3 Secrets to Forgiving

Our Scripture for today is Proverbs 16:6.

“By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.”

Our text teaches us one of the great lessons in life. It teaches us how to forgive. 

I mean really forgive. A lifetime ago, the kid next door came into our house and stole the grapes that I was saving for my self. I remembered that story for decades. Though I was upset at the time, getting past that does not really require forgiveness. Time and maturity heals that event.

But what about those times when you have been betrayed, or cheated on by someone you trusted with your life. A wife? A husband? A lifelong friend? Can you forgive that? I am telling you yes. I have seen it done. 

There are three secrets to such forgiveness:

1: It takes work. It won’t just happen without doing the work.

2: It takes time.

3. It takes following God.

Read our text again.

“By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.”

It says, “Loving devotion and faithfulness” atones for iniquity. That is a process and not an event. It takes time. The wounded party needs to see devotion and faithfulness, and in time, atonement will come.

Then it says, “and by the fear of the LORD.” That means following and respecting God and His will.

Yes! You can forgive. Give it time

I’m Lonnie Davis

And these are thoughts worth thinking.