Back to Basics: Forgiving one Another
By Peter DeWitt
In my previous posts, I wrote about getting back to basics. Many of us have lost a step with God in this season. For one reason or another, we've found ourselves lacking some joy and strength. I want to develop a few practical steps about getting back to basics.
In my previous posts, I wrote about getting back to basics. Many of us have lost a step with God in this season. For one reason or another, we've found ourselves lacking some joy and strength. I want to develop a few practical steps about getting back to basics.
Forgiving One Another
"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Eph. 4:32)
Love not only operates in the present, but also in the past and the future.
Toward the past, "love covers over a multitude of sins."
Toward the future, "love hopes all things.
These are two indicators of whether I am operating in love:
1) Am I retaining / rehearsing the sins or shortcomings of anyone?
2) Is there anybody who I'm not filled with hope for?
If I retain the sins of any, as opposed to forgiving others as God in Christ forgave me, I am not operating in love. If I find that I do not have a positive imagination for someone (in other words I am not filled with hope about what is possible for them in the future) I am not operating in love. Love covers over a multitude of sins and hopes all things.
We are living in a time where many are partnering with the Accuser (do you realize satan is named the accuser) instead of the Savior Who's blood has covered over a multitude of sins and made all things possible to those who believe.
"Where did my love go and how do I get it back?" you may ask.
Jesus is clear "those who've been forgiven much love much."
Love not only operates in the present, but also in the past and the future.
Toward the past, "love covers over a multitude of sins."
Toward the future, "love hopes all things.
These are two indicators of whether I am operating in love:
1) Am I retaining / rehearsing the sins or shortcomings of anyone?
2) Is there anybody who I'm not filled with hope for?
If I retain the sins of any, as opposed to forgiving others as God in Christ forgave me, I am not operating in love. If I find that I do not have a positive imagination for someone (in other words I am not filled with hope about what is possible for them in the future) I am not operating in love. Love covers over a multitude of sins and hopes all things.
We are living in a time where many are partnering with the Accuser (do you realize satan is named the accuser) instead of the Savior Who's blood has covered over a multitude of sins and made all things possible to those who believe.
"Where did my love go and how do I get it back?" you may ask.
Jesus is clear "those who've been forgiven much love much."
We find His love for others by knowing His forgiveness of us! We love because He first loved us!
If you have lost touch with what God, in Christ, forgave you of, I want to encourage you today to get back in touch with it. Simon, the Pharisee, hosted Jesus in his home, but it was a woman of the city, a known sinner, who came and truly worshiped Christ. Jesus tried to help Simon understand "to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
It's not that the woman had sinned more and therefore was able to love more than Simon ... No! It's that she was more in touch with just how much she needed a Savior that caused her to love more!
Self-righteousness sabotages our ability to love.
"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Eph. 4:32)
Is there anyone or any set of people who's shortcomings you are rehearsing?
Is there anyone or any set of people for whom you do not have hope?
Find your love again.
Recall your forgiveness again.
Forgive one another again.
Let's get back to basics and we'll find our stride again!
God bless you.
Posted in Back to Basics
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