First, forgive as we learn in the Lord’s prayer! Second, forgive others and receive the benefit of God forgiving you! Third, forgive or you will learn the penalty of unforgiveness! Finally, choose to forgive others as God has forgiven you!
Forgiveness in the Lord’s Prayer:
‘ “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment]. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]’ ‘
Matthew 6:9-13
Forgive to receive the Benefits:
‘ For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses. ‘
Matthew 6:14-15
Today’s Verse of the Day:
bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.
Colossians 3:13 AMP
Let’s consider more of the context and how we put on our new selves, the transformed version of ourselves through Jesus! The verse before today’s verse says “So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper];”.
The verse after today’s verse says “Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others].“. God is calling us to a higher purpose! Firstly, let’s be the dads who bear graciously with our wives, kids, and this world! Secondly, let’s be the dads who willingly forgive each other even when we have a cause for complaining against one another! Finally, let’s be the dads who just as God has forgiven us choose to forgive one another!
So even though it can be hard and challenging, knowing it is necessary, how can we put into practice today’s verse of the day?
Ways to put today’s verse of the day into practice as dads who forgive:
- Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
- Bear with one another and forgive one another.
- Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.
- Be thankful and express gratitude often.
- Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
- Teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.
- Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
- Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.
- Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
- Love one another deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.
