CAC Living Water Devotional For June 3, 2022 : Topic – FORGIVENESS
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LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Friday, June 3, 2022.
FORGIVENESS
Read: Matthew 18:23-35
[23]Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
[24]And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
[25]But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
[26]The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[27]Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
[28]But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
[29]And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[30]And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
[31]So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
[32]Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
[33]Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
[34]And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
[35]So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
MEMORISE : And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (Mark 11:25).
EXPOSITION
There are speculations that forgiveness is unattainable. Such arguments are unfounded. If it is possible for men to forgive one another after a party had been deeply hurt, it is impossible with the people of the world for the other party to be set free unpunished just in the name of forgiveness. While it may be impossible to achieve this elsewhere in this world, in Christendom, there is forgiveness, not just that, but, total forgiveness for this is why Christ died that we may be set free from all forms of pain and that we may be forgiven and set free from all our sins.
Forgiveness characterised Christ’s way and lifestyle. It is one of the attributes of those who have Christ in them as their Lord and Saviour, who have been baptised by the in filling of the Holy Spirit. It is not just internal, but from a Spirit-filled life and mind. It is a decision made in the mind that then manifests in actions. Forgiveness shouldn’t be forced on someone. It should come voluntary. To show how important forgiveness is to the Christian body, the word ‘forgive’ is used 58 times in the New Testament alone. Also, the idea of forgiveness is one of the major courses Jesus dealt with while He was here on earth.
In spite of how difficult forgiveness looks, it is achievable, and the best way to inculcate it is to learn it from the perfect example of our Lord Jesus (cf. Lk. 23:34). No great thing starts from its greatness. Every great thing starts from little beginning. Learn to forgive those who hurt you on little things, then you can gain some understanding of how to handle deeper offences. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matt. 6:14-15). Choose to forgive, from now on, so you can receive forgiveness from God.
PRAYER POINTS :
1. I forgive and set free everyone that I have kept in bondage of my heart in Jesus’ mighty name.
2. Father, give me grace to love my fellow humans in all circumstances.
3. O Lord, set Your Church free from the bondage of unforgiving spirit.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Job 13-15