Luke 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37 gives a clear and uncomfortable instruction from Jesus. He says not to judge, not to condemn, and to forgive. Each command carries a promise attached to it. Forgiveness is not presented as optional. It is presented as a condition. Jesus ties our actions directly to what we experience in return. The measure we use is the measure that comes back to us. This includes forgiveness. How much we forgive determines how much we walk in forgiveness. This does not mean we earn salvation. It means we either align with God’s heart or resist it. Unforgiveness hardens the heart. A hardened heart struggles to receive mercy. When we refuse to forgive, we close ourselves off. We ask God for grace while withholding it from others. That contradiction creates spiritual blockage. Jesus is exposing a spiritual law, not shaming us. Forgiveness is less about the other person and more about our freedom. When we release someone, we release ourselves. God’s forgiveness is abundant and complete. But our experience of it can be limited by our posture. A clenched fist cannot receive. An open hand can. Forgiveness opens the hand. It loosens what bitterness tightens. It restores clarity, peace, and spiritual sensitivity. This is why Jesus speaks so directly about it. He wants His followers free, not bound. Forgiving does not excuse sin. It releases the debt to God. Justice belongs to Him. Our role is obedience. Today is an invitation to examine our heart. Ask God who you may still be holding captive. Choose forgiveness and step fully into the mercy already offered to you.

Beloved, God’s Peace Will Never Leave You Isaiah 54:10-For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. We can trust God when He says He will never take His peace or mercy away from us. He gives us peace that the world can never give us, and it is ours because He loves us. No matter what storms you are facing, God loves you and will never leave you to go through it alone. Question: What storms are you facing, and will you receive God’s peace through them?

See you next week.

Beloved, God Gave His Life for You John 3:16-For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 has found its way into popular culture, but has anyone ever taken the time to stop and really ponder this verse? God loves us so much that He willingly sent His Son to die for us. Could you imagine ever doing that to your own child? It’s impossible to comprehend, but that’s exactly what our heavenly Father did. And Jesus loves us so much that He willingly went to the cross for us, to take the punishment for our sins. While it may be beyond our human comprehension, this is one of the most beautiful parts of the Bible to contemplate. God loves us. Jesus died for us. We have eternal life when we believe in Him. Question: When you read this verse, what emotions come over you?

Beloved, God Has Chosen You 1 John 4:9-In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. In Jesus Christ, we have a new life. We receive so many wonderful spiritual blessings through Him, including the love of God. To make something manifest is to make something clear. God wants you to know, understand, and see that He loves you so much. He did this by sending His Son to die for your sins. It may seem that Christianity is a topic laced with death, but it’s really about love...God’s love. God chose you because He loves you. You are His beloved. Question: Have you considered the personal cost of the Father as well as the Son when Jesus went to the cross?