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The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 12 July 2023 – Jesus Teaches How To Forgive
TOPIC: Jesus Teaches How To Forgive
READ: LUKE 17:1-10 (KJV)
Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
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7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
THE 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 (verse 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 ofJesus 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.
