Today’s Verse:
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. —Ephesians 4:32
Your Challenge: One of the greatest ongoing needs in the church is forgiveness. We must practice it and pray for it. Are you?
Today’s Devotional:
Early on in my journey with Christ, I remember reading missionary accounts of the Shantung revival in China in the early 1900s. One thing that caught my attention was that the Spirit of God began to move mightily when the missionaries reconciled relationships among themselves. When the missionaries humbled themselves before each other through reconciliation and forgiveness, God began to move in the whole region. Many were converted. Revival had begun!
Look Up: Seeking Him in Praise
To think of the cost of what Jesus paid to redeem us is humbling. He who is forgiven much loves much (Luke 7:47). When we understand His forgiveness, we will praise Him and love Him more. The price tag for our forgiveness was His death. Let us worship and adore Him!
Look In: Seeking Him for Our Own Hearts
I believe that we are never more like Christ than when we extend forgiveness and never more unlike Him than when we don’t. Forgiveness is sometimes complicated due to the strong emotions and hurt and pain that has taken root in our hearts. If we haven’t forgiven others then bitterness and anger will keep us in bondage. We must be willing to forgive (Matt. 6:14–15).
Look Out: Seeking Him on Behalf of Others
As we pray for revival among God’s people and awakening among the lost, let us also pray for those obediences that are sure to take place—which are sometimes a precursor for revival, like in Shantung.
Unforgiveness needs to be repented of and we need to be ready to extend forgiveness towards those who have wounded us. There are many others around us that need to do the same. The church is full of men and women who need forgiveness and need to give forgiveness.
Reflect and Respond:
- Do you love Christ more because of seeing your sin in light of His holiness? Take time on your knees (if physically possible) to express gratitude for the price He paid for your forgiveness.
- Is there anyone in the present or past that you need to forgive? Take those situations and people before the Lord in prayer and release them to Him as the ultimate judge.
- Do you know of family members or others in your realm of influence that need God’s forgiveness? Look for opportunities to share the gospel. Do you know of any friends or family who need to forgive others? Pray for them to do so. Maybe the Lord would use you to give a word of encouragement or help. Look for open doors.
- For further help and understanding check out the book Choosing Forgiveness: Your Journey to Freedom.
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