– Scripture:

Then he showed them his hands and side. The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant. Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.” Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said. “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?”

                             John 20:20–23 MSG

– Reflection:

               Forgiveness Will Free You

God was saying that when you hold on to the wrongs people have done to you, the poison polutes you. When you don’t forgive, the sin you retain that hurt you that bitterness, anger, hatred, or criticalness can produce the same results in you.

Where do we go from here?

It can be very hard to forgive, especially when someone has hurt you, but you don’t have to forgive them for their sakes; you forgive for your own sake. Forgiving doesn’t mean you’re excusing anyone or lessening the offense. Forgiveness keeps their poison out of your life and takes away their power to keep hurting you.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank You that we can forgive other people of their sins and stay free from the poison it holds. Thank You that we can look to You to heal our hurts and right the wrongs done to us. We declare we won’t let bitterness, anger, or an offense have control over our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.