Jesus gives so many wonderful things to those who follow Him. Some of them are obvious, and some are not. Forgiveness is an obvious and incredible benefit to a relationship with Jesus. Our ability to forgive others is a benefit that might not be so obvious. Before following Jesus, Matthew was a tax collector. In his book, Matthew recorded a pertinent parable from Jesus. In this story, a certain man owed a king a great deal of money. The king was moved by compassion for this man and forgave him of all his debts. Ironically, this forgiven man was also owed money by another. Instead of offering compassion as the king had toward him, he had the man thrown into prison. When the king found out... well, here is what happened.

Matthew 18:32-34
Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
NKJV

You have the power to forgive just as you have been forgiven. Each of us has sinned many more times against God than others have against us. Since we have been forgiven of so much, we should, in turn, forgive. Forgiving or not forgiving others is an act of your own will. It's your choice. But to forgive others is to imitate Christ. Jesus did it, Stephen did it, and you can do it.

Life Lesson: Do not carry baggage from people who have wronged you.

Dear God,
Thank You for forgiving me of so much. I ask You now to help me forgive others. When evil and painful memories come to me, I ask to be reminded again to forgive those who have wronged me. I need Your help to do this because sometimes I don't feel like forgiving. Thank You for setting me free from carrying this baggage and guilt around. Thank You.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee

Senior Pastor
The Bridge
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