Tag Archive | forgiveness

Pardon Me!

Apr17

Mark 11:25 – And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing. (HCSB) 

Matthew 6:14-15 – For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (HCSB)

 

It seems that “forgive” has been my word study recently. I’m hearing sermons about forgiveness. I’m reading daily devotions about forgiveness. I’m reading a novel with the theme of forgiveness. I’m hearing other people talk about forgiveness. Are you trying to tell me something, Lord? I don’t really have a “get-even” attitude, but does that really equate forgiveness? I recently heard someone say that refusing to forgive someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. We know that would never work, but everyday we encounter people who are holding tight to their anger, letting it eat away at them while the person they are refusing to forgive is going merrily along, possibly not even aware of the situation. Am I one of those people, clutching my anger like a child would a blanket? Lord, help me to never lose sight of the fact that You know my disappointments and my anger. You tell me that I need to forgive – not to benefit the other person but for my own wellbeing.   Doctors tell us that anger and resentment lead to physical ailments and degeneration. You tell us that anger and resentment lead to spiritual ailments and degeneration. I saw a post on a social media site that said “Forgiveness doesn’t forgive their behavior. Forgiveness prevents their behavior from destroying you.” Lord, Your Son died a horrible death so that I could have a relationship with You. Am I am letting my stubborn pride and anger come between You and me? How many times have I said “Please forgive me, Lord” but then walked away with no forgiveness in my heart for others, much like the servant described in Matthew 18: 26-29? How many times have I said the words from the prayer model You gave, asking You to forgive me as I forgive others, fully expecting forgiveness from You without any plan to forgive others? Lord, I come to You asking for Your help in letting go of my unforgiving spirit. Help me to forgive as You have forgiven me.

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The Hardest Words to Say

May3

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (NIV)

1 John 1:9 – If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. (The Message Bible)

Lord, why is it so difficult to take responsibility when we do something wrong?  I heard people joking say, and resonsibility2I’ve said it myself, “I didn’t say it was your fault; I said I was blaming you.”  When we say that, it’s supposed to be funny.  When we act it out, it’s not funny at all.  One time I had someone say something very hurtful to me, so hurtful that people who overheard were shocked.  A friend of hers forced her to apologize to me.  Her apology was “I’m sorry you cried.”  What she was really saying was “I’m sorry that you got me in trouble.”   She not only didn’t take responsibility for her action, she felt that she had been the victim because of my reaction.  Saying “I’m sorry” is so important. I’ve heard people say that if you love someone, you don’t have to say you’re sorry.  That is such a lie from Satan.  We need to say it to our spouses, to our children, to our friends, even to strangers.  We especially need to say it to You, Lord.  Sometimes we don’t apologize because we are trying to hide our sin from You.  Sometimes we even try to put the blame on You.  Adam did that in the Garden of Eden.  He tried to hide.  When discovered, he didn’t take responsibility for his sin.  He felt that he had been the victim.  He blamed You.   1 John 1:9 tells us if we confess our sins, You will forgive us.  Lord, I am sorry that I let my tongue become like that unbridled horse that James warns about.  Lord, I’m sorry that I try to blame others and You for my sins.  Lord, I’m sorry that I worry and fret even though You tell me not to do that.  Lord, I’m sorry that I sometimes get in the way of Your blessings by trying to “help” You.  Lord, thank You for loving me so much that You meet me over coffee and let me say “I’m sorry.”