March 4, 2024

Matthew 6:14-15 (HCSB)
14 “For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well.15 But if you don’t forgive people, your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing

Dana Dorris
Okay, I ain’t gonna lie…..this one stings! Yikes, these verses are some of those we wish we could skip over and pretend they weren’t there…oh, but they are. When I read these I want to yell, “SURE JESUS! THAT’S EASY FOR YOU TO SAY!!,” but that isn’t quite fair, is it? I mean, let’s face it, I’ve not been persecuted for my belief (well….maybe a little), betrayed (well, yeah, that’s happened, but you know what I mean), beaten (okay, that one happened, too, but….), or NAILED to a tree! (you got me there, Jesus). When I think about it, it may not have been as easy for Jesus to forgive as I originally thought, but He did, and if He forgave, so should we. Will it be easy? NOPE! But in these scriptures it’s not a suggestion, it’s a command. Now, I believe that Christ understands our experiences or emotions and feels our hurts right along with us. In saying that, I believe He is okay with us making this a “work in progress.” Additionally, I think He gets it when we say, “Yes, I can forgive, but I cannot forget.” It’s what we do when we hold on to that memory that puts us on the right path or the wrong path. Do your best to obey these scriptures, He knows when we really try.