The Secret Of Forgiveness

Ephesians 4: 32

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven us.

Throughout the Bible we are told that we are to be forgiving people. We are admonished to forgive others so that the devil cannot get a stronghold in our lives. We are told to show the nature of God by forgiving others as he forgives us.

In Jesus’ model prayer He says that we are to pray that God will forgive us of our trespasses in the same way that we forgive those who trespass against us. Think about that for a minute. Do you really want God to forgive you in the same manner that you forgive others. I am not certain that most of us feel that way.

Today’s scripture admonishes us to be kind, tenderhearted and full of compassion to one another and to forgive the same way that God does. Do you know what your basis of forgiveness is? It is not how good you are, or how long you have served Him, it is not even in how many souls you have led to the Lord. You are forgiven based on, not what you have done or will do, but based on what Jesus has done for you. Did you get that? God forgives us for Christ’s sake.

You may have trouble comprehending that God would forgive you, knowing all the bad things in your life, but you know that He is faithful to His own Son Jesus. Therefore, as you forgive others, expect and rely on the fact that God remembers what Jesus did on the cross for us and that He will, for Christ’s sake, forgive all our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Praise the Lord!