APRIL 20, Ephesians 4:32

The 5th Beatitude says that, for 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 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, with no strings attached.

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

It is my observation that those who find it hard to forgive others are the same people who also have a hard time understanding the gift of grace and mercy given to us by Christ’s death on the cross, whereas the person who is in a habit of forgiving others will also have a much better understanding of the mercy and forgiveness God has shown us. The latter are truly blessed and happy because their small acts of forgiveness remind them of Christ’s great act of forgiveness.

Thought: Forgive, as God forgave.

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