Forgive As God Forgives!

Thirty years after stealing from a Kmart in Ohio, a shoplifter has found a way to ask for forgiveness and help some families in need, too.

The retailer’s president, Rob Boire, recently received a handwritten note from an anonymous –- and contrite –- man who admitted to stealing somewhere between $140 and $270 worth of merchandise from a Kmart store in Cincinnati, WLWT reports. Along with his apology note, the penitent included a $1,000 money order.

"Please accept this money order in repayment," the man wrote. "Your acceptance would be most appreciated. I am now God's child."

Kmart says that all is forgiven and the Cincinnati store has decided to use the money to help struggling families pay their layaway bills.   -The Huffington Post, December 18, 2012, Eleanor Goldberg

Forgiveness. Easy for some, not so easy for others. Today, we will look at some attitudes and actions that are involved in practicing forgiveness. The points that I will be trying to clarify are two-fold:

The first, is that each person should be able to understand the proper attitude to have toward someone who is need of and seeks forgiveness. Secondly, is that each of  us soberly contemplates their need for forgiveness from God in relationship to another’s need for forgiveness from them.

Under the Old Law, there was a remembrance of sin (Hebrews 10:1-4, 16-18). This was so because the blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin. But, we are now under a new covenant. And under this covenant, sins are not remembered. Under this covenant sins are forgiven.

Similarly, to live under this new covenant of forgiveness, we must practice forgiveness. I think we all know that sometimes it's a lot harder to forgive someone than to ask for forgiveness. In fact, this might be a good time to talk a few moments about practicing forgiveness.

Keep in mind here that repentance must precede forgiveness; however it is not our purpose to talk about the conditions of forgiveness presently. We shall save that for a future date.

Now, in order to practice forgiveness we must first recognize that God’s forgiveness of us is dependent upon our forgiveness of others (Genesis 50:15-21; Matthew 6:14, 15; Matthew 18:23-35).

Next, we should respect the value of the one who needs forgiveness, as God respects that value (Romans 5:6-10' Matthew 18:11-13).

Also, we should act toward the one forgiven as we would want God to act toward us  (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12, 13).

Lastly, we should make every effort to forgive as God forgives, by forgetting the trespass (Psalm 103:10-12; Hebrews 10:16-18).

In conclusion, ask yourself this, "Are you practicing forgiveness in your life?" Recognize that God’s forgiveness of us depends upon our forgiveness of others. You should respect the value of those who need forgiveness as God respected you. Act toward the one forgiven as God would act toward us. In other words, forgive as God forgives, forget.

Here is an invitation for you...if you are a Christian but have fallen away, you are in need of forgiveness. Won’t you come back to the Father who is waiting for you to return even now? Your brothers and sisters want to forgive you. Repent today.

If you are not a Christian today…God wants to forgive you, but you must accept his forgiveness.

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:18; Luke 6:37; Proverbs 17:9;  Romans 5:5; Matthew 9:6-8; John 13:35; Mark 11:25; Micah 7:18-19; Numbers 14:19-21

Prayer: Forgive me my sins, O Lord; forgive me the sins of my youth and the sins of mine age, the sins of my soul and the sins of my body, my secret and my whispering sins, the sins I have done to please myself and the sins I have done to please others. Forgive those sins which I know, and the sins which I know not; forgive them, O Lord, forgive them all of Thy great goodness. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Brandi