 |
|
|
June 27 “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 6:14,15. I cannot think of a more important verse for the believer in Christ. Jesus must have known we would have difficulty with forgiveness, for He followed what we call the Lord’s Prayer with these bold statements about forgiveness. It would be very appropriate for us to recite these verses in our prayers, and let their message make deep impressions upon our hearts. What is remarkable is that we, as believers in Christ, have been given the power to forgive. We are to be known for our ability to forgive; a power that we might presume belongs to God alone. Yet these verses clearly show that we are equipped as a new creation, made into the image of God, and that new creation can forgive with all the power of God behind it. My friends, do not abandon your power to forgive. For to do so has implications for your own forgiveness. Some tell me that they can forgive, but they cannot forget the trespasses that others have committed against them. They use their mindset to defend their so-called right to not forgive, all because they cannot forget. I beg anyone with this approach to not be concerned about forgetting—get on with the task of forgiving! The person who forgives is set free. We need not be concerned whether or not the offending person realizes he/she is forgiven. That forgiveness will show in the way we carry ourselves, and the offender will see the change in us. If we do not forgive we are denying the forgiveness of sin that Christ obtained at the cross. We are in direct conflict with God! Father, let me be a vessel of forgiveness. I ask this not for my own benefit, but for the witness that forgiveness will bestow upon others. Let them see the freedom that is in Christ. They will not see it if I am an unforgiving person. Thank You for forgiving me, and I want to clearly carry that message into the world. Amen. |
