FORGIVENESS, HOLINESS and LOVE: JESUS' HEART, and our own desire?

The one word that will kill all arguments about that one who wronged you is “forgive.” We all think we have a legitimate excuse not to forgive and the one word that kills every excuse is “forgive.” This week our Devotional Team aims to help us all see just how integral “Repentance from Sin and Unforgiveness” is to the believer.

An unturned cake, put to heat, will be undercooked on one side, and burnt on the other, an undesirable outcome. So implies the scripture.[Hosea 7] Such a thing is neither tasty, wanted, useful, or nutritional. It may even be harmful for the unchecked germs potentially in the undercooked part. So, all cakes are not created equal. There are conditions that make it at least 'alright'. Both sides of that cake set to reasonable heat need to be cooked carefully and thoroughly. So don't be a sleepy-head in the kitchen.

In a similar way, if we appreciate God and His Word, unevenly, we can experience trouble, cause trouble, and invite the same. The life of Jesus, declaring how God is, and who God is unveiled both highest humanity, and exclusive divinity before our seeing, that God is holy, and God is love. Forgiveness fits in at the intersection of holiness and love. It matters so much that however you believe love is, or ought to be, if unforgiving, you may not experience being forgiven. Because 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' and to a greater or lesser degree, we are all in community, our trend toward trouble makes sense as all are trespassers, some more embraceable than others. As we bump into one another, and we will, there had better be an appetite for forgiveness [or a bigger budget for more jails]. This is the invitation upon us, not to merely be tolerant or civil, but love one another, and dare to be righteous for the presence of Him within us. We 'practice His presence'.

'Forgiveness' also is as a pearl which should be highly treasured. Subjected to care, it gleams even moreso. It is a gift of God, to be given... and unto whom much is given, much is required. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21
Forgiveness is one such intangible treasure. So have your cake, and eventually eat it too, but be sure it is cooked right. Likewise, live out your faith, minding the essentials as the Spirit and the Word lead. Forgive someone today... It is one of the most charitable and righteous things one can do. Remember, on our behalf, 'Jesus paid it all'. He said, with His departing breaths, 'Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.' He is our blessed example, and priestly advocate. He is Savior and Lord. And this, is beyond religion.

Prayer: LORD-God, help me to offer that hard forgiveness that stains my history, and offers me a snare hard to bear. Forgive me for that comfortable unforgiveness that I defend and nurture. Forgive me [seeing the price You paid] for letting unforgiveness breathe. I pray to succeed from those shackles, to the blessing of You, and those near me. I pray for that conversational open-door that light and life and love may have free reign, and that my refreshed liberty may unveil heightened potential to bless. Help me to forgive, in Jesus' strong and precious name... and as with all asking, find me grateful. Hallelujah and Amen.

By Dea. McNeal Brockington