Forgiveness Is For
Your Own Sake
For if you forgive
other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive
you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive
your sins. Matthew 6:14–15 (NIV)
In life, everyone
has his or her own share of unfair things happening to them; someone accuses you
falsely or steps on your feet or hustles you in an uncomfortable manner. There
is always a choice to make. You can choose to hold on to the hurt, become
bitter and angry, and let it poison your future; or, you can choose to let it
go and trust in God.
Considering how
badly you have been hurt, you may be thinking you will not be able to forgive.
Yes, I might not know how much abuse you endured while growing up or how your
spouse has caused you a lot of pain or how your best friend has betrayed you or
how difficult it is to let go of that pain. But I want you to realize that you
don’t forgive for their sake; you forgive for your own sake. When you forgive,
you are taking away their power to hurt you again. But if you hold on to the
offense and stay angry, you are only poisoning your own life and disconnecting
yourself from God.
Forgiveness is like
a door on your heart. If you shut the door and refuse to forgive, then God
cannot come in to forgive you. But when you open the door and allow forgiveness
to flow from you, then His forgiveness can also flow into you. Choose to
forgive and open the door to receive God’s life, peace and healing today.
Prayer
Father God, I thank
You for the gift of forgiveness that sets me free. Lord, help me to truly
understand what it means to forgive so I can receive Your forgiveness. Search
my heart and try my thoughts and lead me in the way everlasting. Thank You in
Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
Reference: Mark
11:25-26; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13
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