FORGIVENESS
"And whenever you stand praying, if you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25
In the normal course of human relations, one will sin against another and expect forgiveness. Forgiveness literally means to let go, send away, and release out of your heart any bitterness you may hold as your right against someone who has offended you. It frees someone from an obligation as a result of wrong done against you without seeking revenge, even though the situation might have not changed.
An older boy in a school was so abusive to the younger ones that the teacher took a vote among the student body on whether the abusive boy should be expelled. All the small boys voted to expel him, except one, who was scarcely five years old. He knew very well that the bad boy would probably continue to abuse him. “Why, then, did you vote for him to stay?" asked the teacher. The boy replied, “Because if he is expelled, he may not learn any more about God, and he will continue to be wicked.” “Do you forgive him then?” inquired the teacher. “Yes," said the little boy, “daddy, mummy and you all forgive me when I do wrong; God forgives me too, so I must do the same to those who wrong me." Things we must remember about forgiveness:
The reason we forgive is because we have been forgiven and are continually forgiven. There is a bond between the Divine Forgiver and you, the forgiven believer, to forgive others. Forgiveness is the spirit of love; one who has accepted God's forgiveness is expected to show the same to others. Forgive your enemies, including those who spitefully abuse you. Forgiveness is needful for your own peace of mind; revenge is like a thorn in the flesh.
Forgiveness is one of the essentials for spiritual maturity: Is there anyone who needs your forgiveness today?
Prayer: Ask God to set your heart and emotions free from bitterness.
Scriptural Reading: Mark 11:20-26
