Got Change?Sample

FORGIVENESS The cross stands at the center of the Christian faith. The purpose of that incomprehensible plan of God to send His Son to die as a cursed man was so that He could forgive us, sinners. The result- we are reconciled to God, which literally means that now we are in harmony and unity with God. Isn't it just staggering that God who could just forget us and condemn us to death would choose to go to any length so that we could have fellowship with Him once again? Forgiveness! And God desires for us to be like Him. Jesus, in that model prayer, teaches us to ask God to "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us". It is not a condition for God to forgive us, but rather an invitation, to share in His divine nature. When we pray, we are asking for God's heart to rub onto ours. Forgiveness applies to all our relationships, be it at home, church, office, college, wherever. If you have any bitterness against someone, or a rocky relationship, would you forgive them today? You might say, "Well, you don't know what that person has done or said", or "he doesn't deserve it", or "what about him, why doesn't he do the same" and so on. True, it is not easy to overlook all the pain someone has inflicted, when it is so real. But remember, forgiveness always goes to those who don't deserve it and always comes at a cost. In God's case, it cost Him everything. Joseph, when he encountered his brothers in Egypt many years after their cruel betrayal, didn't find it easy to forgive either. He wept so loudly when he forgave them that the Egyptians outside the hall heard him. Some call it the painful cry of forgiveness which eventually brought relief and joy. When we do not forgive, we are locking ourselves up in the prison of “unforgiveness” and bitterness. The prisoner that forgiveness really sets free is you. And the result: peace and harmony. On the contrary, when there is “lovelessness”, it destroys and devours (Gal 5:15). Love covers a multitude of sins. The CHALLENGE to Change: Choose to forgive today, not in word but in action. Make a mental note of people you are still upset with and choose to release them in forgiveness and love even if they have not repented. Let go and allow God’s love and comfort to wash over you today.