Forgiving Others

How does God’s forgiveness help me to forgive others?

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6: 14-15

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 28:21-22

God’s forgiveness saves us from hell and gives us a ticket to heaven, where sin and suffering will be gone forever. This is the greatest gift any person can receive, and yet no person deserves it. Any forgives you extend to someone else pales in comparison to the forgiveness God has extended to you. Refusing to forgive shows that you have not understood the cost or the power of God’s forgiveness. Just as God forgives you without limit, you should forgive others without keeping count. What are you waiting for? Forgive the one who has wronged you. Remember, all of us have wronged before God and we don’t deserve the forgiveness that we have received through His grace, if we think about it. Yet, He still forgave us through His Son Jesus Christ.

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13

Source: One Year Mini for Women devotional book
(Image credit: www.sheknows.com)