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(Mark 11:25) "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."

Our brother Julian Jackson sent me this great message on how to deal with unforgiveness, entitled 'Undeserved!'

"When someone hurts you (or, worse, hurts somebody you love), revenge can seem appealing. After all…

They were mean. They were selfish. They talked behind your back. They broke a vital promise. They lied about you. They criticized you. They ignored you. They did the unthinkable. They walked away...!

So, they deserve to be punished, right? To feel some of that same pain? They deserve a consequence that will help them learn—something as severe as the inflicted wounds!

And yet—because God sees things differently, His standards and tactics can be surprising. And that’s why the apostle Paul, writing to the believers in Thessaloniki, said:

“See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.” (‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:15‬ ‭NLT)‬‬‬‬‬‬

Paul’s words sound a lot like Jesus’ words—to love your neighbour as yourself, to do to others what you’d like them to do to you. (Matthew 22:38-40)

God’s ways might not always be easy, but they can always be trusted. When we choose unforgiveness, hate, anxiety, and bitterness will likely take root. But when we choose forgiveness (even though we might need to consider new boundaries), love, peace, and reconciliation can flourish.

So, what about you? Have you ever been mean? Have you been selfish? Talked behind someone’s back? Broke a vital promise? Lied, criticized, or ignored someone? Have you ever decided to give up and walk away...?

In our unique-to-us ways, we’ve all let someone down. We’ve disregarded God’s instructions and, instead, created our own instructions. We’ve messed up! We deserve God’s wrath; instead, He offers us unconditional love.

Because of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, we didn’t get what we deserved. And even while hanging on that cross, breathing His last earthly breaths, He cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

Jesus repaid our evil with extreme mercy, freeing us to conquer evil with good. So today, let’s honour His sacrifice by treating others the way He treated us. Bless you, J

Holy Spirit, please touch the heart of whoever is reading this. Draw them into Your presence and show them that You continue to speak and answer prayers today. Amen. 

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve those who are sick amongst us—Alastair, Barbara, Ian, Alex, Alexander, James, Keiron, Jay, Liliana, Maria, Susanna, and those you bring to our minds right now... Please grant your healing power to those who minister to all the sick among us so they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care. We pray this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.