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Day 28, Forgiveness

Writer's picture: The Bridge of InspirationThe Bridge of Inspiration

Why is it so important to forgive? The Bible uses the word forgive four hundred and ninety times. Why do you think that is? Maybe because it matters to God.

There are many reasons for forgiving someone and wanting to be forgiven. They go hand in hand, really. Forgiving someone after they hurt you doesn't mean you give your power away; it means you are taking it back. God's more willing to forgive us than we are to admit our sins.

Jesus's last words on the cross were, "Father, forgive them, for they know not know what they do." I'm so grateful that Luke wrote that because I think of that when someone says something I could get offended at or get an attitude about. It stops me in my tracks, really. If you think about it, Jesus was hanging on a cross after hours of being beaten by the same people he is asking God to forgive. That's pure grace, Jesus was so amazing. He understood things we could never wrap our minds around.

What was Jesus's purpose here on earth? Yes, he was sent to sacrifice himself for our sins, but he was a teacher, who focused on spreading the Word of God before there was a Word of God. He wanted everyone to know he had a loving Father who cares for them and loves them, and he wanted to show them how to live with God forever. God

loves us that much.

Forgiveness is a form of love; it says in Psalms 86:5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. But because Adam and Eve ate the apple off the forbidden tree, we became sinners. Maybe that’s why forgiveness is important to God, because we didn’t trust him from the beginning.


It says in Romans 3:23-24 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (meaning we will never live up to God's standards because we were all born sinners.) and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. So, if we accept what Jesus did for us, dying on the cross for our sins and humbling ourselves before the Lord, asking for his forgiveness of those sins, even the ones we do not know we have done, then we can be with God in everlasting life.

It says something similar in John 20:23, But this is Jesus speaking to his disciples after his resurrection. If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not. In other words, if their sins were forgiven and they could pick up their mat and walk, you know they were forgiven. But if they do not believe in Jesus Christ and do not forgive, they are not forgiven, then they will pay for their own sins.


It says in Matthew 6:15, But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. This is a great incentive to forgive and to ourselves, we have to learn to let ourselves off if God can forgive us so can we. Can you imagine an eternity of paying for your own sins, and it's because you couldn't forgive yourself?

Forgiveness is essential to God, as it is to Jesus, so it should be essential to you too. Some people let their pride and anger guide them; they would rather go to hell than forgive the person who hurt them. Anger and fear can affect our thinking, can't it?

I read an interview with Alice Cooper, he said, "A lot of people say they came to Christ because of their love for Jesus. Well, I came to Christ because of my fear of God. I totally understood that hell was not getting high with Jim Morrison, but I was tired of living this way. I'll tell you one thing when Jesus opens your eyes, and you finally realize who you are and who he is, it's a whole different world.

Isn't that the truth? In my wildest dreams, I never thought I would agree with Alice Cooper, but I totally agree with him here. Once Jesus opens your eyes and you realize who he is and who you are, it's a whole different world. It doesn't matter which one brings you to Jesus; as long you get there, that's all that matters.

So forgive often and love much; it's totally worth the changes. It's a lot lighter to live with peace and grace in your heart than it is to live with bitterness, fear, and anger. Amen


Let's pray,

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for sending your son to us. Thank you for his great sacrifice. We ask you to help us with forgiveness. We know it's important to you that we forgive those who trespass against us. Forgiveness opens our hearts up to you, Lord; thank you for giving us the strength to do all we can to spend eternity with you. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray. Amen.




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