The word forgive is a troubling word for many of us. It carries with it the idea that the one who is doing the forgiving is willing to excuse someone for his or her wrongdoing or injurious act.

When we look at the word forgive we can easily see that the main part of the word is give. And when we forgive someone we give that person a release from the wrong that he or she has done to us. When we forgive, we give up the right to get even with the one who wronged us.

Consider the grace of God. When He forgives us of our sin, He releases us from the penalty of death that we deserve for the wrongs that we have done against Him and others. We are no longer condemned.

When we as Christians forgive others, we are demonstrating a heart that has been changed by God. Understanding and accepting the greatness of God’s forgiveness will enable us to forgive the wrongs others have done to us. That is why Jesus said that those who are unwilling to forgive others do not realize or understand what God has done for us when He willingly forgave us.

Jesus said that if we refuse to forgive others, God will not forgive us. And Paul said, “be kind to each other…forgiving each other as God…has forgiven you.”

Prayer: Father, though it is easy to want to get even for wrongs done against us, it is not Christ like. Help us to forgive as Jesus did. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 4:32 and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.