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Re: Bulletin Board [message #9851 is a reply to message #9839]

Sun, 29 September 2013 19:38

james
Messages: 2137
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL

Senior Member

The Freedom Found in Forgiveness...

Over the last year The Lord has been dealing with me concerning forgiveness, both what He's done for me, as well as what He expects from me. Recently I had a edifying discussion with a couple of Christian friends about how we are to deal with offenses, hurt feeling, and preceived ill intentions by others. I don't claim to be perfected in this area of forgiveness, yet; nor am I 'preaching' to anyone; I am offering encouragement and support.

These are some thoughts and lessons I've learned concerning forgiveness, I'm sure there are many more but these are what I believe The Lord has put on my heart to share today.

First, scripturally we're told that if we aren't forgiving of others we can't expect forgiveness ourselves from God. (Matt.6:14-15) When we fail to forgive others there are things that build up within us and robs us of being able to love the offending party as God commands us.("By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, by your love one for another.") Unforgiveness builds distance in relationship; it builds walls; it leads one to a place of hostility and bitterness.

Also, we were freely forgiven(and continue daily to be)(Matt.10:8); we should be just as ready and willing to forgive freely, without being told to. We should not only be willing to forgive but we should be the first to seek reconciliation.(Matt.5:9) Remembering again what Jesus did for us.(Romans 5:8)

Some truths I've learned the hard way:

*When we try to earn God's approval; we tend to try to make others earn our approval.

*Forgiveness and mercy doesn't keep score.

*Compassion received, results in compassion given.

*The cross we're instructed to take up daily is for the death of our self will and flesh. Dead people aren't offended.

*It's our ministry/commission given from God...reconciliation.(II Corinthians 5:18)

I had the opportunity last year to practice what I was 'preaching', when I freely and willingly from the heart forgave a situation in my life, the freedom and joy that came was something I hope I never forget.btw: It's NOT about who is right or justified...it's about "what would Jesus do?" and what did Jesus TELL us to do.

Is it hard? It's as hard as we want it to be; it's hard as long as we hang on to our 'self justifying' pride, hurts, or hang on to our position of wanting to be 'right'. The key, in my experience, is meditation upon what God our Father did for us throught His Son Jesus Christ; and just how unworthy we were to receive of that Love, Mercy, and Grace...then it's not near as 'hard' to offer the same to others...especially when we're told if we don't then don't expect it for ourselves. That'll sober a person up quick and help one to dismount from their 'high-horse'.

May we all grow in grace and love daily through the Love and Grace we've received, being forgiving frees us to do just that.
Praise Jesus.

“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”

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