Forgiveness

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. PROVERBS 19:11 ESV 

If there was a literal roadblock in the middle of your driveway, would you move it out of the way before attempting to drive anywhere? Or would you choose to tear up the yard by avoiding it or go ahead and hit it, damaging your car instead? It seems like the silliest question, and yet this is often how we handle offenses in our lives. An offense is like a roadblock; we are the ones who decide whether it remains, because we are the ones who placed it there from the start. Our feelings were hurt, or our pride was bruised, and the offense feels justified. 

However, the problem with offense is that it most affects the one who is offended. Many times, everyone else keeps backing out of their own driveway, moving on with life, while the offended are left stagnant, frustrated, and prideful. This doesn’t mean that the other person was necessarily in the right, but that is the issue with offense—we make it about being right or proving a point. If we think about it, how many times was Jesus betrayed, forgotten, and rejected through-out Scripture? How would Scripture look differently if He had taken offense to the words and actions of those around Him instead of basing His thoughts, actions, and hope on the foundation of His heavenly Father? Instead, Jesus took the cross. He covered all our offenses, allowing us to live lives of promise and peace until we become perfect with Him. 

How would our own lives look differently if we made a concerted effort to let go of our offenses and forgive freely? We would be able to run hard after Jesus and trust Him to sort out any infraction or bitterness we may feel along the way. When we choose to focus on the grace that we have been offered, our hearts are more apt to offer grace to others. Since we know that injustice and sin will always be a part of this world, we also know that offense will always be an option. But that is the beauty: we get to choose. We have Christ, and we can decide to forgive those who trespass against us (just as He forgives us for our trespasses against Him) . Our effectiveness is not made possible in proving a point but in pointing to Jesus. We will always benefit from honoring God over our feelings. 

This week let’s look for opportunities to forgive rather than opportunities to be offended. What a game changer that will be! 

As you focus on forgiveness this week, search your heart for any past hurts you are still holding onto, and let go of them. Lean on God to help you. Also, this week, when you feel yourself starting to hold onto feelings of resentment, focus on the word forgiveness, recite the activating Scriptures, and don’t allow the roadblock of offense on your driveway. 

Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” MATTHEW 18:21–22 NLT 

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. EPHESIANS 4:2–3 ESV 

Jesus, I let go of all my offenses and pick up Your grace instead. Amen. 

Cleere Cherry Reaves 
Focus 

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