One of the basic principles in our faith deals with forgiveness. Ephesians 4:32 says “Be kind to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you.” Yes, forgiveness can be really hard when someone has wronged you. A week ago I watched an NBC News feature on three ladies in Charleston SC. Their worlds were turned upside down when a gunman took the life of 9 people who were gathered in a church. These ladies were talking about forgiveness! You could hear their attitude about forgiveness and you knew they were putting that into action.
Wow, talk about a powerful example of forgiveness!
Attitudes and actions
In Luke 7:36-50 Jesus forgives a grateful immoral woman. We read: And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (v 50). This woman was demonstrating her true faith in a house by her actions. Jesus honored her and forgave her sins.
Paul challenges us in Colossians 3:13 “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” It shouldn’t be so hard to forgive someone when we think of our Lord and what He did for us.
We are also told that we are not to take revenge. Paul says we “are to conquer evil by doing good.” How do we do that? In Romans 12: 20 he instructs us: “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”
Hearts like Stone
It happened more than once. You remember how Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. He refused time and again to let the Hebrews go! Exodus 7:13 is one of those instances. “Pharaoh’s heart, however, remained hard. He still refused to listen, just as the LORD had predicted.” We too can have our heart hardened.
In Proverbs God tells us that we will be healthier if we guard our hearts against hate and holding grudges.
“My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.
Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:20-23
If we do not forgive from our hearts, then God will not forgive us. God commands His people to love others as they love themselves.
"His faithful love endures forever."
Until next time...
Chaplain Gray
Special Note: This is the last post in a series about a basic spiritual fitness routine. The routine includes daily Prayer, Bible Study, Obedience, Confession, Fellowship, Good Works. I'll be taking the summer off as I develop my topics for the fall. This fall my ministry, Spiritual Fitness Ministries, will also launch a new podcast program called "Training for Godliness". I'll also be developing an advanced spiritual fitness program/routine.
Serve Others
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like his Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him. And having called them, He gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, He gave them His glory. Romans 8:28-30 (NLT)
If we are going to build some spiritual endurance, we need to obey the scriptures and be Christ-like. If we are going to become “like His Son”, we are going to learn to serve others. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he said “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT).
Philippians 2:5 “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” So shouldn’t we have a willingness to serve, out of love and not out of guilt? We have a choice about our attitude. Don't you want to look for opportunities to serve? Jesus was humble. He gave up much to obey God.
Peter wrote that our faith will bring about actions. We are to learn to know God better, develop perseverance, do God’s will and love others. We don’t put these actions on a checklist and check them off as we do them. It will be continual. It’s not going to be easy. Work hard at it, and pray for God’s help in this journey. It’s part of our Christian life.
So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. 2 Peter 1:5-8 (The Message)
As we apply what we have learned about the Good News of Jesus Christ, we will understand how wonderful our Heavenly Father truly is. Our knowledge will deepen with time and the Holy Spirit will help us become more and more like Him.
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
2 Corinthians 3:18
Remember "His faithful love endures forever."
My next post will be August 29. Until then.....
Chaplain Gray
