“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15
Meditation: Great theologians debate this passage of Scripture. It is the source of many arguments and much speculation. We are not here to argue the theological perspectives, but to examine the attitudes of our own hearts. If we are not forgiving toward others, do we really have God’s forgiveness in our lives? In other words, our forgiving heart is the proof of God’s forgiveness working in our lives. When we accept Jesus Christ into our heart, we are a new creation. The old is gone and the new has come. The Spirit of God should now control our lives, not the flesh or the world. This passage directs us to one aspect of the new life we have: the need for a forgiving heart.
There are so many angry people in the world today. The fast paced, high pressure society we live in creates pressure that pushes people to the edge emotionally. Christian and non-Christian alike respond to others with such resentment and even rage that it is a wonder they can live with such pressure inside. Unforgiveness eats at people to the point of hurting their physical health. One has to wonder if a person carrying so much animosity and malice towards others has truly accepted the grace and love God offers through Jesus Christ. God has forgiven us so much. Why would we not be willing to forgive others? We need to have forgiving hearts reaching out to others with God’s grace and mercy.
Challenge: Do you willingly forgive when others offend you? Is your Christianity evident when you are wronged? Demonstrate God’s forgiveness by forgiving others, no matter what they have done to you. Have you forgiven and then reached out to those who have hurt you with God’s love?
Thought for the Day: Lord, help me to have a forgiving heart, showing Your grace and mercy to those who have wronged me.
Chris Garner
Used by permission – Fortified Marriages.