FORGIVING

Why Forgive

 Mark 11:24-25  “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

 

                Most Christians are familiar with the verse 24, they often quote this verse as the basis of the “name it and claim it” doctrine. They tend to ignore where Jesus focuses on the person’s heart – the importance of forgiveness. It is not by accident these verses are linked.

                If you are struggling in your walk, in your prayer life, or with unanswered prayers – maybe it is time to look at your heart. Are you holding on to any un-forgiveness? We know that our sins can limit our relationship with God and from verse 25 there is a direct link to our reluctance to forgive someone and God forgiving our sins…

Forgiving someone requires humility, patience, and love. We must put our pride aside and let go of our sense of being wronged or hurt and give it over to God. In John 3:16 the words “whoever believes,” include that person you are in conflict with, if they can be forgiven and their sins can be covered, then it is not your debt to collect. We have to exercise patience, forgiving is not automatic and it does take a continuous effort and time. Our society has almost made forgiveness equal to weakness and compassion equal to cowardice, but we must remember we are not of the same mind as our world. Jesus told us to, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt 22:39)  We want to be forgiven, so we must forgive.  Forgiving is not easy – but it is required.

 

How Do I Forgive?

 

How Do I Forgive?

 

In my heart I know what’s right,

Anger and lies only fuel the fight.

Look at me, but do not see,

No ill for you – Let me be.

 

The venom still on your lips,

Knows no truth, only jabs and quips,

A heart of anger and of hate,

Forgive-n-heal, it’s getting late.

 

To forgive, What do I do?

Turn to the One who forgave you.

At the cross all bought and paid,

There hurt and anger must be laid.

 

Forgive each day a little more,

Over time no more a chore.

No more anger, jus' joy-n-peace,

Cause His love does never cease.

                                -TG

My Only Hope

 

My Only Hope

 

I hear the warnings, still I go,

Pain awaits me, it’s wrong I know.

Instant regret – hopeless I feel,

Destined to repeat  ‘less I kneel.

 

Two steps forward, then four more back,

Alone and broken, faith I lack.

Freely falling without a net,

My enemies circle, place your bet.

 

To you I scream “What should I do?”

Low reply says to trust in you.

How to trust when I can’t see?

Pain is real – it is killing me!

 

Evil seems to win and succeed,

Shift my focus it’s you I need.

So alone and feel no love,

True love was shown – came from above.

 

Not of this world, we claim to be,

Forgiven, chosen, and set free.

Chaos abounds – though eyes on you,

My only hope to get me through.

                               

                                                -TG

Here We Go Again!

Matthew 18:21-22  "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"  Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

 

    Peter thought he was being generous and offered to forgive seven times but Jesus told him seventy-seven times. In today's language it would be seventy times seven, this represented a countless number. Occasionally I find myself asking God how often I have to forgive and let go of my hurt feelings and anger - it is especially hard when it is the same person over and over again. My flesh screams, "It is not fair! There are rules and they need to be held accountable! How will things ever change if they are not made to answer for these transgressions? If we just keep letting them get away with it, they will only get worse."

    Today I was emotionally raw, so of course I get confronted with a "repeat offender." I felt my neck tense and my jaw tighten. It is so frustrating and unfair. They keep getting away with things and then they have the audacity to feel entitled and justified in their actions. They are acting so selfishly and without regard for anyone else... I have vented to others and I have found a sea of supporters, so I am right, right?  Wrong! 

     I was in the middle of my internal dialogue, telling myself how unfair things were and asking God, "How much more do I have to take?" when I knew God wanted to tell me something. The verse in Matthew came to mind and the parable that followed about the wicked servant. Then I began to see all my sins, just over the past couple days... My anger quickly faded. I was so ashamed and broken.

    When we stop to think about things in the terms of "fair," Christians always lose. Jesus paid for our sins - that is not fair. The Bible is clear about the cost of sin, but through Christ our debts are paid. Each time we sin we essentially are sending Jesus to the cross again. How "fair" is that?  Next time we feel the pride and anger building inside, instead of seeking justice and our own sense of fairness, let's ask ourselves a simple question - "How many times did Christ die for me today?"

Afraid of the Mirror?

Hebrews 10:24-25  "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

 

    I read this verse and started reflecting on my relationships with people... then I asked myself some hard questions...    

    Why do we hold on to people that bring us down? People that build themselves up at our expense? Most people gain something from a relationship, that is why we stay in them. Why do we hold on to those people that hurt us? If we carefully look at those people we associate with, what does it really say about us?

    Do we have a lot of friends that only know us on a superficial level? Do we allow people to be rude or judgemental because we secretly feel unworthy? What are we hiding from? ArMaybe we are really afraid of the mirror, a mirror that only reflects the truth of our character and not what we would like to see? Maybe that fear is what keeps us mired in superficial, shallow, and ultimately damaging relationships. If we keep people at a distance then we are justified in dismissing their opinions because they do not "really" know us. The problem is that eventually we lose track of who we really are as well, we are reduced to a bit role in our own twisted and superficial world. One day we may wake up to find ourselves lost in a sea of anxiety and lonliness wondering who we are and how we got here. We wake up isolated and defeated.

    We were never called to be alone, we were designed to have fellowship with God and each other. We grow when we have accountability with one another and have transparent relationships. Fear of rejection allows us to remain in our sin, it is the freedom gained through accountability that allows us to grow and to heal.

    Take some time to carefully examine your relationships. Spend some time in prayer. Ask God to show you if there are any relationships that are hindering your walk with him - seek His strength and guidance. We are not to shun the world, we are to bring God's love and His light to it.