A Reciprocal Action

July 20

We’re good at holding grudges. Even when we think we’ve put a grievance behind us, it still rears its ugly head occasionally—sometimes when we least expect it. From the student we suspected of pilfering our lunch money in grade school to the cheating spouse, we cling to the hurts that have been inflicted upon us.

It is to our detriment to do so. The perpetrator has no doubt long since forgotten the affront and gotten on with his life while we are weighted by the burden of the indignity they required us to bear. Our spirits are not free, not even to worship the Lord, when we allow ourselves to be encumbered by the weight of the wrongs that we’ve endured.

In Matthew 5:23-25, Jesus says that if we bring a gift to the altar we must clear up any matter of un-forgiveness that we harbor against another individual. God will not receive our gift if it is given while we hold a grudge against someone. Forgiveness is the crux of the Christian faith. Jesus forgave us when we didn’t deserve to be forgiven and we must emulate Him in this grace.

In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus says, “If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you.” It is a reciprocal action. When you have forgiven, then shall you be forgiven. We cannot hope to enjoy release from the grip our sins have upon us if we are not willing to release others from the grip of their sins.