Matthew 6:14-15

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.

They say to forgive is divine. Forgiveness is one of those things that can be a stumbling block. It has been in my life. Without forgiveness how can we be free? Jesus is the greatest example ever of forgiveness on so many levels and in so many ways. He is the sacrifice that God sent in order that we may all experience forgiveness. Jesus himself forgave all those who were against him and put him on the cross and crucified him. Yet he also forgave throughout his life here on earth. He forgave the sins of those seeking healing, he forgave those who were selfish and self-seeking; he forgave his disciples for their unbelief. How then, do we NOT offer forgiveness as Christians if we seek to be like Jesus? In our brokenness we often find it easier to nurse our wounds, to hang on to the pain others have caused us because we then feel justified in our own actions. This leads only to more pain and suffering. It is why Jesus came, why he suffered as he did.

Forgiveness is one of the ways in which we can most show others Christ in us and through us. In forgiving others we forgive ourselves and open the door to healing, peace, love and a greater relationship to the One who forgave us from the very beginning.

Father, please shine your light in the dark corners of my heart and show me the path to true forgiveness of others.