I Forgive My Sister!

“And falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And having said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:60

Growing up I played basketball in my driveway. I had a basketball hoop that was cemented into the ground next to the driveway; I would play for hours. One day, my sister backed her car into the basketball pole and bent it over. You may laugh, but to a young boy this is devastating! I forgive my sister.

Yesterday our youth put on a skit to introduce the passage of scripture for the message. The skit depicted Stephen being killed for his faith in Jesus Christ along with his amazing final words, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!”

One of the hardest things in life to do is forgive. I recently had a conversation with someone who said they can’t forgive others. This person asked how it is possible to forgive.

Forgiveness is not easy. The truth is, people don’t deserve to be forgiven. Regardless, the fact is, I have been forgiven by Jesus Christ for my sin and He says that if I don’t forgive others from a pure heart than I will not be forgiven from the Father in Heaven.

How to forgive others:

  1. Focus on the Cross Daily: Focus on what Jesus did for you by dying on the cross so that you could be forgiven on the sin that would cause you to spend an eternity in Hell.
  2. Make a Decision in Prayer Daily: Thank God everyday for the forgiveness you have received through the cross, then tell Him that you will forgive anybody and everybody that hurts you. Making a decision with God ahead of time helps you follow through when you are faced with the opportunity.

Make a choice to forgive and then go tell others how Jesus Christ has paid the price for their sin by dying on the cross!