Forgiveness: Understood, Received, & Given, Pt. 5

I must choose forgiveness daily. The opposite is to become bitter and drink the poison, thinking it will harm my enemy.

Forgiveness: Understood, Received, & Given, Pt. 5

"And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors."

(Matthew 6:12)

I will close our devotions this week with two practical points of application for you to take to heart:

1. Choose to forgive daily. If someone harms or insults you and asks you to forgive them, do so. But what if they do not admit what they did wrong and ask for your forgiveness? Even if they do not ask for it, forgive them. This is not only hard but also impossible to do without the power of Christ living in you. Philippians 4:13 is true. You and I can be content in any circumstance, and we can forgive any offense leveled at us, but it happens only through the power of Jesus living in us.

I must choose forgiveness daily. The opposite is to become bitter and drink the poison, thinking it will harm my enemy. While in Macedonia last month, we were enjoying a wonderful meal, but those at the table behind us were drinking heavily and getting louder by the minute. The old man at the head of the table began to sing at the top of his voice and others joined him. The alcohol, loud behavior, and me not knowing what was about to happen triggered something in me from my childhood. I lived in that environment, and it always turned out badly. I had to endure it. But as an adult I do not. So, I had a decision to make. I could walk over and tell the guy to be quiet or just walk away and gather myself (an option I did not have when I was young). I chose the latter, and it was the right decision. In that moment, instead of going back in my mind and reliving the pain of the past, I chose to forgive again. It happened, and I had no control over what happened to me then, but I do have control over how I respond today. I choose to forgive.

2. What your eyes look at, your feet will follow. I read this quote last week from a college football coach who knows firsthand what it is like to lose almost everything because of poor choices. But the Lord and his family forgave him, and now he has a huge platform, and he uses it for the Lord. Set your gaze on Jesus and His forgiveness of you and your sins. Do not allow bitterness to spring up in your heart. Choose forgiveness. Get beyond yourself to Christ in you.

Forgiveness received: Have you asked for and received God's forgiveness of your sins? If not, then do it now. If you know the Lord but have not confessed the wrong you have thought, said, or done, do it now, and receive the grace and pardon of God; it is a beautiful thing.

Forgiveness given: Do you hold any ill or evil feelings against anyone? If yes, ask God to help you forgive, and then do it. Say it out loud: "I forgive."