Family Resemblance – Do You Forgive Like Your Father?

Abigail and Me1

Family Resemblance – Do You Forgive Like Your Father?

Luke 6:35 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.”

Family Resemblance

“She looks so much like you!” a fellow high school mom remarked to me the other day as we sat watching our students practice for the upcoming play production of The Music Man. I glanced at the stage and had to agree. Abigail shows some physical features that loudly proclaim she is mine. While every child will likely resemble his or her parents in certain ways, each of us hope we have given more than just physical characteristics to our offspring. Hopefully positive character traits have rubbed off as well.

Those who are children of God should show similarities to their heavenly Father. He is a God of love who is kind to even the most ungrateful and evil of men. He allows these to experience the blessings of food, home, sunshine, and more. He gave the life of His Son for the ungodly and offers them forgiveness and salvation whether they choose to accept His gift or not.

Forgive Like Your Father

This is why it is not unreasonable for our Father to expect His children to display these same attitudes and actions. He calls us to love our enemies even though it is the most unnatural behavior to those who are in the world. Instead of seeking revenge or hoping for ill will, we must do good and lend to those in need without expecting anything in return. We must not judge or condemn, but instead forgive just as God has forgiven us.

But what does forgiveness look like? It is not condoning the sinful things that others have done. Or saying that everything is fine. It is not even forgetting the circumstances. Instead it is a deliberate decision to let go of the anger and bitterness that these wrongs provoke. It is relinquishing the desire to seek revenge. Instead pray for God’s best in the person’s life whether or not he or she repents.

Do You Look Like Your Father?

The process of learning to forgive takes time. But when we decide to obey we grow more and more like our heavenly Father. His loving and merciful attitude and gracious attributes will be reflected in us. Then those observing us on the stage of life will be apt to say “She looks so much like her Father.” And that will be the greatest compliment and reward we could ever ask for.

Love,
Mama

Leave a Comment





IMG_5149_Original

Hi, I'm Sandy! 

I write inspirational letters based on the Bible that share words of hope, encouragement, truth, and healing to my children and anyone else who longs for a mama's touch.

Subscribe

Subscribe below to receive FREE Bible Verse Encouragement Cards
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

Categories

Archives

Listen to the Podcast