Devotion

Trading Places
Matthew 5:44 (NLT) But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!

Forgiveness is a lifesaving lesson that provides eternal blessings – but how many of us can honestly say that we are willing to love the enemy who brought an end to the life of our loved one, or devised a lie that tore our marriage and family life apart, or caused us to lose our source of income? This tough cookie is not easy to chew, and there is no sugar in it. However, the need to forgive and to be forgiven is always needed –whether the enemy wants forgiveness or not – and especially whether we want to grant it or not. The same forgiveness Jesus gave us as He suffered on the Cross is the same forgiveness we are to have for those who sin against us. Our access to receiving forgiveness when we do wrong is connected to our willingness to grant forgiveness when we are wronged. So, in our struggle to forgive in the most difficult times, let’s consider trading places with our enemy and think about Jesus on that Cross. If Jesus forgave even then – we can forgive…even now.