Peace from Forgiveness
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. (Ephesians 4:31-32)
Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy once said, “Let us forgive each other – only then will we live in peace.” Forgiveness, which means to release, to dismiss, or to let go is the required remedy for a heart that has been made cold and callous by the hurts, heartaches, and disappointments of life.
I’m sure you know what it’s like to have someone hurt you, betray you, cheat on you, lie to you, or talk about you behind your back. You understand the feeling of your heart being taken over by bitterness and your mind consumed with revenge because the pain of betrayal seems like it just won’t go away.
But Tolstoy was right. Forgiveness is the gateway to living in peace, and when we do not forgive, our faith is corroded, our hearts are hardened, and our peace is robbed. But the question we must wrestle with in light of today’s key passage is whether there is an answer for a heart that has been overtaken by unforgiveness.
This is where Paul’s letter to the Ephesians comes in. Paul knew exactly what it was like to be tempted to harbor unforgiveness. He had been treated so unfairly and unjustly for the sake of the Gospel, and yet he lived with a forgiving heart so that he could experience peace rather than be dominated by bitterness. In doing so, he was able to encourage the Ephesians then and us now to rid ourselves of anger, malice, and bitterness through the avenue of forgiveness.
With that in mind, have you been harboring anger towards someone who hurt you? Have you been robbed of your peace because you’re having trouble forgiving someone who sinned against you? If so, I urge you to ask the Lord to help you forgive this person. Pray that the Lord would replace your bitterness with peace, and watch how He redeems your circumstances and restores your heart and your attitude.
Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy once said, “Let us forgive each other – only then will we live in peace.” Forgiveness, which means to release, to dismiss, or to let go is the required remedy for a heart that has been made cold and callous by the hurts, heartaches, and disappointments of life.
I’m sure you know what it’s like to have someone hurt you, betray you, cheat on you, lie to you, or talk about you behind your back. You understand the feeling of your heart being taken over by bitterness and your mind consumed with revenge because the pain of betrayal seems like it just won’t go away.
But Tolstoy was right. Forgiveness is the gateway to living in peace, and when we do not forgive, our faith is corroded, our hearts are hardened, and our peace is robbed. But the question we must wrestle with in light of today’s key passage is whether there is an answer for a heart that has been overtaken by unforgiveness.
This is where Paul’s letter to the Ephesians comes in. Paul knew exactly what it was like to be tempted to harbor unforgiveness. He had been treated so unfairly and unjustly for the sake of the Gospel, and yet he lived with a forgiving heart so that he could experience peace rather than be dominated by bitterness. In doing so, he was able to encourage the Ephesians then and us now to rid ourselves of anger, malice, and bitterness through the avenue of forgiveness.
With that in mind, have you been harboring anger towards someone who hurt you? Have you been robbed of your peace because you’re having trouble forgiving someone who sinned against you? If so, I urge you to ask the Lord to help you forgive this person. Pray that the Lord would replace your bitterness with peace, and watch how He redeems your circumstances and restores your heart and your attitude.
Subscribe Now for Free Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Plenty of RoomThankful for Your SeatWho God Invites to the TableThat’s the PointWe Do Not Have a Monopoly on GodStop Talking So LoudLet God Handle the Guest ListA Long-Awaited ReunionSeeing Jesus for YourselfIn Possession of a Personal PromiseGet in the Right PositionReady to ReceiveAligning Your Life for God's PromiseWaiting with ExpectancyGrounded in PrayerStrength in PrayerPatience Through PrayerStay Focused Through PrayerGod's Conditional PromisesGod’s PriorityGrounded in FaithTrusting God's TimingThe Assurance of God's PromisesIs It Well With Your Soul?Health vs. HealingStewarding Your BodyA Holistic View of SpiritualityGod Cares About Your BodyWhat You Put in MattersNourishing Your SoulThe Power of Prevention
February
The Power of a ComebackHealing from the PastStop Blaming and Start TrustingBury the Past to Claim the FutureFacing Trauma with TruthCelebrate That You SurvivedRepair What is BrokenNothing God Can’t FixDon’t Swing at Bad PitchesStick to God’s PlanDon’t Let Desperation Drive YouShift Your WeightWho Knows Best?A Good Idea Isn’t Always a God IdeaPeace in God’s PlanFinding Purpose in God’s PlanProsperity in God’s PlanTrusting God’s Plan, Pace, and ProcessKnowing When to PivotGod Hasn’t Given Up on YouNext-Level Faith Requires PerseveranceA New Revelation of GodIt’s Not All About YouNext-Level ConnectionsNext-Level CommitmentA Prayer That Moves GodPrayers That Carry a BurdenPray With Boldness
March
A Solid FoundationPositioned for BlessingMarked by LoveTrust God's JudgmentRest in God's DeliveranceLet Go of ControlWhat You Want MostWhy Church Still MattersFaith in the Midst of DisappointmentJoy for the JourneyA Place of SafetyStrength in CommunityPeace in the ChaosThe Purpose of the ValleySeasons ChangeUnshaken in the StormHold OnThe Power of ResilienceNever AloneGod Is Closer Than You ThinkLet Go of WorryLet Go of WorryBelieve Before You SeeResilient FaithHow to Be a Success God's WayTrue Success Starts with the SoulSuccess Through SurrenderCharacter That Speaks for ItselfThe Power of Being RealKeep GrowingSuccess in the Face of Opposition
No Comments