks associated with a person who chooses to not forgive. The following information is from her book How to Forgive When You Don’t Feel Like It. Taken from pages 70-73:
Refusing to forgive means that God will not forgive your own sins. Jesus said, “If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their sins, you Father will not forgive your sins.”
The risk you take for having an unforgiving heart is to suffer un-forgiveness from God for your own sins.
This is a major risk and is a very severe consequence for the choice of un-forgiveness!
Refusing to forgive a person can actually hinder or even block your own salvation.June in her book shared a real life story about a man named Bill who refused to forgive his ex-wife. This refusal to forgive her blocked his own salvation and he even knew it. When June confronted Bill for his choice of un-forgiveness and she shared the risk – he still choose not to forgive her. June warned him by saying the following:
“After hearing his litany of offenses, I explained, ‘Bill, becoming an authentic Christian means receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Bible says, ‘Believe in (rely upon) the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.’ ‘If He is truly your Lord, that means He is your Master, ruler, owner-to whom you yield your will to His. If He says forgive, you must be willing to forgive. If you refuse to forgive, you are still being your own ruler. You are not receiving Him as you Lord.’ He quickly responded, ‘I can’t.’ ‘Bill, God would never tell you to do something without giving you the power to do it.’ ‘I just can’t-no! I won’t.’ Bill walked away still carrying a bulging bag of bitterness…and I never saw him again” (71).
Refusing to forgive will block the blessings of God.