devotion

Our Journey
Sunday
September 18, 2005

33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, ?Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.? And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, ?He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!? Luke 23:33-35

freeing forgiveness

Every one of us has felt the sting of another person's sin. Husbands cheat on their wives. Children rebel against their parents. Parents abuse their children. Pastors injure their church members. Bosses mistreat their employees. Friends say hurtful things. The list goes on . . . Even as you read this, some hurtful memory you thought was long-forgotten may have rushed through your mind and you have felt the sting again.

One thing that can keep you from healing and freedom is bitterness.

Forgiveness is everywhere in the ministry of Jesus. You can't spend 10 minutes in the Gospels without concluding that forgiveness was at the bullseye of his entire life and death. Even his dying breath was, ?Father, forgive them."

He tasted the acid of every insult you have suffered, every mistreatment, every rejection. He endured the shame. He suffered so that it could be forgiven . . . so that you could be forgiven. More than any of us, he understands the cost of forgiveness. Yet he died so we could be set free from the bondage of bitterness.

Do you cherish unforgiveness in your heart because of the pain someone has inflicted on you? A vindictive spirit punishes only the person who holds it in his heart. If a hot coal is placed in your hands, the searing pain does not begin to subside until you drop it.

The bitterness needs to go. Unforgiveness has no place in the life of a follower of Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind the name and face of the ones you need to love. Pray from your heart, ?Lord, you have forgiven me so much; I choose to show that kindness to others."

You may be thinking, I've tried to do that . . . but I can't. You're absolutely right, it's too much for us. But God would never ask for obedience in something impossible to do. First, he supplies the model of his own Son. Then he provides his indwelling Spirit for the strength and the ability.

Bring your bitterness to God, and following the model of Jesus, begin praying for your enemies today. ?James MacDonald walkintheword.com

seeking: Father, what have you revealed about my own lack of forgiveness for others? How have I seen them differently through your eyes?

responding: How has God shown me forgiveness? ? What's keeping me from extending that mercy to _________________________?

Father, thank you for forgiving me for all of my sin. Forgive me for failing to extend that to others. Lord Jesus, I forgive ______________ for ________________________. I want to know and experience the freedom that you have provided for me, and so for the sake of victory and obedience I entrust myself to you now.

following: Bitterness equals bondage.