Post by TheFirebrand on Mar 4, 2012 10:34:40 GMT -6
1 John 4:20-21 (KJV) If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
Do you not know that love is an action? Of course we are not going to harbor good feelings towards evil men, or towards their evil ways, but we can still offer them kindness and compassion in the hopes that it may help to change them somehow and bring them to God.
We all love Paul do we not? Was he not an evil doer before someone showed him the way? Before God redeemed his soul?
Trust me when I tell you that loving an enemy is not an easy feat, it is even more difficult when it becomes personal and vengeful or spiteful emotions take over, but it is a humbling and much more powerful force to be reckoned with if you can still act with Gods love and forgiveness.
Forgiveness is not for the other person alone. It is for your own soul and to relieve yourself of bitterness and malice that works against you and keeps you from Gods purpose in your life.
Matthew 6:14-15 "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."
Mark 3:29 "But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation."
God understands how we feel and He will take vengeance for us all one day. We must trust in Him to do so, so that we may walk in His grace ...
Who is in your life that you must find it in your heart to forgive and allow God to take over?
Do you not know that love is an action? Of course we are not going to harbor good feelings towards evil men, or towards their evil ways, but we can still offer them kindness and compassion in the hopes that it may help to change them somehow and bring them to God.
We all love Paul do we not? Was he not an evil doer before someone showed him the way? Before God redeemed his soul?
Trust me when I tell you that loving an enemy is not an easy feat, it is even more difficult when it becomes personal and vengeful or spiteful emotions take over, but it is a humbling and much more powerful force to be reckoned with if you can still act with Gods love and forgiveness.
Forgiveness is not for the other person alone. It is for your own soul and to relieve yourself of bitterness and malice that works against you and keeps you from Gods purpose in your life.
Matthew 6:14-15 "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."
Mark 3:29 "But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation."
God understands how we feel and He will take vengeance for us all one day. We must trust in Him to do so, so that we may walk in His grace ...
Who is in your life that you must find it in your heart to forgive and allow God to take over?