FORGIVE...NOW?

It happens sometimes . . . . Friends who we thought would be close to us for a lifetime hurt us and walk away.

We know the importance of forgiveness. Thus, when we are hurt, we know we will forgive them if our paths ever cross again. And we keep walking . . . .

We admit it, we feel hurt and ill treated. But we try not to dwell on the negative feelings. We try not to allow the experience to cause us to stumble.

Suddenly we hear the Lord admonishing us to forgive NOW . . . not when we see our friends . . . someday. We are to forgive NOW!

After we forgive, we may continue to feel hurt from the wrong done to us, but our souls will be clean. As we forgive our friends, God Himself will forgive us any trespass.

. . . . if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:14-15

Heavenly Father, thank You for directing me not only to forgive, but You expect me to forgive NOW. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

FORGIVE THOSE CLOSE

After a relationship of any kind lasts for a period of time, there is usually much to forgive. We are, after all, human. We may not have meant to hurt husband, child, parent, sibling or friend . . . we just do. On the other hand, they probably didn’t mean to hurt us . . . they just did. Perhaps because of thoughtlessness or carelessness, usually unintentionally. But the fact remains, as the years fly by, if we are not careful, the grievances against those whom we love begin to stack up.

Just think of a large family gathering. This person is no longer speaking to that person. Another person is hurt and will not attend. Instead of a loving gathering, it becomes a hotbed of irritation and ill will.

In Scripture, we read that God will forgive us in the measure that we forgive others. How careful we must be to make forgiveness active in all of our relationships, past and present.

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:14-15.

Heavenly Father, please help me to be as gracious in forgiving others as You are to forgive me. In Jesus name. Amen.