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We should always be quick to both forgive and seek forgiveness. We should
be quick to forgive others when they do something wrong against us because
holding onto that hurt will only be to our detriment. When we refuse to
have a forgiving heart, we are the ones who become the most affected in
the end. The unforgiveness affects us in our mind, body and spirit. The
Lord Jesus said in Mark 11:25-26 “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if
ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may
forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your
Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
We cannot have a holier than thou mentality towards those who have wronged
us because in the end we are as much of a sinner in need of forgiveness
from our Heavenly Father. When we forgive, we are not saying that we are
weak, but rather we are saying we are so strong in the knowing of our own
faults that to be unforgiving, we are placing ourselves above the authority
of God's Throne. No man can be justified in doing this and that is why we
should always forgive no matter the offense because our offenses towards
God are greater still.
We should also be quick to seek forgiveness when we know we have hurt
someone else. Denying the wrong that we have done does nothing to bring
healing to the soul, but when we admit the wrong we've done and ask to be
forgiven, great healing can come forth for both ourselves and those we
offended. The Bible declares in Hebrews 12:14-15 “Work at living in peace
with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy
will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to
receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness
grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.”
By doing what is right in the sight of the Lord, we are preserving our own
life. We are blessing our future by being humble and admitting when we
have done wrong. The boastful soul will not have a good ending, but the
humble servant is blessed in all his deeds.
I hope this message encourages and challenges your heart to be quick to
forgive and to seek forgiveness. By doing so, you are ensuring a bright
future for yourself.
MIRACLES OF FORGIVENESS
“Joe? Is that you?”
The woman speaking to me at the baseball game looked vaguely familiar.
“Marci?”
“It IS you!” she exclaimed, smiling broadly. “Gosh, it's good to see you
again!”
It was good to see Marci, too. Off and on during the past few decades I've
wondered about her. I almost tried to track her down a few years ago after
talking to a mutual friend who had indicated that the 1990s had been
pretty rocky for Marci. So bumping into her at the baseball game was, at
the very least, fortuitous.
We spent a few minutes catching up on the business of our lives: kids and
grandkids, spouses and houses, education and recreation (it's always a
little disconcerting to see how few words are required to summarize 32
years of living). We played a little “have you seen...?” and “did you
know...?” and we reminisced about the good old, bad old days.
Then Marci grew quiet for a moment, looking out over the crowd milling
about the concession area.
“You know, Joe,” she said, “I've always wanted to tell you...how...you
know...how sorry I am for the way I treated you.”
I squirmed. One does not like to remember when one has been unceremoniously
dumped.
“It's OK,” I said. “No big deal.” At least, I thought to myself, not now.
“But I was such a jerk,” she continued.
Yes you were, I thought. “We were both pretty young,” I said.
“I know,” she said. “But that's no excuse for...” She hesitated, then
continued. “It's just always bothered me, remembering how mean I was to
you. And I've wanted to tell you that I'm sorry. So...I'm sorry.”
The smile on her face was warm and sincere. And there was something in her
eyes -- it looked a lot like relief -- that melted any vestiges of icy
resentment that may have built up within me during the years since she had
played Wiffle ball with my heart.
“OK,” I said. “Apology accepted!”
Overcome by the sweetness of the moment, I reached an arm around her and
gave her a quick hug. Just then, the crowd erupted with a huge cheer, and
Marci and I both returned our attention to the game. By the time I looked
over to where she had been, she was gone. But the warm, wonderful feeling
of our brief exchange was still there, and continues to this day whenever
I think about it.
We all carry bitter, discomforting memories of deeds done or undone, and
words said or unsaid. And we all bear wounds -- some slight, some not-so-
slight -- that have been inflicted upon us by others. The healing balm of
forgiveness can soothe a troubled conscience and bring peace to an injured
soul -- even years after the fact.
Of course, it isn't enough to just say “I'm sorry” and “You're forgiven.”
While there is indeed great power in those simple words, it is not
available to those who are insincere, or who are only looking for a way to
control, manipulate or exploit.
But when those words are truly felt and sincerely expressed, they can open
the door to miracles of the heart and soul -- miracles of forgiveness.
Even at a baseball game.
By Joseph Walker
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Matthew 5:43-45 Jesus says, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou
shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love
your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye
may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His
sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and
on the unjust.”
1 Thessalonians 5:15 “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but
ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”
Romans 12:17-21 “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest
in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live
peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather
give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay,
saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst,
give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: HOPE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem31.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: TESTIMONY OF GOD'S LOVE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony150.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
