Daily Devotional for Sunday November 14, 1999

Forgiveness

(Mark 11:25)

Forgiveness. One word, but one of the most difficult words there is in the human language. I want to encourage you to take a step, one giant leap of spiritual maturity. I believe one of the marks of a mature Christian is the ability to forgive, not man's way of forgiving, but God's way. Let me tell you the difference. When man forgives, the words are said, the intentions are there, but deep down there is still a remembrance of the circumstances involved. When God forgives, He wipes it out as if it never existed. That is true Godly, Biblical forgiveness. not just the act itself, but the additional step of acting like it never happened. Forgiving and forgetting. If you want to measure your spiritual maturity, this is a great place to start.

So many of the requests I get daily involve people in difficult situations where they are trying to deal with people in their lives that have hurt them in some way. Many get past the actual events, but just can't let go of the hurt feelings. They have forgiven the offending party, but they have not been able to forget. Let me encourage you today. Forgetting is critical to getting on with your life. Forgetting allows you to put the events and circumstances behind you and go forward. It is ultimately in YOUR best interest to not only forgive, but forget so that you can go forward and tackle new challenges God has for your life.

The other problem I deal with each day is people not being able to forgive themselves. Listen, the Bible tells us that we have "all come short of the glory of God." We are all sinners. We all make mistakes. When you go to God and confess your sins, the Bible promises us that he not only forgives us, but cleanses us from all unrighteousness. He not only has forgiven us, but He has forgotten the transgression. God acts like it never happened. The point I'm trying to make is that if God has forgiven you, if God has wiped the slate clean, if in God's mind the sin never existed...why are you holding on to it??? Let it go, and go forward. The lesson today is to forgive others, not man's way, but God's way. Forgive AND forget.

Secondly, quit beating yourself up over things God has already forgotten about. He forgave you, so now forgive yourself. All of this is important because if you are not forgiving others, how can you ask or expect God to forgive you? Trust me, the things you want God to forgive you for are more serious than the things others have done to you. Forgiveness is so important because it is only through forgiveness that we can go forward with our lives serving God, fulfilling His plan for our life.

I will be praying for each of you today to have the strength to forgive others and forgive yourself, to put those things in the past behind, and with a clean slate go forward in service to our Lord and Savior. I love you, am praying for you, and am standing with you always as we work together to grow in His love and grace. Let this be a wonderful day serving Him!