“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NKJV
In Matthew 18, Jesus tells the story of a servant who was forgiven a debt by his master of millions of dollars but refused to forgive a fellow servant who owed him less than a hundred dollars. On hearing that, many of us immediately judge that the servant was ungrateful and deserved to be punished but forget that we behave just like that servant whenever we refuse to forgive.
You received salvation at no cost (John 3:16). God forgave you of your sins when you didn’t deserve it and He calls you to forgive others in the same way. The message of salvation is not only one to believe but also one to emulate and reciprocate (Philippians 2:5). You are to spread the love of God you have received to others.
At salvation, you were translated from darkness into light and given the Holy Spirit so you can no longer behave like the world (Colossians 1:13-14). You are to be Christ-like because Christ lives in you, meaning there is now no room for unforgiveness in your life.
God has forgiven you countless times and He expects you to show the same level of forgiveness to others. (Ephesians 1:7). It may not always be easy especially when you have been legitimately hurt by others but remember that you don’t have to do this in your own strength (Philippians 2:13). You have a Saviour who understands exactly what you are going through and is capable of giving you the strength to forgive (Hebrews 4:15).
Dear believer, you serve a God who looks past your iniquities and transgressions and empowers you to do the same to others. Therefore, you should always strive to forgive others, just as you have been forgiven (Psalms 103:10).
SAY THIS: I do not hold on to offences, I forgive others in the same way that I have been forgiven. It is easy for me to forgive because I have the Spirit of God living inside of me.
Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 13: 1-23