I FORGIVE YOU

 

JUNE 11, 2024

Ephesians 4:32

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

 

I FORGIVE YOU

We are assured of  God's forgiveness through the "riches of his grace". Ephesians 1:7 says, “In [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” This is such an unbelievable truth, isn't it? Think about this, we haven't earned the forgiveness that God generously bestows on us. It's given simply because God is love; it's the essence of who God is. Just as Jesus showed, by giving his life, love is all about forgiveness.

Christianity is unique among religions in that it teaches salvation comes through grace rather than works. It is through God's love that a path of mercy is set before us, and we are called to extend that mercy to others. As God's children, welcomed into His family by His grace alone, we are to forgive others as we have been forgiven by God. 

Colossians 3:13 says, Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Jesus exemplified forgiveness in his ministry and ultimately by sacrificing His life for us. To forgive others, we need to follow His example, setting aside our own entitlements for those who have hurt us. Forgiveness is an act of humility, a choice to extend grace unearned, just as we have been forgiven by the Lord, so we too should forgive. That's tough isn't it, without the Holy Spirit's work in us. Our world operates on "getting even" and payback but this is not the way of God's kingdom. 

Let us think about our own lives for a moment. Who in your life do you feel has wronged you? It could be a small wound. It could be a life-altering sin committed against you. Maybe it was a word someone spoke against you that hurt you. 

Forgiveness isn't about whether someone has earned it; it is offered because of love. So we are invited today, to choose love over our own sense of fairness. We are invited today to choose to be like your heavenly Father and forgive those who have wronged us. We are invited to be a doer of Colossians 3:13 and “[forgive] each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

Remember, carrying the weight of unforgiveness is not our destiny, so lets release it. God's Spirit is there to assist you, providing the strength and bravery needed to lean into what feels insurmountable. Take a moment today to be with God, and allow His guidance to lead you towards forgiveness.

 

SOME TAKE AWAYS

1. Meditate on God’s heart to forgive. Allow God’s forgiveness to be the foundation for your own.

 “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12

 “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” Psalm 116:5-7

 2. Ask the Spirit who you need to forgive. Whether the wound was small or big, to whom do you need to offer grace today?

 “[Bear] with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, [forgive] each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Colossians 3:13