Tuesday 30 August 2011

Read: Matthew 6:9-15

How Can I Forgive?

If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. -Matthew 6:15



Some of life’s hurts are so deep and painful that to forgive the people who caused them seems impossible. Yet Jesus said that we can’t experience His forgiveness if we have an unforgiving spirit.



In World War II, Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsie were arrested for concealing Jews and were sent to a German concentration camp. Betsie died a slow and terrible death as a result of the cruel treatment.



Then, in 1947, Corrie spoke about God’s forgiveness to a church in Munich. Afterwards, a man sought her out. She recognised him as one of the guards who had mistreated her and Betsie. He told her that he had become a Christian, and with an extended hand he asked for her forgiveness. Corrie struggled with her feelings, but when she recalled the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:15, she knew she had to forgive . She silently prayed, “Jesus, Help me!” and thrust her hand into the hand of her cruel tormentor.



Someone has said, “Forgiveness is not a case of ‘holy amnesia’ that wipes the past. Instead, it is the experience of healing that drains the poison from the wound.”



God asks us to do for others what He has done for us. He’ll give us strength to forgive. - Dennis De Haan



Lord Jesus, give us grace each day

That we may follow in Your way,

Especially when some unloved soul

Needs our forgiving to be whole. -D.De Haan



Since we all need forgiveness, we should always be forgiving.





Prayer:

V Pray for the recent media coverage about marriage that the members of Parliament will understand God’s command that marriage must always be only between man and woman.

V Pray that our government will see that their decision must be in the best interests of this country.