Gracious Father, today we stand amazed at your love and mercy, the forgiveness of our sins, our redemption to sonship, and the mighty sacrificial work of Christ that made it possible. To him be glory, honor, and praise!
We turn our attention to your clear command to get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. To be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave us.
We confess this is beyond difficult, even impossible, if we rely on the flesh. Life is hard and we hurt and get hurt by one another. Sometimes we strike intentionally and sometimes unwittingly. Sometimes these wounds are mere flesh wounds and sometimes they run deeper. When we are hurt, bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, and slander come quite naturally. Yet, your powerful word commands us to be kind and compassionate to one another and forgive each other like we are forgiven by you through Christ. Oh Father, as we pray and consider your forgiveness and restoration, we see that it is perfect. You do not treat us as if our sins deserve to be repaid according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is your love for us; as far as the east is from the west, you have removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so you have compassion on us. Though our “sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Our sins and lawless acts you will remember no more.” For you forgive our wickedness and will remember our sins no more.
Central to our Christ-centered character is your call to demonstrate forgiveness. You taught us to pray, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
Gracious Father, open the eyes of our heart in order that we may know the hope to which you have called us, the riches of your glorious inheritance, and your incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength you exerted when you raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Demonstrate your supernatural power through us by transforming our fleshly bent towards bitterness and revenge into a spirit-filled one of loving forgiveness and hope. No matter how many times we are offended, turn our hearts to forgiveness.
Remind us that to forgive is to display His glory.
To forgive is to experience obedience.
To forgive is to demonstrate supernatural mercy and grace.
To forgive is an act of love.
To forgive reflects our understanding and gratitude for God’s forgiveness.
To forgive is to display true humility.
To forgive is to display compassion.
To forgive is acknowledge our identity, hope, and trust is secure in Christ alone.
To forgive is to set others free.
To forgive is to be set free.
To forgive is to repent of control, anger, or vengeance.
To forgive is to experience freedom from bitterness and temptation.
To forgive is to leave the issue in the hands of God.
To forgive is to release someone from responsibility or blame and move on.
To forgive is to experience freedom and peace with Christ and in relationships.
To forgive is to clear away emotional distress and allow clear Christ-centered thinking.
To forgive is to trust God’s wisdom and timing in all things.
To forgive is to employ Christ empowered patience, tenderness, and forbearance.
To forgive is to believe for others what they don’t yet believe for themselves.
To forgive is to do life with all people without hindrance or hesitation.
To forgive is to always remain hopeful and prayerful.
Oh Father, empower us with Christlike overflow clothing us with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with each other and forgiving one another in all grievances. May your supernatural forgiveness humbly spill out to all.
In Christ,
Blessings!
Colossians 3:12-13
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Psalm 103:10-14
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
Isaiah 1:18
18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
Hebrews 10:17
17 Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
Hebrews 8: 12
12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 6:12
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matthew 6:14
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matthew 18:21-22
21 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?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
Ephesians 1:18-21
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.