Devotional
As we approach the holiday season, many of us feel a familiar knot in our stomachs. We know we’ll be sitting across from people who have hurt us deeply. The dinner table becomes a battlefield of unresolved conflicts, and we wonder how we’ll make it through another family gathering. Yet at the very heart of our Christian faith lies a powerful solution: forgiveness. It’s not just a nice suggestion or an optional add-on to our beliefs. Forgiveness sits at the core of what we proclaim as Christians. Without it, our faith crumbles. Think about it – every Sunday we celebrate communion, remembering how Jesus forgave our sins on the cross. We sing songs about amazing grace and unmerited favor. We pray, ‘Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.’ Yet when it comes to extending that same forgiveness to others, we hesitate. Forgiveness means releasing someone from a debt we feel they owe us because of real or perceived wrongs. It’s acknowledging that yes, they hurt us, but we’re choosing to let go of our right to collect payment for that hurt. This isn’t about pretending the offense didn’t happen or that it didn’t matter. It’s about recognizing that holding onto unforgiveness hurts us more than it hurts them. When we refuse to forgive, we become prisoners of our own pain. As followers of Christ, we’ve experienced the ultimate forgiveness. God looked at our sin – our rebellion, our selfishness, our failures – and chose to cancel our debt completely. He didn’t minimize our wrongs or pretend they didn’t matter. Instead, He absorbed the cost Himself through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. This holiday season, as you prepare to face difficult relationships, remember that forgiveness isn’t just something nice to do. It’s the very foundation of who we are as Christians.
Bible Verse
‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.’ – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Reflection Question
How does understanding forgiveness as the core of Christian faith change your perspective on the hurts you’re currently holding onto?
Quote
“At the core of Christianity, the doctrine of forgiveness sits at the core of what we proclaim in the Christian faith.” -Pastor Jerry Madden
Prayer
Lord, help me to remember that forgiveness isn’t optional in my faith journey – it’s essential. As You have freely forgiven me, give me the strength to extend that same grace to others. Show me how to live out the forgiveness I’ve received. Amen.