Do you understand forgiveness?

If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
Matthew 18:15 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
The right thing to do is so hard to do sometimes. It is so much easier to just add gossip, to mention another’s wrong against us to others, to pass around innuendos, sometimes to just openly spread bad words and gossip about someone. But only one thing is the right thing to do according to the Word of God. Go to the person who has wronged you and try to keep the damage contained to just the two of you. Humble yourself before them and seek reconciliation, whether you were at fault or not isn’t the point. The point is containment and reconciliation. After all, God has given us the ministry of reconciliation hasn’t He? Then, as God forgave your sin, forgive theirs and wipe it out just as you would want them to do the same for you. God says in His Word that “Who you forgive, He forgives also.”

MY PRAYER…
Lord God Almighty, forgive my foolish and selfish ways. Through Your Holy Spirit, help me to be as forgiving as You are. Give me courage to lovingly confront those who have sinned against me, but even if I cannot bring about reconciliation, help me to forgive them just as You have forgiven me. Through Jesus, My Lord and the One who forgave me while I was yet a sinner, I pray.
Amen