Many of us say we forgive but yet we want to smear the character of the one who hurt us or wounded us.
It is never God's way to do this
AND one is operating with revenge (unknowingly most times). Let's just replay this familiar scenario.
Someone wounds us in such an undeserved way....or so we think. As I counsel many individuals I begin to realize that what hurts one individual so deeply, may not even move someone else. Please note sometimes we may be operating from the place of our OWN unhealed wounds. We interpreted the other person's intentions in a way they never meant. The truth is even if someone hurts us because it may be their character to be "sharp, insensitive or arrogant" or other character traits, IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FORGIVE. Remember we have imperfections and hurt others too.
God wants us to deal with our own selves and not focus on what someone else has done or is doing.
Here is how God says we should resolve conflict:
Matthew 18:
15 “If your brother sins[d], go and show him his fault in private; if he listens and pays attention to you, you have won back your brother.16 But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two others, so that every word may be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.17 If he pays no attention to them[refusing to listen and obey],tell it to the[e]church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile (unbeliever) and a tax collector.(F)18 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you bind[forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful]on earth[f]shall have[already]been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose[permit, declare lawful]on earth[g]shall have[already]been loosed in heaven.(G)
SOME INTERPRETATIONS SAY "TELL HIM ALONE"
We operate contrary to all God says if we go to as many others to speak about the incident. LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS.
What is our motive to go to as many people as possible to speak about the incident?
Let's speak the truth - TO BE VINDICTIVE
WE NO LONGER BELIEVE WE SHOULD ASSOCIATE WITH THAT PERSON.
SO NO ONE ELSE SHOULD DEAL WITH THEM EITHER.
God instruction is even if someone has become our enemy or is our enemy
GOD SAYS BLESS THEM.
The Greek word for bless is EULOGEO
means simply TO SPEAK WELL OF
TO PRONOUNCE GOD'S WILL FOR THE PERSON
Here is one of the reasons we need to walk in forgiveness -
When we look at the verses in Mark 11:20 to 26
20 In the morning, as they were passing by, the disciples saw that the fig tree had withered away from the roots up.21 And remembering, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi (Master), look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered!”22 Jesus replied,“Have faith in God[constantly].23 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!’ and[f]does not doubt in his heart[in God’s unlimited power],but believes that what he says is going to take place, it will be done for him[in accordance with God’s will].24 For this reason I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer[in accordance with God’s will],believe[with confident trust]that you have received them, and they will be given to you.25 Whenever you[g]stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him[drop the issue, let it go],so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions and wrong doings[against Him and others].26 [h][But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your transgressions.”]
The word says Ask and you shall receive and If you declare a thing according to God's will it shall be done.
IN THE SAME CHAPTER LUKE SPEAKS ABOUT FORGIVENESS
Does it seem as if God is not answering our prayers?
This might be the reason for our unanswered prayers.
The condition for declaring God's will with authority and watching God manifest his power in all our situations is to walk in forgiveness.
Perhaps our prayers are not answered because we have not walked in the truth of forgiveness from the heart.
We cannot be reconciled with everyone. I have individuals who were in my life and God separated us. Even these people God expects us to BLESS THEM.
Ask God to show us the truth about any unforgiveness we may be harbouring and let's reallign ourselves to God's will.
Amen
Walk Good in Christ
Till we meet again
Pastor J
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