Chapel – 4/24/20
Every day – FORGIVENESS
Quarantined with family members – Family time is great and important, but you can have too much of a good thing. FORGIVENESS
The Governor closes the schools – no friends, no concerts, no games, no hot lunch. Why did she do this? We know why, but that doesn’t mean we like it. FORGIVENESS
eLearning – It seems like it is all homework, all day. Doesn’t my teacher understand? (Actually, she understands very well because she feels the same way from the other side of the desk.) We get it, but it is so hard. FORGIVENESS
These examples only scratch the surface of the hurts we feel. These hurts too damage relationships and freeze us into inaction in order to avoid more hurt. Our faith offers a solution – FORGIVENESS
“If your brother sins rebuke him and if he repents forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says ‘I repent,’ forgive him. (Luke 10:3-4) FORGIVENESS after repentance – that’s not so hard. But FORGIVENESS after being hurt 7 times even with repentance – that is hard. In fact it is so hard that the next verse reads “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.” (Luke 10:5)
Even the apostles who lived in the physical presence of Jesus knew FORGIVENESS of this magnitude required an even stronger faith. FORGIVENESS is found FORGIVENESS is found in prayer. FORGIVENESS granted builds relationships and motivates positive actions. Knowing Christ’s FORGIVENESS empowers us to forgive others.
Today before you pray consider those hurts calling for your forgiveness. Consider the hurts you caused that need your repentance. And know FORGIVENESS was won on the cross for you.
Prayer – The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew West’s song Forgiveness centers us on the positive impact that FORGIVENESS can have on us and our world.
Contributed by: Dr. John Brandt