Ephesians 4:31-32
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Most Christians eagerly accept the wonderful truth that God forgives sinners. Even those who are guilty of terrible crimes have bowed before the Lord and confessed their sins. God graciously forgives them, not because of what they have done or not done, but what He has done to provide forgiveness.
If we were to ask these Christians if a terrible sinner had been forgiven, they would almost certainly respond in the affirmative. They rejoice in a God who loves the sinner so much that He sent His Son to pay the price for our sin.
Well, we are going along pretty well up to this point. Evil people can have their sins forgiven and we rejoice with them. Then we stop and consider those who have sinned against us. They have broken our trust and at the same time they have broken our heart. Rather than forgiving them, it is almost as if we place them on probation. We impose restrictions on them.
Are you ready for this? What we are saying when we fail to forgive those who repent and ask us for our forgiveness, is that it is okay for God to forgive you, but I refuse to do so. That is sad! We are told to forgive others the way the Lord has forgiven us. Are you doing so? I pray that you are.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil