FINALLY, ALL OF YOU, LIVE IN HARMONY WITH ONE ANOTHER; BE SYMPATHETIC, LOVE AS BROTHERS, BE COMPASSIONATE AND HUMBLE. DO NOT REPAY EVIL WITH EVIL OR INSULT WITH INSULT, BUT WITH BLESSING, BECAUSE TO THIS YOU WERE CALLED SO THAT YOU MAY INHERIT A BLESSING
(1 Peter 3:8-9).

Today, as we address the subject of forgiveness one more time, I bless you to not look for a blessing from the person you are forgiving, but to GIVE a blessing to the person who trespassed against you…and then, to expect your blessing from God.

DO NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD
(Romans 12:21).

Beloved, I want you to know that I, the Most High, took notice of your heart of mercy when you forgave the person who trespassed against you. I paid attention when you did not repay insult with insult, even though you knew your offender was wrong, and you had many reasons to pay him back with insult. I, the Giver of every good gift, want you to know that I was a witness when you took your offender’s evil upon yourself.  I, the Father to the fatherless, will bless you for not repaying evil with evil, even though you knew the truth, and could have gotten yourself off the hook.

BUT LOVE YE YOUR ENEMIES, AND DO GOOD, AND LEND, HOPING FOR NOTHING AGAIN; AND YOUR REWARD SHALL BE GREAT, AND YE SHALL BE THE CHILDREN OF THE HIGHEST
(Luke 6:35).

Therefore, look forward to the blessing I, the Perfect Father, have ready for you, because you were sympathetic, compassionate, and humble.  To this you were called, so that you may inherit a blessing from Me. Count on it. Hope for it. Expect it.

And you will be blessed!

When you forgive—why do you forgive? Do you forgive to INHERIT a blessing from the person you are forgiving…or to GIVE a blessing to the person you are forgiving?

The Most High wants you to forgive by GIVING a blessing to the person who trespassed against you, and then to INHERIT your blessing from Him, your Perfect Father. What belief in your heart might be hindering you to forgive in this way? May the Lord give you Truth.

PRAYER: Lord God, call me to the place of real forgiveness—where I forgive those who trespassed against me with the purpose of GIVING them a blessing, instead of EXPECTING one. Remind me, daily, that this is what You expect of me. Lord God, establish THIS kind of forgiveness in my heart.