Verse for the Week

Ephesians 4:32 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

I have so many thoughts going through my head as I write this blog entry.  So bear with me if I jumble them all together.  Things have been quiet around here since Saturday, as my boys stayed at my parents until they head to FL on Wednesday.  It was a last minute thing, but they were thrilled.   Today was a lazy day.  I had to type some stuff up for my dh, then I made some granola squares and a beef stew. 

I am really getting sick of the election stuff.  I am concerned, but know that the Lord already knows all about it and it’s just my moral and civic duty to go vote tomorrow.  I will be glad when it is over!  My oldest is right into the politics and having fun with it.  He amazes me sometimes at what he knows.  He scores highest on political science every year!

My dh gave a good message, as he usually does, yesterday.  Much has been on my mind today about the subject, and I have reflected back on his message and would like to share some, along with my thoughts with you.  He spoke on “forgiveness”. 

 If you think about it, it is a powerful word, and one that can either make you or break you.  While Jesus was on the cross, he said “father forgive them for they know not what they do”.  But how often do we find ourselves unforgiving?  I’ve always been one to be able to forgive pretty easy, but I have encountered many who have a very hard time with it.  It might take me a while to forget, but I honestly can say that I don’t have any un-forgiveness toward anyone.  I do find it so sad though that there are many Christians that harbor unforgiveness and they are in bondage.  I once thought that these people don’t even realize it, but I believe that they do, they just don’t want to admit it.  Admitting it, would mean that they would have to confess it and forgive and sometimes it’s easier to just act like it’s not there.  Have you ever met a person who has done something to you and you “thought” you forgave them, but then they did it again and maybe again.  Now this “thing” could be just something that bothered you, not really a big deal, but it bothered you.  So you keep “forgiving” but it keeps coming back and you get fed up and don’t trust that person anymore.  I am reminded of Matthew 18:21 and 22 “Then came Peter to him and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but seventy times seven.”  Hmmm….so does the Lord say not to trust that person anymore?  Does the Lord say only forgive them if they ask?  No, to both questions!  The Lord also says we are to forgive, because He forgave us.  Matthew 6:14, 15 “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”  That’s pretty strong!  I think that if Christians would forgive and love others the way they should, so much more could be done for the Lord with the time we have left here on earth.  The unfortunate thing is that there is so much un-forgiveness among Christians that there is lack of love toward the brother or sister in the Lord, and the world sees that and wants no part of it.  Can you blame them?  I believe that this is exactly what Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 2:11 when he warns the Corinthian Church about not forgiving and comforting a brother that has gone astray.  He tells them they need to “lest Satan should get an advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices”  I wonder if we are ignorant of his devices, because it would seem that if we weren’t then we wouldn’t allow the unforgiveness and lack of love to infiltrate our lives and our churches.  I’ve heard “well, I just can’t”.  Let me tell you, YOU BETTER!  For your sake, for your brother or sister’s sake, for the Lords sake, forgive and forgive again and again and again….!  I don’t care if you don’t like someone’s personality or the way they do things.  If they are a brother or sister in the Lord, especially, you have a command to forgive and comfort, 2 Cor 2:5-11.  Too much of this is going on in churches and it is ruining the cause of Christ.   Love, doesn’t destroy.  Ephesians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, ESPECIALLY unto them who are of the household of faith.”  Let’s commit to doing more of that, and not let un-forgiveness eat away at all that the Lord wants for our lives and the church.  “Love covers a multitude of sins.” 

  When we fail the Lord, He forgives, comforts and restores.  What do we do when someone fails us.  Forgiveness go beyond, it comforts the person and restores them if need be "lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow."      2 Cor. 2:7  In closing, as I asked myself yesterday, I want you to ask yourself, “do I have any un-forgiveness?  Do I love my brothers and sisters in the Lord?  Am I taking the opportunity to “do good” to them?  Or am I harboring un-forgiveness that is causing me to tear them down?, am I loving?  What do I need to work on?” 

May we remember that if Jesus didn’t forgive us and love us, where would we be?