Forgive Others!

I have made many mistakes in my life, and I honestly don't mind admitting that openly. I don't mind taking the blame for a mistake I have made. I had prayed this week about writing these devotions, and I have preached time and time again on the subject of forgiveness. I believe in practicing what I preach and teach. I must admit that sometimes forgiveness is difficult, but we must understand the dangers of bitterness and carrying grudges to enjoy the freedom that comes from forgiveness.

I have been told before, "What you did is unforgivable" by truthfully forgetting to do something by mistake. I have been ridiculed and blamed for things I had nothing to do with, along with blasphemed for preaching and proclaiming God's truth. I have had a few people get upset with me, ignore me, and tell an untruth about me because God has moved me from one ministry to another. I had had very harsh things spoken against me and behind my back when I was only following the Lord's will. I could keep on and on about my experiences that may seem wrong or unfair.

Every time someone sins against you and you have to forgive them, God is just reminding you that you, too, had to be forgiven. Recently, my spirit of forgiveness was put to the test in a situation where someone else's actions wronged my family and me. Still, God brought me to Ephesians that we are to forgive others for the same reason and in the same way that God has forgiven us. AMEN!

Ephesians 4:32 reads: "And be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

~Pastor Shane