Jun. 11, 2008 - Thankful Thursday -- I've Fallen & You Won't Let Me Up
Today I am thankful for a wonderful devotion written by a friend of mine:
I've Fallen and You Won't Let Me Up
We all know what it is to desire mercy. As Christians, we realize our need for a Savior. We understand that Romans 3:23 (NLT) is talking about us when it says, 'For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard.' But for many of us, we have yet to learn how to give mercy as readily as we receive it.
Remember the 90s commercial for Life Alert where the elderly lady called for help with the cry, "I've fallen, and I can't get up"? She was lying on the floor of the bathroom in her gown with her walker overturned. She was totally helpless, completely vulnerable and pleading for someone to rescue her. With one touch of the Life Alert, she was immediately in contact with someone who could get her the help she needed. The guy answering the phone wasn't going to be the one directly coming to her aid, however. It was going to be paramedics or the fire department or someone from the police department who would actually show up and get her back up on her feet again.
As Christians, we have our own sort of 'Life Alert' system. We call on God, and then He dispatches other believers to move in and respond to the call of His child in need. But when some of us receive that call, we choose to sit back with a critical and condemning spirit and assign blame to our struggling brother or sister in Christ for their own situation rather than follow the prompting of the Spirit to begin assisting in their healing and restoration. It is often we Christians who are slowest to forgive fallen believers. It is often we Christians who are least likely to extend a hand to help pull a brother or sister up out of the muck and mire of sin. It is all too frequently we Christians who are most unwilling to welcome a fellow believer back into the fold following a moral or spiritual failure.
But the Bible is very clear that we have a responsibility to do all we can to lovingly and gently bring our fallen brothers and sisters back into relationship with Christ and with the Body. Galatians 6:1 (AMP) tells us, '...if a person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness...'. And in Luke 6:37 (MSG) Jesus says, "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults--unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back--given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." This applies to forgiveness too.
In Isaiah 1:18 (LB) we read, 'Come, let's talk this over! says the Lord; no matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you white as wool!' In light of this, how arrogant are we to withhold true forgiveness from others when our God extends this promise to all who will receive it? Psalm 103:10 (NIV) says, 'he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.' Knowing how merciful God is in dealing with us and our sin, why are we sometimes so harsh dealing with a fallen brother or sister? Why do we insist on getting 'justice' or having them 'pay' for their sins against us?
Why aren't we willing to just follow the teaching of Ephesians 4:26-27, 29-32 (NCV)? We read, 'When you are angry, do no sin, and stop being angry before the end of the day. Do not give the devil a way to defeat you...When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need--words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. And do not make the Holy Spirit sad. The Spirit is God's proof that you belong to him. God gave you the Spirit to show that God will make you free when the final day comes. Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.'
If we honestly examine the reasons we harbor unforgiveness in our hearts, we will likely find anger and pride high on the list. But unforgiveness, no matter the motivation, always exacts a toll from the person holding it as well as from the one from which it is withheld. Even more important, it disappoints our God when we, as believers, choose not to forgive one another. And it is to Him that we all will ultimately answer for willful and obstinate forgiveness in our hearts and lives.
Matthew 5:14-15 (MSG), Jesus says, "In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part." Hear His words today. Let them do their work in you. If you are holding on to some bitter resentment or aching unforgiveness, make today the day you give it over to God. Let Him heal your spirit so you can begin to find forgiveness for whomever has wronged you.
© June 11, 2008 Tami L. Wyant
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Jun. 11, 2008 - http://susan2956.blogspot.com/
Posted by Susan
Wow, what a powerful devotional. Thanks so much for sharing this...
Happy TT to you Stacy’Ύ
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Jun. 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Lynn
Wow, this is a powerful message. Stacy so much truth in this post. Thank you.
Have a wonderful TT.
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Jun. 11, 2008 - TT
Posted by Gina's Public Diary
Enjoyed your Thankful post.
http://rampy.wordpress.com
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Jun. 11, 2008 - Thankful Thursday
Posted by Anonymous
Stacy...Your friend has written an excellent devotion...
Thank you for choosing to share this!
Bless you for already visiting me on Weds. I had some difficulty with the rest of my TT post (and still do) but I have it all up now and failed to when you came so early:(sorry
But thanks for your sweet blessing for my week! I love your blog look!
Peggy @ http://mazmagi.blogspot.com
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Jun. 12, 2008 - Thankful Thursday
Posted by Iris
Amen to that. As I was reading the devotion, I was reminded by Jesus' words to inspect first our own 'plank' in our eyes before we can point out the specks in someone else eyes...
Thank you so much for sharing this fabulous devotion and your grateful heart with us.
Be blessed today and always...
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Jun. 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Pia
Galatians 6:1 (AMP) tells us, '...if a person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness...'. ~ this spoke to my heart. thank you for sharing. blessings...
http://myblog2002.blogspot.com
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Jun. 12, 2008 - Thankful Thursday
Posted by Anonymous
I so appreciated reading your blog post. It made me stop and consider my heart and my actions toward others.
Beth@TheAccidentalPharisee
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Jun. 12, 2008 - Thankful Thursday
Posted by Anonymous
Stacy,
Thanks for sharing this encouraging post with us. I am reminded to reflect on my relationship with others especially those who are struggling. Thank God that as His people we can encourage and help one another. Thanks for sharing your thankful heart with us. Have a blessed day!
Nancie
http://lifewithbipolardisorder.blogspot.com/
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Jun. 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Aisha
I'm really glad you shared this to us. It convicted me to say sorry to a friend a while ago who was mean to me and I responded harshly. :)
http://www.theholleyherald.com
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Jun. 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Wow.. Stacy! Such a powerful post and certainly a message I needed to hear today. In a situation I am current experiencing, I am struggling with forgiveness. And, yes, alot of the problem is anger and pride on my part. Thanks for such an awesome reminder of how I need to let go of this and turn it all over to God.
Happy Thankful Thursday!
Melanie
http://thefruitsofthespirit.blogspot.com
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Jun. 12, 2008 - TT
Posted by http://makimeji.com
This is an awesome devotional post. And how it speaks to me. Thanks for sharing God's word and his guidance. I really couldn't imagine life without His words. Happy TT.
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Jun. 16, 2008 - Great post
Posted by Anonymous
I love your analogies about the flood. I have only seen pictures on the news, but it looks terrible! Have a great week and enjoy your alone time.
Blessings~
Toni
http://thehappyhousewife.com
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