Why should *** I *** forgive? [MATTHEW 6:14-15]

"SHE always blah blah blah."

"HE never blah blah blah."

Now, please don't get me wrong. I'm not saying "blah blah blah" dismissively or disrespectfully.

You can replace blah blah blah with [VERY IMPORTANT SUBJECT].

Blah blah blah could be something "small," and [VERY IMPORTANT SUBJECT] could be something... well, "very important."

The point is the same.

Whatever YOU put in its place is less important than YOUR salvation.

And your spouse's salvation. And other people's salvation.

Marriage gives us plenty of chances to be like Christ.

And the goal of being like Christ is to point people TO Christ.

To show others the opportunity of a saving grace that often goes beyond human comprehension.

Our marriage gives us MANY opportunities to practice being like Him.

Especially in the area of FORGIVENESS.

If we can't forgive the person we believe He has gifted us with while here on earth...

How can we forgive other people?

And if we don't forgive other people...

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."

QUESTIONS TO ASK:

Am I holding a grudge against my spouse about ANYTHING?

Do I need to forgive ANYONE about anything?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to forgive. Search me, God. Purge me of any grudges or anything I'm holding on to that's keeping me from receiving your forgiveness. Thank you for forgiving my sins as I forgive those who I feel have sinned against me. Being like You and pointing people to You is more important than my feelings. Help me to live these words out on a day-to-day basis, especially in my marriage. In Jesus' name, Amen.

-- The Marriage Bible Verses Team