Christian Foundations

DEVOTIONAL ARCHIVE

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by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

John Wesley, founder of Methodism, was talking with General James Oglethorpe when the general remarked, "I never forgive." Wesley replied, "Then I hope, sir, that you never sin." In other words, if you can't forgive others, why should you expect God to forgive you?

Look at Paul's instruction to forgive others "just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." This raises an interesting question: What did God in Christ do to forgive you?

To answer this question I would like to take you to a pivotal moment in human history: the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as described in Luke 23. It's a story that is rich in significance.

After Christ was betrayed, tried and unfairly convicted, after He was humiliated and scourged and jeered and spit upon, He finally suffered the cruelest indignity. The only perfect man who ever lived was hung on a cross with two other criminals. Below Him, soldiers mocked Him and stripped Him of His clothing. People sneered, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One."

Yet Christ's response was incredible. Even at that moment, while suffering the most terrible abuse, He said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).

This passage holds three lessons:

Forgiveness embraces the offenders. Christ offered forgiveness to the very people who hurt Him the most. And that's not all-He offered it to them while they were still hurting Him.

Forgiveness initiates. God desired your fellowship so much He took the initiative in forgiving you. He did not wait for you to earn it.

Forgiveness gives up all rights to punish. God canceled your debt against Him. You deserve to die as the penalty for your sins. But God, knowing it was absolutely impossible for you to pay that debt, had Christ pay the penalty as a substitution for you.

If you ever have trouble forgiving your mate, just remember what Christ did for you. And you didn't deserve it.

Prayer:

Ask God to enable you through the Holy Spirit (who lives in you) to embrace your offenders, initiate love for them and give up all rights to punish.

Discuss: Recall how Christ has shown forgiveness to you. For what offenses do you find it hard to forgive your mate?

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