"In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace" - Ephesians 1:7
Lewis Smedes, in his book “The Art of Forgiving” tells the following:
“In November of 1990, as the long struggle for freedom in South Africa was reaching its climax, a group of black and white spiritual leaders from almost all the churches in that land met at a hotel outside of a little town called Rustenburg.
Some of the leaders represented people who had wounded and wronged blacks. Others represented the people who had been so horribly wounded and wronged that these men and women came together to answer two questions: Could the blacks ever forgive? And could blacks and whites ever be truly united as brothers and sisters?
Desmond Tutu, spiritual leader for many in South Africa, answered for the wounded and the wronged of his beloved country. He gave his answer in a straightforward speech that bears the title “We Forgive You”…Forgive, yes, said Tutu: “The victims of injustice and oppression must be ever ready to forgive.” But could there ever be a coming together?
Ah, that is another question. “Those who have wronged [us] must be ready to make what amends they can…if I have stolen your pen, I can’t really be contrite. When I say, ‘Please forgive me,’ if I still keep your pen, and if I am truly repentant, then I will demonstrate this genuine repentance by returning your pen. Then [reunion], which is always costly, will happen…it can’t happen just by saying ‘Let bygones be bygones”
We can forgive him if he keeps the pen. We should not be his friend unless he gives it back.”
God has forgiven us for the death of His Son, and we have received a reunion of all who place their faith in Him. Today, in prayer, praise the Lord for His forgiveness of your sins and seek to forgive others for the wrongs they have done to you.
"The man who is truly forgiven and knows it is a man who forgives." – Martyn Lloyd-Jones
God's Word: "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you." - Matthew 6:14