“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” Colossians 3:13
When the disciples came to Jesus, asking Him to teach them how to pray, He gave them a pattern to follow. And one component of that pattern was forgiveness.
Matthew 6:12“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
There are times when I read the Bible that I wish we had more details about what is happening. It would be interesting to know what was behind Peter’s question for Jesus in Matthew 18. Was it his brother, John, who had been making life difficult for him? Or was he referring to another one of the disciples?
Matthew 18:21-22 “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
When we realize how many times the Lord has forgiven us, then we can understand what Jesus was telling Peter in this instance. There should be no limit to the times we forgive others. It is not always easy. But when we harbour unforgiveness in our hearts, we cannot expect the Lord to forgive us.
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
There will be times when others do or say things that hurt us. They may not realize that they have done anything wrong and may never ask for our forgiveness. But if we do not forgive them, bitterness can arise in our hearts. Over time this will keep us from having a close relationship with the Lord.
Hebrews 12:15 “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”
When we forgive those who have wronged us, it does not mean that we condone what they did. We just choose to turn it over to the Lord. Forgiveness brings peace to our hearts, and freedom to worship the Lord freely.
Thought For Today: We bless God by showing a forgiving spirit.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
