January 14, 2023
Daily Devotion:
"Do I Have to Forget?"
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.
Forgiveness is one of the most profound, pervasive, and powerful teachings within the Bible-but also one of the most difficult! Are we required to forgive someone who abused us? An unfaithful spouse? A person who hurts our child? One who persistently takes advantage of us? The clear and simple message of Jesus is that we are to forgive anyone and always. In the Lord's Prayer, our model for prayer, Jesus teaches that it is only as we forgive others that forgiveness takes hold in our own life (Luke 6:37). He knows it will be difficult, but He reminds us that our love must extend even to our enemies (Matthew 5:44).
But not everyone deserves to be forgiven! This is very true. In fact, none of us deserve to be forgiven. This is what makes Gods forgiveness of us so incredible and unexpected. As Paul season eloquently, "When we were unable to help ourselves, at the moment of our need, Christ died for us, although we were living against God. Very few people will die to save the life of someone else. Although perhaps for a good person someone might possibly die. But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners" (Romans 5:6-8).
Does this mean that the sin against me doesn't really matter? God never requires or asks us to minimize the pain and trauma of sin. God doesn't want us to be in denial as to what happened to us. And even after we forgive someone, it doesn't mean that all the earthly penalty is absolved. If someone has committed a crime, the legal system will still do its work.
Do I have to forget? Paul says that we aren't to remember and count someone's ways against them (1 Corinthians 13:5). That doesn't mean, however, we can just magically and instantly forget harsh and painful words or some other attack on us. But we do need to give even our memories to God and ask Him to bring healing over time.
What If I can't forgive? Again, present your situation and sorrow to God and trust that He is working in your life right now, even if the feelings aren't there.
