CounterculturalSample

Have you ever been able to forgive someone before they apologized? Maybe even if they never apologized? If you have, then you know just how difficult that can be. It takes a huge amount of strength, an incredible display of compassion, and a countercultural kind of love at work. Well, whether you realize it or not, this is exactly what Jesus did for us! He loved us so much that He didn’t wait for us to get it right or have it all together. He didn’t even hold out for us to ask Him for help. Jesus died to forgive our sins even though we didn’t deserve it. Jesus’ countercultural love made the first move to forgive and that should inspire us to make the first move to forgive, both ourselves and others, when we need it.

Today, consider how you may be struggling to extend forgiveness to yourself or someone else. What hurts, mistakes, or mess-ups are you having a hard time moving on from? Ask God to help you remember and experience Jesus’ forgiveness in a real way so you can extend that forgiveness to yourself or someone else just as freely.