Once we have said our - YES! - need to continue the journey to - living a life fully as a Christian. Study - worship - prayer - acceptance - tolerance - all parts of who a Christian is. There are many challenges along the road on this journey. One of the hardest is forgiveness. Too often many feel that past behavior - so bad - severe - God will not forgive them. Others have that worked out - readily accept the Father's forgiveness - unable to do the same for others who have harmed - hurt them. In those situations - I recommend people say the Lord's Prayer - really stop - think - what they are saying in that prayer - especially - Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us. In that prayer we are asking God for forgiveness in direct relation to how we forgive others - if we cannot forgive someone - we are telling God - since we are not willing - He should treat us in the same way - definitely not what we really want - hope for.
Luckily God will forgive us any sin - none too big - too little. His Divine Mercy - completely beyond our understanding - comprehension. If He who is - Lord - God Almighty - can forgive even the worst of sins - who are we - unwilling to forgive others. As followers of Christ - those who seek to do as He did - to follow His example - who is - Lord - God - then we must - no option - forgive all who have harmed us - even before they ask. For some this may take great effort - with Jesus at their side - very possible. This Lent - consider someone who you have not forgiven - if that is a situation in your life - ask Jesus for the strength to do - as He has done for you.
Deacon Dale
