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The Spirit
of Unforgiveness
Forgive: to send away. To stop being angry about or being resentful
against.
It seems that one of the hardest things for some Christians to do is to
forgive or ask for forgiveness. We seem to want to punish those who hurt
us or carry grudges. We who have received His mercy, yet we have no
mercy for others sins. I have to wonder, have they really experienced
God's mercy? Can you remember when you felt God's mercy towards your own
sins? His forgiveness?
Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive men for their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive
men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions."
Making things right is important for Christians. Whether it be a
relationship, a debt or something you took that was not yours.
Restitution is necessary in order to receive forgiveness. One can
apologize and ask for forgiveness but, most important is changing the
behavior. Sometimes we take the attitude of let bygones be bygones or
let our own pride take control. We rationalize that it is past and why
drag it up and start trouble again, yet we not only damage others, but
ourselves as well. And this is certainly not a Christian attitude.
The world is constantly watching us to see how we react to others. If we
react as the world would, we have not only damaged our own testimony
but, also the way others see Christ. Satan loves to cause breaks in
relationships of families and friends and he uses this to his own
advantage of our being used to win souls. What kind of face do you put
on to the world? Your actions will speak of your true walk with the
Lord. As Christians we are to tell others of Christ, not only in our
words, but in our actions. His love, His mercy, His forgiveness, we are
to be like Him. We are not to avenge ourselves. That is God's work. When
someone does an unkind deed to you, try being nice anyway. Nothing can
make them feel worse.
Romans 12:19-21 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for
the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,
says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is
thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals
upon his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Never grow weary of doing good. How many times has God forgiven you of
your sins? We should extend the same to others. The Bible tells us that
we are to forgive 70 times seven. (Matthew 18:22) Holding grudges keeps
us in bitterness and gives us an unforgiving spirit.
We are left in bondage to our past and to those who we feel hurt us and
are angry with. It can keep us physically and spiritually sick.Matthew
5:41 And whosoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two.
It is often overlooked that if we offend someone or wrong them, or if we
have stolen or neglected to pay what we owe that we must make
restitution before we can be forgiven. Matthew 5:23-24 "If you are
presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your
brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the
altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then
come and present your offering."
If a man restores a pledge, pays back what he has taken by robbery,
walks by the statues, which ensures life with committing iniquity, he
will surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he has
committed will he remembered against him. He has practiced justice and
righteousness; he will surely live. Ezekiel 33:15-16
We go to Church, so this makes us a *"Christian", but is it an
attempt to meet and worship God or is it a habit or just the respectable
thing to do. We sometimes think just being nice to others is giving.
Your family and those close to you know the real you. Do they see Christ
in you. Do they see patience or anger, kindness or unkindness,
unselfishness or giving, or are you lazy. What ever your family and
friends see is what you truly are.
In James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely
hearers who delude themselves.26 If anyone thinks himself to be
religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own
heart, this man's religion is worthless.4:17 Therefore, to one who knows
the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.2:26 For
just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works
is dead.
Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his
neighbor has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 I John 3:15 Everyone who
hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has
eternal life abiding in him.
As Christians we are to have deep and loving relationships, especially
with those in the family of God. And so, as those who have been chosen
of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness,
humility, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each
other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave
you, so also should you. Colossians 3: 12-13
When we sin and ask for forgiveness the Bible assures us that God
remembers our sin no more. He forgave even those who killed His Son. And
on the cross as Jesus hung bleeding He asked the Father to forgive them.
If Jesus could do this, then we too must forgive those who hurt us. Our
sins nailed Him to that cross. And they are afresh each time we sin.
Heavenly Father, help us to forgive those who have hurt us. Help us to
ask forgiveness to all those that we have wronged. Help us to grow more
like you with each passing day, to see others as you see them and to
love them as you love them. Help us to seek good for them and pray for
them. Let our hearts break with the things that break your heart.
IN JESUS
NAME WE PRAY
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