Forgiveness is for Me – Week of September 14, 2026
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 4:29-5:2
Forgiveness is for Me
One of the most remarkable things I have come to appreciate about four-year-olds is their ability to remember details. Not a day goes by that one of my little ones doesn’t amaze me with a sentence beginning with, “Remember when…?” Memory is not my superpower. I share that fact openly and often. But little children have amazing memories.
Many times, that is incredibly helpful to a forgetful teacher like me! I know that if I say I’m going to do something, at least a handful of my preschool kiddos will hold me to it, and without fail! Unfortunately, this also holds true when another child has done them wrong. Their memories are long when someone has sinned against them, even if we have worked through the situation and come to an agreeable solution. Apologies have been made, and forgiveness has been given. Still, they remember that thing that was done and they bring it back up, even if it is without malice. Our little ones can be quick to forgive, but forgetting is a different story.
In Ephesians 4:32, God commands us, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” This is one of the most beautiful reminders of the work of salvation done for us by our Savior. We cannot help but continue to sin against one another this side of heaven. No matter how hard we try, we will continue to do wrong. That is a hard truth to swallow. Like little children, we remember those ugly things done to us by our fellow sinners and we bring them back up. Forgiveness can be hard to give, yet our God tells us we must.
In God’s ever-loving way, he reminds us that he has forgiven us through Christ Jesus. He is perfect and expects perfection from each of us, but instead of condemning us, he freely provides undeserved forgiveness for each and every one of our sins. He did this when he condemned his own Son to suffer and die in our place. Jesus took the punishment of death and hell that was meant for us. This forgiveness has been given freely and undeservedly—two words which make no sense in our sinful world but mean everything to Christians.
Because we have been forgiven in Christ, we, too, can forgive with kindness, compassion and love. God doesn’t promise that it will be easy. So, he gives us these beautiful words. They are not just an example for us. They build us up with his love and power so that we can forgive from our hearts out of love for God.
Prayer:
God, we know we are filled with sin and that it makes true forgiveness hard to give. Forgive us for our weakness. Fill our hearts with the knowledge of our Savior, Jesus. Help us to forgive freely and with compassion when wrong has been done to us. Help us to daily set the same example for our little ones through our words and actions. Amen.
