Colossians 3:13,14 Hebrews 12:15 Matt 6:14 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. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly father will also forgive you.
We, as Christians, are required to forgive as we have been forgiven by our Heavenly Father. We are told that when we have been forgiven, God sends our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. We know that He will not remind us of forgiven sins. That is the way of the enemy.
Many of us have a habit of saying we forgive but we keep a list in mind to bring up when we need ammunition during an argument. While it is almost impossible to completely forget, we can remind ourselves of the forgiveness given. There is no sin greater than the Lord's ability to forgive. If we look at the larger picture, eternity versus now, the grievances we embrace don't seem quite as bad.
I heard a speaker say that someone who holds a grudge is like a man that drinks poison and waits for the other person to die. Holding a grudge causes real physical diseases such as high blood pressure and depression. Forgiveness, however, brings peace. Praying for the one that hurt us and being willing to treat that person with courtesy can bring a deep peace in your spirit.
Bearing with one another means not yelling at that driver that cut you off. It means answering the same questions from our kids over and over and over. It means when your spouse forgets something, you don't hold onto the resentment. It means, above all, giving grace to the brother or sister who is less skilled at a task but wants to serve the Lord in that way. Showing them patience leaves them feeling less judged and more loved. Having been on both sides of this scenario, I know the value of patience and compassion.
Jesus Christ forgave all of our sins. He doesn't rub our noses in our mistakes. He just holds His arms out to us and offers a place of acceptance and second chances. His love has covered many sins, both hidden and open. He is asking us to do the same in His name.
We, as Christians, are required to forgive as we have been forgiven by our Heavenly Father. We are told that when we have been forgiven, God sends our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. We know that He will not remind us of forgiven sins. That is the way of the enemy.
Many of us have a habit of saying we forgive but we keep a list in mind to bring up when we need ammunition during an argument. While it is almost impossible to completely forget, we can remind ourselves of the forgiveness given. There is no sin greater than the Lord's ability to forgive. If we look at the larger picture, eternity versus now, the grievances we embrace don't seem quite as bad.
I heard a speaker say that someone who holds a grudge is like a man that drinks poison and waits for the other person to die. Holding a grudge causes real physical diseases such as high blood pressure and depression. Forgiveness, however, brings peace. Praying for the one that hurt us and being willing to treat that person with courtesy can bring a deep peace in your spirit.
Bearing with one another means not yelling at that driver that cut you off. It means answering the same questions from our kids over and over and over. It means when your spouse forgets something, you don't hold onto the resentment. It means, above all, giving grace to the brother or sister who is less skilled at a task but wants to serve the Lord in that way. Showing them patience leaves them feeling less judged and more loved. Having been on both sides of this scenario, I know the value of patience and compassion.
Jesus Christ forgave all of our sins. He doesn't rub our noses in our mistakes. He just holds His arms out to us and offers a place of acceptance and second chances. His love has covered many sins, both hidden and open. He is asking us to do the same in His name.
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