Happy Forgiveness Day!

Happy Forgiveness Day. No, really. Today is Forgiveness Day. This should be on every single Christian's calendar. A day to celebrate forgiveness! A day to remember that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)!

There we were, enemies of God (Romans 5:10), but reconciled to Him through the willing sacrifice of His son. If it hasn't struck you how amazing this idea is, consider: have you ever had an enemy? Somebody you just can't get along with, no matter how hard you try? You may not even call them an "enemy" (I mean, who even uses that word anymore?)... but they certainly aren't your friends. Sure, if they asked you to, you'd happily forgive them for however they wronged you... but would you go after them? Would you be the one to take that step at restoration? Would you be the first one to reach out and offer forgiveness -- and truly mean it? And, if they failed to see that they did anything wrong, if they persisted in denying you, if they still talked about you behind your back or undermined what you did with your life... would you still be willing to die to save their lives?

Would you do that? Because that's what Jesus did. That's what God still does! And, what's more, He chases after those who still deny Him by using those of us who are already beneficiaries of His grace to do so! And, He expects those who have been forgiven to also forgive. That person I mentioned earlier? That enemy? Forgiveness of that person isn't an option -- whether they ask for it or not.

Consider the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13):

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (Emphasis mine)

Did you catch that? Forgive us as we forgive! And lest we think that means something other than what it means, Jesus is sure to clarify: 

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)

Does that thought scare or comfort you? That when we ask God to forgive us as -- in the same way -- we forgive others, He just might? 

We are forgiven in our imperfection. Let's celebrate that today -- and every day -- by imitating our Savior and doing likewise!