Forgive As We Forgive

Forgive Us Our Trespasses!

In the Middle East the melting snows of Mt. Herman forms the source for several streams that eventually become the Jordan River. The waters flows south forming a small lake called Huleh and then a short distance later into the Sea of Galilee. It flows further south along the Asian- African rift until it dead ends into the Dead Sea. Unable to penetrate further into the desert, it dies.

God’s forgiving grace is like an immense reservoir high up in the heavens. We however live in this world far below which may be describes as wasteland of sin, like the area of the dead sea.

the refreshing water of “Grace Lake” has an outlet that cascades bountifully downward toward us but: artificial damns of resentment, unforgiveness, anger, and anxiety have been erected along the way so that it’s flow can become less than a trickle or may be stopped altogether before reaching others in our lives.

we gasp like wanderers in the Sahara desperate for a drink when all we have to do is tear down the damns we have built ourselves by holding on to our resentment and forgiveness. When forgiveness is unable to penetrate the the arid wasteland of pride and animosity-- relationships die.

By God working in us, this petition is meant to make married couples indissoluble, to mend family rifts, to end rivalries, vengeance and spats.

How is the flow of God’s grace working through you? Are others dying of thirst because you are unwilling to let the sin go and forgiveness flow? What immediate steps are you taking to make sure that others are receiving the same flow of grace that you desire from God?

God tells us from His Word that “from his fullness we all have received grace upon grace.” “That it overflows to the many” “It’s an abundant provision” “It’s surpassing”, “it’s sufficient”, It possesses “incomparable riches” and it was “poured out abundantly”

The vast sea of grace came into being because Jesus Gave up his life upon Calvary for you and me and everyone everywhere for all time. It is not a hidden sea. we know where it is and how to receive it’s life-giving waters. All we need do is ask for it in Christ’s name and it is ours. And once it is ours, God intends his flow of grace to journey through us peacefully to others.

2. Obstructing the flow of grace

People, unwilling to live in forgiveness impede the flow of grace, so that it never dampens the toe of many.

we are in effect, erecting damns higher than the river to prevent it’s flow through us to others. Love, in the form of forgiving grace must be let go lets it die.

When we reject forgiveness for others, we are rejecting it for all people --ourselves as well. Our relationship with Christ has become A DEAD SEA.

Removing the barriers

That which tears down the dams and obstructions to the river of God’s love is forgiveness. It engineer’s sin out of the way! It’s gained by confession. it flushes out rumor, misunderstanding, unkind words, gossip and grouchiness.

How do we do this? We begin by repenting that division has come between friends. We resolve to heal it and If the other party won’t go to us, we go to them. We determine in our heart of hearts that we will reconcile with our neighbor no matter what! We ask God for his Spirit of Grace to go with us and pray for healing for ourselves and for those who we are at odds with.

Conclusion: The final product is an ocean of joy when grace flows through you or me into those around us. Then we put away our old remembrance of heartache and in its place put in our memory of reconciliation. Remember the lesson learned but no longer relive the agony just as we desire God to do for us.