Listen to this devotion
“Do-Over” Moments
In the Word
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32).
Of the Word
You cannot believe what you just said! Although not intentional, it was still hurtful. As the old saying goes, “You put your mouth in drive before your brain was in gear.” Every fiber in you desperately wants to yell, “Do over!” Everyone has moments we wish could be erased. Without thinking, we say the wrong thing and upset someone. Making excuses or pretending ignorance only increases the offense. We cannot retract the behavior, but we need to take responsibility and humbly ask for forgiveness. When we are on the receiving end of such a faux pas, we are to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.
Asking for forgiveness and forgiving are marks of our Christian life. How blessed we are to be forgiven by God in Christ. We are declared righteous in His sight because of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins. In gratitude for this undeserved grace, we are to be “little Christs” to one another. No superficial “do overs,” but instead the gift of genuine, joyfilled forgiveness.
Walking with my Lord
Lord, even when I unintentionally sin, help me seek forgiveness from You and the person I hurt. Help me offer forgiveness to those who hurt me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Mustard Seed: From Quiet Times to Noisy Love. Jan Struck, author. 12/30 ©2013 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
