Open Heaven 13 February 2022
MEMORISE: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Psalms 32:1
BIBLE READING: MATTHEW 6:14-15
14. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Forgiveness is the term used to indicate pardon for a fault or offence. It signifies the liberation of a person from guilt and its consequences, including punishment.
It usually comes as an act of favour, compassion or love, with the aim of restoring a broken relationship. It may involve both the cancellation of punishment and debts. God forgives the sins of Christians out of love, based on the sacrifice offered by Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary.
By this, sins are no longer held against children of God, according to Romans 3:25, Acts 13:38-39 and 1 John 16-9. The sinner is thus, by this act of grace, forever freed from the guilt and penalty of sin.
This act of forgiveness is offered freely to everyone through the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Anybody can access the forgiveness of God by meeting three basic conditions: genuine repentance (remorse for all sins committed), confession of such sins unto God, and believing that Jesus is the Son of the Living God who, by the shedding of His blood and death on the cross, has washed away all such sins.
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional here
As God has showed us unmerited love, mercy and grace in wiping away all our sins through the blood of Jesus, He commands us to do the same: to love our neighbours and keep no record of sin against our fellow men.
This is where the necessity of two-sided forgiveness comes in. As a matter of fact, God expects us to live by the principle of forgiveness, with the understanding that, in order to receive forgiveness from Him, we must, in turn, be ready to forgive others (Luke 6:37).
In the same manner, Ephesians 4:32 says, And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you.
Unforgiveness deprives us of divine forgiveness and blessings. In contrast, forgiveness leads to peace, reconciliation, healing, unity, progress, joy, prosperity, and answered prayers.
Settle all unresolved disputes you may have with everyone, even if you were the offended party. Let the love of God shine through you to others and become a dispenser of the abundant grace and mercy of God.
PRAYER POINT: Father, please grant me the grace to forgive others, so that I also may receive mercy and forgiveness, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: NUMBERS 8:1-26, NUMBERS 9:1-23, NUMBERS 10:1-36
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – Two-Sided Forgiveness – written by Pastor Enoch A.
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Open Heaven 13 February 2022
