Forgiveness Isn't Optional
by PamFord Davis

My husband took advantage of a good deal at the grocery store this morning.

Watermelon (which is often costly) was affordable. I prefer cantaloupe but watermelon is his favorite. I must admit; it is a part of my childhood memories. I was a child of the 1950’s; born and raised in Central New York State, watermelon was a summertime treat. A typical rural family, we had no air conditioning. We usually took the slices of the refreshing cold melon outside. There, we spit out the seeds. 

We shouldn’t let seeds of bitterness, anger, jealousy or revenge take root.

“Pursue peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.  See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become defiled (Hebrews 12:14-15 NASB).”

Uh-oh; we should have spit out those seeds of bitterness. Some may have already taken root.

Get rid of it; pull it out by the roots.

“All bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice (Ephesians 4:31 NASB).”

All bitterness?

Yes; the sooner the better.

Forgiveness isn’t optional; it’s a command.

… “bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also (Colossians 3:13 NASB).”



Published articles in Mature Living Magazine, Devotions for the Deaf, The Secret Place, Coosa Journal, Mary Hollingsworth's The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter, Jo Krueger's Every Day in God's Word. http://www.pamforddavis.com
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