February 16, 2023
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)
Isn’t it interesting that forgiveness is the one aspect that Jesus highlights in the Lord’s Prayer? Verse twelve tells us, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Isn’t it interesting that Jesus doesn’t stop there? Just in case we didn’t get the point, He underlines what He has been telling His disciples in (v.14-15), “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Forgiving others is not a request; it is not an optional extra but a command. If we want Jesus to forgive all of our sins, we must be prepared to forgive others. I know that can be challenging. There are times that without the Lord’s help, we would not be able to forgive. God understands this. Forgiveness is not meant to be cheap. Grace isn’t cheap. It cost our Heavenly Father everything to extend His grace and forgiveness to us – it cost Him His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Friends, God knows all about the cost of forgiveness.
Even so, He tells us to forgive. Some of you may be saying right now, ‘Mr. Randall, my wife betrayed me; I am heartbroken.’ It could be that your business partner or coworker you trusted because he said he was a Christian just stabbed you in the back. I understand exactly how that feels. Maybe you have a child who has let you down. Remember that we are ambassadors of Jesus, representing the Kingdom of God; this means we forgive others.
Friends, whatever our situation is, difficult as it may be, God commands us all as ambassadors of Christ to forgive. Would you pray with me?
Dear Heavenly Father, as I contemplate Your forgiveness of my sins, I realize I have no right to withhold forgiveness from anyone else. Please help me obey Your Word and Your command to forgive. Thank You that I don’t have to do this alone, and You give me the power to forgive. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Encouraging Words from R.C. Sproul: To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.
God Bless you, Friends, and may you have a Blessed Day <><
Thoughts by Randall Stapleton is a Daily Devotion brought to you by The Bridge - Learn more at https://wearethebridge.org
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