I forgive...

Happy Sunday!

"For whatever God says to us is full of living power: it is sharper than the sharpest dagger, cutting swift and deep into our innermost thoughts and desires with all their parts, exposing us for what we really are."(Hebrews 4:12, Living Bible).

Today I could hear Smokey Robinson singing in my head, "I don't like you, but I love you"!  I bet you are wondering why.  I'll tell you!  We are commanded to love one another.  But sometimes people are hard to deal with, and it makes me think, "I may have to love you, but right now I really don't like you!"  People can be rude, unfriendly, and cruel.  There are times when I just want to quit.  Quit helping, quit being understanding, and quit trying to see the good in others.  BUT the Word of God always brings me back to the basics.  Like the scripture above says, the Word has a way of exposing us for what we really are.  Don't miss this.  It's not only a tool to measure how bad others are, or how wrong their actions and words may have been to me, but it's a tool that allows me to see me.

James 1:21-25 says, "So get rid of all that is wrong in YOUR life, both inside and outside, and humbly be glad for the wonderful message we have received, for it is able to save our souls as it takes hold of our hearts.  And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. So don’t fool yourselves.  For if a person just listens and doesn’t obey, he is like a man looking at his face in a mirror;  as soon as he walks away, he can’t see himself anymore or remember what he looks like.  But if anyone keeps looking steadily into God’s law for free men, he will not only remember it but he will DO what it says, and God will greatly BLESS him in everything he does."(Living Bible).

Colossians 3:13 says it best, "Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you."(CEV). 

Love and prayers, Cynthia