It is no understatement to say: ‘Forgiveness is the oil that keeps the church running smoothly.’
One of the jokes that keeps doing the rounds of the Internet relates to a lady going to a motor spares shop and asking for a ‘710’ cap. This of course left the salesman bemused and confused until she showed him where it was supposed to be. The joke comes with a graphic which shows that it was an OIL cap – she was reading it upside down.
Sadly when it comes to forgiveness in the church many don’t seem to know any more than this mythical lady.
Yet the Bible has a great deal to say about forgiveness, speaking of God’s forgiveness – both providing the means of forgiveness through the death of His Son for our sin, of drawing us to faith in His Son to receive this forgiveness, and of assuring of His ongoing commitment to forgive His children.
But what does it mean when things get difficult between us as people? The Bible calls us to “forgive one another just as Christ forgave us” (Ephesians 4:32).
Today’s message explores the Bible’s teaching on forgiveness in our relationships, drawing out its need, it’s essential nature as a promise, and practical help for when we find ourselves in those situations we are sinned against.
In being dealt with by God’s Word today, ask: How’s the oil-level with me? Is there someone I need to forgive, or to go and talk to, whom I have been avoiding because of what they did (or I thought they did)? Is there someone you have held forgiveness from? Indeed is there someone I need to repent to and ask forgiveness of? Then ask “Will you forgive me?”