Daily devotion – Forgiving!
Forgiven People Forgive
The Bible tells us plainly:
Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
And the consequence is serious:
Romans 6:23 – “The wages of sin is death…”
But praise God, He offers “the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus.”
God did not overlook our sin. Justice was fully satisfied when Jesus bore our punishment on the cross.
Colossians 2:13–14 declares that He has “forgiven all our trespasses… nailing them to the cross.”
Because God has forgiven us at such cost, He now calls us to extend forgiveness to others. Yet Jesus acknowledges this is difficult.
Peter asked if forgiving seven times was enough. Jesus replied, “seventy times seven” and told the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18). The lesson is clear: Those forgiven much must forgive much.
Even in the Lord’s Prayer we ask:
“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)
So why is forgiveness so hard?
1. Forgiveness doesn’t dismiss responsibility.
Biblical forgiveness is not excusing sin. It simply means surrendering my right to repay wrong and entrusting justice to God, the only perfect judge.
2. Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling.
Jesus forgave His executioners not because He felt it, but because it was right. Our emotions may take time to follow—but obedience begins with the will.
3. Forgiveness doesn’t erase the memory.
Jeremiah 31:34 says God “remembers our sin no more,” not because He forgets, but because He no longer holds it against us.
Likewise, forgiveness means choosing not to use the offence as ammunition—no revenge, no reminders, no bitterness.
In the end, forgiveness is possible because God has forgiven us first.
When we choose to forgive—even before our feelings catch up—we walk in the footsteps of Christ and honour the One who forgave our unpayable debt.