{Scripture Challenge 2} Challenge Word #14, Forgive

I actually had another word picked out for our study this week but God kept bringing this word—forgive—to my mind. So, in obedience to Him, we are going to look at:

Challenge Word 14: Forgive

Have you ever been hurt so deeply that you feel you cannot forgive that person? Maybe you were lied to, rejected, taken advantage of, or even worse. How did you react? Did you hold onto it and become angry and bitter? Are you still holding onto it? Do you feel like it’s eating a hole right through you as the bitterness festers? Is it then causing you to gossip and speak ill of that person? Well, the Bible tells us that we are to forgive as God forgives us. Colossians 3:13 says “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

How did Jesus react when He was rejected, lied to, beaten, and crucified? He responded by praying for them, asking for forgiveness for them, and loving them. As Jesus was being crucified, He still prayed for those that sent Him to the Cross. He didn’t get angry with them but pleaded with the Father to forgive them. Jesus says in Luke 23:34 "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

You may ask, how did He love them? He loved them by going to the Cross for their sins. Blood cleanses sin. Without the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament, there would not have been forgiveness of sin. Hebrews 9:22 says “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Jesus was the ultimate and final blood sacrifice. His blood covers all of our sin and thus giving us forgiveness and eternal life with Him if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. If Jesus can love us and give us such a tremendous, immeasureable gift, how much more should we forgive and extend grace to others? Jesus is our perfect example. We are not only to forgive those that wrong us but we are to pray for them and love them as Jesus did. And instead of letting those wounds fester and eat at you, experience the joy, happiness, and relief as you truly forgive.

For my page this week, I picked a scripture that truly spoke to me! God doesn’t stay angry forever but He delights in showing mercy, and He hurls our iniquities into the depths of the sea. How amazing is that?

Micah 7:18-19 "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea."

And for my page I used the amazing Memory Box Jubilee papers and fun jewels! I added the Cross charm to remind me of how He forgave even on the Cross. The leaves/vine symbolize to me that as I obey Him and forgive others, I grow and thrive in my walk with Him. Papers: Memory Box Jubilee, Bazzill cs
Stamp Ink: SU creamy caramel
Embellishments: Memory Box pistachio green jewel stickers, My Mind's Eye journaling card, misc. cross charm, Basic Grey Kioshi chip alpha stickers, Hero Arts light green pearl and flowers, hemp from Hobby Lobby, misc. leaf trim, sewing machine

When sharing your page for this challenge be sure to use Keyword SCRC210 when posting in galleries. Also, please leave a link here using Inlinkz! I pray that you will ask God who it is you may need to forgive, and ask Him to give you a joy and a peace as you move forward in doing that. To see all of our previous lessons, please visit this post here. I will be back with another study on July 18th. See you then! Blessings,