The Forgiving Heart of the Father
'“ And when you pray , make sure you forgive the faults of others so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you withhold forgiveness from others, your Father withholds forgiveness from you.”' -- Matthew 6:14-15
Man, that’s a tough verse. I’ve read it and spoken it a thousand times. I must tell you, it’s one that says what it means and means very simply what it says.
Now, before you check out on this most disturbing devotion for today, I would honestly say that we all struggle with being unforgiving. Most people won’t admit it, or we will only admit aspects of unforgiveness like resentment, bitterness, or offense. While those things may take many forms, and at times may even seem justified, we must recognize that they all follow the same path and ultimately lead to the same destination.
Reality is our friend. Right?!?!
Well, the reality is that the fastest way to a hard heart is to have a heart that doesn’t forgive regularly.
The Bible teaches us …
' “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.' -- Matthew 18:15-17 NLT
This is the challenging part of forgiveness. You actually have to want to forgive.
When someone sins against me, I usually like to tell a few people. I can usually disguise it by saying I’m getting council in how to deal with it, but the funny thing is, I already know what is required. I have to confront the person. Basically, all I’m doing is trying to build a case as to why they are wrong and I’m right.
I think that’s why the story of the prodigal son touches my heart so much. Both sons seem to be offended by the father, yet the only one in the story that had a right to be offended was the father himself. Yet the father shows both sons compassion, empathy, kindness and forgiveness.
How many times have I been one of those sons? Thousands. I’ve wondered, strayed, left, and rebelled. I have also been judgmental, felt anger and frustration, taken offense, and thrown insults.
Yet the journey for all of us is to become like the father. That’s our journey. The deep truth of the prodigal son is that we will either become like the father or we will become the older brother.
Forgiveness is tough but required. How can the Father require us to forgive others? Simple: because He forgave us.
In this season, my prayer is that God would give me His heart for others. I desire to forgive even before I’m asked. I want to soften my heart and be open to the possibility of being hurt again. I pray that I would be bold in truth while also keeping my heart pure, even when others choose to walk away.
If His grace was enough to save me then His grace is most certainly enough to help me forgive.
Who do you need to forgive?
Man, that’s a tough verse. I’ve read it and spoken it a thousand times. I must tell you, it’s one that says what it means and means very simply what it says.
Now, before you check out on this most disturbing devotion for today, I would honestly say that we all struggle with being unforgiving. Most people won’t admit it, or we will only admit aspects of unforgiveness like resentment, bitterness, or offense. While those things may take many forms, and at times may even seem justified, we must recognize that they all follow the same path and ultimately lead to the same destination.
Reality is our friend. Right?!?!
Well, the reality is that the fastest way to a hard heart is to have a heart that doesn’t forgive regularly.
The Bible teaches us …
' “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.' -- Matthew 18:15-17 NLT
This is the challenging part of forgiveness. You actually have to want to forgive.
When someone sins against me, I usually like to tell a few people. I can usually disguise it by saying I’m getting council in how to deal with it, but the funny thing is, I already know what is required. I have to confront the person. Basically, all I’m doing is trying to build a case as to why they are wrong and I’m right.
I think that’s why the story of the prodigal son touches my heart so much. Both sons seem to be offended by the father, yet the only one in the story that had a right to be offended was the father himself. Yet the father shows both sons compassion, empathy, kindness and forgiveness.
How many times have I been one of those sons? Thousands. I’ve wondered, strayed, left, and rebelled. I have also been judgmental, felt anger and frustration, taken offense, and thrown insults.
Yet the journey for all of us is to become like the father. That’s our journey. The deep truth of the prodigal son is that we will either become like the father or we will become the older brother.
Forgiveness is tough but required. How can the Father require us to forgive others? Simple: because He forgave us.
In this season, my prayer is that God would give me His heart for others. I desire to forgive even before I’m asked. I want to soften my heart and be open to the possibility of being hurt again. I pray that I would be bold in truth while also keeping my heart pure, even when others choose to walk away.
If His grace was enough to save me then His grace is most certainly enough to help me forgive.
Who do you need to forgive?
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