Who Made You Angry?

People-Centered Prayer
(c) Our Need To Forgive

“And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.” – Matt. 6:12

Jesus told the story of a man who was forgiven a great debt, and then refused to forgive someone who owed him a pittance. The end result was that this man was handed over to his tormentors. (Matt. 18:35).

Jesus made the same emphasis when teaching His Model Prayer. This is the first time He comments on any of the petitions and it is vital that we hear what He has to say. (Matt. 6:15.

Unforgiveness is sin. When we refuse to forgive, in spite of the fact that we have been freely forgiven, we harden our hearts and block the channel of God’s grace.

He cannot forgive unconfessed sin and, until we deal with it and be reconciled, we will experience only torment and the absence of peace. (1 John 4:20).

Joseph is a shining example of a man who was badly mistreated by his family, his employers and his peers, but he forgave freely. (Gen. 50:20).
Often the problem is not so much our brother or sister’s sin, but our attitude. God demands that we forgive in the same manner He forgives us – fully, freely and often.

Can you do that today?

Val Waldeck

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Excerpt from His Eye Is On The Sparrow

His Eye Is On The Sparrow
365-Day Devotional