Devotionals

FORGIVENESS What Living In Christ Is All About

by Robert [Bob] Schaetzle Sr. 
06/11/25
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FORGIVENESS- What Living In Christ Is All About
ByRobert Schaetzle

None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself.  If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. Romans 14:7-8 RSV

Like multitudes before me, finding grace to really understand mercy and forgiveness took time. We can read of God’s promises. But to truly understand and acknowledge a surrendered heart, is a growing and learning process for many. We can read and even memorize passages like Psalm 103:12 and 1 John 1:9. But until we have a changed heart, completely surrendered, to receive God’s invitation, it becomes almost impossible to forgive others. To receive the calm and freedom that comes only when we recognize this grace given us.

Our head knowledge from reading and even re-reading until we know them from memory is really only the beginning. There are many examples and passages telling about forgiveness, but something that really stands out: “And blessed is he who takes no offense at me.” Mathew 11:6
To recognize; that I must not hold onto or harbor resentment. To show no mercy to others who hurt me was not recognizing my unrighteousness’ and my own unworthiness.

When Joseph was sold by his brothers to an Ishmaelite caravan headed for Egypt at age 17, for 13 more years he was being tested. (cf: All of Genesis 37) Joseph understood he belonged to the Lord. Still, his willingness to persevere through  imprisonment from false accusations, he proved himself worthy for future leadership responsibilities.  Learning to live life not for himself, but willing  suffering from sins of others against him, is a true ‘type’ of the grace given us through Jesus. Evil did not prevail, because God meant it for good.

Truly we must die to our self-will to be set free to forgive others. Because we are all the Lord’s personal property.

  Robert serves in a Sharing and Caring Ministry to encourage and strengthen God’s presence in us