"FORGIVING OTHERS"

How can we forgive the friend who now refuses to talk to us? Or the spouse who walks out on us? How about forgiving the one who steals from us? Or just showing forgiveness to that person who aggravates us day after day?

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

Nothing is harder or more necessary than to forgive from the heart. Forgiving us was the hardest thing God could have possibly done ~ it cost Him His Son! No matter what we have done, God forgives us when we pray sincerely, "Lord, forgive and renew me for Jesus' sake." As God forgives us, we forgive others. And as we forgive, we will have more concern for others than what they did to us.

At times we have reason to be angry and to feel hurt. Then, with the Spirit's help, love takes over. Let the anger go and stop holding things over others or against them.

"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Ephesians 4:26

"Forgive and forget" are nice words and sound advice, though sometimes a lot easier said than done. Forgiving does not mean forgetting. It may be impossible to block out certain painful memories from our mind. Nor need we return to the same close relationship we once had with the one we have forgiven. Discretion is in place.

"He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." Michah 7:19

God reconciles us to Himself by washing us in the blood of His Son. He daily renews His promise to tread our sins under-foot and throw them into the depths of the sea, from where they cannot return to haunt us or accuse us. Perhaps we find it hard to forgive and forget, but God can ~ and does ~ for Jesus' sake!

Application: To forgive means we do not bear a grudge, and we do not try to get even or hurt the person who injured us. We pray for those who treat us badly, and when possible, do good to them. We are to forgive whether the other person wants our forgiveness or not. Is there someone we ought to forgive? If so, ask God for strength to forgive that person right now. Above all, remember Jesus on the cross, which is the first step in knowing how to forgive.

Today's Devotion: "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Colossians 3:12,13

God Bless You All, as you forgive others ~ even when it's hard to do so.