APRIL 20, Ephesians 4:32

The 5th beatitude says that those who show mercy, mercy shall be shown to them. We see a similar truth in Matthew 6:14& 15, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”.

This does not mean that we can receive mercy from God by showing mercy or receive forgiveness by showing forgiveness to others. We cannot receive mercy or forgiveness unless we first repent of our sins. And we cannot claim to have repented of our sins if we are unmerciful towards the sin of others.

People make mistakes. We all do. It is showing compassion and mercy to forgive those mistakes and forget them, rather than to get angry and hold a grudge against them. Part of being a true Christian is to freely forgive, without any strings attached.

When a person who has done something wrong to you, apologizes to you, what is your reaction? Do you accept the apology and let bygones be bygones? Or do you accept the apology but remember the wrongful act and find ways to “punish” that person in future?

It’s been my observation that those same people who want to keep punishing are the same people who have a hard time understanding the gift of grace and mercy given to us by Christ’s death on the cross. However, the person whose habit is forgiving others will have a much better understanding of the mercy and forgiveness God has shown us. That person is truly blessed and happy because their acts of forgiveness are a small reminder to them of Christ’s great act of forgiveness.

Thought: Forgive, as God forgave

Prayer: Most gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for forgiving me of my sins. Help me to truly forgive others and not to hold grudges when others wrong me. Help me also not to be proud when I am in the wrong but to be quick to say “sorry” and to ask others for forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.