April 26, 2022
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)
We will begin this weeks’ Devotional Thoughts talking about forgiveness. Isn’t interesting that forgiveness is the one aspect that Jesus highlights in the Lord’s Prayer. Verse twelve tells us, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Isn’t it interesting that Jesus doesn’t stop there? Just in case we didn’t get the point, He underlines what He has been telling His disciples in (v.14-15), “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Forgiving others is not a request, it is not an optional extra – it is a command. If we want Jesus to forgive all of our sins, then we have to be prepared to forgive others their sins. I know that is not always easy. I fact, there are times that without the help of the Lord there is no way we would be able to forgive. God understands this. Forgiveness is not meant to be cheap. Grace isn’t cheap. It cost our Heavenly Father everything to extend His grace and forgiveness to us – it cost Him His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Friends, God knows all about the cost of forgiveness.
Even so, He tells us to forgive. Some of you may be saying right now, ‘Mr. Randall, my wife betrayed me, I am heartbroken.’ It could be that your business partner whom you trusted because he said he was a Christian just stabbed you in the back. I understand exactly how that feels. Maybe you have a child who has let you down. Remember that we are ambassadors of Jesus, representing the Kingdom of God; this means that we forgive others.
Friends, whatever our situation is difficult as it may be, God commands us all as ambassadors of Christ to forgive. Would you pray with me?
Dear Heavenly Father, as I contemplate Your forgiveness of my sins I realize that I have no right to withhold forgiveness from anyone else. Please help me to obey Your Word and Your command to me to forgive. Thank You that I don’t have to do this on my own. You give me the power to forgive. For it is in Your Precious Name I ask. Amen.
God Bless and have a Blessed Day, Friends <><
Thoughts by Randall Stapleton is a Daily Devotion brought to you by The Bridge - Learn more at https://wearethebridge.org
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