FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER

Dear Christian, to say that we live in a world filled with hurt is an understatement. In this life, there are a myriad of things that threaten our peace and rob us of joy, yet God has given us a remarkable gift. When we first called out to Jesus, we did so by understanding that our sin had separated us from God. When we turned to Him in repentance and faith, we were then forgiven. Now having received His forgiveness for our sin, we ought to delight in extending forgiveness to those who have sinned against us. This is one of the great attributes of the Christian life, “forgiving those who have trespassed against us.” When we walk in the reality of having been forgiven, we extend kindness toward one another because we remember what it was like to have been condemned ourselves. Our hearts are more tender toward those who need forgiveness because this act comes from a deep sense of debt. I do not mean the kind of debt that is burdensome or hard, but the kind of debt that is rooted in thankfulness and gratitude toward God who has forgiven us of so much. To truly love another is to extend forgiveness to them when they have offended us. This is the key not only to the restoration of a fractured relationship, but also to maintaining a healthy relationship. When we walk in love we are eager to forgive because when we do, we are most like Jesus. Is there somebody in your life who the Lord would say to you, “go and be reconciled with them”? Being forgiven grants us the liberty and the power to forgive others. This should be our way of life.