People commit unspeakable acts of evil. Inexcusable wrongs leave scars that may never heal in this lifetime. How can a perfect God forgive evil? How can we forgive others without accepting the unacceptable? In this three-day devotional, Andrew Palau will guide you on a Biblical exploration of what God’s forgiveness really means. Rediscover the God that is just AND merciful.Luis Palau Association
Day 1
Scriptures: Hebrews 9:24-28, Romans 3:21-31
The Cost of Forgiveness
Have you ever thought, “How can I forgive? What happened to me was wrong!” Forgiveness can feel like giving hurtful actions a free pass—like calling things “okay” that are not okay.
But that’s not the way God forgives. The Bible says in Hebrews 9…
“… Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people.”
There’s a very real price to be paid for injustice. We can be forgiven because Christ absorbed the punishment for our wrongs—not because our wrongs were “okay.” This is what He offers to all who turn away from their old ways and choose to follow Him.
Jesus is just AND merciful. He does not allow wickedness to go free. You can trust that He will deal rightly with those who have wronged you.
Will you let Him carry the weight of your anger and hurt today?
Day 2
Scripture: Romans 12:9-21
Making All Things Right
Have you ever wanted revenge? Maybe you find yourself replaying conversations in your head, thinking about how to put someone in their place. It feels logical at the time. You hurt me, I’ll hurt you back—then we’ll be “even.”
But the Apostle, Paul, instructs us in the Bible…
Do not repay anyone evil for evil… live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Did you hear that promise? We can trust God to deal justly with all wrongdoing. Though we do not know how or when (it’s really not our business in that sense), we can let go of our desire for retribution. It’s a relief to know—God’s outrage at injustice is even greater than ours.
Only God is qualified to judge perfectly, and He is hard at work making all things right.
Trust Him to make things right for you.
Day 3
Scripture: Romans 5:1-21
You Have a Choice
Forgiveness…it’s not always easy. Sometimes the people who hurt us aren’t sorry. Maybe they don’t deserve to be forgiven. Yet, resentment and hatred are poison to our souls. So, what’s the solution? Nothing I can say will make forgiving easy.
But what helps me so much is remembering Jesus’ forgiveness for me. Jesus didn’t wait for me to apologize and turn away from my selfish ways. He sought me out when I was deep in sin, and He met me with His love. That’s what led to surrendering my life to Him.
Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Jesus loved me at my worst—even enough to die for me, for the forgiveness of my sins. Knowing that…I can choose to forgive. I can embrace the radical love of Jesus and let it flow through me.
Who should you forgive today?