Tuesday, November 14, 2023

How To…FORGIVE

Prayer – Lord, forgive us our debts…as we forgive our debtors. Forgiveness is so important to my relationship with You, Lord God. Forgive me for not being more forgiving to others. You have forgiven me for so much.

Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?" "No, not seven times," Jesus replied, "but seventy times seven!" Matthew 18:21-22

 

Meditate. Feel God’s presence and forgiveness in your life.

 

As Jesus taught His disciples…and us…to pray, He included a phrase about forgiving those who sin against us.

Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:9-15 (Underlined for emphasis.)

That is pretty strong. If someone denies asking for forgiveness, God won’t forgive them. Whoa! That is a sad thing. No forgiveness from God is an eternal death sentence. Remember one must be pure to stand before God—and sin blocks purity. That purity is only ours if we ask for forgiveness from God. The ultimate choice is ours.

 

Just as Peter asked about the number of times to forgive (see Matthew 18), Jesus addressed that issue with His disciples in the book of Luke.

Is someone toxic--
--like these poisonous mushrooms?
Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive. Luke 17:4

Shortly before His ascension Jesus told His followers that the Messiah was to suffer, die, and be resurrected. That happened. The Messiah is Jesus. He also talked about forgiveness.

It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: 'There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.' Luke 24:47

James and Paul challenge us to help others—to be forgiving and to be involved in rescuing them from death—eternal death.

Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13

 

My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins. James 5:19-20

Forgiveness is a big deal. It is an integral part of any good relationship—with God or with others. How to do it? Basically, with God, get down on your knees and ask for forgiveness. Repent. With others? It will depend on the relationship and what exactly needs to be addressed. Face-to-face conversation is always best, but via FaceTime, just a phone call, even a text message or an e-mail is acceptable. There are no hard and fast rules—just humbling your heart before others is a good way to start. Prayer is often a key to forgiveness. Ask God to give you wisdom and the proper words to say. Consider if you have to forgive others and offer that forgiveness to them, too. Make allowances for each other’s faults…even your own.

 

If you have any suggestions, please write a comment in the Post a Comment box below and let others know how you have dealt with forgiveness in your life.  Blessings ~

 

Verse of Salvation ~ Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your name. Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of your name. Psalm 79:9

 

© 2023 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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