ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 TUSITE FEPUELI 6

A FORGIVING SPIRIT

KO E LAUMALIE FAKAMOLEMOLE

"Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us." LUKE 11:4

Pea fakamolemole ‘emau ngaahi angahala, he ko kimautolu foki ‘oku mau fakamolemole ‘a ia fua pē ‘oku mo‘ua mai, pea ‘oua na‘a ke fakahū kimautolu ki he ‘ahi‘ahi. Luke 11:4

At a quick glance, this request may sound like a quid pro quo - that our forgiveness of others earns us the right to be forgiven. If we allow the Scriptures to speak for them- selves, however, we will recognize that the opposite is true. God forgives only the penitent - those who feel godly sorrow and repent of their sins. And what is one of the chief evidences of being penitent? A forgiving spirit! In other words, when we forgive one another, we don't earn forgiveness; we show that we have already been transformed by God's forgiving grace.

Jesus taught that it is inconceivable that we who have been forgiven so much should refuse to forgive the debts of others against us (Matthew 18:21-35). Yet we're still tempted to hold grudges, stay angry, to "forgive but not to forget." D.L. Moody is said to have compared that idea to somebody who buries the hatchet but leaves the handle sticking out.

An unforgiving spirit is perhaps the greatest killer of genuine spiritual life. We shouldn't claim to be seeking God if we actively harbor enmity in our hearts against our brothers and sisters. It will extinguish the flame of Christian joy and make it nearly impossible to benefit from the Bible's teaching. It is no surprise, then, that Jesus essentially says, What I'm saying about a forgiving spirit is a fundamental element of believing prayer. Check your life for it.

Are you bearing a grudge or replaying someone's wronging of you in your mind? Is there someone you have failed to forgive? Reflect on the forgiveness you have received, and ask God to teach and enable you to forgive-for in your forgiveness of the sins of others against you, you reveal that you understand His grace and have been truly forgiven by Him.

How can Your pardon reach and bless

The unforgiving heart

That broods on wrongs and will not let

Old bitterness depart?

In blazing light Your cross reveals

The truth we dimly knew,

How small the debts men owe to us,

How great our debt to You.

Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls,

And bid resentment cease;

Then, reconciled to God and man,

Our lives will spread Your peace.

(Rosamond Herklots, "Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive" (1969).

Reflective Questions: MATTHEW 18:21-35

- How is God calling me to think differently?

- How is God reordering my affections - what I love?

- What is God calling me to do as I go about my day today?

Fakalaulauloto mo e fehu‘i : MATIU 18:21-35

- Ko e ha e founga ‘oku ui mai ai ‘a e ‘Otua ke liliu ‘eku fakakaukau?

- Ko e ha ‘a e founga ‘oku fai tu’utu’uni mai ai ‘a e ‘Otua ki ho ngaahi manako -  

ngaahi me’a ‘oku ou ‘ofa ai?

- Ko e ha ‘a e me’a ‘oku ui mai ai ‘a e ‘Otua ke u fai ‘i he’eku fononga’i ‘a e ‘aho ni?

Bible Through The Year: Isaiah 41-42; Mark 10:32-52