Forgiving, pt 5
OPENING PRAYER:
Dear Father, thank you for forgiving me and for your promise of eternal security in Christ. Amen
READ:
“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)
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:12-13)
REFLECT:
This week in our devotionals, we have looked at the area of forgiveness. We have learned that:
1. our forgiveness cost Jesus his life,
2. to forgive we must see our sin first,
3. to not forgive impacts our relationship with God, and that
4. true forgiveness extends God’s love to others.
Forgiveness is certainly a critical part of our daily walk with Jesus. It is part of being a Christ-follower. Truth is, most of us would probably say we are rather good at forgiveness. No hatchets unburied. No grudges ongoing. No revenge planned. But are we really? Do we carefully watch those who have hurt us before? Do we avoid tarnishing reputations by gesture, comment, or disassociation with those whom we have “forgiven”? Are our relationships with those we have forgiven the same as before their offense?
Peter boasts to Jesus of over and above forgiveness- “up to 7 times” (the biblical number often used for completeness)- when rabbinical teaching at the time was to forgive 3 times. Instead of praising Peter, Jesus responds with a multiple meaning NEVER stop forgiving. It is who you are to be in Christ, an unlimited forgiver. When we forgive like God does, without remembering, and without limit, we are starting to get it.
In the Colossians and Ephesians passages above, Paul explains part of what our lives are to be as believers. He ends both passages telling us we must forgive as God forgives us. High standards, but God still calls us to do just that and then promises his power to do it.
APPLY:
Take a walk today and meditate on all it means that God forgives us daily, repeatedly, and for many of the same things we do to offend his holiness. Ask God to grow you to be that kind of forgiver.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord, for the family of believers that you have for me to do life with daily. Help me today and every day to open myself to the growth that I so desperately need and give me the power to do what I cannot do on my own. Amen.