Jesus said,” Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

~Luke 23:24 NKJV

Our Savior rose from the dead, but first He suffered the cruelty of the cross.

Jesus hung in agony upon the cross, but a deeper pain He felt was that His own followers ran away. Those He taught, mentored, and worshipped with–the ones He shared meals with and poured life-giving words and principles into–were afraid, and so they laid low during His crucifixion. He had tried to prepare them for this time, but they did not understand. All that was happening was contrary to what they expected.

In Jesus’ most trying moment, He revealed the heart of forgiveness. He was beaten and ridiculed by the soldiers as they nailed Him to the cross. As He hung on the cross, He asked the Father to forgive those who nailed Him there. Although He was beaten and ridiculed, He still chose to forgive the ones who were killing Him. This reveals the heart He wants us to have. A new heart that forgives when mistreated, that loves the unlovable and undeserving ones.

How do we receive this new heart? We receive by believing in Jesus and receiving Him as our Savior and Lord. Romans 10:9-10 NKJV instructs us, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV confirms this, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Friend, let’s check our hearts in three ways:

Do you need a new heart? If you have never asked Jesus to be your Savior, now is the time to come to Him. Confess your need of Him, ask Him to forgive your sins, and receive His forgiveness. Invite Him into your heart today. Heaven awaits your decision.

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Do you need forgiveness? Be urgent to ask for forgiveness. Ask Jesus to forgive you. He is ready to cleanse you and make you new. Every sin you repent of, He forgives.

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Do you need to forgive someone who hurt you? Ask Jesus to reveal this to you and with His help forgive all who have wounded you. Ask the Lord to reveal any unforgiveness you are harboring. Quickly forgive others; do not hold on to offenses. Unforgiveness can become a barrier that affects relationships. Although we will have troubles, misunderstandings, and wounds inflicted by others, we will never suffer as Jesus did, and we can choose to forgive as He demonstrated on Calvary’s cross.

Our new life in Christ, and the freedom this brings, hinges on the answers to these three questions. We can live an abundant life when we prioritize Him and walk in newness of life–forgiven and choosing forgiveness.

Are you saved, forgiven, and forgiving?

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for dying on the cross for me so I can receive forgiveness and become a child of God. I ask You right now to be My Savior and Lord and cleanse me from all sins. Empower me to forgive all who have wounded me.

In Your precious name, amen

Gene: Non-fiction

Copyright 2022: Saved, Forgiven, Forgiving: Glenda Shouse: All Rights Reserved.