Choose to Forgive - It is a Beautiful Choice

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced.” (Philemon 1:14)
          Passage: Ephesians 4:32-5:2

           Forgiveness is not the same thing as a breakup of a fight where the adult in authority tells two boys to stop and shake hands. They could shake hands all day, but not have forgiveness in their hearts. Forgiveness can’t be coerced. It is a voluntary choice of someone who is offended to let go of his or her right to judge and retaliate toward the offender. If the question is why should I forgive, one of the reasons is that forgiveness is a beautiful choice. Paul acknowledged this in using the word translated favor or goodness. The word indicates something beautiful in contrast to the ugliness that is displayed in the world.

Forgiveness is beautiful because if makes you look more like Jesus. When there is an offense, whether real or imagined, the world says get even. Jesus says let it go. The world says retaliate. Jesus says redeem. The world wants to punish. Jesus offers pardon. Forgiveness reflect Jesus and it is a beautiful thing to see. It is to the soul what a shower of bath is to the body. It will make you feel better and it will make you spiritually smell better. If you have something against someone, choose to forgive. It is a beautiful choice to make.

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)