Tuesday, 4th July 2023
Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: THE POWER OF TRUE FORGIVENESS
THEME SCRIPTURE: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” – Matthew 6:14
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- Why must we forgive men their trespasses?
- How can we know that truly we have forgiven our brother?
It is incredible to realise that when you're hurt and in pain due to another person’s trespass, you long for justice.When you find yourself on the other side of the table then you long for forgiveness. In the courtrooms of our nations, there are raging battles for justice. Ironically, the holy scripture points out clearly that every person created in the image of God has the capacity to forgive, just as God forgives us. God has bequeathed to us the authority to forgive others, and this is remarkable.
However, the logic of unforgiveness is what births vengeance and, sometimes, generational feuds.
Unforgiveness is a type of pride. Anytime we hold on to unforgiveness, what we are saying is that the other person does not deserve to be forgiven, even though when Christ died on the cross for us, we were undeserving too. You cannot withhold the grace of forgiveness from others, being a beneficiary of the same. On the other hand, true forgiveness is very powerful—so powerful!
But what is true forgiveness?
In the parable of the prodigal son, scripture tells us that the younger son spat in the face of the father, took his inheritance in advance (Luke 15:11–12), and left home to live his dream life (Luke 15:13). From the day this son left home, the father looked forward to his return and reconciliation. Secondly, when the son was on his way back home, the father saw him, had compassion, and ran to meet him halfway (Luke 15:20). Thirdly, the son returned to ask for forgiveness and to be accepted as a servant (Luke 15:21) because he had already considered the father dead and squandered his inheritance. But he was restored by the father to his original position—a son (Luke 25:22–24). Precious one, true forgiveness makes an effort to reconcile out of compassion, and it also restores the forgiven as though he or she has never hurt or trespassed against you. Never say you’ve forgiven, and yet you again use the trespass of your brother to decide how you treat him going forward.
Think about this: while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He then brought us into sonship, making us joint-heirs with Him. This is true forgiveness.
Beloved, when you stand to pray, forgive if you have something against any person. In so doing, your Father in heaven will also forgive you (Mark 11:25). Thus, forgiveness preserves your relationship with the Father, causing the continuous flow of His graces to you. True forgiveness breeds peace and joy in you. Forgiveness helps preserve your health. Anytime we hold on to offences, it gradually grows into bitterness. This eventually affects our health adversely. Beloved, are you standing in a place of unforgiveness? It’s time to reach out in compassion to forgive and restore. God bless you more.
FURTHER READING – Luke 15:11-32
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- Is there any one in your life you are yet to forgive?
- With God’s help are you willing to reach out, forgive and restore this person as Christ forgave you?
PRAYER
Precious Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask and receive your strength to forgive any offence that will come my way from today going forward. As you forgave and restored me into union with yourself, help me to forgive truly all my days. Hallelujah!
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
1 Samuel 16; Isaiah 60; Matthew 5
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