We have all heard or read stories about Christians who have been attacked and responded in love and their assailants either let them go or were drastically changed! I grew up loving those kind of stories in Guideposts magazine.
Over the course of the last year, though, I've come to realize something. It is easier to respond in love to a stranger when you are wronged, than a friend or family member; all because of History!
“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. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?” Matthew 5:43-46 KJV
Most often our "enemies" are in our own home, and come with a lifetime of History!
History is unforgiveness! History is unsettled accounts! History leads to bitterness and corrupts the heart! History always expects the same bad behavior and ends up projecting that behavior on others! History looks for validation!
“For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” 1 Peter 2:19-21 KJV
The above scripture applies for all wrongs against you! In this life you will suffer! You will be hurt and most often it will be by the ones you love the most! Whether your scars are visible or not, you have to let it go! That does not mean forgetting and moving on! It means forgiving! It means repenting of the sin of unforgiveness you have held in your heart and repenting of the judgment (more sin) that you have against that person that keeps you bound to them! It means confessing that sin to a trusted friend in obedience to God's word in an act of humility! Then the healing comes! His Word is true!
“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8 KJV
Someone hurting you physically, mentally, or even financially is no excuse for you to sin! Two wrongs do not make a right! Sin is sin and if you walk in unforgiveness then you are as guilty (if not more) than the one who wronged you! For unforgiveness will keep you out of heaven!
“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 hurt and your unforgiveness of it, is not between you and the perpetrator; it's between you and God. It's about obedience to His Word!
No matter what has been done to you, you have to forgive! And when you have truly forgiven and repented, the acts perpetrated against you no longer hurt! You have actually rewritten History! When you have indeed forgiven, you have applied the Blood of Jesus.
“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” Isaiah 43:25 KJV
If we want (expect) God's mercy with regards to our own sins, shouldn't we give mercy to everyone else, too?
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7 KJV
Forgiveness and mercy is a choice! Choose wisely!
Even so - MARANATHA!
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48 KJV
From 10/27/14
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