Matthew 6:14-15 says, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (NKJV).
Forgiveness is often difficult. People can do things that really hurt us and it lingers in our souls. But God says to let it go.
If you had been wronged like Joseph, could you forgive your brothers? If your birthright had been stolen by your brother, could you cast your arms around him as Esau did with Jacob?
Forgiveness is an insignia of the grace we are to afford others. You see, God often uses what man intends for evil for His own good. But we must have the proper heart condition so He can be glorified even in tough situations.
Paul, writing in Ephesians 4:31-32, said, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
To be people of grace we must also be people of forgiveness. Remember, it’s never too late to afford forgiveness or ask for it. An old saying goes like this: “It takes a strong person to say sorry, and an ever stronger person to forgive.” If God is our refuge and strength, we have it within us to be people of grace.
Your friend in Christ,
Jonathan Falwell