Parenting by Design Daily DevotionalSample
FORGIVING BY FAITH
The apostles' response to this teaching is very interesting. I doubt they were having trouble with rebuke; most people are good at that. But, forgiveness is another matter — we can find it very hard to forgive those who have caused us pain, especially if it's someone we loved and trusted. Our relationship with our kids makes us especially vulnerable.
Notice that the apostles' request was for the faith to forgive, rather than for more love. Although love is essential, real forgiveness requires faith. It is not natural. It takes a living faith to obey Christ and forgive others. When we are obedient and forgive, we trust God to take care of the consequences, handle any misunderstandings, and work everything out for His glory (Rom 8:28).
Love motivates us to forgive, but faith activates forgiveness so God can use it to work blessings in the lives of His people.
The apostles' response to this teaching is very interesting. I doubt they were having trouble with rebuke; most people are good at that. But, forgiveness is another matter — we can find it very hard to forgive those who have caused us pain, especially if it's someone we loved and trusted. Our relationship with our kids makes us especially vulnerable.
Notice that the apostles' request was for the faith to forgive, rather than for more love. Although love is essential, real forgiveness requires faith. It is not natural. It takes a living faith to obey Christ and forgive others. When we are obedient and forgive, we trust God to take care of the consequences, handle any misunderstandings, and work everything out for His glory (Rom 8:28).
Love motivates us to forgive, but faith activates forgiveness so God can use it to work blessings in the lives of His people.
About this Plan
The purpose of this devotional is to see what God's Word has to say about the parenting challenges every parent faces. Each day includes a passage of Scripture and an application of that passage to the trials and triumphs of leading families to maturity in Christ. The devotionals are created by Parenting by Design, a Fort Worth ministry devoted to teaching parents to lead their children the way God lead His children.
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We would like to thank Parenting by Design for providing their daily devotional. For more information about Parenting by Design, please visit: www.parentingbydesign.com