Monday Reading: Proverbs 17:9-10
Key Verse: Proverbs 17:10
10 A reproof enters more into a wise man than a thousand stripes into a fool.
Devotion:
Being able to forgive someone for something that they have done to or against you is the start of a friendship. When that person accepts that forgiveness and moves away from doing that wrong again, they return that friendship. But what happens when the wrong-doing seems to go a bit far or it is something that is not normally overlooked? It is easy to forgive someone for dropping a cup or something that belonged to you, but what if they did something horrific like killed your friend? Would you be so willing to stretch out your hand of forgiveness then? We like to live by limits and we set those limits according to our own feelings rather than any given set of rules. Those feelings change between people too.
When we do wrong to others, how do we show them that we are sorry for what we have done? Are we willing to admit our mistake and ask for forgiveness, or do we try to hide it from them in the hopes that they will not find out? What could be worse that finding out your friend had actually done something wrong many years ago and refused to tell you? How would you think that they could live with that guilt for all those years? Would it not be better to accept the just punishment up front and move on that to have to face the music after lying for so long? If we are willing to graciously accept our punishment we will be able to move on quicker in our lives; but taking note why that punishment was given out and reacting accordingly to move away from doing wrong again will make us better people too.
The true mark of love above friendship is the ability to forgive and forget when an apology has been present. What more love can God show us that to forgive us of all of our sins when we bring them to Him in repentance? What better friend can we ask for that for someone who willingly died for us and continues to forgive us even though we continue to sin against Him? Being sorry for our sins and trying not to go there again will show Him some of our love for Him...
Points to Ponder:
Do you admit to your mistakes or try to hide them?
Do you really think God cannot see all of your sins?
