Have you ever been so offended by someone, you think you just can't forgive that person? Yeah, I've been there. This week has been especially hard for me as several people have been put on my heart by God, people who have hurt me. Do they know they hurt me? I don't know. But I do know that no matter what, God requires us to forgive.
"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:14-15.
We are called to forgive sins that have been committed against us. However in that passage there is something that is not there, the requirement for the person to ask forgiveness before we forgive them. Why is it not there? Because we need to forgive whether we want to or not. Forgiveness isn't conditional, it's mandatory.
When we haven't forgiven someone, we are harboring anger, pain, sadness and more feelings that can hinder our walk with the Lord. But when we forgive, freedom is found and our walk with the Lord is blessed.
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:12-13
Is there someone God is calling you to forgive?Elizabeth is a stay-at-home mom and National Guard wife. She enjoys reading, baking and spending time with her family and friends.
Photo by Elephant.
This is great...in the very convicting kind of way. I remember when I realized this when I was re-reading Jesus on the cross asking the Father to forgive them. Wow. In the midst of his murder he was thinking about forgiveness. So hard to do! Thanks for the reminder!
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http://cardigansandcrayons.blogspot.com/
Great reminder, Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love those Colossians 3 verses. What a calling He gives us to follow!
This is one of those hard truths from God's Word to live out. But when I think about how much I've been forgiven and the work of Christ on the cross, I am often humbled and it makes it a little easier. It doesn't make it easy, but easier. Thank you for sharing your heart and being so honest with us, Elizabeth.
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