Simple Yet Difficult
Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:24-35
Scripture Quote: 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 (NIV)
How is the disposition of your heart? Does another's misery bring you to tears, or can you objectively discern the pattern they took to reach their misery and deem it duly earned? The first reaction is predisposed to mercy and the other is more closely attuned to judgement. If we were all judged as cruelly as we can sometimes judge each other, there would be no one saved or forgiven of sins. After all, what mercy can a vindictive heart hope for himself? We must earnestly seek to forgive one another.
If we show mercy by forgiving a person who has wronged us, God will show us mercy and forgive us. It does sound simple, but just because a thing is simple, doesn't make it any less difficult to achieve. Nevertheless, if we have any regard for our own salvation, we must reconcile this matter. We could reflect on our many secret sins that Jesus redeemed us from and get a softer view of our brother's offenses by comparison. It is in our own best interest to forgive, so love your neighbor at least as much as you love yourself.
Today’s meditation: We are forgiven – We need also to forgive.
Memory Verse: So watch yourselves. "If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them." Luke 17:3 (NIV)
Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:24-35
Scripture Quote: 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 (NIV)
How is the disposition of your heart? Does another's misery bring you to tears, or can you objectively discern the pattern they took to reach their misery and deem it duly earned? The first reaction is predisposed to mercy and the other is more closely attuned to judgement. If we were all judged as cruelly as we can sometimes judge each other, there would be no one saved or forgiven of sins. After all, what mercy can a vindictive heart hope for himself? We must earnestly seek to forgive one another.
If we show mercy by forgiving a person who has wronged us, God will show us mercy and forgive us. It does sound simple, but just because a thing is simple, doesn't make it any less difficult to achieve. Nevertheless, if we have any regard for our own salvation, we must reconcile this matter. We could reflect on our many secret sins that Jesus redeemed us from and get a softer view of our brother's offenses by comparison. It is in our own best interest to forgive, so love your neighbor at least as much as you love yourself.
Today’s meditation: We are forgiven – We need also to forgive.
Memory Verse: So watch yourselves. "If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them." Luke 17:3 (NIV)
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