We Experience More

"We experience more broken promises in life than we do kept promises. When someone breaks a promise they've made to us, we feel disappointed and hurt. With each promise that is broken, we grow more wary of the next one, skeptical of its fulfillment. We become calloused and distrusting." Chris Tomlin

This came across my newsfeed yesterday. It's true, but it stops short. It presents a problem but does not give the solution. Most go through life with the results; never knowing there's an answer. 

The truth is that holding onto the hurt and disappointments of broken promises causes bitterness and ultimately leads to a cold, hard heart which is the result of unforgiveness.

When someone hurts and disappoints you, you must forgive them.

 Unforgiveness is a very serious sin and must be repented of, in obedience to God's Word. 

After The Lord's Prayer, Jesus says: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew‬ ‭6:14-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

That means if we want forgiveness for our sins, we must forgive! So when someone hurts and disappointments us, we must forgive, every time! We must never stop forgiving.

“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:21-22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When we don't forgive or if we haven't forgiven, then we have sinned and we must repent.

Matthew 18:23-32 speaks of debts not forgiven, and the following verses says quite clearly, what happens when we refuse to forgive.

“Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:33-35‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The debt the servant owed and was forgiven, was charged back to him. In other words, the debt he could not pay - he once again owed!

Jesus described a frightening aspect of disobeying His Word. 

Yes, He died so that we may be forgiven a debt we could not pay.

We have no choice in the matter but to forgive and repent, if we want forgiveness for our sins. In that parable, He spells it out quite clearly what happens if we refuse!

Thank God for His promise of mercy and grace. 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It's repentance that softens cold, hard hearts. It's the only way! 

Obedience to God's Word shows our love for Him. 

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” ‭‭John‬ ‭14:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We must love Him more than we love being right.

Give up your right to be right. 

Ask God to show you the unforgiveness hiding in your heart; the hurts that are still tender; then forgive and repent. 

Then you will find healing for the hurt and freedom from the torment.

Even so - MARANATHA!