Have you ever forgiven somebody for something they did wrong or that they did to you personally? Has there ever been a time when you should have forgiven someone but you chose not to? How about you? Has anyone ever had to forgive you for something you did or said? The fact is we live in a broken world. We have all sinned in some way. We all need forgiveness. We all want forgiveness. God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness of others. But we’re not always good at forgiveness. Sometimes we just want to get our way and not allow someone to write off what they did. But when we don’t forgive that’s a problem.
Do we want to be God’s people? Do we want to be part of Jesus’ kingdom? Do we want to be blessed? Then there’s an aphorism for that. One we have to learn and do.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the MERCIFUL, for they will receive mercy.”
It’s simple. I’ve sinned in my past. God has forgiven me for it. I enjoy the mercy of God. How can I then not forgive others when they sin against me? Which is worse: doing wrong to God or others doing wrong to me? Doing wrong to God, of course. But God has forgiven me for that great act sinning I did against Him. So, when someone does something wrong to me, which doesn’t compare to what I’ve been forgiven of, then I should be more than ready to forgive. In fact, God simply says that if I don’t forgive others, He won’t forgive me (Matthew 6:14-15).
Do you want mercy from God? Then you have to give mercy to others. Put it in its proper perspective. GOD has forgiven me. GOD. My Creator. The Lord. JESUS. If He, being the greatest, has forgiven me, then how could I not forgive someone when they do something that hurts or embarrasses or angers me. Think about it. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Show mercy. Ask for mercy. Live in the joy of God’s mercy.
A Cord of Blue 