Today’s Encouragement is Colossians 3:13b NLT …and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
You Must Forgive –
We often say, “I know I’m supposed to forgive others, but…”
My friend, it isn’t optional. It isn’t based on your feelings, your opinion, how deeply you were hurt, whether they intended to hurt you or not… it is what we must do! Why? Because we have already been freely forgiven!
By acceptance of the grace of Jesus, the undeserved and unearned favor, and blessing of God given to us who have failed so terribly to measure up to His holy standard… we are Forgiven!
It works like this:
God first extends His Grace and forgiveness to all. Some accept it, and some refuse it. Those who accept His grace are those who choose to believe in Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that no one comes to the Father except through Faith in Jesus.
Then, those who believe in Jesus are saved! They believe, and that is settled! He extends to these believers His perfect love and forgiveness for all their sin. All! Past, present, and future!
But my friend, this difficult truth holds immeasurable blessings… for when we have forgiven others, we come to experience God’s forgiveness in an entirely new way. And we become truly free of the hurts we’ve experienced from others.
Father, Help us to forgive, and so, to become free. We ask in Jesus’ Name.
Forgiveness
Matthew West
Today’s Encouragement 