GOD WANTS US TO FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER.
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)
It starts when they’re so young. The other day I walked in on another skirmish. “What happened?” I asked.
“She hit me!”
Looking at the guilty party, I questioned, “What should you do?”
“Apologize,” she said glumly.
Parenting isn’t easy, but I try my best to pry past my children’s self-will and pride in order to broker peace and teach love and forgiveness. There is bold resistance by both parties to my intrusion.
Forgiveness is one of the hardest things for children to learn – and perhaps more so for adults. When we do forgive, it’s often reluctantly, desiring to hold power over those who have wounded us. In the long run, however, our resistance to forgive only ends up hurting ourselves. Forgiveness is a challenge even when an apology has been made, and the effort must be multiplied when there isn’t an apology.
Our hearts are stubborn, yet God wants us to forgive. He says so in His Word. Seven times seventy only underscores the level of forgiveness we are to offer others. It’s one of the most important things for us to do, and it’s required to maintain peace-filled interactions with others. Sometimes the hardest three words to say are, “I forgive you.”
Still we’re instructed to forgive and keep our accounts short with others. Perhaps there is someone who is waiting for your forgiveness. Won’t you consider offering it today?
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
THINK ABOUT IT…
What does this devotional reveal to me about God?
What does this devotional reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?