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JESUS TEACHES HOW TO FORGIVE

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)

DATE: WEDNESDAY, 12TH JULY, 2023 

TOPIC: JESUS TEACHES HOW TO FORGIVE

TEXT: LUKE 17:1-10

1. Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe [to him] through whom they do come!
2. "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
3. "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
4. "And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."
5.  And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
6.  So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
7.  "And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'?
8.  "But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'?
9.  "Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.
10.  "So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.' "


MESSAGE: 
Our bible passage today introduces us to a seemingly difficult but possible situation. Jesus told His disciples that offences are inevitable. That is, we cannot but offend one another (v.1). In verses 3 and 4, He clearly told His disciples to rebuke those who offend them but forgive them even if it is seven times in a day. This submission of Jesus makes it practically difficult for anybody to take offence no matter the sin anyone may commit against him.
Today, people, including preachers, merely talk about forgiveness when in reality they do not forgive. Jesus did not only talk about forgiveness, he also demonstrated it practically. In spite of all that were done to him even to the point of death, His conclusion was, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). Stephen, the first martyr, also showed the same in Acts 7:60, “Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, Lord, do not charge them with this sin; and when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Dear reader, forgiveness is an important principle. If you do not forgive your offender, your heavenly Father will not forgive you. If you are not forgiven by God, your redemption is not guaranteed and consequently, you have no place in God's Kingdom. Forgiving your offender is never a favour done to anybody but for your benefit. Forgiveness keeps the door of heaven open to you. No one can enter the Kingdom of God without forgiveness. Be wise!


PRAYER: 
Lord, I am sorry for not forgiving others as I ought to. Please help me to do Your will even if it seems difficult. Amen.

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