For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. --Matthew 6:14-15
A seminary professor was teaching her students about forgiveness. She asked each of them to bring a sack of potatoes to class the next day. When they did, she asked them to select a potato for each person they refused to forgive and write the date on it beside the person's name. For a month, their assignment was to carry the sack of potatoes with them everywhere they went.
Can you imagine the load? After dragging the sacks around, each student began to recognize how much weight they were carrying spiritually as well as physically. It took a great amount of energy to pay attention to their bag and they had to make sure they didn't leave it lying around in the wrong place.
It wasn't long before the potatoes began to rot and stink. Each student realized that the best thing to do was to get rid of the sack of potatoes. You can't receive forgiveness without forgiving others first. If you decide not to forgive, then God will not forgive you either. It states this in His Word!
When you refuse to forgive and let go, you pay a price. You begin to harbor bitterness and it becomes harder to find happiness. When you forgive the sins of others against you, they are gone for good! But when you don't, what happens? You begin carrying around the bitterness and rottenness like a sack of potatoes. If the thought of carrying around that heavy load makes you uncomfortable and tired, then take action and do something about it before this day is over!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you are carrying grudges or bitterness around like the sack of potatoes mentioned above, then ask God to give you the strength to forgive those in your life who have sinned against you.
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