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Forgiveness
“ ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do’ ” (Luke 23:34).
Read Matthew 6:14, 15. What powerful message is Jesus giving to us here? What is He saying that is so full of eternal consequence for all of us?
Jesus taught His disciples to pray: “ ‘Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors’ ” (vs. 12, NIV). Then He insisted (vss. 14, 15) that if we do not wish to forgive, God will not forgive us.
The thought is terrifying. After all, we all are sinners, and thus we all need divine forgiveness. Thus, we all must learn to forgive if we want to be forgiven ourselves!
Forgiveness is so important because it’s foundational in repairing and maintaining good relationships. The Lord knows how painful the burden of sin is and how its burden must be released through forgiveness—through the forgiveness that we get from God and through the forgiveness we give to others.
The experience of forgiveness is helpful, not only to those receiving it but also to those granting it. The feeling of grace and generosity experienced by those granting forgiveness brings them closer to God and contributes to character building.
A study conducted among recently divorced individuals showed the difference between those willing and those unwilling to forgive. Mark Rye of the University of Iowa recruited 199 divorced individuals from community singles’ organizations and church-based divorce recovery groups. Not surprisingly, researchers found that those who extended forgiveness to their former spouses enjoyed higher levels of mental health. When compared to those unwilling to forgive, forgiving persons experienced higher levels of well-being and religious satisfaction and lower levels of anger and depression.
This is not an isolated experience. Studies over the past decade are clear. Forgiveness reduces depression and anxiety, increases self-esteem, and overall emotional well-being. In sum, forgiveness is good for many things; holding grudges, meanwhile, is dangerous for body and soul.
Is this so unexpected? Who among us hasn’t experienced the healing and relief that comes from offering forgiveness to those who have hurt us?
How can you practice Paul’s counsel: “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Col. 3:13, NIV)? What choices must you make in order to forgive those who have hurt you?
| TUESDAY | March 22 |
“ ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do’ ” (Luke 23:34).
Read Matthew 6:14, 15. What powerful message is Jesus giving to us here? What is He saying that is so full of eternal consequence for all of us?
Jesus taught His disciples to pray: “ ‘Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors’ ” (vs. 12, NIV). Then He insisted (vss. 14, 15) that if we do not wish to forgive, God will not forgive us.
The thought is terrifying. After all, we all are sinners, and thus we all need divine forgiveness. Thus, we all must learn to forgive if we want to be forgiven ourselves!
Forgiveness is so important because it’s foundational in repairing and maintaining good relationships. The Lord knows how painful the burden of sin is and how its burden must be released through forgiveness—through the forgiveness that we get from God and through the forgiveness we give to others.
The experience of forgiveness is helpful, not only to those receiving it but also to those granting it. The feeling of grace and generosity experienced by those granting forgiveness brings them closer to God and contributes to character building.
A study conducted among recently divorced individuals showed the difference between those willing and those unwilling to forgive. Mark Rye of the University of Iowa recruited 199 divorced individuals from community singles’ organizations and church-based divorce recovery groups. Not surprisingly, researchers found that those who extended forgiveness to their former spouses enjoyed higher levels of mental health. When compared to those unwilling to forgive, forgiving persons experienced higher levels of well-being and religious satisfaction and lower levels of anger and depression.
This is not an isolated experience. Studies over the past decade are clear. Forgiveness reduces depression and anxiety, increases self-esteem, and overall emotional well-being. In sum, forgiveness is good for many things; holding grudges, meanwhile, is dangerous for body and soul.
Is this so unexpected? Who among us hasn’t experienced the healing and relief that comes from offering forgiveness to those who have hurt us?
How can you practice Paul’s counsel: “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Col. 3:13, NIV)? What choices must you make in order to forgive those who have hurt you?
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