His Forgiveness
Key verse
Indeed everything is for your benefit, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to increase to God’s glory. 2 Corinthians 4:15
We have all heard it said, “living with unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies.” Harboring unforgiveness will always bring more harm to the offended than it will to the person who caused the offense. That is not God’s desire for any of our lives. There may be moments where holding a grudge feels good because your offender won’t acknowledge what they have done. But Jesus addressed that lie when He hung from the cross and said in Luke 23:34, “Father forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing.” It’s important to recognize that unforgiveness is not only a tool the enemy uses to keep us from loving relationships but also a way to keep us separated from the love of God.
It’s important to recognize that unforgiveness is not only a tool the enemy uses to keep us from loving relationships but also a way to keep us separated from the love of God.
According to 2 Corinthians 4:15, if everything is for our benefit, then that means forgiveness is for our benefit. This cause and effect of forgiveness does not stop short of our own personal benefits; it creates a chain reaction toward something much more eternal than our fickle feelings. The entire gospel message hinges on the fact that, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Jesus extended forgiveness to us even when we would not acknowledge our offenses.
Jesus extended forgiveness to us even when we would not acknowledge our offenses.
When we forgive the way we have been forgiven through Christ Jesus, the outcome of that commitment displays grace. Our forgiveness is then extended through more and more people. The grand finale of our obedience is a spectacular showing of thanksgiving and an increase to God’s glory - His glory, reflected in our forgiveness. That is good news and so much better than the bitter sting of holding onto something God never intended for you to keep.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, please reveal the areas of my life where I need to practice or seek forgiveness. Where there are elements connected to grudges or bitterness, please prune away what needs pruning so that I may walk with complete wholeness and fullness of life. If there is someone I need to forgive, I pray for grace to extend through me so that your glory may be experienced in all of my relationships. Glory and honor and thanksgiving be to You. In Your name, amen.
Ask Yourself:
Are there any relationships in my life where I may have offended someone and need to “come clean” and ask for forgiveness?
Are there any relationships where I have held onto past hurts or grudges that I need to address and offer forgiveness?
Have I ever received the complete forgiveness that God extended to me through His son, Jesus Christ, so that I am able to extend that same grace to others?
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