Forgive

All Christians know Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." The word all is translated as all, everyone, all people everywhere. We all fail and we all sin. Nobody is perfect. But you know what? God loves us anyway. John 3:15: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." He forgave us of our wrongs through the death of His son.

We are forgiven and our sins are washed away. Out of sight, out of mind. But how many of us still remember what someone did to us years ago, and we still hold on to it? I know I do. I'm not proud of it. It's hard to let go of deep hurts. Matthew 6:15: "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Ephesians 4:43: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ Jesus forgave you." We have a perfect model for forgiveness, yet we find it hard to forgive. Jesus told Peter we should forgive, not just once, but 70X7 times.

I have forgiven but not forgotten. I remember so I won't be hurt again. I am trying to learn from my mistakes and grow in my understanding. If we remember to do all things in love, we will forgive because forgiveness comes through love.

When I look back on the trials of my life, I remember Psalms 66:10: "For thou, O God, have proved us, thou hast tried us, as silver." Silver is tried in a furnace. The flames burn away all the impurities. We bear the trials and tribulations to be purified, and our testimonies and witnesses are made stronger.