ICS Daily Devotions
Walk In Forgiveness
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to ask God for the forgiveness of our sins and to forgive those who have wronged us.
Although we are seen as righteous and holy in Christ, we are not perfect and still need to deal with the flesh on a daily basis. If we succumb to our flesh, which is part of our soul, we will sin against God in our words and actions: we will have the tendency to take offense by what is being said and done to us; we will hold grudges and not choose to walk in forgiveness. There will be some who might not want to forgive their debtors. However, it is a prerequisite is for us to forgive our debtors so that God will forgive us.
1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
This is especially true when it comes to the way we treat our spouse – our marriage covenant partner. Moreover, scripture reveals to us that our prayers will be hindered if we do not give them the honor that’s due to them in the relationship. Therefore, it would be wise to check how our relationship is with our spouse when we notice that the answers to our prayers have been delayed or unanswered! Let’s walk in forgiveness in our marriage relationships! We are to die a thousand death and to forgive seventy times seven times, which means continuous grace and forgiveness.
Matthew 18: 21-22 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
The Holy Spirit will convict us if we are still holding onto any habitual sin and unforgiveness in our lives.
Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
However, our hearts will be hardened and we will live in rebellion if we don’t deal with those things that are revealed by the Holy Spirit.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
This part of the Lord’s Prayer helps us by reminding us to check our hearts. When we come before the Lord and be reminded of His grace and His mercy upon us, we are also reminded of our need to forgive others. Therefore, ask yourself daily who you need to forgive. It is necessary to deal with our bitterness or unforgiveness as we seek the forgiveness of God for the wrongs that we have done.
The Lord knows that it is healthy for us when we release those debtors in our lives rather than tormenting them in our minds and hearts on a daily basis because it is bad for our soul.
It is a daily reminder that if God is gracious and merciful towards us, then we should do likewise to those who have sinned against us in words and action. We will live more happily and be filled with joy daily.
Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Sermon series: Our Prayer Life
