"To Err is human, to forgive divine."..... Alexander Pope 1711

     One of my pastors, before he retired, would say: "To withhold forgiveness from someone, is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die." The word of God tells us many times how important it is to forgive. Surprisingly the person responsible for granting the forgiveness has the most to gain or lose, by their choice. Let's look at some verses on forgiveness. 

Why we forgive: Forgiveness is vital to our relationship with the Father.
"If you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."  Matthew 6:15   
                                                                   
How many times should we forgive someone?: More times than you want to count.
"Then Peter came to Him and said, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?' And Jesus said unto him, 'I say not unto thee, until seven times, but until seventy times seven.'"  Matthew 8:21-22

We forgive because we ALL will need forgiveness ourselves: It's guaranteed! 
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."   1 John 1:19

Forgiveness is at the heart of the Golden Rule: Love your neighbor.
"And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them."   Luke 6:31

We forgive because we are to be Christ-like: He is our true example. 
"Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you."   Ephesians 4:32

     With all that is going on in the world today, don't let unforgiveness well up inside you and turn into sin and hate. Let the love and forgiveness that God has shown us light a path into someone else's life. Remember, don't drink the poison, but rather, share the water that causes you to never thirst again.


Have a good week and look for opportunities to be a blessing!