Caribbean Moravian Devotions

The past 24 hours the eyes of the world have been focused on the African country of Libya and the death of its long time dictator, Colonel Qaddafi. One reporter asked about the future of those who were supporters of Qaddafi, wanting to find out if they too will be punished. The interviewee responded that repeatedly he’s been told by those who were not supporters of the late dictator that they have FORGIVEN those who were. After all they are all Libyans and they know that the only way to move forward is to FORGIVE each other. Well said! We know that FORGIVENESS is never easy. Either we are too proud to ask for it or too hurt to give it. And yet whether it is in giving or receiving, FORGIVENESS is a must! I’m sure that there are Libyans though who may still find it hard to FORGIVE Qaddafi for what he did. But let’s remember that FORGIVENESS has two sides – divine and human. The first relates us to receiving God’s FORGIVENESS. The second has to do with us FORGIVING each other. Both are connected in that one affects the other. But for our FF for today our attention is drawn more to the second. The challenge is not so much for us to FORGIVE another but ensuring that we are able to also FORGIVE YOURSELF. That’s our FF for today FORGIVE YOURSELF!

By faith we receive God’s FORGIVENESS. Somehow we find it unimaginable to think of God as ever been unable to FORGIVE sin. But let’s not forget that the Bible does say that there is a sin that cannot be UNFORGIVEABLE (see Mark 3:29). And although we seem not to struggle as much with divine FORGIVENESS, it is when FORGIVENESS has to be given and received on the human level that we have the difficulties. Why is that? Well it takes faith to receive God’s FORGIVENESS because we can’t see God. But it takes an extra dose of humility and a special serving of grace to give and receive human FORGIVENESS. We can’t see God’s face but we do see the face of those who have wronged us and cause us hurt and pain. God knew the difficulties that we would have FORGIVING each other and so God gave us this formula for God’s FORGIVENESS to us. It’s quite simple – “If you do not FORGIVE, neither will your Father in heaven FORGIVE you your trespasses.” Mark 11:26.

We know that! And because we don’t want ever want to not receive God’s FORGIVENESS we will FORGIVE others – eventually! But there’s another aspect of human FORGIVENESS that is even a greater challenge and it has nothing to do with others. It is learning to FORGIVE YOURSELF! When you know that you’ve messed up big time and the disappointment just weighs you down, as hard as it is, you must FORGIVE YOURSELF. When the guilt of past actions linger because of what you did and the way you lived your life keeps you awake at night then it’s time to FORGIVE YOURSELF. When your conscience keeps bothering you even though you know that God has already FORGIVEN you then it’s time to FORGIVE YOURSELF. When you’ve asked others for FORGIVENESS and you’ve received it but still feel as if you have to keep on asking and asking, again and again, stop asking others and offer FORGIVENESS to YOURSELF.

So today cross let’s break out from the prison of UNFORGIVENESS that we’ve put ourselves in. Yes if we ask God, God will FORGIVE. Yes if we ask others they too will FORGIVE. But the last key to open that prison is being able to FORGIVE YOURSELF. So if God has FORGIVEN you and others have as well, you owe it to you. Give YOURSELF a gift today – FORGIVE YOURSELF!

Mikie Roberts (Rev)
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