God Commands Forgiveness

“You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.” LUKE 6:36-37 NLT 

Forgiveness is not just a suggestion; it is a commandment from God. It is not something that we should do if we feel like it or if we think the other person deserves it. We are called to forgive, to show mercy, and not to judge or condemn others. This can be a difficult concept to grasp—and an even more difficult concept to live out, especially when we have been hurt by someone else. 

However, when we look at the example that God has set for us, we can see how important forgiveness is. God does not hold our own sins against us; He forgives us out of His compassion and love. We do not deserve to be forgiven, yet God offers us grace and mercy freely. It is because of this grace that we are able to forgive others who have hurt us.  

Forgiveness is not something that we can do on our own. We need the help of the Holy Spirit to enable us to forgive as we have been forgiven. We must surrender our hearts to God and allow Him to minister to the areas where mercy does not yet reign. It is important that we reflect on the times when we have withheld forgiveness and allow the Holy Spirit to exchange our heart of stone for one of flesh. 

We must also remember that forgiveness is not just a one-time event; it is a continual process of choosing to let go of the hurt and pain that others have caused us. It may take time to fully forgive someone, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can let go of the bitterness and resentment we may feel. 

Forgiveness is a commandment, not a recommendation. We are called to forgive as we have been forgiven. It is not always an easy task, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can choose to show mercy and grace to others. Let us reflect on the love and compassion that God has shown to us and extend that same love to those around us. By choosing to forgive, we allow the love of Christ to transform our lives and the lives of those around us. 

PRAYER 

God, I praise You, for Your mercies are unending; they are renewed every single morning. I give You all the honor and glory, for there is none like You. You forgive my sins and restore my soul. I worship You, for there is no one gracious like You. I praise You, for Your faithfulness knows no end! Amen. 

This is an excerpt from Morning Gratitude: Inspiring Moments to Start Your Day by Pray.com – a devotional now available on DaySpring.com. Shop all books, journals, and devotions from DaySpring here.