Devotionals

Forgiveness (Part 4)

4 And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.”

There is power in forgiveness. 

Matthew 18:21-35
ESV
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.[h] 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant[i] fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found oneof his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

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

Forgiveness is so powerful because it is where we represent Christ. Forgiveness isn't easy, it's not easy choosing to let go of hurt, pain and choosing to move on.

God tells us to forgive others because He forgives us. I know many of you can tell me how I don't understand the depths someone hurt you but I also want to tell you that you don't know the depths in which you've sinned. We all have fallen short of the glory of God.

God forgives us and is ready to receive us.

When we don't forgive others, it's almost as if we don't recognise the power of God's forgiveness towards us. Though people pained us and though people hurt us, we should walk in love and forgiveness because we have pained God and hurt Him. He still loved us even when we didn't even seek His forgiveness.

We sin daily, we make mistakes daily and fail daily but yet God invites us to repent and to receive His forgiveness. Though people will disappoint us daily, mislead, and hurt us we don't allow unforgiveness to cling to us because unforgiveness corrupts your heart.

It blocks you from hearing God's voice clearly. It's like a wall and barrier between you and God. When we live in unforgiveness, it stops God from fully using us amd listening to our prayers. God always wants us to be forgive (Matthew 5:23-24).

If you're living in unforgiveness, you're unintentionally placing a barrier between you and God. Until you open the cage in your heart where hurt and anger are locked up and allow love to enter those chained-up emotions are pushing you further from Christ.