Notes of Faith March 9, 2024
Can You Forgive?
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-seven times.” — Matthew 18:21-22
Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the “betrayer” to get hurt. The problem with this is that you are the only one suffering when you hold on to hurts.
What good does bitterness do for us?
It actually separates us from experiencing the full love of God. Part of the way God shows love for us is in His mercy and grace. Once we repent, He forgives immediately and we receive the blessing.
When we withhold forgiveness towards someone, we are blocking the blessings God has for us and the perpetrator.
So, who do you need to forgive? I’m not saying you have to call them up and tell them (ask God what He wants you to do).
Who do you need to forgive?
In my book, I shared a story about how I called my stepdad and actually asked for forgiveness from him for holding on to his wrongs for so many years. I was so scared to get on the phone call, but afterwards I felt a huge boulder off my shoulders. It changed my relationship with my mom, myself, and my husband all for the better once I was able to let go and truly forgive.
If you're struggling to forgive, ask God to give you the strength. He will give you what you need if you continue to lay the burdens and the hurt at the loving feet of our Father God.
Written for Devotionals Daily by Cayla Craft, author of What Do You Really Want?
Matt 6:9-15
"Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Many followers of Jesus know the verses above but conveniently forget the following verse:
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespass
ESV
Forgiveness is in the character of God. He forgives. We are commanded to forgive. We must forgive. Work hard to be forgiving of everyone. Not easy. You might wish this verse was not in the Bible, but it is, and we are to obey.
Maybe prayer is needed this very moment to repent and forgive someone.
Pastor Dale