What we celebrate at Christmas is Jesus, who is too often missed amid all the shopping and gift-giving. Sadly, God’s gift to us sits unopened year after year. For those who don’t know Him, He’s not recognized or received as the gift He is. To those who do know Him, there can still be something that remains “unwrapped”—forgiveness.
Jesus was sent to us so we could be forgiven, and that gift was given to be passed on through us. Yet too often we hold on to unforgiveness, which builds walls and separates and divides relationships. How many Christmas movies carry the theme of broken relationships being mended over Christmas? That’s what we pray for, but too often another year passes with no breakthrough.
When God forgave us, our sins were buried in the depths of the sea and removed as far as the east is from the west. The greatest gift we can give is to do that for another.
Holding onto offense chains us to the past, causing us to miss out on what a healed relationship might add to our lives. Unforgiveness doesn’t just rob us of the relationship with the person(s) who wronged us but affects all other relationships, because unforgiveness taints the beauty in our souls that forgiveness creates.
Just let it go…bury it. Don’t allow it to be a weight around your neck any longer. You may not become bosom buddies with the offender, but you’ll be a brighter person inside, and those around you will notice you’re freer and lighter than before.
Jesus said forgive 70 times 7. It doesn't mean we count to 490 but that we always forgive. There’s no reason to ever not forgive. Because God forgave ALL our sins, we should be able to forgive others ALL every time. This means it should be our nature to forgive. It’s not something we sit and consider, asking, Should I? The answer is always do it! It's not about who "deserves" it. None of us deserved God's forgiveness! It was freely given...so freely give.
Whether you’re the receiver or the giver, don’t leave this gift ungiven or unopened this year!
Jesus was sent to us so we could be forgiven, and that gift was given to be passed on through us. Yet too often we hold on to unforgiveness, which builds walls and separates and divides relationships. How many Christmas movies carry the theme of broken relationships being mended over Christmas? That’s what we pray for, but too often another year passes with no breakthrough.
When God forgave us, our sins were buried in the depths of the sea and removed as far as the east is from the west. The greatest gift we can give is to do that for another.
Holding onto offense chains us to the past, causing us to miss out on what a healed relationship might add to our lives. Unforgiveness doesn’t just rob us of the relationship with the person(s) who wronged us but affects all other relationships, because unforgiveness taints the beauty in our souls that forgiveness creates.
Just let it go…bury it. Don’t allow it to be a weight around your neck any longer. You may not become bosom buddies with the offender, but you’ll be a brighter person inside, and those around you will notice you’re freer and lighter than before.
Jesus said forgive 70 times 7. It doesn't mean we count to 490 but that we always forgive. There’s no reason to ever not forgive. Because God forgave ALL our sins, we should be able to forgive others ALL every time. This means it should be our nature to forgive. It’s not something we sit and consider, asking, Should I? The answer is always do it! It's not about who "deserves" it. None of us deserved God's forgiveness! It was freely given...so freely give.
Whether you’re the receiver or the giver, don’t leave this gift ungiven or unopened this year!