Have you ever felt like you've been in someone's grip that has hurt you? Even if it is just a little one? Not even a tight grip...but something that just has a hold of your heart and it's hard to let go?
I think forgivness is a big word. It tells so much about a person. Their strength, their weakness, and also their maturity. Have you ever thought you forgave someone and then continued to hold onto the hurt? Sometimes, it feels like this is easier said than done.
In Colossians 12-17 it says:
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Hummm...Forgive as the Lord fogave you??? That's pretty difficult sometimes! But then here we have God saying to us....Look at all I have forgiven for you....and I'm perfect! As His forgiven ones...how can we ever refuse to forgive one another?
Sometimes we become arrogant in our thoughts by not forgiving one another. Do we forget that it is God's judgement that is important? We should trust to let God do His job and we should obey Him by being an example and forgiving all wrongs. We never deserve His forgiveness....but yet..He gave it all just for us. At times...that makes me feel like such a loser! But then...because of Him...I feel like a winner.
So here's what we can do:
We can forgive...because, we are not to judge others. Let's let God do His job and we do ours.
We can pray for others...because God said to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Luke 6:44) (If you're praying for someone...it's really hard for those feelings to keep going)
By forgiving somoeone that has been doing something to hurt you or someone else you love, you are breaking the tie that binds you all to the slavery of Satan.
I'm convinced that if Jesus can forgive those who drove the nails into His hands while hanging on the cross, I certainly can forgive someone for the smallest...and the biggest hurts as well.
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1 comment:
Brenda, GREAT post!!!!!!! I had to learn forgiveness ad an adult at a depth I never knew I would experience and although it was very, very hard, it was the most freeing experience ever!! Circumstances or even people may make us a victim of some sort but it is our choice to remain a victim by not letting go of the pain and allowing it to hurt us over and over again. More than just the sins of humanity hung on the cross that day, all the pain, agony, and unfairness of a hurting innocent person hung there on our Savior’s shoulders too. It wasn’t just what they did to Him that He uttered those resounding words of forgiveness, He uttered those words for us too for all that we would ever do or have done to us. What a sacrifice – What a love!
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