As We Are Forgiven

[Daily Devotional]

As We Are Forgiven

     And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matt. 6:12.  

     It is most difficult, even for those who claim to be followers of
Jesus, to forgive as Christ forgives us. The true spirit of forgiveness is
so little practiced, and so many interpretations are placed upon Christ's
requirement, that its force and beauty are lost sight of. We have very
uncertain views of the great mercy and loving-kindness of God. He is full of
compassion and forgiveness, and freely pardons when we truly repent and
confess our sins. . . .  

     Peter, when brought to the test, sinned greatly. In denying the Master
he had loved and served, he became a cowardly apostate. But his Lord did not
cast him off; He freely forgave him. . . . Henceforth, remembering his own
weakness and failures, he would be patient with his brethren in their
mistakes and errors. Remembering the patient love of Christ toward him,
affording him another opportunity to bring forth the fruit of good works, he
would be more conciliatory toward erring ones. . . .  

     The Lord requires of us the same treatment toward His followers that we
receive of Him. We are to exercise patience, to be kind even though they do
not meet our expectations in every particular. . . . The last six
commandments specify man's duty to man. Christ did not say, You may tolerate
your neighbor, but, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." . . .  

     The love of Jesus needs to be brought to bear upon our lives. It will
have a softening, subduing influence upon our hearts and characters. It will
prompt us to forgive our brethren even though they have done us injury.
Divine love must flow from our hearts in gentle words and kindly actions to
one another. The fruit of these good works will hang as rich clusters upon
the vine of character. . . .  

     Rejoicing in Christ as your Saviour, pitiful, compassionate, and
touched with the feeling of your infirmities, love and joy will be revealed
in your daily life. If you love Him who died to redeem mankind you will love
those for whom He died.

>From That I May Know Him - Page 180