Heartstrings of Forgiveness

Matthew 18:21-22, “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, when my fellow believer sins against me, how many times must I forgive him? Should I forgive him as many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, you must forgive him more than seven times. You must forgive him even if he wrongs you seventy times seven.”

In our devotions we come across verses that can challenge us or make us think just a little more about what Jesus is saying. It’s easy to find the uplifting and encouraging verses that we like or ones that agree with our thoughts. But what do you do when you come across a verse that makes you think twice?  Now I thought it would be fun to get us thinking about what the Bible is really saying.  Today we are going to look at Matthew 6:14-15.

   “Yes, if you forgive others for their sins, your Father in heaven will also forgive you for your sins. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins.”

     “Forgive them?  I can't.”   “They make me so mad.”   “You just don't know what they did to me.”  “It’s okay if I really don’t forgive them. We won’t see each other anyway and when they are around, I can avoid them. It’s just one person.”

   Have words like those come from your mouth before? Or maybe you’ve heard it from someone else?  Let’s look at the simple definition of forgiveness:

• to stop feeling anger toward (someone who has done something wrong)

• to stop blaming (someone)

• to stop feeling anger about (something)

• to forgive someone for (something wrong)

That about covers everything doesn’t it?  When we look at what the Bible says it’s pretty clear that God says forgiveness is our only option, if we want to be forgiven by God.

   Not one of us is perfect and we all make mistakes that hurt someone in some way but if we can’t be forgiving to those who have hurt us how can we even consider that God would forgive us.  Yes, we all will have moments where someone does something intentionally or unintentionally to hurt us and it could and/or would make us angry.  The fault is not in getting upset but in holding onto that anger, using it against the person or using it for reasons not to talk with them anymore.  And to go a step further, when we hang onto that hurt, even after they have asked for forgiveness, we are going against what God has said. 

   We will all be standing before God one day and when we do, it will not be with a heart that is unclean with un-forgiveness we’ve held against someone.  When I pray, I want God to hear and answer my prayers but again He has told us, in the Bible, what happens when we don’t forgive.  If I have anything that I have not forgiven, then I will not be standing forgiven either.

   “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25)

   “If we continue to have bitterness in our hearts and lives, we do not show the love of God. The Word of God tells us that we cannot even say we love God if we have hate toward someone else. (1 John 4:20)

   So, what do we do now?  Remember those words earlier, "Forgive them?  I can't. " "They make me so mad."  "You just don't know what they did to me."  Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you."

   It can’t be clearer than that, no matter how we feel, we must forgive.  No matter the offense, no matter how much pain we feel, we must forgive.  We can't take revenge or even gloat when our enemy falls (Romans 12:19-21; Proverbs 24:17).  If we want to be forgiven by others and by God, we first need to forgive.  Let go of the grudges and let God heal the pain, the hurt feelings, and the attitudes of any party involved.  It is only then that God will be able to forgive our offenses.  I’m not saying it will be easy, and I struggle with a few things too, but with God’s help I can overcome that too.  With a heart of love and with God by our side we can face those people, situations, things, with a smile and know that no matter what has been done, God is in control and the only thing that matters is your relationship with Him.  Others, including those who have wronged us, will have to face their relationship with God and that is not your concern, your concern is just between you and God.  Give your burdens to Him and He will take care of the rest.

When I stop and think about forgiveness I am reminded of Jesus. I am the sinner, I was born a sinner, I sin daily (even when I try my best not to), and I should die a sinner. Yet, Jesus, who was pure and sinless, left His home where He was safe and protected. He left His Father and came to this sin riddled earth knowing what He would be facing and still went to the cross for us. For me, He took the penalty I deserved. For me, He faced the beatings and pain that was meant for me, for me He died so I could be saved. I am far from perfect and make plenty of mistakes, yet the Lord offers me forgiveness. Why then should I offer any less to those who have done something to me to render my unforgiveness. Even if they don’t come to me personally asking for forgiveness. I need to, in my heart, forgive them and treat them the same way the Lord treats me.

    Is it hard? Oh, you bet it is. But with the Lord’s help you can find forgiveness and then you will be filled with peace about the situation. Time will heal, life will move on and maybe some day you can look back on the situation with that person and move forward, leaving it all behind you. But remember what the Lord has said, ‘You must forgive the offenses of others if you want the Lord to forgive you.’ It’s sometimes a hard pill to swallow but we are God’s children, and we strive daily to more like Him, yes? You are forgiven, find ways to be the forgiver too.

   Today let's ask God to fill us with His love for those who have offended us.  Let’s learn to walk in love and peace.  And above all remember to forgive, forgive, and then forgive some more.

Perhaps our greatest need is to get into God's Word. "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers."

This is one of my all time favorite Scripture passages. Planting yourself in God's Word is like planting a tree by water. There is an abundance of life giving nutrients to give strength for a lifetime.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Maybe you already love your Bible, but you are not giving enough time or consideration to it? Let the Bible dwell in you richly, not poorly, not half-heartedly, but richly. Build your life on it. Make it your most important daily habit. Stake your future on it.

Today let's continue to deepen our devotional lives with another easy Bible study.

Lesson 6- WORD Study.docx

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