Tuesday, January 15th, 2019

In any frustrating situation, stalemate, or grudge in life, the longer it drags on the harder it is to see the other side in a positive light. Our thoughts and feelings towards them become poisoned and rot more and more each day we go without giving forgiveness. We have all sinned, so what makes the sins of another so much more unforgivable than our own? It says in 1 John, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” However, this verse, misunderstood, can do more harm than good. It is popular and easy these days to justify sin because everyone does it — thus excusing others’ sin as well as our own. However, the meaning of this verse is to call for forgiveness of the sins of others, just as we ask God to forgive our own. Sin justified helps no one; sin forgiven helps everyone. Today, recognize that all are guilty of sins in life but rather than shrug it off, be purposeful and forgive it.

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” — 1 John 1:8 NIV