Scripture:
Proverbs 17:9 – Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
Observation:
The person that is willing to look past being wronged and forgive is showing love to the person that offended them. While an individual that can’t bring themselves to get over a wrongdoing and keeps bringing it up will cause that relationship to be separated.
Application:
We are all going to be wronged in this imperfect world. Sometimes by people that are close and it hurts. As a follower of Christ, I must be willing to forgive someone, although I don’t like what they have done and it still can hurt. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:14-15 after instructing the disciples on how to pray,” For if you forgive a others their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you , but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Jesus has already forgiven me and provided me grace through the cross when I was undeserving. How can I love and take that forgiveness but withhold that from some else and not be like the man who was relieved of his insurmountable debt and went out and choked someone for a small sum?
Prayer:
Father,
Thank you for your your love, undeserving grace and mercy in forgiving me so I can be reconciled with you. Help me live in that truth and be someone who forgives, loves others and doesn’t hold a grudge.