He hath shown thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God?
Micah 6:8
We have heard several dissertations at Little Union in the past on this scripture, and more particularly the part about loving mercy and how we all love to "get" mercy, but some of us can be a little stingy when it comes to "giving" mercy.
For whatever reason, the thought of mercy and foregiveness weigh heavy on my mind constantly. Brother Lonnie Mozingo, Jr. brought about a point in one of his sermons at the Florida Fellowship Meeting that when Jesus was on the cross, Satan thought he was on the brink of gaining all the control... and then all of a sudden, Jesus says "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" and (as Brother Lonnie said) Satan was completely blind-sided and was saying, "Forgive them? Forgive them? That's not what you were supposed to say"
I started thinking, why is it so hard for people to forgive? Is it because we are so "self-involved" that we think we deserve the right to be angry (or sometimes we think we deserve an apology)? Brother Lonnie even used the example of road rage saying: when we cut someone off by mistake, we expect them to be patient with us and know that it was a mistake. How often though, do we react negatively toward someone who has just cut us off? I am guilty of this myself. While I don't cuss or wag my finger at them, sometimes I make sure I "LOOK" at them if I pass them... you know, to make sure they know that I saw what they did. I even will sarcastically say out loud, "Hooray for you, you made it to the red light first!" Do I ever stop to think that it was a mistake?
What about a brother or sister in the church that has done something to offend you? (and I am talking a minor, non-doctrinal offense) The bible says that if your brother offend you, that you are to go to him... but is it at all possible, just to get over it? If we were all able to put others before ourself, wouldn't it stand to reason that our concern would no longer be about what happened to "us" but rather what can we do for "them"?
I've seen so much bitterness in my life, and I can assure you... it is a cancer, that eats away at the body! I've witnessed physical infirmity as a direct result in bottling up anger. I've seen plenty of heartache and sadness over loss of friends due to their inability to forgive! Does Satan see this as a weekness in our lives so he is preying on it? What was it that the one comedian said? "Can't we all just get along?"
Our Father in Heaven, forgave us when we were "unforgiveable". He didn't wait until we apologized to him. He forgave us for Christ's sake. We should be able to do the same! My prayer is that we can be a people who love the Lord and love one another so much that foregiveness and mercy just flows through us toward one another.
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
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11 comments:
Amen!
First, of all this is a good example of the "more experienced sisters" teaching the younger sisters. Second, I would like to say that I like the way that you have pulled points from different sermons together in order to teach us something, and applied it. Thank you!
You are truly a "Child of the King" as my sweet mother often says! I appreciate what you had to say/write. The wisdom you posses is beyond your years.
So, dear "Dad" where are you? I believe you are S-L-A-C-K-I-N-G! : )
O.K.; O.K....
S-L-A-C-K-I-N-G, S-L-A-C-K-I-N-G.
I was feeling tinges of guilt for musceling in on you guy's space. I feared that if you thought your "DAD" (borrowed or not ) was watching over your shoulder that you would not be the wonderful folks that you are. But again I'm just so amazed at your insight that I stand in aw. First I would like to say that not being able to forgive is our human nature, DUH!!!!. As children of Adam we are by nature greedy, selfish and self-centered. When we are hurt our defense mechanism kicks in and wants to hurt back. And that is just what Thoes that don't have the Spirit of God in their hearts will do. Thoes that have the Spirit of God in their hearts knows that you don't render evil for evil or that two wrongs don't make a right, so they may not retaliate but instead I'll just be mad. That is not as bad as retaliation to our spiritual man. But the fact is that the children of God do still have two natures inside them and most of the time it is dependant on which nature is ruling. The scriptures tell us to put on the new man... so this is apparently something we can do. That means often times we have to put off the old man. I know that what sin plagues one child may not be one that plagues another but it seems to me that this is more common than most folks would like to admit. I have been blessed most of my life to be one that God seems to have given me a forgiving heart. I don't know enough words to describe the peace that is derived from not bottleing up vengence in side of me. In my family it has been said " a steam roller could roll over me and I would get up and say, Huh, a steam roller just rolled over me" I shouldn't have been out in the road. I always make excuses for the other person and think they probably didn't mean that..... ( even though in some cases they did mean it ) but as for me and my peace and well being I am better off with that line of thought. By the way some of you may not know that I also have another nick name known as Silverliningsonny.
I suppose the long and short of the matter is God knows what is best for our health. and fretting over what others have done to us is distracting to our ability to focus on God. So we should endeavor to follow the Spirit of God and forgive others, but the truly remarkable thing is that when we falter in this respect we can rely on the fact that he does not faulter and that he does forgive us. And futhermore If we are granted a forgiving heart be aware that it is not we ourselves but God that is in us that we are able to forgive. And we can also ache for thoes that don't have a forgiving spirit. Consider what turmoil they must be in and it makes you want to pray for them. This Kelly is another one of thoes things that we should "Consider" My prayer is that God would bless you all to be able to lay aside hurts that have and will be done unto you with the thought in mind that vengence is mine saith the lord and if it is Gods will to forgive someone who has hurt you the same way he forgave you that hurt someone else Then so be it. We also believe in a just God who metered out his justice not only for our sins but for others also on his son Jesus Christ. Now if Jesus got what we all deserved how can we retaliate and punish others again for their wrong doings that has already been paid for.
Love to you guys.
Anonymous Dad
First of all! My new borrowed Dad left two comments on my blogspot. WOOHOO!
Ok, Bro. Sonny said...
"When we are hurt our defense mechanism kicks in and wants to hurt back. And that is just what Thoes that don't have the Spirit of God in their hearts will do. Thoes that have the Spirit of God in their hearts knows that you don't render evil for evil or that two wrongs don't make a right, so they may not retaliate but instead I'll just be mad."
I just want to point out that this is true except for Cunninghams. :)But seriously pray for Gary, he stores up to much, "I'm going to get you back, and burry you in a swamp" mentality.
Really good points, Dad! We just got a dose of that in our sermon on Sunday, huh! Brother Buddy touched on those two natures and how they war against one another! I think the Lord blessed me with the same spirit of forgiveness as you! We'll get rolled over by steam rollers together! :) My heart does ache for those ones that are not able to forgive, as you said. It's such a terrible state to be in and the joy that you could be experiencing in the Lord is robbed by this cancer-eating bitteness! All I know, is that there will be no bitterness or anger in heaven, and that I look forward to the Lord's return!
As for your fear of intruding, Dad, I want to state once again, that you are welcome to read/leave comments whenever you want!!! I value your input as well as my friends and church family!
So much to say so little time.
1. Forgiveness--the only heart
you hurt with an unforgiving spirit is your own.
2. Forgiveness is easier for me
when try to place myself in the offenders shoes.
3. Forgiveness -- Sometimes the offender does not think they have done or said anything to be forgiven. :) Be Gentle when dealing the this type person.
4. Dad -- You are one smart lady to convert the input from dad he will get smarter and smarter. (Maybe he will let you come with him to his smart place.) I love to hear what the borrowed dad has to say, also. I love to know that our precious children are being loved by more than one set of parents. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Thanks for the input AM (Adopted Mom) That's so true about putting yourself in others' shoes. You never know what someone might be going through!
"Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."
That is a great scripture Owl! Very appropriate!
I loved this discussion, and I appreciate you posting your thoughts. I hope this is one of the many topics that we can discuss in person someday!!!
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