The Word - April 27, 2012 - THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32).

There isn't the first person reading this who hasn't been hurt by the actions or words of another person. That, by the way includes the one writing this.

Question: what are you doing with that offense? Are you holding that person hostage for the injury they inflicted on you? How many hours and days have you wasted, thinking; "You owe me and somehow I'm going to make you pay?"

If you need to have specific direction as to how and handle the situation, the last phrase of our Scripture gives us direction: "As God in Christ forgave you."

As freely as He forgave you. As quickly as He forgave you; Jesus models what forgiveness should look like in your life and mine. He was falsely accused, mocked, beaten, and spat upon, then crucified. As He hung on that cross for your sins and mine, He said: "Father, forgive them."

I know that kind of total forgiveness is not easy, but it is necessary. Let me ask you a personal question: Has the Lord brought a relationship to your mind that, regardless of the hurt, needs your forgiveness? Then, right now, by faith, cry out; "O dear Lord I forgive that person because of what Christ did for me.

Take to heart God's call on your life: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."