FORGIVENESS OF OFFENSES: Let Go the Offenses

The theme for this week’s Devotional is Forgiveness of Offenses. We have all been down this street and our Team has penned some wonderful and timely encouragement for your hearts.

“We’re all in the same boat, brother and sister; we’re all sailing on the same rough seas.” So go the lyrics of an old Tramaine Hawkins song that should be remembered for its broad relevance to people everywhere, to this day. We all owed a debt called s-i-n for which we could never make full payment, no matter how many “good deeds” or benevolent acts we could ever perform in our lifetime. Our holy God and Savior had mercy on our indebtedness and sent His only begotten (i.e., His unique, one-of-a-kind) Son to suffer a torturous, ignominious death to purchase my forgiveness and yours! How is it that we so easily lose sight of our Lord’s mandate to show the same mercy and compassion toward those who may offend us from time to time?

Every day we hear news stories of people whose hearts have grown cold and even hateful toward others for offenses large and small; yet our Lord forewarned us in Matthew 24:12, that “…because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.” While we’re all enamored with the noble concepts of unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness, and compassion, how quickly their preciousness evaporates when we’re confronted daily with opportunities and challenges to consistently bestow these gracious qualities upon others! How are we doing in dispensing these Christian “fragrances” in the workplace, in our neighborhoods, on the mall parking lot, or even at church?

Family, we must resist going with the cold and indifferent flow of those around us who make no claim to knowing the Lord. Let us not respond like the man in Matthew 18:23-35 who was forgiven by his king of a mighty debt, but who then turned around and cruelly refused to “pay it forward,” and withheld   showing similar compassion toward others who owed him huge debts.
We do not want to hear our Savior say to us, as He said to that unmerciful soul in Matt. 18:32, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?”

PRAYER: Dear Abba, You tell us that we are to be the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:15). As we awaken each morning by Your grace, help us to recall the words of Luke 6:38—“For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Inasmuch as we’ve been shown so much compassion, mercy, and grace, please grant us, dear Lord, the wisdom to let go of even the sense of being offended! Thank You, in Jesus’ name. Amen!
By Sis. Denise Diggs