June 26, 2017 (Monday)
Today is Forgiveness Day, one of at least three such days each year, the other two being labeled International and Global.
I don’t know who thought up a special day to emphasize forgiveness, but I agree with it.
Jesus gave us a model prayer that included the request, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
The Apostle Paul urges us, “Be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.”
The same apostle encourages us to do the right thing and “bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Someone has written, “Forgiveness is a lovely idea, until you have something to forgive.” This is another way of saying that forgiveness can be difficult. It is probably one of the hardest things we will ever attempt, because our inclination is toward hitting back and having our revenge. When we surrender to Christ as Lord of our lives, we will be able to forgive those who have hurt us.
Jesus set the example for us when he prayed for those driving the nails through his hands and feet at the crucifixion, saying “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”
Jesus taught us, “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.”
In another Biblical saying, Jesus declared, “When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
