For if you forgive 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. -Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV)
We all make mistakes in our lives, and constantly have the threads of our lives intertwined with others who also make mistakes. So, we’re all a bunch of fallen, broken people. That’s the truth, and that’s perfectly okay.
But if we ever want to move onward and upward, we’ll never get there without letting go of the baggage of unforgiveness. Maybe it’s something that someone did to you years ago…or maybe last week…or even today. Maybe it’s even yourself you can’t forgive. Some of us are so good at unforgiveness that we don’t just drag around our baggage, but have it in a case with wheels! We’ve sadly adjusted and normalized unforgiveness.
But unforgiveness is such a toxic weight, poisoning our hearts and souls, hardening them against the conviction of the Holy Spirit. And it’s a boat anchor that we choose to keep us from ever climbing the road to Christlikeness…which is also the only road to salvation.
The verses above come right after Jesus instructs the apostles how to pray. If we aren’t forgiven, then we cannot enter His gates. And if we don’t forgive, He will not forgive us!
Lord, thank you for showing us the better way…the only way…your Son’s light yoke, rather than the shackles of our sinful, hardhearted unforgiveness. Please continue to show us the way, and give us the grace, strength, and love to walk your way when we don’t have it ourselves!
Today’s soundtrack
Matthew West’s “Forgiveness” speaks to the unforgiveness we may know or receive all too well…but also speaks to the amazing freedom and power that comes from forgiving others.
Did this song speak to your heart? Consider getting it on Amazon Music »
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