Forgive them, for they know not what they do.Luke 23:34 Jesus was in the greatest imaginable anguish. He does not respond with a passionate complaint, but a passionate concern. Jesus was praying for the soldiers who were nailing him to the cross. The soldiers were bound by duty. How can we hold people accountable for a standard they do not…
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.1 John 1:8a We cannot deny our sinfulness. Even the best of believers may be tempted with the biggest of sins. Sin denies people the power of God in this life and the presence of God in the next. The recognition of sin is the beginning of salvation. We cannot lead…
Leave your gift at the altar and go.Matthew 5:24 The heart of a servant holds the sensitivity of the Spirit. Even in the smallest details, we can never object to the Holy Spirit. If you are not reconciled with someone today, you must repent. Jesus does not say hold the gift and wait. Jesus says for you to go because it…
We forgive everyone who has done wrong to us.Luke 11:4 A truly repentant person who receives forgiveness sends forgiveness. “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col. 3:13). We cannot keep the forgiveness given to us for it should be given away. There is no disparity between the best and worst of people. The great and the guilty all fall short…
Forgive us for the wrong things we have done.Luke 11:4 We are blessed with permanent forgiveness. At the point of salvation, our sin is forgiven. However, we still sin. Our daily wrongdoings disagree with God’s holiness. Sin disrupts our communion with God. Thankfully God provides provisional forgiveness. It’s not that our salvation needs to be restored, but our relationship. “Restore…
Always strive to do what is good for each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 Christ followers should strive for authentic forgiveness. People may attempt to harm us with their words and actions, but we must respond as Christ. “Walk in the light, as he is in the light” (1 John 1:7). The feeling that you have to be right is born out of…
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15 One identifying mark of a disciple is his or her willingness to offer forgiveness. All forgiveness may have a starting point but ultimately forgiveness is a process. The first stage is to evaluate your feelings. You recognize that someone has hurt you;…
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.Colossians 3:13 The response from Jesus on the cross was truly a remarkable expression of unbounded forgiveness. Jesus was blindfolded, slapped, beaten with fists, flogged, scourged, and ultimately crucified on a cross. To say that being crucified on a cross was excruciatingly slow and humiliating would be an understatement. Despite the cruelty of mankind, Jesus…