God Forgave You

Date: June 30, 2023

I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional. 

B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share

You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?

B - Bible Verse: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)

L - Listen for God's Word and pray: "Dear God, help me to truly listen to Your Word and understand the meaning behind it. Open my heart and mind to receive Your message and guide me in applying it to my life. Teach me how to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving, just as You have been to me. Amen."

E - Explore the History and Meaning: The Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians while he was in prison, addressing the believers in the church at Ephesus. In this verse, Paul encourages them to live in a manner that reflects their identity as followers of Christ.  He was reminding them and us of the importance of displaying kindness, compassion, and forgiveness in our interactions with others. As recipients of God's forgiveness through Christ, we are called to extend the same grace and mercy to those around us. It is through our actions that we demonstrate the transformative power of God's love.

S - Study the Key Words or Phrases: 

Kindness: It means being considerate, generous, and tender-hearted toward others. It involves acts of goodness, gentleness, and benevolence.

Compassion: It refers to having empathy and sympathy for others, particularly in their struggles or suffering. It involves showing care and understanding.

Forgiveness: It means letting go of resentment, anger, and the desire for revenge. It involves pardoning and granting mercy, just as God has forgiven us through Christ.

S - Summarize and Share: 

Forgiveness. It’s not easy, is it?  But it is more powerful than you can ever imagine. When we hold onto unforgiveness, it can be more damaging to us than to the person we refuse to forgive. It's like carrying a heavy burden of stress, worry, and pain that weighs us down. But here's the incredible thing: forgiveness can set us free.

Think about how amazing it feels when God forgives us for the countless mistakes and sins we commit daily. It's a release—a lifting of the weight on our shoulders. In the same way, when we extend forgiveness to others, we experience a similar liberation. We let go of bitterness, resentment, and the negative emotions that hold us captive.

Remember, forgiving someone doesn't mean we're condoning their actions or forgetting the pain they caused. It's a choice we make for our own well-being and peace of mind. It's about releasing ourselves from the grip of hurt and allowing healing to take place.

I want you to consider forgiveness. If there’s someone in your life who you have said, “I’ll never forgive them!” I encourage you to take a moment to pray and ask God for the strength and grace to forgive.  Let go of the hurt and find freedom in your heart. Just as God's forgiveness brings us joy and renewal, extending forgiveness can lead to a profound sense of peace, healing, and restoration. Trust that God is with you every step of the way, guiding and empowering you to choose forgiveness.

Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Reach out to friends, family, or a supportive community to surround yourself with love and encouragement. Together, let's embrace the transformative power of forgiveness and experience the freedom it brings.

May you find peace and healing as you choose to forgive and let go.

Bible Cross Reference Verses

Colossians 3:13 "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Matthew 6:14-15  "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Luke 6:31 "Do to others as you would have them do to you."