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Forgive By God's Standard
by Steve Troxel (Steve's bio)
[Note: If you'd like to read more from Steve, be sure to visit God's Daily Word.]
It seems like sooner or later, everyone gets mistreated, stepped on, lied to, or just plain hurt. Many times the actions against us are unintentional, but other times they can be extremely malicious. When this happens, it's as if someone opened our pack and added a hundred pound weight. Every area of our life seems to become heavy.
Some would advise that good old fashioned revenge is the best answer. They say we won't be rid of the weight until we "get even." Others advise to simply do nothing and learn to adjust to the added weight. Our walk would be greatly slowed, but at least no one else would suffer...or would they? When we carry an unnecessary burden, everyone around us becomes weighed down.
Colossians 3:13
"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
God's "advice" is to forgive. Our sins are forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ - plus nothing. But a saving faith is one which understands the grace of salvation and is then compelled to forgive others. We don't forgive because someone deserves or has earned our forgiveness - we must not even require an admission of guilt - we forgive one another simply because God first forgave us.
When we forgive, we must follow God's example by making the forgiveness complete. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." (Hebrews 8:12). When we forgive, we must not place conditions on the relationship by holding a grudge - or holding back our love. When God forgives, it's as if the sin never happened!
There WILL be times when we feel trampled. When we do, let's not follow the "advice" of the world. Every potential burden is an opportunity to grow closer to our Heavenly Father and to share His love with others. Let's follow the commands of God's Word. Let's forgive - and forgive by God's standard.
Copyright 2001, Steve Troxel. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
| About Steve Troxel: Steve Troxel is the President of God's Daily Word Ministries. Steve was trained as an Electrical Engineer and received his PhD in 1994. After working as a researcher in a laser laboratory for several years, Steve felt the call from God to leave his trained profession and enter into full-time ministry. His devotionals are now sent around the world via email as well as distributed in book format. More information about this ministry as will as a "sign-up" page can be found at: http://www.godsdailyword.org |