Shirley's Desk

Have You Been Forgiven?

 

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God’s love for His people is shown throughout the Bible. Though I read about it all the time, God's love still blows my mind. It's hard for me to comprehend such a perfect love like His. And it's even harder to understand how a holy, loving God can forgive unholy, spiteful people who plotted His demise; not because He was guilty, but because they were jealous.

Have you ever wondered how God can forgive us knowing all that He does about us? He knows our thoughts.  He knows where we go. He knows what we do. He hears everything we say. Still, He is willing to forgive and welcome us into His family.

Jesus warned in Matthew 6 that if we do not forgive others for what they’ve done to us, then our heavenly Father will not forgive us either. It’s not easy to forgive those who have misused us, falsely spoke evil against us, or betrayed our trust. But that’s exactly what Jesus said we should do in Matthew 6:7-15. The word “forgive” in the Greek means to send away, dismiss, to emit and to send forth. So, if someone has offended us we forgive them by not holding onto the offense, instead we simply dismiss it, and send the offense away.

Our Savior is the greatest example of someone with a forgiving heart. He was mistreated, some plotted against Him, while others betrayed and denied knowing Him. They even questioned His motive for ministry and His connection to the Father. He still forgave them all. Sisters and brothers we cannot hold on to resentment and expect God to bless and forgive us. Who are we to hold on to offenses when the Lord has discharged every offense we’ve committed against Him? Read the story of the unforgiving servant recorded in Matthew 18: 21-35.

If you are reading this and you have yet to come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, this is your time. It does not matter what offenses you’ve committed in the past. Jesus is willing and ready to forgive you and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness by His sacrificial atonement on Calvary’s cross (1 John 1:9). Just call on the name of Jesus from the depths of your heart, and He will give you power to let go of every offense. Don’t delay, call on Him today and He will forgive you and wash all of your sins away.

Happy Resurrection!

Elder Shirley Freeman
Daughters of Zion Women’s Ministries
www.dozwm.net