7 Ways To Love One AnotherSample

Day 7: Love One Another Through Forgiveness

During art class in the third grade, Patrice tossed her scrap paper into the wastebasket. Then it happened, the chatter in the classroom stopped, and the room went dark as Patrice felt the weight of the steel can on her head. The person entrusted to educate Patrice had placed a wastebasket over her head and said to the class, “Now you know where trash goes.”

When we’re navigating forgiving others, it’s easy to think, “Maybe they didn’t know what they were doing.” But Patrice’s third-grade teacher definitely did. We have to make the decision over and over again to forgive those who have intentionally, or unintentionally left us scarred. 

Forgiveness is a core value in the Kingdom of God, and is modeled best by Jesus on the cross. After speaking the truth and healing and feeding the multitudes, Jesus was flogged, spat on, laughed at, lied about, ridiculed and deserted by His closest friends. Still, some of Jesus’ final words were, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Lk. 23:34a, NLT).

For Christians, forgiveness is non-negotiable; it is the very essence of our faith. Matthew 18:21-22 reminds us of this: “Then Peter came to him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!’” (NLT). 

Forgiveness is important to God, and therefore, should be important to us. Whether we’re the offended or the offender, God desires to see His love demonstrated through people giving or seeking forgiveness. We’re meant to extend the same grace to others that God extended to us.

Patrice learned that getting another person to change their actions, behaviors or words isn’t the point of forgiveness; it’s about remembering how forgiveness has changed her own life. When you experience and give God’s forgiveness, you can really begin to demonstrate love to those around you.

Questions for Reflection: 

• Can you think of a time you’ve forgiven someone because they “didn’t know what they were doing”? What was that experience like? 
• Spend some time with God and consider the forgiveness He extends to you. Who is one person that you need to forgive as Christ forgave you? 
• How do you know if you have forgiven someone?
  

We hope this plan encouraged you! Another way to show love to others is by sharing God’s Word. Learn about Bible translation  and how it’s bringing hope to language communities around the world.