Scriptures for the day: Matthew 6:15, Matthew 18:21, and Matthew 18:33,35

Have you ever had a true enemy? They will tap your phone, have you followed and hire private investigators to find out what they can of your children. They don’t want to harm you or get even; they want to destroy you. There is no limit to how far they will stoop. Could you forgive and love someone like this?

Forgiveness of sins is the one great gift that sets the sinner free. Forgiveness is the source of our salvation. As you and I walk with God and have the assurance of forgiveness of sins, He desires that we extend that same forgiveness towards others. However, the seriousness of forgiveness goes dramatically further: if we refuse to forgive others, we will not be forgiven (Matt. 6:15).

This scandalous forgiveness that the Lord asks of us, who is able? And then the, even more, mind-boggling admonition in Matt: 18:33, 35. So the servant that would not forgive his fellow servant was sent to prison. Then the Lord warns us: “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters in your heart.” It is only through the Holy Spirit of God that we can appropriate this kind of forgiveness. But it is there for the taking if we will cry out to God. Oh, the great rejoicing in my heart as I realize I have forgiven my enemy. Forgiveness: the great gift that sets the sinner free.