Forgiveness Required

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.  Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’  In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.  This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”   Jesus, Mt 18:33-35

To the extent that I receive forgiveness I have it to give.  The verses above are the conclusion of  an illustration regarding heaven that Jesus told. (Mt 18:23-35)  In it we learn of someone who experiences the freedom of being forgiven without ever truly receiving it.  When I find it difficult to forgive, if I recount the forgiveness that I have received it gets easier.

The point I want to leave with you today, is that, although forgiveness may be hard, it is essential.  Work at it, re-affirm your forgiveness of those who trespass against you.  I know it’s hard; personally I have had to work at and re-affirm my decision to forgive daily for months and months when an offense has been great.  Truth be told, I still have to re-affirm years later when I’m reminded again.  Along the way it feels like I’m just going through the motions but eventually my heart begins to change as I internalize and express the mercy and grace God continues to given me.  Unforgiveness is a burden that sucks the life out of you; it’s a deadly poison.  I want to encourage you to embark on a journey of forgiveness so that you can be set free –It may be a long and difficult journey, but you’re worth it!

I pray that God gives you the grace to start today.

Published by

dale

A man, husband and father, struggling to be a blessing in the lives of others.

Leave a Reply