Be Forgiving: Gospel Today Devotional - 17th May, 2022

Mike, and Dora had been married for about four years, each time they had a misunderstanding, they always made effort to resolve the issue no matter how difficult it was. Mike had said something to his wife that really did hurt her. She was that hurt that she planned treating him the same way as well. While she thought on what to do, it dawned on her not to treat her husband the same way but to forgive him. This she did, and the issue was resolved.

The Bible is replete with teachings on forgiveness. Jesus, our Lord emphasized the issue of forgiveness a whole lot. This therefore is to tell us that as believers, we are to forgive, and that, completely, just as we were forgiven as well.

The story above tells to us the fact that resentment, and bitterness towards others especially believers should not even be named amongst us. Though people may do that which we consider hurtful, and unforgivable, but even at that, we are still to forgive. The apostle Paul was clear on this when he made this statement,

"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21).

You see, often times, when one hurts you, you feel the pain so deeply that you almost feel like retaliating immediately. Sometimes, it doesn't even end as they continue to do the same thing over and over again. 

This is a very vital issue in the body of Christ that if not considered can create resentment, and bitterness. Pastors find it difficult to forgive their members, and vice versa; wives find it difficult to forgive their husbands, and vice versa; children hold grudges against their parents, and parents against their children, the list indeed is endless.

As believers, we may not be able to stop people from offending us, or hurting us. Ours is to forgive when they hurt. That's the pattern Christ gave to us, that even at the cross where he was nailed, and left to die, he still prayed for those who did that to him, and what was the prayer? That of forgiveness.

Dear believer, do not let that which others say or do affect you that all you think of is to repay them in their own coin as people would say. We have been given the responsibility to forgive, and we should forgive. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Be forgiving. God help us all. Amen.

Thought for the day: You may not be able to stop people from hurting you, and offending you, but this one thing you can do, you can forgive them.

Gospel Today is a comforting, exhorting, edifying and inspiring devotional published by the Delightsome Land Christian Ministry. For questions, enquiries/testimonies, please call/WhatsApp: 08174915361, 08053662272 or Email: [email protected].