David Jeremiah Daily Devotionals July 14 2022 :
Forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
Recommended Reading: Matthew 6:14-15
The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) contains universal requests (God’s rule, God’s will) and personal requests: physical provision (daily bread), spiritual provision (forgiveness), and protection (deliverance from evil). But forgiveness has a caveat: God’s forgiveness of our “debts” (sins) is tied to our forgiveness of our “debtors” (those who sin against us). In fact, Jesus said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).
The forgiveness of which Jesus spoke is not eternal forgiveness for salvation. That forgiveness comes only through faith in Christ, not through anything we do to earn it. Rather, the forgiveness Jesus spoke of is that which maintains fellowship with God. If we want to live in intimate fellowship with God, we must forgive others as He has forgiven us. The apostle Paul expressed this same truth in Ephesians 4:32.
Forgiving others and being forgiven by God go hand in hand.
In these days of guilt complexes, perhaps the most glorious word in the English language is “forgiveness.”
Billy Graham.
Read-Thru-the-Bible: Song of Solomon 5 – 8
Source : Turning Point Miinistry/ davidjeremiah.org