Christian Devotional: "Forgiveness"

Forgiveness is a way to become free from hatred, anger and the compulsion to retaliate. Jesus modeled forgiveness. A new beginning is possible for both sides when forgiveness is practiced. The person who was wronged has the power to become free. The person who wronged can choose to change. Forgiveness interrupts the cycle of endless violence and retaliation.

Transcript

Forgiveness.

Forgiveness says you're given another chance to make a new beginning.

Quote by Desmond Tutu.

If someone were to ask me why I'm still a Christian,

Why not another religion when there are so many to choose from,

One of the reasons is the clarity with which Jesus embodied the experience of forgiveness at the center of his life and teachings and even of his dying experience.

Forgiveness interrupts the cycle of violence.

If I can forgive the person who wronged me,

I'm free from having to retaliate.

I might still need to protect myself from the other person's rage by leaving or drawing boundaries,

But I'm no longer part of the spiral of destruction.

I am a new creation.

And the other person,

Whether or not he or she accepts forgiveness,

Has the chance of a new beginning as well.

Whether that person chooses to become free of hatred,

Guilt,

Or shame is up to him or her,

But the offer is there.

The Bible quote I want to bring is 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 verse 17.

Therefore,

If anyone is in Christ,

The new creation has come,

The old has gone,

The new is here.

I'm saying a prayer.

God of grace,

Help me to forgive the one who wronged me.

Fill me with your spirit so I'm able to forgive the one who treated me unfairly.

Set me free from the addiction to pain,

Revenge,

And hatred.

Help me shake off the poisons of anger and hatred and surround me with the shield of genuine forgiveness.

I pray that the new that is possible will begin inside of me and then also begin inside the one who wronged me.

Thank you for your amazing gift of forgiveness.

Amen.