ANATOMY OF FORGIVENESS

Forgive us our debts, AS WE also have forgiven our debtors.  Mat 6:12 (NIV)

When man forgives we require too much of the recipient of our forgiveness.  We are not very forgiving in our natural human thoughts and actions. We want them to “be sorry, look sorry, say I’m sorry and act sorry before” we offer our forgiveness. Or… remember when as a child you were forced by some adult to "forgive" someone who was first forced to "say sorry" to you? Is this really repentance by the perpetrator... or forgiveness by the victim? Well, perhaps so--in a few rare cases. But let us be honest and acknowledge that this charade  is more often a temporary end of hostilities, with the full intent to do more of the same violence (and not get caught) and/or get revenge later--when beyond the a watchful eye.

When God forgives its different.  He offers unconditional forgiveness to everyone.  We say in prayer “forgive us our debts as we forgive…”     and we rise from prayer knowing by faith that we have been forgiven without the looking sorry and acting sorrowful.  And He does! God provides forgiveness freely as indicated in the bible verses listed below  

• Ephesians 4:32 NKJV And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
• Psalms 86:5-7 NKJV For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,.
• Psalms 85:2 NKJV You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin. Selah

LET US FORGIVE AS GOD FORGIVES

Scripture reading is: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10