If You Do Not Forgive

IF YOU DO NOT FORGIVE

9/18/2020

September 18-Start Your Day Right Devotion

Matthew 6:14 "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."

IF YOU DO NOT FORGIVE

Jesus teaches that there should be no compromise (an agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions.) in our readiness or willingness to forgive the offenses of others. Holding on to unforgiveness is a sin because of the bitterness and destruction it can bring in one's own spirit and because it fails to reflect God's character in our lives. If we refuse to forgive others, Christ will not forgive us - nor will He answer our prayers - because we choose to hold on to sin. This is an important principle because God uses it as a measure for forgiving us.
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Matthew 18:35 "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

Unless You Forgive.

In this story, Jesus teaches that God's forgiveness, though freely given to those who confess and turn from their sin, still depends on each individual's willingness to forgive others.
This means that a person may lose the chance to be forgiven for their sins by God if he or she holds on to a bitter...resentful and unforgiving heart (see Matthew 6:14-15; Hebrews 12:15; James 3:11, 14). Compare Ephesians 4:31-32, where Paul says that bitterness, resentment, hostility and ill will have no place in the Christian faith and must be eliminated.
This parable not only describes a person who did not want to forgive, but he also resented the fact that he needed to be forgiven. When he confronted those who had a small debt with him, surely he remembered the huge debt that had been removed from his account. In fact, that seemed to be what caused his anger; he acted as if his personal debt had been caused by those who owned him. While receiving forgiveness from God should not be a difficult matter, it does require humility, admission of guilt and a willingness to change. Sadly, many people are not willing to adopt this attitude. As a result, they cannot receive forgiveness from Christ. (see Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:25-26; Luke 11:2-4).

Here is a prayer for forgiveness:

Father, only you understand how much I've been hurt by this person. I don't want to carry the pain for another second. I don't want to be a bitter person. But I need your grace and the power of the cross to release my hurt and to forgive those who've hurt me. This is the turning point. First, I need to experience your forgiveness. You know all the ways I've hurt others, and I'm so sorry for my sins. Jesus, thank you for dying for me. I accept your grace and forgiveness, and I need it daily. Today I'm turning to you, and I'm choosing to forgive the way you have forgiven me. Every time the memory comes back, I'll forgive that person again until the pain is gone. Heal my heart with your grace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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