Forgiveness

I was just looking back over the past messages and I was surprised that we've never had "forgiveness" as our topic.

Matthew 6:14 says "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."

This is just one of the many references in the bible on forgiveness. Is there someone in your life right now that you need to forgive? Is there someone who you claim you've forgiven but you really haven't? Or, perhaps you are the one who needs to ask forgiveness from someone you've wronged. If you don't fall into at least one of these three categories, you may need to pray about denial :)

True forgiveness is both an act of humility and an act of love. It's like saying "Even though you wronged me, I can lay that aside and I can lay my pride and fundamental desire for fairness aside so as to wipe the slate clean for you." Additionally, true forgiveness frees the forgiver from reliving the hurt over and over again. Conversely, holding on to a hurt without forgiving can spoil the fruits of the spirit. Christ can't shine through an unforgiving heart.

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother,
Bob