Devotional – January 21, 2021

What is this word we speak of: “Forgiveness”? Psychologists generally define forgiveness as “a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you”. Considering the meaning of the word, why would God need to make a Promise of Forgiveness? Where did the feelings of resentment originate? It began with Adam, the first man who decided to go against the instruction that God gave to him. After this happened, mankind came under a curse; it became the habit of men to go against God’s will. Nevertheless, sin had no power over the unconditional love of God. This love leads us to today’s topic: The Promise of Forgiveness.

A discussion about the Promise of Forgiveness cannot begin without first addressing the greatest sacrifice of all time. Many years after Adam’s sin it was prophesied by Isaiah, the Prophet that there was One Who was to come to save the world from sin. This is what Isaiah proclaimed:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Adam’s disobedience introduced sin into the world, and Jesus’s obedience frees mankind from the curse of the same sin. (Romans 5:12-21). Sin is the enemy that prevents us from having peace and joy, and our Heavenly Father seeks to protect and preserve our joy and peace; so He gave His only Begotten Son (St. John 3:16) so that when we believe in Him and follow His example we are forgiven and inherit everlasting life. When Yeshua (Jesus) came to earth it was so we would all have the opportunity to build a close relationship with Him; more so, it was so we could be forgiven when we step outside of His will.

This is the purest and most profound form of love there is; it is proof that our Heavenly Father loves us so immensely and unconditionally that He opens Himself to us so we can know and understand Him, and more importantly that we can be forgiven as many times as we need to be. This does not mean that we become presumptuous in doing wrong and take His compassion for granted. The Promise of Forgiveness should open our eyes to see the truth about God’s love for us that we are humbled and want to express our appreciation to God. This priceless promise is an invitation for us develop a desire to walk the path of holiness and righteousness so we can enjoy His blessings.

We have received a precious promise from God, and we should also share this gift with others. St. Matthew 6:14-15 says:

” If we forgive others when they sin against us then our Heavenly Father will forgive us when we sin”.

St. Matthew 6:14-15

As we are forgiven, our Heavenly Father tells us through His Word how important it is for us to forgive others wrong us from time to time. We can activate the only after we are willing to extend the same mercy to others. While on the cross Yeshua (Jesus) prayed asking God to forgive the soldiers who were standing there below the cross, this display of love would not have been as easy for us as it was for Him and yet again He asked because it was important and necessary to do.

 “Jesus said, Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”.

Luke 23:34

 Despite the ridicule and jeering, Yeshua (Jesus) forgave those who wronged Him. He set an example for us to follow, and teaches us this important truth through the Word of God. He remains true to His word to continue to forgive us, and also to what He requires of us to forgive others. What an awesome promise!!!