If you’ve read anything I’ve written, you’ll know I love Theology.
You’ll also know that I’m with The reformers in that “Salvation is by Grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.”
But as Luther said “…but not by a faith that is alone”.
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
– James 2:14-17
An essential part of good works for the Christian is forgiveness.
I think some of us too often get used to being on the outs with someone for such a long period of time that we get used to the resentment. We have become callused to hurt . Even the resentment they may have for us. What makes it even easier is if we seldom see or talk to that person. It could even be an experience we had with someone that didn’t go so well but we never saw again. Maybe we never even learned their name? At the very least we should pray for that one, forgive them and ask God to lift the burden that accompanies the memory. It may be to go to that person and ask forgiveness.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,
– Matthew 6:14
Those that are in Christ, those that we see on a regular basis, it becomes more personal.
We all know this one;
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” –
Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
Matthew 18:21,22
Here’s another thought; And if this does not apply to you than just put it on the shelf as a warning or just something to watch out for.
If I think carefully, there are times in my life, people in my life that I avoided because of some past experience or their opinion of me or my opinion of them. The deception is, if I’m honest with myself is that somewhere in the back of my mind is the thought that “as long as my current relationships are good and my good deeds out weigh the relationships and bad deeds of the past I can just ignore them”. Of course once you put these thoughts to the front of your mind, you see the folly of it. The question of what I then do about it, is where I must apply the scriptures.
Now for some more of what I like to call ; “More wisdom from the Newsboys “
“You are waiting on a beach
For a healing word to come
Maybe an apology in a bottle
Maybe a flare that says, “I’m sorry.”
And the hurting leaves you numb
Will you forgive?
Will you forget?
Will you live what you know?
He left his rights
Will you leave yours?
You don’t understand it
Let it go
You are waiting on a beach
This is where the east meets west
And as another sun sets on your anger
The darkness laughs, as the wound destroys
And it turns your prayers to noise
Will you forgive?
Will you forget?
Will you live what you know?
He left his rights
Will you leave yours?
You won’t understand it
Let it go
This bitterness you hide
It seeps into your soul
And it steals your joy
’til it’s all you know
Let it go
Will you forgive?
Will you forget?
Will you live what you know?
He left his rights
Will you leave yours?
You won’t understand it
Let it go
Will you forgive?
Will you forget?
Will you live what you know?
Beneath the cross
You hear His words,
“Father, forgive them,”
And you know
You can’t understand it
Let it go
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
– Ephesians 4:26
It’s often easy to forget that we really don’t have any rights.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. – Philippians 2:3
I encourage you to read
Philippians 2:1-11
“Have this mind”. As Jesus gave up His rights to come to the Earth “in the likeness of man”. We are to consider others more important than ourselves. Something that is impossible to do while holding grudges.
And impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit.
I found this article on the web and thought it very was very good, (although I know nothing about this ministry, so this is not necessarily an endorsement )
http://julieblair.com/
The only burdens we should be carrying are the ones we are commanded to.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
– Galatians 6:2
And what is the law of Christ? I’ll give you a hint.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
– John 13:34
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
– Galatians 5:14
One more ” wisdom from the Newsboys ” ;
“They all fall
Like a million raindrops
Falling from a blue sky
Kissing your cares goodbye
They all fall
Like a million pieces
A tickertape parade high
And now you’re free to fly
Carryin’ a millstone malaise
It’s been pulling down your gaze
You pound the pavement
It don’t give or care
This weight ain’t yours to bear
Why you holdin’ grudges in old jars?
Why you wanna show off all your scars?
What’s it gonna take to lay a few burdens down?
It’s a beautiful sound
When they all fall
Like a million raindrops
Falling from a blue sky
Kissing your cares goodbye
They all fall
Like a million pieces
A ticker tape parade high
And now you’re free to fly
When that muffled sigh
Says you’re barely getting by
Cut your burdens loose and just simplify
Simplify
This is not your floor
You’re going higher than before
Drop the weight now
Wait for the lookout guide
Look outside
As they all fall
Like a million raindrops
Falling from a blue sky
Kissing your cares goodbye
They all fall
Like a million pieces
A ticker tape parade high
Now you’re free to fly
You’ve gotta lay that burden down
You’re gonna lay that burden down
It’s time to leave your burdens in a pyre
Set a bonfire
‘Cause when you lay your burdens down
When you lay your burdens down
When you drop them burdens
What a free-fall
What a thrill
Bury them all
In a landfill”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, – casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
– 1 Peter 5:6,7