Are You Prepared to Make a Decision to Forgive?
Good Morning Friends,
Mercy is at the heart of today’s devotional. The problem presented is the challenge of how God could possible forgive us when we do not forgive others. We pray forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. But before that we have to honor God. We are to request mercy, love, and forgiveness. We are to receive. We are to share. Are You Prepared to Make a Decision to Forgive?
Scripture: Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. ‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made.
Matthew 18:21-25 (NRSV)
Let us . . . approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 (NRSV)
and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32 (NRSV)
Message: In today’s devotional and scripture we study the relationship between love and forgiveness, and begin to understand the confusion we have when we focus on our circumstances and not God’s love in our circumstances. The parable is of the unmerciful servant. It is meant for us, to help us understand that we are not in the driver’s seat but also specifically for Peter who asks the question that prompts the story. The parable is for Peter and the Peter in us who has no idea how God works… that Peter whose profession of faith is the foundation of the church…that Peter who would deny Christ three times and be asked by Christ three times… “Do you love me?” In the parable and in the bigger story of the saving act of Jesus on the cross demonstrated in the life of Peter, we begin to see the process of reconciliation that can occur in our lives and in the church when we recognize that to love abundantly is to be loved… to forgive abundantly is to be forgiven. We are confronted with the amazing love that God sent His Son to ask our Heavenly Father to forgive all our debts. This is an important lesson on why we must, from out of our love received, from out of the depths of our heart decide to forgive others.
Pray for mercy and contemplate the difficulty we have in forgiving others. Pray we see the message of grace in the story of Peter. Pray we understand that God loves us more than we can imagine. Pray we understand our role as servant to a greater good in the love of Christ. Pray we discover a glorious ending to the story of forgiveness. Pray we are willing to offer through our lives second chances to others. Pray we rejoice in the complete joy of God’s mercy in our lives. Pray that God is glorified when we seek to forgive. Pray that our goal is to seek His peace. Pray that we overcome evil with good. Pray that we acknowledge our hurt…that we surrender our right to get even… that we see the person not the sin…that we desire good things for those who have wronged us…that we learn to enjoy a healed relationship with the Lord of love. Pray we not be selfish. Pray we learn to forgive. Pray that God listens to our cries for mercy. Pray that this day we choose mercy even as we know the day of justice is coming.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 