Take refuge in the FATHER - F=Forgiveness

God presents Himself to us in three images – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In looking at how we can take refuge in “the LORD”, we can see different ways that “the LORD” reaches out to us by looking at each part of the trinity.

God, the Father can be represented as an acronym that describes the Father’s heart toward us.

F – Forgiveness. It is as Lewis B. Smedes wrote, “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” Sin separates us from God and forgiveness of that sin is the method He provides to reconcile the broken relationship. The Father loves us so much that he desperately wants to repair the broken relationship, even to the extent that he would allow His own Son to pay the price for our sins. Through that sacrifice, the Father chooses to forgive our sins in the same way we forgive others.

Through the scriptures, we are commanded to forgive others:

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against any, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing.” (Mark 11:25 HCSB)

“And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” (Ephesians 4:32 HCSB)

“Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord had forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:12-13 HCSB)

“For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well.” (Matthew 6:14 HCSB).

Notice that we are repeatedly instructed to forgive others so that we can be forgiven. The Father knows that if we are holding grudges and bitterness towards others, we are just hurting ourselves. He loves us so much that He wants the best for us and that begins with forgiveness.