Matthew 18
"Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times."
Forgiveness is not easy. To offer forgiveness to someone seven times seems very generous. However, what Jesus teaches is extraordinary generosity. He's reply to Peter's question is "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." He teaches that we are not to even keep track of how often we forgive. We are to just keep forgiving.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
April 29
Matthew 6:9-15
This is the Lord's prayer. Notice that we have added a closing section to what Jesus taught.
A part of the Lord's prayer involves asking for G0d's forgiveness. The teaching that follows the prayer is incredibly powerful. In it Jesus says that as we forgive others, that is the manner in which God will forgive us. This is a hard teaching. I don't think he is teaching that we earn forgiveness. I think what he is teaching is that one of the signs that we have experienced forgiveness, is our willingness to forgive others. If we are unwilling to forgive others, it is most likely because we have not experienced forgiveness ourselves.
This is the Lord's prayer. Notice that we have added a closing section to what Jesus taught.
A part of the Lord's prayer involves asking for G0d's forgiveness. The teaching that follows the prayer is incredibly powerful. In it Jesus says that as we forgive others, that is the manner in which God will forgive us. This is a hard teaching. I don't think he is teaching that we earn forgiveness. I think what he is teaching is that one of the signs that we have experienced forgiveness, is our willingness to forgive others. If we are unwilling to forgive others, it is most likely because we have not experienced forgiveness ourselves.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
April 28
1 John 2
"I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name."
Scripture is clear on this point. There is no doubt. We are forgiven because of the action of God. Forgiveness is a gift. We do not earn it, we do not deserve it. Forgiveness is a gift. For the gift to become ours, we have to receive the gift of forgiveness. Therefore, I am not called to forgive myself for the wrong I have done. I am invited to receive the gift of forgiveness that God wants to give me.
"I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name."
Scripture is clear on this point. There is no doubt. We are forgiven because of the action of God. Forgiveness is a gift. We do not earn it, we do not deserve it. Forgiveness is a gift. For the gift to become ours, we have to receive the gift of forgiveness. Therefore, I am not called to forgive myself for the wrong I have done. I am invited to receive the gift of forgiveness that God wants to give me.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
April 27
1 John 1
God invites us to live in the light. Part of what it means to live in the light is to be willing to acknowledge our sin. We don't like to acknowledge our sin. To acknowledge our sin is to take responsibility for our actions. It is much easier to justify what we have done or to blame others than it is to accept responsibility. Yet, to accept responsibility is the only way to bring about change in life. What John promises is that as "we confess our sins God is faithful and just and will forgive". The forgiveness of God offers a new beginning.
God invites us to live in the light. Part of what it means to live in the light is to be willing to acknowledge our sin. We don't like to acknowledge our sin. To acknowledge our sin is to take responsibility for our actions. It is much easier to justify what we have done or to blame others than it is to accept responsibility. Yet, to accept responsibility is the only way to bring about change in life. What John promises is that as "we confess our sins God is faithful and just and will forgive". The forgiveness of God offers a new beginning.
Monday, April 26, 2010
April 26
Colossians 3
In the first part of this chapter Paul is discussing the struggle between our earthly nature and how God calls us to live. He calls us to "put to death" many of our actions and practices that are common on earth. He then challenges us to clothe ourselves with the practices of "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience". As a part of this thought in verse 13 he writes, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." As God has forgiven us, he wants us to offer the same forgiveness to others. Forgiveness is one of the acts of God that Paul wants us to clothe ourselves. The question for today is, who do you need to forgive?
In the first part of this chapter Paul is discussing the struggle between our earthly nature and how God calls us to live. He calls us to "put to death" many of our actions and practices that are common on earth. He then challenges us to clothe ourselves with the practices of "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience". As a part of this thought in verse 13 he writes, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." As God has forgiven us, he wants us to offer the same forgiveness to others. Forgiveness is one of the acts of God that Paul wants us to clothe ourselves. The question for today is, who do you need to forgive?
Saturday, April 24, 2010
April 24
Genesis 44-45
Verse one says, "Joseph could no longer contain himself". Joseph's secret is too much so he finally reveals who he is. A celebration of tears begins. Pharaoh even celebrates with Joseph and invites his family to live in Egypt.
Forgiveness can be very difficult. Joseph's brothers caused him incredible pain. But the moment he forgave his brothers, that act of forgiveness opened his life in new ways. God calls us to forgive because of how it opens up the opportunity for reconciliation. I believe God also calls us to forgiveness for how it opens our lives up for healing.
Verse one says, "Joseph could no longer contain himself". Joseph's secret is too much so he finally reveals who he is. A celebration of tears begins. Pharaoh even celebrates with Joseph and invites his family to live in Egypt.
Forgiveness can be very difficult. Joseph's brothers caused him incredible pain. But the moment he forgave his brothers, that act of forgiveness opened his life in new ways. God calls us to forgive because of how it opens up the opportunity for reconciliation. I believe God also calls us to forgiveness for how it opens our lives up for healing.
Friday, April 23, 2010
April 23
Genesis 43
Why doesn't Joseph tell them who he is? What is he gaining by holding back? Is the pain of being sold into slavery so deep in his life that he cannot forgive them yet? It seems to me that he is missing out on life and on his relationship with his family by holding back. He is harming himself much more than he is harming them. But isn't that the way it is when we don't forgive? When we don't forgive, we are the ones that are hurt the most.
Why doesn't Joseph tell them who he is? What is he gaining by holding back? Is the pain of being sold into slavery so deep in his life that he cannot forgive them yet? It seems to me that he is missing out on life and on his relationship with his family by holding back. He is harming himself much more than he is harming them. But isn't that the way it is when we don't forgive? When we don't forgive, we are the ones that are hurt the most.
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