THURSDAY: One Month To Live - "Forgiveness"

Welcome to Thursday. Today, we are looking at forgiveness. This can be a very tough subject. A while back, in preparing the week of daily devotions for "One Month To Live", it struck me that this subject would be one of the toughest to deal with. This month, we have looked at how to live with passion and how to value the things that mean most to us (God, family, friends, ect). A key component to all of this however, would be to forgive the people that we feel has wronged us in some way and asking for forgiveness from people that we have wronged (even if they don't know it).

Read the following scriptures:

Matthew 6:13-15 (New International Version)

13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 18:20-22 (New International Version)

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[a]

Mark 11:24-26 (New International Version)

24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."[a]

Colossians 3:12-14 (New International Version)

12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

These are just a few of the scriptures in the Bible that deal with forgiveness. One thing I would like to point out is that I have not read anywhere in the Bible that we are to forgive only if the other person asks for it. We should live a lifestyle of forgiveness just as God forgives us.

Today, spend some time thinking about the people in your life that you know you need to forgive. If it helps, write it down. After that, reread the above scriptures and...forgive. I know this can be tough. Remember it's not about you telling them that you forgive them, especially if they didn't ask for it. It's about you living your life the way God intends. Pray to God and ask him to help you.
Finally, think about the people that you may have wronged in some way. Again, write it down and...ask them to forgive you.

Please leave a comment here when you have read this devontional.

Have a great day!!! I'm praying for you all!

Dan