Forgiveness: September 14, 2011

SEPTEMBER 14 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2011.

FORGIVENESS

DEFINITION:

The act of granting pardon for an offense or sin; acquittal; offering the chance to recover from mistakes.

SCRIPTURE:

“Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Psalm 32:1.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

In the Lord’s Prayer as written in Matthew 6, Jesus said: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us.” How can we expect to be forgiven when we are unwilling to forgive? This is what forgiveness is all about. When one does wrong it is right for that person to then ask for forgiveness. Unfortunately, that very rarely happens. The reason being is that it is humbling to have to admit we are wrong and have to ask for forgiveness. The end result, if we do not ask for forgiveness, is a rift in a relationship.

Don’t let pride keep you from doing the right thing. How do you feel when you are wronged? Naturally it upsets you and the normal reaction is to want to get even. Most people can give you a score of reasons why they feel they should not forgive someone for a wrong. Excuses are not acceptable to God. God has set the unsurpassable example of forgiveness when He forgave us of our sins by sending His Son to pay the penalty for our sins. Unless we have personally asked God to forgive us our sins and accepted Jesus as our Savior, our un-forgiven-sin stands between us and God.

In Acts 26:18 it reads: “that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those that are sanctified by faith in Me.” What greater inheritance can one have then to spend an eternity with God in heaven? It really is that simple. But we have to make the choice and ask God to forgive us from our sins.

We have given you three scriptures above that make it very clear from God’s Word that we need to have a spirit of forgiveness as believers. This is not an option but is expected by God.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Matthew 5:13.

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”

PRAYER:

Today I ask You to forgive me for my sins and for the times I have failed You. Help me to learn afresh to forgive those that sin against me just as You forgave me. Help me to set an example for my family and friends as to what it means to forgive and give my family a spirit of forgiveness to all that have treated us unkindly. Thank You for teaching me to pray as You said: “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” Amen