[Eugene Estes]

This week’s message from Matthew 6 has sparked a lot of emotions and inner reflection within me. The devotional is a great reminder of Our Lord’s prayer that we should forgive each other’s sin, as our heavenly father forgives our trespasses. In life, we interact with diverse people with different personalities, upbringing, morals and beliefs so it is not unusual that we feel that someone’s behaviour has offended us. In our daily life other people can hurt us through their actions or words and likewise we can also unknowingly offend others.It is however important to easily forgive those who wrong that our heart and mind may be peaceful and without grudges or the baggage of hate and dislike.
In the Bible, man sins against God many times starting from the beginning in the Garden of Eden. God however, full of mercy and love always restores man when they fall and reunites man with Himself. In the New Testament God sacrificed His only son to die on the cross that the sins of mankind may be forgiven, this ultimate sacrifice was not because man deserved it but because God loved us first. Reflecting on God’s sacrifice despite us not being deserving has made me understand that it is not up to me to decide who deserves my forgiveness but rather I should readily forgive everyone because I carry the love of God within me.
I am challenged to ensure that forgiveness comes readily and easily within me regardless of the wrong done to me because God is love and He lives within me. I think we should tell people in a kind way when they offend us instead of holding it against them and regardless of their response we forgive them. I will also be open to receive correction and apologise to anyone whom I may have hurt or offended unintentionally.