1 John 1:9
But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Life would be so much easier if we never had personal disagreements. Unfortunately, we’re all human… and things will be said and done from time to time that irritate – or even offend – us and/or the other guy. When this happens, the best thing to do is to quickly make amends – or to at least try. Sadly, even when we apologize for our part in a misunderstanding, the other party may refuse to offer forgiveness.
I am so glad that I don’t have to worry about God holding a grudge against me. If I genuinely and humbly ask Him to forgive me, He does exactly that! He doesn’t refuse to speak to me, or ignore me in public or on social media. He would never fail to answer or return a phone call. He continues to offer me grace and mercy… even when He feels I don’t deserve it. I can count on God to always love me… and to cast my sins as far as East is from West - if I only ask Him to do so.
We really have no control on how another person treats us. It’s pretty much up to him/her to decide whether to offer us grace, mercy, love and forgiveness. We certainly cannot count on these gifts, because no human can love us like Almighty God. But if we want to be a disciple of Christ… if we want to operate in the love of Jesus…we must make a concerted effort to forgive others as God forgives us. So while you cannot control the grudges others may hold against you…resentments, bitterness, and hatred have no business being a part of your makeup.
The next time you find yourself operating in a spirit of unforgiveness… whenever you feel bitterness, anger, resentment, or ill will creeping into your life… think of God and how He offers us immeasurable grace and mercy – even when we don’t deserve it. Then forgive whoever has offended you. Do this to honor God – and for yourself - even if the other guy never admits his/her part in the offense. If someone has wronged you and never asks you to forgive him/her, do it anyway. Joyce Meyer and others have characterized unforgiveness as spiritual poison. Do not allow this destructive tool of the devil to be present in your life for a single minute!
At the end of the day, we are responsible only for our personal behavior. To fail to forgive another person when God has so generously forgiven us would be incredibly hypocritical. I urge you to talk to God… tell Him how you feel. Ask Him to forgive you for any spirit of unforgiveness you have toward others… and thank Him for such a generous pardon when we acknowledge our own faults and shortcomings. Thank God for the incredible gifts of His grace and mercy… and trust Him to always be available to answer your call.
©2013 Debbie Robus
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