My Sunday Skl

THE WORD: 2 Corinthians 2:7-8 & 11

Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him…so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Today, I urge you to pray with me about the power of forgiveness. Contrary to what we may have been told, forgiveness is not just about a feeling, or a sudden desire, but a conscious decision rooted in the work of Christ. Key Word: Christ. Not Yourself. It’s not just about getting rid of bitterness or feeling good in God’s sight, but it’s also for the offender’s sake. Paul lets us know that when we choose to forgive, we comfort them and show them God’s love and mercy.

But, on the other hand, failing to forgive gives Satan an advantage over us, allowing him to outsmart us and lead us down a path that, if you look around our world, can lead to anger, bitterness, gossiping, and even violence. It may start with one emotional decision to not forgive, and to hold a grudge, but it can lead to many negative consequences. That’s why we don’t allow forgiveness to be determined by something as volatile as feelings. As a believer our forgiveness is a demonstration of the new nature we have put on in Christ.

We forgive because we have been forgiven. So, let’s make a conscious decision to forgive, not based on our emotions, but on the rock of Christ’s love and mercy. Pray with me that we would be empowered to forgive, and let’s choose to forgive, just as God has forgiven us.