'Thought Provoker'
Have you given i.e. turned over your life to God? Have you ever said something like, "Lord I give you my life and accept you as my Lord and Savior"? If your answer is "no" then I would like to urge you to read a great article on that subject called "Did you miss the point? God's love for mankind." Now on the other hand, if your answer is "yes" then here is a little exercise that will help you determine how much of that is true in your life.
Reflect on the following and do your best to answer honestly; this is between you and God.
When faced with a difficult situation that you know the Bible addresses i.e. gives steps to deal with it, how often do you override these instructions with your own? If you don't quite get what I am talking about here is a practical example. You brother (or sister) in Christ accuses you of doing something wrong and even starts spreading rumors about you as a result. The unfortunate thing is that he never spoke to you nor did he have facts about the whole situation but none the less went about saying all those evil things about you based on mere speculations. Someone that realizes what's going and knows what really happened speaks to that brother telling him that what he is doing is wrong. He further explains to him what really happened, proves your innocence and tells him that he should approach you to tell you how he has wronged you and to ask for forgiveness.
Your brother recognizes him wrong and approaches you, explaining how he has been spreading rumors and saying all kinds of lies about you without knowing what really happened. He then asks you for forgiveness saying that he has sinned against God and yourself.
What would your reaction be knowing that his brother has been spreading those lies for quite some time and you've been really hurt?
Do you know what the Bible has to say about forgiveness?
If you don't, here is one instance of what Christ has to say about that subject in Matthew chapter 18 verses 19 to35 (King James Version), "19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."
We've just read one passage from the book of Matthew that talks about forgiveness and we learn a lot about God's stand on forgiveness. Christ clearly tells us here that we should forgive someone that offends us (has sinned against us) when they ask for forgiveness. Not only so but He tells us a parable that illustrates this very principle; we should treat others--forgive them--in the same way we would like God to deal with us i.e. forgive us.
So the godly response to our brother is to forgive him for his offense in the same way we would like God to forgive us for our offenses.
Now, my question to you is the following, "Is this the way that you react all the time?" The reason I'm asking this question is that not all of us react in this fashion. I have heard many say things like this, "I know what the word of God says but I can't let this go so easily." As a result many bear hatred in their heart against their brother/sister, even for many years and do so in such a way that they would avoid all contact with that person. No matter how hard that brother or sister tries and in spite of their best efforts to mend to relationship, some just refuse to forgive.
So tell me, according to God's word, is that the way we should handle this situation? Though it may not have been uttered in such terms, we are really saying, "God I hear what you say, I know what your word says but I'm sorry I can't have it, I'm going to handle this situation my way."
And this example only looks at forgiveness, there are many other areas where the word of God gives us guidelines and shows us what me must do. Consider the following areas:
Have you given i.e. turned over your life to God? Have you ever said something like, "Lord I give you my life and accept you as my Lord and Savior"? If your answer is "no" then I would like to urge you to read a great article on that subject called "Did you miss the point? God's love for mankind." Now on the other hand, if your answer is "yes" then here is a little exercise that will help you determine how much of that is true in your life.
Reflect on the following and do your best to answer honestly; this is between you and God.
When faced with a difficult situation that you know the Bible addresses i.e. gives steps to deal with it, how often do you override these instructions with your own? If you don't quite get what I am talking about here is a practical example. You brother (or sister) in Christ accuses you of doing something wrong and even starts spreading rumors about you as a result. The unfortunate thing is that he never spoke to you nor did he have facts about the whole situation but none the less went about saying all those evil things about you based on mere speculations. Someone that realizes what's going and knows what really happened speaks to that brother telling him that what he is doing is wrong. He further explains to him what really happened, proves your innocence and tells him that he should approach you to tell you how he has wronged you and to ask for forgiveness.
Your brother recognizes him wrong and approaches you, explaining how he has been spreading rumors and saying all kinds of lies about you without knowing what really happened. He then asks you for forgiveness saying that he has sinned against God and yourself.
What would your reaction be knowing that his brother has been spreading those lies for quite some time and you've been really hurt?
Do you know what the Bible has to say about forgiveness?
If you don't, here is one instance of what Christ has to say about that subject in Matthew chapter 18 verses 19 to35 (King James Version), "19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."
We've just read one passage from the book of Matthew that talks about forgiveness and we learn a lot about God's stand on forgiveness. Christ clearly tells us here that we should forgive someone that offends us (has sinned against us) when they ask for forgiveness. Not only so but He tells us a parable that illustrates this very principle; we should treat others--forgive them--in the same way we would like God to deal with us i.e. forgive us.
So the godly response to our brother is to forgive him for his offense in the same way we would like God to forgive us for our offenses.
Now, my question to you is the following, "Is this the way that you react all the time?" The reason I'm asking this question is that not all of us react in this fashion. I have heard many say things like this, "I know what the word of God says but I can't let this go so easily." As a result many bear hatred in their heart against their brother/sister, even for many years and do so in such a way that they would avoid all contact with that person. No matter how hard that brother or sister tries and in spite of their best efforts to mend to relationship, some just refuse to forgive.
So tell me, according to God's word, is that the way we should handle this situation? Though it may not have been uttered in such terms, we are really saying, "God I hear what you say, I know what your word says but I'm sorry I can't have it, I'm going to handle this situation my way."
And this example only looks at forgiveness, there are many other areas where the word of God gives us guidelines and shows us what me must do. Consider the following areas:
- Love
- Money
- Reconciliation
- Helping those in need
- Service to God
- Humility/Pride
- Dealing with our enemies
- Anger
- Patience
- Etc.
I could spend the whole day talking about life's situations and the biblical response to them.
Again, I'm going to ask you this vital question, "Who's really the boss?" You may quickly say, God is the "Boss" He's in charge, He's the one that rules my life, He's my Lord and He's my Savior. But I'll tell you the truth, your reactions and the way you deal with situations you encounter will tell the true story about who the boss truly is, whether it's God or you.
Ultimately, you recognize a tree at its fruits and a wise builder builds on the rock by putting the word of God into practice; even when it hurts.
My encouragement to you today is to consider what you've just read and to truly give God that special place in your life where He is your Lord (above all else, even yourself) and the ultimate Master of your life.
Put God's word into practice every day, in the small and big things and include Him in your decision-making process. I assure you and the word of God confirms it, God knows best and He expects obedience from His children out of love and devotion. After all He is your Lord and Savior and salvation in found in Him through His Son Jesus Christ.
May God bless you and give you the strength to put His word into practice daily.
The word of God is indeed a "Practical Word" not just a mental exercise but has the power to change your life for the better.
Amen!
Reference #PRW0000008
