A Devotional by Pastor Cesar Castellanos
Today’s Bible Verse
“And forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors.”
Matthew 6:12
The Best Medicine
The best medicine for the human heart is forgiveness. Forgiveness can break through the strongest chains, open the most fortified doors, and ultimately tear down even the sturdiest walls. Nothing can compare to forgiveness, and the best way to represent it is through the Cross.
The Cross on which Christ died had two pieces of wood: a vertical beam and a horizontal beam. The vertical beam represents forgiveness between God and man. Jesus died with His arms spread wide, showing us that His heart is always open to offer forgiveness. The horizontal piece of wood represents the forgiveness that man should give to his fellow human being. But, who is it do you need to forgive? Anyone who might have offended you. We have to understand that those who have caused the greatest wounds in our heart are usually the people closest to us. We don’t feel so strongly towards the salesperson at the local shopping mall. We are less likely to be filled with hurt and resentment towards a stranger. However, you can hold so much against those who live under the same roof as you, and these are the ones that you need to forgive.
Some close off their hearts and say that they cannot forgive the people who have caused the greatest hurts in their lives. They prefer to continue punishing them with an attitude of indifference. The truth is, when we take up a position of un-forgiveness towards someone, they are not hurt by this. It doesn’t cause them any suffering. Rather it begins to eat away at our own heart and causes us to be imprisoned. When someone grants forgiveness to another, they themselves are the first person to be set free! Before the forgiveness affects anybody else, it touches their own life and breaks the prison of resentment that has held them.
Forgiveness brings reconciliation, harmony, peace and good relationships. On the other hand, hardening the heart and refusing to forgive, locks the person up a dark cell where bitterness, discord, hatred and turmoil keep them bound. The Psalmist said, “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” (Psalm 32:1).
Something to Think About
Years ago, when we were renovating our home, someone spilled some liquid and stained the floor. We thought that it would come out easily. We tried every product known to man, designed to remove these kinds of stains but nothing worked. We decided to consult a friend who was an expert in this area and he came to our house. After seeing the problem, he opened his bag, took out a small flask and placed a single drop on the stain. He simply wiped it with a cloth and, to our amazement, the stain had completely gone! What we were completely unable to do took no longer than a moment for this man. This made me think about what Jesus does for us when we sin. We all try to apply the solution that we think will erase the mistake we made. We try things like doing good works, improving our behaviors and attitudes, or even becoming more kindhearted. However, deep down in our hearts we know that the stain of sin remains. It is only when we apply the blood of Jesus that everything changes, because it takes just one drop of His blood to remove even the darkest stain of sin.
There is a special blessing when we experience forgiveness. When we receive it from God He breaks our shackles resulting in great joy and happiness in our lives. That is why David says the man who receives the forgiveness of God is happy and full of joy. When we have received God’s forgiveness, it becomes easier to grant forgiveness to others.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your blessed blood. It is only through Your blood that all of my sins have been forgiven, my debts have been cancelled, and I have been rescued from the power of the enemy. Jesus, thank You, because I no longer need to justify myself. My righteousness is found in placing all of my trust in Your precious blood. I love you Jesus, Amen.
Declaration
“I am free because it took just a single drop of blood from Jesus’ wounded body is all that was needed to remove all of my sins.”
Today’s Bible Reading
- Old Testament: Numbers 5-6; Psalm 50
- New Testament: Matthew 22:1-14; Romans 2
