No matter what someone has done to us, as Christ followers, our responsibility is to extend forgiveness. Because we cannot expect to receive what we are unwilling to share.

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matthew 6:12

THINK

In the gospel of Matthew, the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. What he taught them, the example He set before us all, is what we now call the Lord’s Prayer. And in the middle of that prayer, at the very pinnacle of this important, Jesus talked about one of the most difficult topics we can deal with – forgiveness.

When it comes to forgiveness, we have a responsibility. If we have received the forgiveness that God offers us through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, then we are called to extend that same forgiveness to those who have wronged us. No matter what someone has done to us, as Christ followers, our responsibility is to extend forgiveness. Because we cannot expect to receive what we are unwilling to share.

PRAY

Even in the midst of pain, God calls us to forgive others. Pray for Him to reveal that truth in your life and to help you remain obedient to His call for you to extend forgiveness to others when they harm you.

ACT

We all have a responsibility to build bridges of forgiveness to others in our lives. Think of someone who has done you wrong, and take a step toward forgiving them today.