Forgiveness

I would like to talk to you today about

forgiveness. This is one of the most

powerful words in our language. It opens

communications with God, our Heavenly

Father. Words of forgiveness were the

final words to be uttered by Christ on the

cross. It heralded the thief on the cross

into paradise. It will heal a broken heart

and mend wounded relationships.

Having been a pastor many years, I have

seen people facing eternity with their

souls consumed by bitterness simply

because they could not forgive someone

who had offended them years earlier. I

have sat by the bedside of a dying

husband begging forgiveness from an ex-

wife for a wrong committed many years

ago. I once heard a deacon say, “I can

never forgive a wrong done to me by

another.” Oh, what a miserable position

to be in concerning our relationship with

our Lord.

Words of forgiveness can sweeten a bitter

soul and restore joy to the believer. If you

cannot forgive others, then Satan is

robbing you of the joy that is yours in

Christ Jesus. Do not withhold forgiveness

from others. Surely there is someone at

this moment that needs to hear your

words of forgiveness. If I cannot forgive

those that I love, how can our heavenly

Father say to his children, “You are

forgiven?”

Father, forgive me my trespasses, that I

might forgive those who trespass against

me.

Amen.