Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, May 5, 2017

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“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).

I know what some of you are thinking: “You don’t understand what he’s done to me. You don’t understand what she’s done to me.”

Sometimes people do things to us that seem unforgivable. I am tempted to detail a list for you, but I’ll resist. You know what seems too egregious for pardon. You have a mental picture of the person, or type of persons who do things so heinous that it seems they should be in their own category, beyond the reach of forgiveness; especially since some of them are hardened against changing their ways. I get it; but it’s not about us. Our human standards are so low, we would even exclude ourselves from forgiveness were it left solely up to us. What is God’s view of this?

The Bible talks about a woman caught in the very act of adultery and then brought to Jesus. Forgiven. There was a man paralyzed for years as a natural consequence of his own lifestyle habits. Forgiven. It was Adam’s fault that sin took hold on earth. Forgiven. Moses set himself up as God to the people during one critical incident that should have brought God the most honor. Forgiven. David killed and created accomplices to killing an innocent soldier in hopes of hiding his lust and adultery. Forgiven. You have committed many sins for which you have asked forgiveness - even sins you repeatedly promised you’d never commit again. Forgiven? Well, let’s see about that…

Our theme text quotes the Master as saying the forgiveness we receive from God will be equal to that which we extend to others. In your spare time, read the entire chapter of Matthew 18 for a clearer view of God’s mind on this. Suffice it to say, we have done many more things to offend God than others have done to us. Forgiving people certainly goes into the “easier said than done” category. But know this: all that God bids us to do, He also empowers us to carry it out. What is impossible in our own strength, is more than possible by the power of God.

Set yourself free from the bondage that comes from holding people’s faults against them. Continue to ask God for a new mindset on the matter of forgiveness. Ask Him to impart His mindset. While we were yet sinners, Jesus gave His life for us. It was not because we deserved His mercy that He gave it. It’s because of His great love. Surrender your every defect of character to God and He will perfect you until He comes.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)