Last time we looked at how much we have been forgiven by God. We, by our very nature, are all sinful and without the forgiveness God freely offers us through Jesus we would have no way back into a relationship with God. Forgiveness from God is a free gift because of His grace and mercy.
Having taught us to ask God for forgiveness every time we pray, Jesus then instructs us to forgive as we have been forgiven. Just as we are sinners, we live with and around sinners every second of every day. Since the people we interact with are sinners, it should be expected that - at times - they will annoy us, offend us and sin against us. What Jesus is teaching us here is what our attitude should be when that happens. But I also think it's more than just an attitude but something we need to verbalise. As we pray this line, we are saying, ‘I forgive those who have offended me and sinned against me, because you have forgiven me of such a greater debt of the offenses and sins I’ve committed against you.’ We also need to remember that we did nothing to earn the forgiveness of God and yet He forgave us. So, let’s forgive with the same generous attitude. As we forgive those who have hurt us and those who have acted wrongly towards against us, actually verbalising this helps us to not only forgive them but also to release our bitterness, resentment, and anger toward them.
To not forgive others is to live the life of a hypocrite. Jesus points this out through the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35). A servant who owed his master a huge debt is let off by the merciful master but then the servant goes out and does not show mercy to a fellow servant who owes him a tiny debt. If we don’t forgive others, then we are just like that unforgiving servant. God has let us off from a debt that we could never repay, so for us to not forgive others (when in comparison the wrong they have done us is miniscule compared to the wrong we have done to God) is utterly hypocritical. If we desire God’s forgiveness, then we also need to forgive others.
When we don’t feel like forgiving people and find it a struggle, we can remember that God is the ultimate judge of all and one day everyone will need to come before God and give an account to Him. So, in bringing it to God in prayer, we can let go of our unforgiveness and leave it to God.
Prayer for today
Heavenly Father,
We thank you that you sent Jesus into this world to earn our forgiveness through giving up His life upon the cross. Thank you that whilst we were still sinners you reached out to us.
Father, we ask that just as we have been forgiven so much we will forgive others when they do wrong against us. Help us to show your loving grace and mercy to those around us.
We pray this in Jesus’ name,
Amen
Song for today
You can listen and sing along here.
I'm forgiven because you were forsaken
I'm accepted, You were condemned
I'm alive and well
Your Spirit is within me
Because you died and rose again
I'm forgiven because you were forsaken
I'm accepted, you were condemned
I'm alive and well
Your spirit is within me
Because you died and rose again
Amazing love, how can it be?
That you, my king. would die for me
Amazing love, I know it's true
It’s my joy to honour you
Amazing love how can it be?
That my king would die for me
Amazing love I know it's true
It’s my joy to honour you
In all I do
I honour you
Photo by Felix Koutchinski on Unsplash
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