Core Christian Value
God gave His only Son as a sacrifice for our sins. God forgives us for our sins and He expects us to forgive others who have disappointed us. We must forgive others in order to receive forgiveness.
Have you ever felt that you could never forgive someone? Did someone do something to you that makes them unforgivable? Discuss when this might have happened.
Now discuss the crucifixion of Jesus. What were the words of Jesus as He was dying on the cross? “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” LUKE 23:34 NKJV. If anyone ever had a right to be angry and unforgiving with people, Jesus did. But what did Jesus teach us about forgiveness? Listen:
Happy are the kind and merciful, for they shall be shown mercy…and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. Don’t bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One. Amen.’ Your heavenly Father will forgive you if you forgive those who sin against you; but if you refuse to forgive them, he will not forgive you. . MATTHEW 5:7, 6:12-14 TLB
Do you see what Jesus said about refusing to forgive someone? Is there someone you need to go to and to tell them that you forgive them? Listen to Solomon’s advice: Your own soul is nourished when you are kind; it is destroyed when you are cruel. The evil man gets rich for the moment, but the good man’s reward lasts forever. PROVERBS 11:17-18 TLB
When you are showing others mercy and forgiveness, it is good for you! When you are cruel it is your own flesh that you are troubling. How kind and patient should you be? Listen to Jesus’ answers:
“Sir, how often should I forgive a brother who sins against me? Seven times?” “No!” Jesus replied, “seventy times seven! MATTHEW 18:21-22 TLB
“Try to show as much compassion as your Father does. Never criticize or condemn-or it will all come back on you. Go easy on others; then they will do the same for you.” For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give-large or small-will be used to measure what is given back to you.” LUKE 6:36-38 TLB
The Apostle Paul said: Stop being mean, bad-tempered, and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ. EPHESIANS 4:31-32 TLB
Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. COLOSSIANS 3:13 TLB
Now, is there someone you need to forgive? Go with the mercy of Jesus and forgive them, today.