Forgiveness is central to our lives as Christians. Without it we cannot know the love of God and we cannot love others as we should. We need to give it. We need to receive it.

Forgiving someone is not easy, but it is possible. We tend to expect God to forgive us more easily than we will forgive others, but according to scripture the measure is the same. To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you. This is hard but it is the truth. We can either live by this truth or live in denial.

Do we really believe the Lord’s prayer? It is dangerous to pray that God will forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

Matthew 6: 9-15

9   Pray like this:

     Our Father in heaven,

     may your name be kept holy.

10 May your Kingdom come soon.

     May your will be done on earth.

     as it is in heaven.

11 Give us today the food we need,

12 and forgive us our sins,

     as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

13 And don’t let us yield to temptation,

     but rescue us from the evil one.

14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.

15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

When I find it difficult to forgive someone, I remind myself that God has forgiven me. This certainly makes it easier.

Colossians 3: 12-15

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

13 make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us together in perfect harmony.

15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Do you know that there is liberation in forgiveness? Liberation from guilt, shame, pride, depression, anger, self-pity, confusion and doubt.

Ephesians 4: 30-32

30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour.

32 Instead be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Make a decision today to give forgiveness and to accept forgiveness.

Before you pray ………forgive.

Mark 11: 23-25

23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.

24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father I heaven will forgive your sins too.