27th October 2021
David Abankwah
READ: Matthew 6:12
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.
-Luke 23:34 | NKJV
I once knew a man who found it difficult to forgive those who constantly and deliberately offended him. He could not let go of the offences of his loved ones and enemies. He piled up the offences one after the other and found the exact time to pay back his victims. He was a believer though, yet he struggled to keep the commandment of forgiveness when it mattered. Though he had read about forgiveness and was also taught about the concept of forgiveness so many times, yet, he still failed to do what he knew was important. This person I am talking about is myself. All over the years, I have constantly struggled to forgive people for the bad things they have done against me.
One day, as I was reading a devotional message by Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, he made mention that, forgiveness becomes an easier thing to do, when we make an excuse for the offender. I didn’t understand it well, till I came across Luke 23:34. Jesus Christ made an excuse for those who offended Him. There is no offence more than laying God on a cross and even going the extent of stripping Him naked. That’s unforgiving! If it had been these lesser gods in Ghana like ‘Antoa Nyama,’ ‘Ayanta’ or ‘Tegare,’ they would have paid their offenders back. This is what brings a distinction between God who forgives (sinless Master) and Satan who holds grudges (sinful Master).
If children of God and children of Satan, both finds it difficult to forgive their offenders their sins, then what is the distinction between them then? From the time you were born till now, you can’t tell me you haven’t offended someone before. Don’t justify your wrongs by rights and don’t be arrogant when you have to say ‘I am sorry.’ Quickly realise when you are wrong and apologise. It doesn’t show weakness but it shows a higher level of maturity. The earlier, the better. If someone has offended you too, don’t dish their specks of dirt. The matter should be between you and the person, but if the person is unwilling to forgive, then find other people to help you settle it (Matthew 18:15-17).
It is a lack of forgiveness that has influenced many people to leave churches. But I wonder that, for all the mistreatments and bullies they experienced in school at the expense of their seniors, they still found a place in their hearts to forgive them, yet, when a brother or sister offends them in church, they can’t forgive them too. Know that, God doesn’t need you. You need Him and one day you will remember my words. You will pray to God to forgive you, but He will refer you to Matthew 6:12. Let us have a clean heart towards one another. Call or meet the person whom you have sworn never to talk to, after reading this devotional and amend every broken relationship that is sinless.
•| Prayer Diary |•
¹Lift up prayers for deliverance from the characters of: ‘I have forgiven, but I will never flow with him or her again’ and ‘I have forgiven but I can’t forget.’ ²Lift up prayers for deliverance from bitterness and hatred in the name of Jesus Christ.
Quote
“One way of forgiving people is to make an excuse for them that: they don’t know what they are doing”
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Luke Chapters 11-12
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David Abankwah 