We have been talking through the fourth unshakeable or theme in the prayer covenant, repentance and the importance of forgiveness and how the two are integrally linked.
Traumatic Events and Forgiveness
Our family went through a terribly painful and traumatic experience with a family member. It split our extended family apart. During that time, I remember hearing a sermon on forgiveness: “Begin praying for the person who wronged you. If you can only pray, ‘God bless so and so,’ then begin with those few words.” It wasn’t easy but I was willing to try and immediately following my prayer came a heavenly outpouring of compassion and grief for the person who committed the offense. It was as if Jesus was waiting for me to take that initial step, to show a willing heart, then He supernaturally stepped in and the Spirit of God did the rest.
The older I get, the more I realize how unworthy I am to be a child of God. I relate to Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 1:15, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. Isaiah wrote, All our righteous acts are like filthy rags. How precious the reassuring words found in Titus 3:4-6, But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
What Happens Without Forgiveness?
And what about unforgiveness in your heart that seems justifiable because of an egregious action of another towards you? Can that become sin? Corrie ten Boom, the woman whom we shared about yesterday who endured years in a concentration camp for protecting the Jews in their home and suffered at the hands of the Nazis wrote, “When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself.”
Prayer
Let us pray, Dear Heavenly Father, we recognize you are a holy God, and from your throne flow truth and righteousness. We know we are unworthy to be called your children apart from your love, grace and mercy. Thank you that the blood of your Son, Jesus, cleanses me from all sin. I ask that you create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Lead me in the way everlasting. Transform me day by day into the image of your Son. Show me if there is any sin in my life and help me repent and turn away from all that separates me from your love. Heal broken relationships and remove any bitterness. Help me to always forgive others the way you have forgiven me, enabling me to walk in newness of life and experiencing the joy of our salvation. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
