In His Name Devotionals
FORGIVE
In His Name Devotionals
FORGIVE
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors...For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” (Matthew 6:12, 14-15)
It’s possible to confess your sins and still not know the joy of forgiveness. How? Failure to forgive others. We need to learn that Jesus measures us by the yardstick we use on others. Jesus didn’t say, “Forgive us because we have forgiven other,” but “Forgive us as we have forgiven others.”
An unforgiving Christian is a contradiction in terms because we are the forgiven ones. Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” God forgave us an immeasurable debt, saving us from the horrors of eternal Hell. That should be motivation enough to forgive any offense against us, and yet some Christians still hold grudges.
Here are three practical steps by which to deal with the sin of unforgiveness. First, confess it to the Lord, and ask Him to help you mend the relationship in question. Second, go to the person, ask for forgiveness, and seek reconciliation. You might discover that he or she wasn’t even aware of the offense. Third, give the person something you highly value. This is a very practical approach based on our Lord’s teaching that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21). Perhaps you might give your favorite book or some other gift to someone who has wronged you. You’ll feel a great sense of liberty in your spirit. In addition, your joy will be compounded because you will know the feeling of not only the joy of giving but also the joy of forgiving.
Don’t ever let a grudge stand between you and another person. It will rob you of the full joy of God’s forgiveness.
