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"...But you are a forgiving
God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in
love. Therefore you did not desert them."
-Nehemiah 9: 17
Forgiveness
This Hello From Maple Grove message
came to me this morning as I listened to our pastor's sermon on
'integrity.' He concluded his lesson with a talk about forgiveness
and how we all need it. I showed him afterwards what I had written
during the service and he shared with me how his discussion on forgiveness
was not in his notes but had 'just come to him.' I think that God
wanted to remind all of us of His forgiveness.
What does it mean to be forgiven? To forgive others? What sin cannot
be forgiven? God forgave the world for killing His own Son. Jesus,
himself, asks the Lord to forgive those who crucified Him. Jesus
said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they
are doing." (Luke 23: 34) So what sin is not forgivable?
Murder, adultery, lying, stealing, cheating, etc...? Who of us is
not capable of being forgiven? Our God is a God of forgiveness.
He was this way in the Old Testament (see Nehemiah 9: 17
above), the New Testament (remember Luke 23: 34), and He
is the same today!
The power of forgiveness is amazing! God's capacity to forgive us
is beyond our comprehension. But you have to be willing to accept
forgiveness. "But to each one of us grace has been given
as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: When he ascended
on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men."
(Ephesians 4: 7) Forgiveness is a gift that you have to be willing
to accept and receive. Are you? You also have to be willing to forgive
others. "For if you forgive men when they sin against you,
your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive
men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew
6: 14-15) Is there somebody in your life that you need to forgive?
I have a good friend who has taught me over and over that the greatest
need of mankind is love. Love comes from, and is demonstrated, in
forgiveness. It is sad that many people in our world live lives
of unforgiveness. Either unwilling or unable to accept forgiveness
for their sins and therefore unable to forgive others.
This is not God's way. All that 'unforgiveness' will bring is a
life of anger, hurt, jealousy, and frustration. Those are not the
fruits of life that God wants for us. He wants us to live lives
of love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self-control (see Galatians 5: 22). Our Lord is a Lord
of love, grace, and mercy. I am so thankful for that for I know
that I need those things in my life and I need to give those things
(love, grace, mercy) to the people in my life. What a wonderful
plan! The healing power of forgiveness that will open your heart
to God's great love and compassion. Take that gift and receive it
in your life and then let it flow out from you and into the lives
of people around you. Amen!
I pray that all is well with you. Please let me know if you have
any prayer concerns or praises. Have a great week and remember to
smile :), the Lord loves you!
In Christ,
Shan D. Hartsough
Jesus said, "Father, forgive
them, for they do not know what they are doing."
-Luke 23: 34
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