A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (July 13, 2015)
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)
The foundation of the Christian faith is built on forgiveness. Without it, we are all condemned because we are all sinners and we all need redemption. The blood of the Lamb of God (Jesus) is the only thing that has offered us the possibility of forgiveness and provided the gift of salvation to any of us.
Forgiveness is not just something we receive but also something we are required to give. The congregation’s response to the recent church massacre at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC is a prime example of forgiveness at work. That congregation’s forgiveness of that shooter was so powerful that I wish I had a Christian Medal of Honor to give to them. Their Pastor, who died in that massacre, would have been so proud of them. Their forgiveness not only set them free but possibly stopped riots that could have easily broken out after such a horrendous act.
I spent 14 years of my life as a Federal Investigator and I am thoroughly familiar with our court system and the amount of time, effort, evidence, detail and paper work it takes to prosecute someone. It is sometimes very frustrating but it is the best legal system in the world. Forgiveness is similar in nature. It is God’s spiritual court system to freedom for the offended and without it you end up in prison yourself with resentment, bitterness, and hard heartedness. Yes, it can be frustrating, but it works. Consider the following scriptures:
Pay attention and always be on your guard [looking out for one another]. If your brother sins (misses the mark), solemnly tell him so and reprove him, and if he repents (feels sorry for having sinned), forgive him. And even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and turns to you seven times and says, I repent [I am sorry], you must forgive him (give up resentment and consider the offense as recalled and annulled). (Luke 17:3-4, Amplified)
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (Luke 23:34)
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)
We live in a media driven tech world that sometimes demands immediate justice without due process. Many times that leads to injustice and riots because all the facts have not been revealed. It is almost like the return to a high tech professional lynch mob. We take things out of context, parse words, and do whatever is expedient to crucify someone. Someone has to pay now!! Not good!!
I did a lot of dumb stuff in my life and when Jesus forgave me I was really thankful!! I am still really thankful and I want to be really careful not to judge someone because I know what it can result in, none of which is good. My advice to everyone reading this devotional is to always forgive quickly. Believe me, you will have ample opportunity in your lifetime to exercise this gift and you will also have ample opportunity to need forgiveness.
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? (Matthew 7:1-3)
