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forgiveness and thankfulness



in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

What keeps people from being thankful?  There are many answers to that question.  Attitudes that stick to the heart are like disease that goes untreated. 

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Those things in the way of forgiveness are like roadblocks.  It is time to remove them.  Removing comes with getting honest with yourself and with God. 

Have we devoted ourselves to honest prayer?  Being thankful may be the answer.

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Forgiveness is one of those pieces that cripples us if we don’t accept it and give it.  This story and these verses points to that fact.

Remember Jesus’ conversation with Peter.  Often this is me too.  Look close.

Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Plain.  Simple.  Forgive. 

Go deeper.  Check your heart.  Let God answer the question for you.  Have I lost sight of God’s grace because I am not giving and receiving the forgiveness of God and others?  Often the root of bitterness and unforgiveness makes us turn inward and be selfish.  Humility cannot be found when we do not forgive.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

Realizing we are forgiven by God leaves us humble.  Letting others live in forgiveness lets many people live humble lives.  In fact humility may be the key that unlocks the places and relationships that we have longed for.  God has a plan for our lives, and forgiveness is part of it.

1 Peter 5:6  NASB
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,

Forgiveness is undeniably linked to being thankful.  Knowing we are forgiven makes us thankful.

Psalm 32:1  NASB
How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered!

I pray that my life is a highway of forgiveness, both going out and coming in.  There is nothing sweeter than helping people find freedom in Christ.  Our freedom begins in the our relationship with Jesus and will change those who experience our love for God!

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