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“"The Liberation of Forgiveness"”

Thoughts for Today:

The source of forgiveness is found in the love and mercy of God. Over and over again, we see this demonstrated in both the Old and New Testaments. For example, Numbers 14:19: "In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now." And, Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The only reason that we have the capacity to love and forgive others is because God loved and forgave us first. (1 John 4:10-11: "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.")

As we look at our passage today (with this perspective of forgiveness in mind), we see that Paul is appealing to the Corinthians to forgive this man as God forgave them. (Colossians 3:13: "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.") Think about how much more difficult this might be if the man's relatives were also members of the Corinthian congregation (perhaps his wife, sister, father, or mother-in-law). Some people would find it really difficult to forgive such an act -- especially if it had a direct and damaging impact upon their family or friendships. But that is exactly what Paul is telling them to do.

Questions to Ponder:

Just like the Corinthians, we have the ability to keep others bound or release them through forgiveness. Forgiveness not only frees those who have done us wrong; it also liberates us as well. Who needs your forgiveness? From whom do you seek forgiveness? Do you need liberation as well?

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About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.