It Is In Pardoning That We Are Pardoned

Text for Today: Matt. 6:1-15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (vs. 14).

Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it.

And yet there is no peace without forgiveness. He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself; for every man has need to be forgiven.

Forgiveness is something all of us want to receive but most of us hesitate to give. From our text for today, Jesus makes it clear, however, that we can’t have it without giving it.

These words allow no room for doubt or discussion. Forgiveness flows two ways. We cannot separate receiving forgiveness from extending forgiveness.

Forgiveness is at the core of emotional well-being. It is fair to say that unforgiving people are emotionally sick. Their bitterness is a disease of the spirit, and it is inevitable that the unforgiving person eventually will experience physical illness as well.

The stress we carry when we refuse to give or receive forgiveness affects our hearts, minds, and bodies. To make matters worse, both rage and depression contribute to obsessive behaviors such as overreacting, overspending, and mood-altering drugs.

We cannot rid ourselves of emotional pain and its side effects unless we are willing to forgive. Unresolved anger keeps us from moving forward because it locks us in a time machine, frozen on the exact moment when a particular offense occurred.

Fear of further injury makes us unwilling to move to new levels of relationship, not only with those who have hurt us but with anyone who represents a similar threat.

 You are a Champion!

Further Study: Luke 11:1-8.

Covenant Prayers                            

• Father, I thank you for you always forgive me my sins.
• I receive grace to let go and forgive those who hurt me.
• I cast out every spirit of bitterness from my life.
• Lord, through forgiveness, make me a living epistle to people,

QUOTE: “UNRESOLVED ANGER KEEPS US FROM MOVING FORWARD BECAUSE IT LOCKS US IN A TIME MACHINE.”