Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 31, 2016
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins Matthew 6:14–15.
How do you respond when you have been wronged? How do you react to unrighteous behavior directed toward you? You can forgive fast and be freed from pride, pain, and anger, or you can stay mad and stew in your state of self-pity. Indeed, your forgiveness of others is evidence of your heavenly Father’s forgiveness in your own life.
Since God forgave you, you forgive others, and in turn He forgives you. This is Christ’s cycle of forgiveness. If, however, we fail to forgive others, we place ourselves in an unforgivable position. Our unforgiving attitude invites unforgiveness from our heavenly Father; so those who find mercy with God are to show mercy on behalf of God.
Jesus not only came to reconcile us to His Father but also to one another. True worship is contingent on reconciliation with people. Jesus said, “Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:24).
Who in your life requires you to let go of resentment? Who has distracted your authentic worship of Christ because of their hurtful words? By God’s grace you can forgive them for Christ’s sake, and be liberated by the love of the Lord. You know you have truly forgiven when the joy of the Lord is once again your strength.
There is a song of salvation in your heart and a bounce of hope in your step. Forgiveness frees you to trust again. Love is the lever that turns on forgiveness in your heart. Allow the Lord to love you in this lonely place, and you will be able to love others authentically.
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (1 John 4:11-12).
Application: What does it mean for me to forgive others as God has forgiven me? How can I make love my motivation for forgiving my parents, friends, or foes?
Related Readings: Numbers 14:20; Psalm 32:1; Luke 6:37; 2 Corinthians 2:10
Post/Tweet this today: Jesus not only came to reconcile us to His Father but also to one another. #WisdomHunters #forgivefast
Today’s reading is taken from Boyd’s book: Seeking Daily the Heart of God, volume 2, a 365 day devotional.
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The most important person in ones life, our spouse, should be honored with this God’s love application.
Sometimes my desire for justice suffocates my responsibility to forgive. If I’m being honest, I have to admit that I tell myself that forgiveness isn’t possible because there is no detectable remorse or contrition. I feel like I can’t quickly get past certain injuries from certain people without an apology, even though forgiving the unapologetic is exactly what God did when He sent His Son to redeem the world. This is one of our most challenging and highest callings as believers, forgiving those that don’t appear sorry. Even a babe in Christ should be able to except an apology, but can I take the scary first step toward reconciliation when an apology might not be coming? Or will I be afraid to be rejected, made a fool of or hurt again? Sadly the latter happens more than I enjoy confessing. It’s amazing how badly I want justice for those that injure me but I gladly accept the injustice of Christ dying for all the injuries I’ve caused. What it really boils down to is whether or not I believe God can and will. When I don’t forgive, I’m saying I don’t believe and trust God to change and heal hearts. I’m saying I don’t believe that He will protect me and hold me close. I’m saying that don’t I love Him enough to obey His commands or respect Him enough to heed his warnings. Forgiveness isn’t easy but if it gives us a microscopic idea of the sacrifice Jesus made then Father Your will be done, in my heart and in my relationships….. Awesome and timely devotional today. Thank You and God Bless you.
Thank you Gary, for your wise comment. I pray many in our Wisdom Hunter’s family will agree with you and feel encouraged to “forgive fast”.
We are thankful for you and look forward to hearing from you again.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.”
Psalm 86:5
Dear Chris,
Thank you friend, for not only your sincerity, but also your transparency. Please know that you spoke for MANY in the Wisdom Hunter’s family, as well as many of our brothers and sisters in Christ, with your honest comments about forgiving others who show no remorse.
Chris, your statements “I feel like I can’t quickly get past certain injuries from certain people without an apology, even though forgiving the unapologetic is exactly what God did when He sent His Son to redeem the world” reminded me (and many others, I am sure…) of the power of forgiveness in the very example of God sending His Son to redeem the world.
Boyd summed up the gift that is forgiveness when he stated “Indeed, your forgiveness of others is evidence of your heavenly Father’s forgiveness in your own life”.
The freedom we are blessed with when we forgive truly enables us to live the joyful, abundant life HE has planned for us.
Chris, thank you for taking the time to reach out to us. I will share your comments with Boyd and the rest of the WH staff.
We are so grateful for you and look forward to hearing from you again.
Believing and trusting,
Gwynne
“You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call upon you.”
Psalm 86:5
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13