file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db941109.txt
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OUR DAILY BREAD             Wednesday, November 9, 1994
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READ:  Matthew 18:21-35



             "A PERSISTENT PROBLEM"

     "Forgiving one another, even as God in
       Christ forgave you."

           - Ephesians 4:32


The University of Wisconsin in its Extension Outreach
catalog announced a new course on "Interpersonal
Forgiveness."  The catalog explained that students
would be exploring "the latest approaches to forgiveness."

In a world where a spirit of getting even is all too
common, it's good to learn that a major university is
concerned about forgiveness.  But even though such a
course may offer some valuable insights, the Bible has
the best answer to the question of how to forgive:  By
forgiving others as God has forgiven us.

Think of God's grace and mercy in pardoning totally
undeserving sinners on the basis of Christ's infinitely
costly sacrifice (Rom. 5:8).  Think of Jesus as He
prayed for His executioners, "Father, forgive them, for
they know not what they do" (Lk. 23:34).  Think of the
forgiveness extended to us when we sincerely repent and
confess our sins (1 Jn. 1:9).  Think of how the Holy
Spirit helps us to carry out Paul's imperative,  "Be
kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, even as God in Christ forgave you"  (Eph. 4:32).

No new technique of forgiving is needed.  This old method,
God's method, really works.

    -- Vernon C. Grounds


 God forgave my sin in Jesus' name,
 I've been born again in Jesus' name;
 And in Jesus' name I come to you
 To share His love as He told me to.

    -- Owens


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*        THOUGHT FOR THE DAY            *
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*                                       *
*     Since we all need forgiveness,    *
*     we should always be forgiving.    *
*                                       *
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*                                       *
*  THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  John 18-21   *
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Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1994, used by permission of
Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49555, USA.
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