Daily Devotional – Because I’m Not God

Our scripture for the Daily Devotional today is taken from Matthew 6: 8-15. If God has forgiven us and our enemy equally, unforgiveness is a scary consideration. If God can offer forgiveness to them, then who are we to not offer it to?

“Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, ¹⁰ your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹ Give us today our daily bread. ¹² And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³ And lead us not into temptation,[a] but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’

¹⁴ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Is it really forgiveness for forgiveness?

So many people take verse 14 from Matthew 6 above and say that we need to forgive in order to receive forgiveness. I know that on the surface, that is exactly as it reads. However, Jesus often spoke in parables and ways that were hard for us to understand.

If you look beyond the surface and into what lies behind. Perhaps if we don’t forgive someone that God has already forgiven, then we place our authority above that of God. Through our pride, we say that we know better and that our feelings are more important than those of God.

Your forgiveness of those who hurt you is an act of humility. You are acknowledging that God rules over you. Forgiving others not only shows that we have realized the beauty and wonder of forgiveness for ourselves, but that God is the one with the final say!

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you, God, for your mercy and free forgiveness. Even though I have been hurt and rejected by others, I choose today to acknowledge You and glorify You through my act of forgiveness. Help me by Your Spirit to love and forgive, just as You have done.

In Jesus Name,

Amen