Being a person full of grace means choosing to put others
before yourself. It’s about having an
attitude of humility, of which forgiveness is a vital aspect. When Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray,
he adds “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Then, he adds some commentary saying “For if
you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive
you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your
Father forgive your trespasses” (See Matthew 6:9-15).
That is the part of the prayer that I generally read twice,
because I often skip over it the first time I read this passage. Forgiveness is one of the most difficult
things to do. It’s so
counter-cultural! When someone wrongs me,
I want to see justice! But if justice is
the appropriate response, then this prayer would read “Punish us for our debts,
as we also punish our debtors.” Justice
doesn’t sound quite as appealing anymore.
As I think about the sin in my life, knowing that God offers
me forgiveness leaves me speechless.
There is really no greater example of love than the forgiveness of sins
to those who don’t deserve it. In the
same way, teaching your kids forgiveness by forgiving others shows them the
love that you have for others. You are
showing them a real-life example of the Greatest Commandment: “’Teacher, which
is the great commandment in the Law?’ And he said to him, ‘You shall love the
Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind. This is the great and first
commandment. And the second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets’” (Matthew 22:36-40).
Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable with your kids. Explain to them when people have wronged you,
or when you have wronged others, and teach them how forgiveness restores those
relationships. Children often remember
the times when their parents mess up more than when their parents do well. Use those as teaching moments, showing them
how grace causes change.
This week, I challenge you to right any wrongs in your life,
and take the time to explain the situation to your kids. The eternal significance will far outweigh
the embarrassment and pain.
