“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15

Forgiveness can be a hard thing to offer when we feel that an injustice or offense has been committed. Yet not only does God command us to, He says that if we fail to forgive, He will not forgive us. This is a terrifying statement.

The one thing that stands in the way of forgiveness every time is pride. Forgiving and asking for forgiveness requires us to lay aside our selves, our positions, our rights, our causes, and even our pains. This cannot be done in man’s strength alone, for man’s natural instinct is to defend himself. Yet through the power of the cross, the love of God can be manifest in us, even towards those who we believe to be wrong.

“Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”" Luke 17:3-4

• Offering/Requesting forgiveness does not mean you were wrong and the other person was right.
• Offering/Requesting forgiveness does not mean your hurts or views are not valid.
• Offering/Requesting forgiveness does not mean you have compromised on the truth.

Offering/Requesting forgiveness means that you have decided to obey the Father by taking up your cross and following Jesus so that Christ may live through you….even at the expense of yourself.

“Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.

The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.

So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’

And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”" Matthew 18:21-35

Unforgiveness is not just about what it offers to the other person. Forgiving is for our OWN benefit too, so that hatred, anger, malice, pride, or hurt does not rage down in our own souls.

Festering anger and unforgiveness is a tormentor! It is like walking around with a gaping, seeping, wound that is extremely sensitive to the slightest touch. It robs you of peace in God and shuts you up within yourself away from others.

BUT, there is a balm in Gilead! If you could but pray to be given the strength, God will intervene. He will remove the heavy weights which crush your soul and spirit. He will apply the balm of forgiveness so that you may be made whole and can release those who have caused offense. He will restore you in His love.

We are called to stand for that which is true. We are also called to forgive those who offend us. By the grace of God and through His love and mercy alone, we are equipped to do each of those things to the glory of God.

“Praise ye the LORD. Blessed [is] the man [that] feareth the LORD, [that] delighteth greatly in his commandments.”  Psalm 112:1

Reflection

Blessed is the man who repents and believes! God shall give Him that rest promised from the beginning. Yes, the believer shall receive blessing upon blessing in the very gospel promise of Christ Himself. By His obedience unto righteousness, even we to be made righteous. By His death unto the cross, even we are made just. By His resurrection unto life, even we are made unto new life. And by His ascension to His heavenly throne, even we are exalted to His right hand. His eternal Sabbath rest is the Sabbath rest of we, His people. Indeed, we are blessed! Beyond imagining are we blessed!

“Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”   James 1:12

Reflection

The crown of life is a promise that God grants to those who love Him. Though we endure tremendous trials and tribulations, we will not be crushed. Our suffering will end in the glory of Jesus Christ and we will receive the crown of life. What a beautiful ending for this life! May God be glorified in our daily trials. May we seek His face and continue to be molded into His perfect image.

“And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.“  Romans 5:3-5

Reflection

We are promised that our sufferings will bear a fruit greater than the power of the suffering: we are promised genuine hope that does not disappoint! What glorious fruit! So then is suffering counted by Paul a reason for rejoicing!

“[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.“  Hebrews 13:5

Reflection

Never are you alone, O Christian, for the Lord of heaven promises His presence in all times. No matter the state of your heart, He is there. His love for His children is forever and He will never forsake the child for whom He has given all! He is longsuffering and His love persistent. Embrace your loving Father and go your way in righteousness.

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?“  Matthew 7:11

Reflection

Rejoice, O believer! Rejoice in the unaccountably vast treasure of mercy the Lord showers upon His bride! He is the King of All and is faithful to reward His children. He has given you a throne! A robe of righteousness! A crown of victorious glory! Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places is yours by the Father’s hand. Give thanks, sing “Hallelujah,” and proclaim the joy of His resurrection!

“The LORD [is] good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.“  Nahum 1:7

Reflection

Not only is the Lord an unbreachable defence to those who find their identity and righteousness in Christ, but He knows intimately each whom He defends. He is aware of our every need and every weakness, and thus, we, His people, can be supremely confident in His ability to bolster us in the face of even the fiercest enemy. Rejoice, O believer, for He is our great shield and high wall of bastion!

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.“  1 Peter 5:7

Reflection

Implicit in Peter’s direction to the believer to cast away all cares to the feet of God is the truth that God Himself will care for them. God is powerful! He is sovereign, calling all matters into submission to His will! And He cares for us! If such a powerful God cares for us and our needs, can we fail to cast mastery of our cares and worries into His mighty hands?

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”  Revelation 21:7

Reflection

Echoing the testimony of His promise to the nation of Israel, God speaks thus to the overcoming church: “I will be your God and you will evermore be my people.” The Father’s love is great. It is a beauty to behold. Ever and beyond the end of days will God’s majesty remain; and we, His people shall endure and praise His name forever.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.“  Ephesians 2:10

Reflection

Well before the blood shed by His Son, God knew His children and their ways. By the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His children were recreated and renewed in the promises of the Father. As new creations, we are commanded to live in such a way as to bring glory and honour to the Almighty God. May we live in such a way that is worthy of the tremendous sacrifice of Christ as the power of God works through us.