"Parents are For Giving!"

Passage: Matthew 6:14-15

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

First things first... I am a parent.  I am also a child of parents.  (Pretty smart, eh??)  I am writing from both perspectives.  I can recall many times, when I was young, when I would watch a commercial on television for the newest, super-keen, "boss-o-matic, gotta-have-it" thing... and just as soon as the commercial was over, I ran to tell my parents that I simply would not live another day if they didn't buy that thing for me.

Today... yes, this VERY DAY... I have been the victim of the very same attack, coming from both of my two sons.  I have NO IDEA where they got it, but boy, are they good at it!  I cannot drive by a gas station, (and in my line of work, I pass a BUNCH of those!), without hearing cries of desperation begging me to stop for some candy.  I can't even walk down the aisle in WalMart without learning that my children have *always* wanted about 400 items that I am quite sure they have never laid eyes on until that very moment!

The Birth of a Philosophy

It is as a result of these experiences that I have developed my very own, "Philosophy of Life".  Well, at least one aspect of my philosophy of life.  The entire thing would probably take two devotionals. (grin)  And it goes something like this: Parents... are for giving!

There, I said it.  Now it's out in the open, and we can all breathe a sigh of relief.  I have believed for years that *I*, Eric Reamer, generally say what others only think!  This is one such case.  If you are honest with yourself, you will agree with my philosophy, and probably admit to exploiting it for your personal gain, like so many other people in this world.

You think not??  Let's see...

Last week, you needed to borrow the car for that really cool date, (uh, I mean, study group).  Who did you ask?  Oh, and remember the last time you were running a little low on cash?  Who you gonna call?  Let's get even more basic.  It's late at night, (or really, really early morning), and you need a place to crash... who owns the roof that covers your room?  You got it!!  The parental units!

But what about when things aren't rosy in Pleasantville?  What about when things go wrong, and your parents are all over your back, and you aren't do well in school, and the list could go on and on, couldn't it??  Well, as shocking as it may sound... I am going to give you some very sound advice, by way of sharing my second "Philosophy of Life".

Parents are FORGIVING!

Some of you simply aren't going to believe this... but I stake my reputation on it (for most situations).  Parents really are forgiving!  Think about it - who sees us from the time we are born, and every day throughout our growing up years, as we fail, time and time again? And when we do fall down, who is there to pick us up, every time?  And remember when you stole that cookie, or hit your sister?  Every time, we were given an opportunity to come clean, and 'fess up to our wrongdoing.  And when we did... sure, Mom and Dad were upset, and they were disappointed... but they got over it, and they ended up forgiving us.  And, I, for one, can testify that confessing to my sins was a WHOLE lot better than the alternative... especially if they already KNEW the truth!  (Don'tcha just hate that??)

Note: (As a parent, I have now discovered how all parents know the truth about every single thing that we as kids ever do wrong... and I will share it with you, so that you can be wiser than the last generation of teens...  You'll have to read the rest of the devotional, and then I'll tell you, okay??)

Now get this... forgiveness is an ESSENTIAL part of YOUR life!  Yup!  YOU!

Look at what Jesus Himself said about forgiveness: "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

All of Eternity is in the Balance

Salvation is a gift... given to us (children) by our Heavenly Father.  And it is a true statement to say that no one, in the history of mankind, has received the gift of salvation, without having also received the forgiveness of their sins!  Our Father, in Heaven, is the One who forgives us, and by His grace, allows us the gift of Salvation, and the promise of an eternity with Him.

However... we must contend with the words of Jesus, in order to grasp the whole picture.  You see, anyone can ask the Lord for forgiveness, and be confident that He is faithful and just to forgive... but part of the transformation that takes place is our willingness to submit to Him, and when He brings to mind someone in our life that requires us to forgive... we ought to obey, don't you think?

Easier said than done, I know.  No less important, though.  You see - Jesus said what He said... and it wasn't just because it was some flowery text to fill that section of the Bible.  I am convinced that if we harbor unforgiveness - that is to say, if we are sure that the Lord would have us to forgive someone for something that they have done to hurt us, or whatever... and if we don't do it... we place ourselves in a very precarious situation that very well may merit judgment by our Heavenly Father.

It's HARD to forgive... I know. How well I know!  But under the consideration of the issue of obedience... and the fruit of our salvation, and the "sharper than any two-edged sword" words of Christ Himself, I am compelled to encourage you to ask the Lord for whathever strength, courage, or effort is necessary to obey His Word.

Practical Application
 

Have you been hurt?

Emotional, physical, sexual, verbal, and yes, even spiritual abuse is something that happens a lot in our society these days.  In fact, statistics would support the notion that about 92% of the people who read this devotional have been abused at one time or another in their life.  Are you one of them?

You need to forgive.

God set up life in such a manner that you are either growing, or dying.  Your spiritual walk is also like this, and in order to grow, you must obey the Word of God.  Obedience to the Word requires our participation in forgiveness, but you don't have to go it alone.  Ask the Lord, and He will grant you the strength to forgive.  And once that's done, you will begin to grow in ways you cannot imagine!

As promised, I will now disclose the secret of the ages, and share with you how parents know every move we make... usually even before we make them.  Some people might say it is because they were once our age... but you and I are way too smart for that old line!  The truth is: they have tiny computers, linked to satellites, which are orbiting Mars, and relaying information down through our cereal spoons, which serve as antennaes!  Think about it... have you ever known ANY parent to not have spoons in the house??  And as for the age-old question of whether or not there is life on Mars... HA!  There used to be, but now they all live here... as PARENTS!
 

Footnote: Okay, so I am a dork!  You smiled, didn't you?  Now go share that smile with someone who needs it, and be there for them if they need help forgiving others!

Prayer: Father, In our efforts to know you better, I pray that you would forgive us of our sins - even the ones we don't remember, or aren't aware of yet.  I also pray that you would help us forgive those who have wronged us.  Sometimes I don't feel like forgiving, Lord... and yet, I know that with your help, I can.  Please help me, and allow me to draw closer to you this day!  In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Eric Reamer is an evangelist, and full time Christian Illusionist. If you enjoy this devotional, please e-mail Eric at: Eric@IllustratedIllusions.com.