Senior Pastor’s Devotional
Day 21 Movement Control Order – “Strategic Psalm 91 Watch”
The Lord’s Prayer.
“and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.”
What does asking God to forgive our sins has got to do with us forgiving others who have sinned against us?
Forgiveness from God is never an issue. The issue is whether we will dispense the same to others who may need your forgiveness. Unforgiveness is a sin and sin will block the blessings from God.
There are three basic attitudes associated with the extending of forgiveness.
1. I can’t
He did not tell the disciples that they could pray, “Lord, forgive me my trespasses and I will try to forgive those who have wronged me.” He told them that when they had forgiven others they could then claim their own forgiveness.
When God’s grace comes into our heart it makes us forgiving.
Sometimes we say, “I want to but I am struggling. I have to be honest with myself – I just can’t seem to be able to do it – then likely it is because we are using our own strength to forgive.
However, if we have truly tasted the forgiveness of God, God will enable you to have the grace to forgive others.
It takes a person who has experience freedom to appreciate freedom itself. It takes a person who has experienced the forgiveness of God to offer forgiveness to others.
What you can’t do, God will enable you to do because God changes lives.
2. I won’t.
Sometimes we excuse our lack of forgiveness on the grounds that the one who has wronged us does not deserve our forgiveness. But the truth is; No one ever wrong you as you have wronged God.
In Matthew 18:23-35, Jesus told the parable of Unforgiving Servant to illustrate this point.
“There are people who is part of your life’s history but they must never be the one who should determine your destiny.”
As long as you say, “I won’t” you are actually allowing the person to continue to be a part of your life and future – living under the shadow of a wound or a hurt that never heals.
3. I am willing.
This is what the Lord wants us to do and the moment we are willing – we set ourselves free; we set the other person free and we open up the windows of heaven whereby our prayer will reach the throne room of God.
It is a choice we have to make.
Ps Lawrence.