21 Days in 2024
LOVE THAT FORGIVES
"And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (John 20:22-23).
When we receive the Holy Spirit we receive the capacity to forgive. We do not develop the inclination to forgive until love becomes the chief motivator of all we do, but the capacity is there. To forgive is one of the costliest actions we can do and also one of the most effective strategies for the restoration of broken lives.
The words of Jesus declare that when we forgive, the one we forgive is loosed from the penalty for their offense. But if we refuse to forgive, the judgment for their actions remains in place. The disposition of our heart toward forgiveness or judgment actually releases or inhibits the flow of grace to people who need help. This a sobering responsibility.
We are repeatedly admonished to love one another and to forgive. When we honor these commandments it creates and safeguards an atmosphere of extravagant grace in our community and our sphere of influence. Lives are restored when we create space for His love to rest among us. The atmosphere of forgiveness we cultivate and maintain will accomplish more than judgment or condemnation ever could to liberate captive souls.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34).
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven" (Luke 6:37).
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection" (Colossians 3:12-14).
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:1-4).
"And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you" (1 Thessalonians 3:12).
When we guard our heart against offense we are granted a powerful role in the expansion of His kingdom. When we forgive, redeeming grace is loosed. The greatest demonstration of love in the universe was the voluntary sacrifice Jesus made on the cross of Calvary. His death and resurrection have now set the precedent for how grace is released. Jesus died for the sin of the whole world (1 John 2:2). His sacrifice set me free and when I forgive others even more grace is available for all those who respond to His forgiveness through me.
Jesus has paid the costly price of forgiveness. I am able to participate in His great victory when I receive His forgiveness for myself and then extend the grace I have received to others. Do we have the courage to use this incredible resource to do our part in changing the world?
"Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:10).
"I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake" (1 John 2:12).
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
Read Matthew 18:21-35 and reflect on what you would do in a similar situation.
When we receive the Holy Spirit we receive the capacity to forgive. We do not develop the inclination to forgive until love becomes the chief motivator of all we do, but the capacity is there. To forgive is one of the costliest actions we can do and also one of the most effective strategies for the restoration of broken lives.
The words of Jesus declare that when we forgive, the one we forgive is loosed from the penalty for their offense. But if we refuse to forgive, the judgment for their actions remains in place. The disposition of our heart toward forgiveness or judgment actually releases or inhibits the flow of grace to people who need help. This a sobering responsibility.
We are repeatedly admonished to love one another and to forgive. When we honor these commandments it creates and safeguards an atmosphere of extravagant grace in our community and our sphere of influence. Lives are restored when we create space for His love to rest among us. The atmosphere of forgiveness we cultivate and maintain will accomplish more than judgment or condemnation ever could to liberate captive souls.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34).
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven" (Luke 6:37).
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection" (Colossians 3:12-14).
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:1-4).
"And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you" (1 Thessalonians 3:12).
When we guard our heart against offense we are granted a powerful role in the expansion of His kingdom. When we forgive, redeeming grace is loosed. The greatest demonstration of love in the universe was the voluntary sacrifice Jesus made on the cross of Calvary. His death and resurrection have now set the precedent for how grace is released. Jesus died for the sin of the whole world (1 John 2:2). His sacrifice set me free and when I forgive others even more grace is available for all those who respond to His forgiveness through me.
Jesus has paid the costly price of forgiveness. I am able to participate in His great victory when I receive His forgiveness for myself and then extend the grace I have received to others. Do we have the courage to use this incredible resource to do our part in changing the world?
"Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:10).
"I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake" (1 John 2:12).
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
Read Matthew 18:21-35 and reflect on what you would do in a similar situation.
Posted in 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting