In the beginning, we came forth in His image
After His likeness then sin came- disfigured us
Death came -derailed us and God sent mercy
To rescue us; compassion for every soul
Forgiveness for every sin. For the living
The goal is -to be like Christ, live like Him.
For as long as man lives, offences will abound
For as long as man wills, grace will avail
Helping us overcome what overtakes humanity;
Offenders in desperate need of forgiveness
Offended in despair for release; our readiness
To forgive bares our understanding of grace
Our willingness to forgive reveals how much
Like God we are becoming.

Food For Thought: Those who don’t care despise forgiveness. You may think it is easy to forgive until you find yourself on the spot where you learn that it takes God to forgive. Not even the acclaimed gods of this age or of ages past practice forgiveness. They make you pay dearly for crossing the line. Those who know forgiveness did not learn by giving but by receiving it. Under normal circumstances, we can take offenses very personal with reluctance to forgive until the table turns and we are the offender, needing the very thing we despised. Then it dawns: mercy is hard on the giver, refreshing the receiver. When Jesus hung on the cross forgiving, it was not an easy task, just like many of us have had to. Yet, nothing makes us like God as forgiveness. Anybody can claim to love and help and do all manner of good for any and every person but only a God-transformed heart can give and receive forgiveness in undiminished love.

Scripture: And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Matthew 3: 10.

Prayer: Dear Lord, may I resemble You, in thoughts and in words, in truth and in deed, amen.