The fourth person that we as Christians must learn to forgive may be the hardest and most absurd in the eyes of the world - our enemies. In Luke 6:27 we have this command from the lips of Jesus, "Love your enemies." This seems like the most impossible task a man has been called to do, and truth be told, it is impossible if one is not walking close with Christ. Having enemies is a part of being a Christian (Matt. 5:10-12), forgiving those enemies is a super-natural task. Let me share with you this truth: When God's children forgive their enemies they display God's supernatural strength and legitimize their heavenly relationship.
As we look at Luke 6:27-30, we see several lessons Christ is teaching His disciples by commanding them to love those who hate them. First, when you love your enemies you love the second mile (6:27-30). When someone hits you or takes something from you because of your faith in Christ, we are commanded to let them do so as a testimony of God's strength living in us. Oh friend, this is very difficult, but it can be done only by God's power. The lesson Jesus is teaching is for His children not to hold tightly to material possessions, but hold tightly to Christ and the path of righteousness. If you lose both body and possessions for the sake of Christ, then God approves you (Matt. 5:10-12). Second, by loving your enemies you are living the Golden Rule. Two years ago, the Amish community showed the world what it meant to live the Golden Rule (6:31-34). When their children were executed by a lone gunman, the Amish community rallied around his family to help meet some financial needs they had. Anyone can love their friends, but only a heavenly relationship could love one's enemies. Third, loving our enemies legitimizes our heavenly relationship (6:35). When we endure the persecution and harm from our enemies, there is promised of a real reward and a real relationship. God will truly reward those who forgive the unlovely, and this act is a true sign of being a legitimate and faithful son or daughter of our heavenly Father. When we live this way, not only does our stress levels go down, but also we are living a Biblical theology that believes in a God who sees all and will reward the faithful, and He will be the final Judge. Well, until next time, keep walking close to Christ.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Forgiveness, Oh What A Feeling 3
A forgiven heart relieves stress. This statement is true especially when we have experienced the forgiveness that God offers to us. God's forgiveness is our example by which we are to follow. And we are to carry a forgiving heart into every relationship we have, including our family and friends. Today, let me speak for a moment about forgiving your friends. Our example comes from the Bible in the book of Job. Remember Job, he had it all plus God, and yet in a span of moments he lost all his wealth, family, and health. His friends show up to grieve with him, and for a week they do the best thing possible, they say nothing. But after the horror of the moment has passed, the three friends begin to "educate" Job about the reason he finds himself in such a terrible situation - "Job you must have done something very bad, very sinful!"
In every relationship you will learn that the object that produces most of our stress is the tongue. In fact, in this very story we see that God gave Satan permission to bring all these calamities upon Job, and yet the real pain and suffering did not come from the hands of Satan but rather from the tongues of these three 'friends'. From this story we learn to speak in every relationship, including our friends. First, always speak words that can be proven (Job 32:3b). The correction of the three friends seemed plausible, but the reality was they were wrong in their assumption of Job's situation. Second, always speak words that show mercy (Job 32:3). Job was called a hypocrite, a wicked man, and even ignorant by his friends, what would his enemies has said? Job replies that had roles been reversed, he would have encouraged and comforted them with his mouth (Job 16:1-ff). Third, always speak words based on truthful wisdom (Job 42:7-8). The three friends spoke from their own intelligent, but when God comes on the scene he tells them they they have spoken from a foolish heart. They boasted that they were speaking for God, but God did not agree with their words. From this lesson, we can clearly learn how to greatly relieve our stress when we watch what and how we speak to others. Always remember, "Since our words can do more harm than Satan's personal attack, let wisdom, truth, and mercy guide your words." Until next time, walk closely with Christ.
In every relationship you will learn that the object that produces most of our stress is the tongue. In fact, in this very story we see that God gave Satan permission to bring all these calamities upon Job, and yet the real pain and suffering did not come from the hands of Satan but rather from the tongues of these three 'friends'. From this story we learn to speak in every relationship, including our friends. First, always speak words that can be proven (Job 32:3b). The correction of the three friends seemed plausible, but the reality was they were wrong in their assumption of Job's situation. Second, always speak words that show mercy (Job 32:3). Job was called a hypocrite, a wicked man, and even ignorant by his friends, what would his enemies has said? Job replies that had roles been reversed, he would have encouraged and comforted them with his mouth (Job 16:1-ff). Third, always speak words based on truthful wisdom (Job 42:7-8). The three friends spoke from their own intelligent, but when God comes on the scene he tells them they they have spoken from a foolish heart. They boasted that they were speaking for God, but God did not agree with their words. From this lesson, we can clearly learn how to greatly relieve our stress when we watch what and how we speak to others. Always remember, "Since our words can do more harm than Satan's personal attack, let wisdom, truth, and mercy guide your words." Until next time, walk closely with Christ.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Forgiveness, Oh What A Feeling 2
We saw last time that God's Word is clear that when one accepts God's forgiveness for sin, a burden is lifted, and a once troubled life becomes less stressful; especially when thinking about God's eternal salvation, unconditional forgiveness, and heaven, the home for the child of God. Yet, in this life we daily struggle between the choice of forgiving or unforgiving. Should I forgive my father for what he did to me as a child? Should I forgive the school bully? What about forgiving the co-worker who lied about me in order to take my promotion? Life is filled with opportunities to either forgive or to choose to carry an unforgiving heart; and these moments make their selves known in every relationship we have. Today I will speak about forgiving family members.
Our example in Scripture is Joseph. In Genesis 45:4-8 & 50:15-21, we see what it truly means to forgive. Joseph, a man who had plenty of reason to hate his family and even seek revenge for the way his brothers treated him in his teenage years. Imaged being hated, plotted against, beaten and threatened, and finally sold into slavery by your own flesh and blood. Now image years later, having those same family members at your mercy, how would you respond. Well, a Christian is called to forgive as Christ forgave our wicked acts toward Him. If you have been hurt by a family member, the question is "How do I truly know that I have forgiven ______?" The answer is seen from the life of Joseph. Seventeen years have passed been Genesis 45 and 50, the only difference is that their father Jacob, is dead. The brothers are scared to death that Joseph will now seek revenge, and yet he does not, why, because he truly forgave them from his heart over 17 years ago. Notice these 4 points about forgiveness (these apply to any relationship). You know you truly have forgiven when: First, you react with sorrow when your loved ones hurt (50:15-17). Second, you refuse to play God and take revenge (50:19). Third, you recognize God's purpose for your life in all the pain (50:20). Fourth, you respond with compassion toward those who hurt you (50:21). If you can answer in the affirmative on all four, then you have truly forgiven that one who who truly brought hurt upon you. Notice, you will not completely forget the pain and hurt, but in only God's strength you can overcome it. God has promised to use the event to make you stronger for His glory. Yes, it takes time, but when you choose forgiveness, in time you will be able to see that God was in it all, and that promise alone relieves stress. Well, until next time keep walking close to Christ.
Our example in Scripture is Joseph. In Genesis 45:4-8 & 50:15-21, we see what it truly means to forgive. Joseph, a man who had plenty of reason to hate his family and even seek revenge for the way his brothers treated him in his teenage years. Imaged being hated, plotted against, beaten and threatened, and finally sold into slavery by your own flesh and blood. Now image years later, having those same family members at your mercy, how would you respond. Well, a Christian is called to forgive as Christ forgave our wicked acts toward Him. If you have been hurt by a family member, the question is "How do I truly know that I have forgiven ______?" The answer is seen from the life of Joseph. Seventeen years have passed been Genesis 45 and 50, the only difference is that their father Jacob, is dead. The brothers are scared to death that Joseph will now seek revenge, and yet he does not, why, because he truly forgave them from his heart over 17 years ago. Notice these 4 points about forgiveness (these apply to any relationship). You know you truly have forgiven when: First, you react with sorrow when your loved ones hurt (50:15-17). Second, you refuse to play God and take revenge (50:19). Third, you recognize God's purpose for your life in all the pain (50:20). Fourth, you respond with compassion toward those who hurt you (50:21). If you can answer in the affirmative on all four, then you have truly forgiven that one who who truly brought hurt upon you. Notice, you will not completely forget the pain and hurt, but in only God's strength you can overcome it. God has promised to use the event to make you stronger for His glory. Yes, it takes time, but when you choose forgiveness, in time you will be able to see that God was in it all, and that promise alone relieves stress. Well, until next time keep walking close to Christ.
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