Canceling Out Wrongs Committed - Called 2 Love Devotions for Couples
forgiveness - Canceling Out Wrongs Committed
Be kind . . . , forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
Forgiveness means canceling out a debt. It carries with it a reference to accounting—to be forgiven means it is paid in full. Forgiveness is not the same as forgetting. Forgiveness is something I choose to do, while forgetting is something I do not control. Forgiveness means choosing to let go of my anger and hurt. It means turning the offense loose and letting the other person off the hook.
God demonstrated His forgiveness at Calvary. Through His Son’s death, God the Father stamped “Paid in Full” across every sin ledger. Christ paid the debt for all of my selfishness and pride. He paid the price for my eternal life. Now I can ask God’s forgiveness for my sin, confident that Jesus has paid the price. God grants His forgiveness because of the Savior’s payment on my behalf! Hallelujah!
If each married person would receive this free gift of forgiveness and then freely share it with his or her spouse, all marriages would be transformed. Were this to happen, families could become units of soothing refuge—for both spouses and their children.
Father, thank You for the unspeakable glory of Your forgiveness.
We often speak of the stewardship of forgiveness. By this we mean that we first receive forgiveness from God and then share it with others. In this sense, forgiveness is a divine gift to be shared. It is up to me to keep God’s forgiveness in circulation. He has an abundant supply and gives from it generously. I must be a good steward of His forgiveness and give as He has given to me.
When I do that, my life, including my marriage, will be transformed.
What steps can you take in order to be a true steward of God’s forgiveness—to your friends, coworkers, children, and most importantly, your spouse?
