Zachariah 3:1-7 shows us the transformation nature of forgiveness. Forgiveness is not a feeling. When you forgive, you make a decision to lift the penalty for past failures and declare your spouse pardoned. Forgiveness does not mean feel the pain that accompanies the memory.
Zachariah 3:1-7 Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua. And the Lord said to Satan, “I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.”
Jeshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel. So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Jeshua he said, “See, I behave taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.”
Then I said, “They should also place a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes while the angel of the Lord stood by.
Then the angel of the Lord spoke very solemnly to Jeshua and said, “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards. I will let you walk among these others standing here.
Forgiveness means that you will no longer hold that failure or hurt against your spouse. It means that you don’t bring up past failures. It means you recognize that Christ has already paid the penalty for your sins. Because God has forgiven you, you can choose to forgive each other.
Dealing with past failures will be really hard for some people, but the benefits of identification, confession, repentance, and forgiveness are so enormous that it will consider these three benefits:
You will no longer fear the past because you have confessed your failures and have been forgiven.
Your close relationships will deepen when you share experience genuine confession, repentance, and forgiveness.
In forgiving others, you become more like Christ. Dealing with past failures is a huge step toward spiritual maturity.
Take time to pray and ask God to:
- Forgive you for specific past failures;
- Make you aware of other past failures you need to deal with;
- Bless your efforts to make repentance and forgiveness an integral part of your relationship.
Discuss or reflect on:
- Describe the feeling of forgiving someone.
- Describe the feeling of being forgiven.
- What past failures do you need to address?
Consider these passages for further study on Forgiving Each Other:
Psalm 86:4-5 Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
Matthew 6:14-15 If you forgive those who sin against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replies, “but, seventy times seven!”
It is a blessing to have the opportunity to forgive and be forgiven. This devotional thoughts are of Gary Chapman.
