How to Preach the Gospel through Forgiveness

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  Colossians 3:13

Evangelist John Wesley was returning home from service one evening when he was robbed. The thief didn’t make out with much – a little money and some Christian literature. As he was running away, Wesley shouted, “You may regret this sort of life. And if you do, just remember the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!”

Years later, Wesley was greeting people after a Sunday service when he was approached by a stranger. He was surprised to learn that this well-dressed businessman, now a believer in Christ, was the same man who had robbed him years before.

“I owe it all to you,” the man told Wesley.

“Oh no, my friend,” Wesley quipped back, “not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin!”

Grace and forgiveness have the power to destroy barriers of the gospel. That’s because when we forgive, we give others a small taste of the grace of God. And when they’ve had a taste, they might just want more.

Don’t forgive because it’s easy. Forgive because it reflects the character of Christ. Live a life of forgiveness and you’ll preach the gospel of grace to everyone you forgive!

Prayer Challenge:

Pray and ask God to help you live a life of forgiveness – always showing grace to those who wrong you.

Questions for Thought:

Think of some people in your life to whom you can show grace today for past mistakes. Who comes to mind?

What would your life look like if you lived with that attitude of grace every day?