Haveing Trouble Forgiving?
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
– Luke 6:37-38
How many times have we heard verse 38 quoted in reference to giving money? I’ve used it myself many times over the years. Well, guess what? It is not talking primarily about money. It is talking about having a non-judging attitude and being gracious to forgive those who have offended us.
The promise is that when we are not quick to judge others, and we are quick to forgive others, then the same generous attitude will be measured back to us.
The message Bible, a paraphrase version, has an interesting interpretation of this passage:
Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults – unless of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back – given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.
Being generous in forgiveness begets generous forgiveness. How generous are you about forgiving others?
Prayer: Lord, forgiveness is one of the hardest things to give, especially when I know I’m right and they are wrong. I ask you Lord that you will grant me the grace of being generous with my forgiveness so that the harvest I get will be a bounty of forgiveness for my own shortcomings. In Jesus name.
Message: The promise is that when we are not quick to judge others, and we are quick to forgive others, then the same generous attitude will be measured back to us.
Affirmation: I practice forgiving and not judging. I do not ascribe motives to the actions of others but rather I am quick to overlook what others might see as faults.
Reflection: "Don't judge me brother." Have you ever heard someone say that? If someone is guilty of a sin it is not judging to bring it to their attention, but it is judging to condemn them for their action. Placing a sentence on the action is presuming intent on the part of the other and that is not our job. Give that some thought.
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