Grace is receiving what we don’t deserve, and mercy is not getting what we do deserve. If we are going to move forward in whatever way that God is leading, then we must forgive just as we have been forgiven by the Lord.

Having our sin removed is a merciful gift from God, but it requires that we also are forgiving of others. If we refuse to forgive others then the forgiveness that we have received will soon wither and die in our own soul.

Without question an unforgiving spirit is the greatest insult to Calvary’s cross. It totally destroys our witness of the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.

“Do you mean that I have to forgive them? But you don’t understand how bad they hurt me. I just don’t think that I should be the one to forgive.” How many times have those words been spoken? What if Jesus had refused to die for us because he shouldn’t be the one to make that sacrifice? If we have the opportunity to make things right with God and each other, and if we refuse; then it is sin, and isn’t it time to do so?

“God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name,
I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name,
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His love as He told me to.
He said, Freely, freely you have received;
Freely, freely give.”