Just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all.  Romans 5:18

One day I was cut off in traffic, disparaged at work, snarled at in a store, ignored in a restaurant, and told that I am an idiot. All of this affected my attitude. It wasn’t long before someone asked, “What’s wrong with you today?”  I thought about that. I thought about all those people who didn’t care about me and concluded, Why should I care about them? And then much, much later I thought about Jesus and how I’ve cut him off and ignored, spoken rudely to, and snarled at others. I thought about how Jesus’ forgiveness and grace saves us – from ourselves!

 Because of Christ’s sacrifice, God forgives us our sins, our pettiness, our acts of hurting others, our meanness, our stinginess, our self-centeredness and gives us the opportunity for eternal life.  Forgiveness costs little and provides much. It is an act by one that helps at least two: It purifies the giver and redeems the receiver(s). Now when I am wronged, I see the transgression as a signal from God that someone needs my forgiveness and love.

O God, help us to be grateful for opportunities to forgive — and give us the strength to do so. Amen.