Title:
Memorize: And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: Matthew 6:14-15 (Nkjv)
[14] For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
[15] But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Message:
Forgiveness is one of the hardest things to do, especially when you’ve been deeply hurt by someone. However, as a follower of Christ, you are called to forgive, not because it’s easy, but because it’s essential. Forgiveness isn’t optional; it’s a requirement for a heart aligned with God.
The pain of betrayal or hurt can feel like a heavy weight, but holding on to anger only makes it worse. Bitterness doesn’t harm the person who wronged you; rather, it damages you. It’s important to note that when you forgive a fellow for a wrongdoing, it doesn’t mean that you have forgotten what he or she did or you’re pretending that the pain is gone, nor does it excuse what happened; it’s about choosing to let go of resentment, which can chain you to the past.
Think about how much God has forgiven you despite your mistakes. Even if you have been hurt so badly, I want you to know that God can heal your heart and take away the pain if you genuinely ask Him to. My dear child, when you forgive others, your heart opens the door for God’s healing power to flow through it, such that you will no longer be bound by anger or consumed by the wrong done to you. I pray that the Lord will grant you the grace to forgive those who hurt you, in Jesus’ name.
Key Point:
Forgiving those who hurt you will bring about healing and restoration in your life.
Hymn 7: I Am Thine O Lord
1 I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
2 Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine. [Refrain]
3 Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend! [Refrain]
4 There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee. [Refrain]
Bible In One Year: Matthew 12:22-50, Genesis 38-40
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye