Sept 22 Devotion: Do you forgive?

Forgiveness John 8:6-7 [6] This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not . [7] So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. We know this story to be the woman caught in the act of adultery. After this statement we know all those accusers left the scene. John 8:10-11 [10] When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? [11] She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. How fast are we to condemn those that have done us wrong? What if God did same thing to us? We get caught up in comparing ourselves to others and trying to look at ourselves in a better light. Therefore we are quick to pass judgement on others. Yet we fall short every day in what we should do for God: 1 John 1:8-10 [8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. There is no big or little sin. Sin is sin. Wrong is wrong. Romans 5:8 [8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He still loves us even when we do fall short!! We should show that same forgiveness and compassion to others. Matthew 18:21-22 [21] Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? [22] Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. We are instructed to forgive. If we don’t then we are in no better shape than the person who did us wrong. We are to be Christ-like as Christians. Forgive those that have done things to us and have compassion on them. We have no idea at times what they could be going thru and a little compassion could go a long way to changing their and our own lives!! If we would put these things into practice in our lives, no matter how hard it may seem, what a difference we could make in this world.

Bro. Josh Richardson