If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts]. (1 John 1:8 AMP).
We were sinners because of one man, Adam. But the scripture says that God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8, NLT). Remember, without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. Christ came to die so that we could have forgiveness of our sins. This makes forgiveness an important topic in our walk of faith.
In Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus talked about forgiving our brothers and sisters who have done us wrong. From the passage, the Master forgave the servant his debt he could not pay. The penalty was so severe that he had to fall down before his master and begged for more time to pay. The Master felt pity for him so he forgave his debt. But that servant could not do the same to another fellow who owed him a hundred silver coin. The servant was unmerciful to his fellow servant. In short, the Master got to hear what he had done, and took him to jail; tortured him till he paid the last penny.
Friends, we owed a debt we could not have afforded to pay but God sent His son to suffer and die on our behalf. He paid the debt we could not pay. He forgave us our sins. Like that Master and His servant, we ought to forgive those who sin against us because God forgives us when we go wrong.
Take a moment to answer these questions:
Do you remember the last time you sinned against God?
Did you pray for forgiveness?
Do you believe that He has forgiven you? If YES, you are blessed.
Let us move on the other direction;
Do you remember the last time someone (brother, sister, colleague, mother, father, teacher, pastor, family member, manager, director, supervisor, etc.) did something wrong (sin) against you?
Did you pay him/her back? Or you forgave him/her?
Often we find it hard to forgive others, especially when they deliberately hurt us. This makes us to believe that God acts as such so when we go wrong, we find it very difficult to forgive ourselves or even believe that God has forgiven us after we have confessed to him.
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus added “And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us [who has offended us or done us wrong].” (Luke 11:4, AMP). The way we are going to receive forgiveness from the Lord is dependent on the way we forgive others when they sin against us. Consider what Jesus said in Matthew 18:35 after the master had punished the unmerciful servant: “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart” (Matthew 18:35, NLT)
God wants us to live in peace because in the beginning, he created a man and a woman. We are one family. For that reason, you are my brother/sister. We must love one another. I do not have to always keep record of the wrong things you do to me.
“…love keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:5, NIV)
When God forgives you, it is as though you never committed that sin. He does that because He loves you. He does not keep record of your sins. In the same way, you ought to show your genuine love by forgiving others their mistakes without reminding them in the future.
God bless you as you decide to love those who have done you wrong or hurt you in the past or present by forgiving them their mistake(s). Amen
We can pray together: if you need strength to let things go, drop a message and I would pray with you. The address is upliftingchrist@gmail.com
Uplifting Christ 