Live to forgive and you will change your world.

Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?"

"No, not seven times," Jesus replied, "but seventy times seven!"

Colossians 3:13 Make allowance for each others faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

It's the gift that keeps on giving, it never wears out or goes out of style, the one gift that we need the most. But as much as we love this gift we are also supposed to give it away, we are not allowed to keep it for ourselves, we should re-gift it and let others have some. The best forgivers in the world should be the people that have experienced Jesus forgiveness but it seems like they may be the worst at it.

The Bible is very clear that if I do not show mercy in the same measure that it was given to me then I am in a very serious situation. If I really understand how much I have been forgiven through no merit that I earned then I should always remember to do the same for others.

The desire to get even with someone is a natural human desire that must be overcome as a disciple of Jesus. Because of our pride and self-esteem we want somebody to pay for our hurts and disappointments. We tell ourselves, “I won’t forgive because he/she never accepts responsibility for what he/she does” or  “I would be a hypocrite if I forgave because I do not feel like forgiving” or  “Forgiving is only for weak people”.

We don't want to suggest that every hurt is something that you can easily forgive and get over it but most of the wrongs that we experience are very small and we can make a conscious decision to let it go. For the most part I can say that I haven't been done very wrong too often.

Jesus gave up his rights and canceled the debt. Forgiving as Jesus did will change the world, I need to love like Jesus loves and forgive as Jesus forgives, without any restrictions or any strings attached.

Help us to be world changers Lord by unlocking the freedom found in forgiveness, help us to have empathy and love so that we can give up our rights and allow our world to experience grace.