31st Jan – 1st Feb

“There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when He judges you.”

James 2:13

Un-forgiveness spreads like cancer. It eats us inside, causing our hearts to become hard, bitter and resentful. Even when we are not in the same room as a person who has wronged us, we find ourselves arguing with them. That is a sure sign that there is un-forgiveness in your heart.

When Jesus uttered the words “forgive them as they know not what they are doing”, He broke the stronghold of un-forgiveness towards His executioners . In His death and resurrection He defeated any power that un-forgiveness had and liberated us to be free from its chains and bondages. Yet part of showing that same forgiveness to others comes from acknowledging you have been forgiven. If you have repented from your sins, there is no separation between you and your loving Father. God Himself has pardoned you. When we realise that, we can be set free to forgive others. With the same measure of mercy we have been shown, we should show mercy to others.

This weekend show mercy to someone. Release them from being held captive in your heart. Liberate your own hearts by letting go. If it’s too painful then ask The Lord, the greatest example, to help you and guide you through it. There is great joy in knowing that you are forgiven and that because of your forgiveness, you can forgive others.

“But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when He judges you“