July 28 ~ Matthew 6:14-15
"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In so many areas of life, we understand that there are direct correlations. Eat too much and sit on the couch all the time, and you will probably gain weight and become unhealthy. If you don’t study and do your homework, it’s likely you won’t pass your classes and graduate. Fail to show up on time for work and do a good job, and you will probably be dismissed. We get it! We know how these things work. This doesn’t mean we always do the right thing… but we are fully aware of the consequences.
Spiritually, I don’t think enough people make the connection between forgiving others and receiving God’s forgiveness. Please understand that I am not saying that God won’t forgive your sins and offer you salvation through Jesus Christ if you fail to forgive others – although forgiving others is an integral part of the life of a Christian (or should be). What I am saying is that even we Christians say and do things that displease God every single day. As faith-filled believers who continually strive to be more like Christ, we often ask God to forgive us… to strengthen us in our commitment, guide our steps, and bless us in our daily living.
The point is that we cannot ask God to do something for us that we are unwilling to do for others. We can’t say, “God, I was unkind and uncaring… please forgive me,” and then hold a grudge against someone for something they said or did that insulted us. We can’t ask God to pardon us for failing to spend time in His presence and then be critical of others who we think don’t come to church often enough or are not devoted Christians in some manner. We cannot expect God to excuse our lack of faith and courage in Spiritual matters… and become angry with those who fail to encourage us or seem to let us down along the way.
In other words, before we ask God for love, grace, mercy and forgiveness, we should ask ourselves… “Is there someone to whom I need to offer these same gifts?” When we come before God in the right frame of mind, He hears our prayers with a generous heart… ready and willing to open the floodgates of heaven and bless us beyond measure. And don’t we all want this?
Who do you need to forgive today? What do you need to correct or adjust before you spend time asking God for your own favors? Have you blocked your blessings with an unforgiving spirit? Isn’t it time you got busy making this right?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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