I will have to write more about forgiveness later.
The one thing I want to be sure to write here is this:
God is able to help us forgive all kinds of people for all kinds of things. He is able to let us continue to love others even if they have done or said cruel things to us.
So We should be able to say, “With God’s help I choose to follow Jesus on the path of forgiving others even though it seems as though they don’t always know how awful their deeds are/were.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFZ-2VCydq8
This youtube link is on forgiveness. I wish I had what she said in writing so I could review it again. Maybe I will write the keypoints down.
She gave the 4 Rs & I added a few ideas I recall (not the exact same words) about what she said
Responsibility – they should own up to what they’ve done
Remorse – there should be sincere remorse for what they’ve done
Repair – they should take steps to repair or make some form of restitution for what they’ve done
Repetition – they make steps to make sure they never repeat the actions
& they need to let you Recover & have time to recover
Of course she said something about how you do not have to stay invested in that person’s life if they are dangerous or destructive
Dr. Laura seemed to say another thing about how there may be different religious views on forgiveness.
Personally I believe God’s Word talks about forgiveness and the four Rs she mentioned.
Luke 23:34, “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
Happy Easter! This is the time of year when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
We walk around saying, “Happy Easter.” Do you think we take time to really consider all Jesus did for us during His last days on earth?
When concentrating on the idea that Jesus walked to Calvary to be crucified after he was mocked, slapped, blasphemed against, lied about, and spit upon and how He could still say something so benevolent like what we know He said. He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
I don’t know about you but I’ve gone through far less pain than our Lord and even though there have been times when I could say what our Lord said there are times when I just say, “O God, You said vengeance belongs to You. God, please forgive me but there are so many times when I think I’d feel happy in my heart to see some of those evil doers get a reward for the evil they have done.” I’ve even gone so far as to look up Scriptures that tell how God has dealt with evil doers.
Did you know that even after Jesus asked Our Heavenly Father to forgive those people he continued to suffer? His clothes were parted to be given as a prize. They continued to deride Him. They kept mocking Him as He was hanging on that cross for our sins. They told him to save Himself. Even one of the villains that hung beside him showed no fear of God when facing his own death.
Maybe the other criminal heard Jesus speak of forgiving others while he hung near Jesus on that cross. Maybe the love filled words of Jesus compelled the other convict to seek God’s mercy as he was facing what a man knows must come when his body is rapidly decaying.
My own heart aches as I consider how imperfect I am. My Lord could take it. He did have the grace within Himself to ask God to forgive those who had maliciously done Him great harm.
To take up our cross and to deny ourselves is not an easy task. Only God can heal us from the pain we suffer at the hands of others. God is the Only One that can help us forgive as He has forgiven.
When we forgive others we are denying ourselves of the right to strike out against those that have harmed us. It isn’t easy to forgive especially when it all looks so wrong. We naturally want vengeance and vindication.
We see movies where the bad guys get what is coming to them and we rejoice. It really does make our hearts sort of happy to know that the rotten spirited folks can’t hurt anyone any longer. I have even had times when I pleaded with God asking Him to please keep evil ones from hurting people any more.
The disciples of Jesus even wondered what would happen to the disciple that betrayed Jesus. St. John Chapter 21 shows how the disciples made an inquiry about the man that betrayed our Lord. Jesus gave an answer that seemed to be misinterpreted at first. Jesus let them know that they should follow Him. Jesus even asked them what was it to them if the one who betrayed Him would tarry till the Lord returns.
It is my prayer that we can keep following our Lord doing what we know is right no matter what other people do. It is insistent that we have our hearts right with God.
Follow Jesus. Forgive others.
Trust God to tend to the ones that won’t get right with Him. There were two criminals hanging next to Jesus. Both of the scoundrels had an opportunity to seek mercy from God. Which one do you want to be like?
The Lord that hung on Calvary is able to help us say and do the right things. Our hearts and minds belong to Jesus. To serve the Lord with gladness every day of the year is what we are called to do. To forgive as He forgave us is to deny ourselves.
Bless the Lord at all times. Let your mind take rest knowing He cares for you. Your Saviour lives. He will walk along side of you when you go through times of suffering. He will not forsake you. He will not fail you. Nothing is able to separate you from the great love of God.
you may have to copy paste the http above in order to find it — I’m not one that always knows how to make the links work properly on here — it is nice to hear someone singing words that Jesus told us to pray
My grandson wanted to see a movie. He walked over to the dvd rack and picked out a movie he had not seen before. He picked the Disney movie called “Meet the Robinsons.”
How did God let that happen? How is that the child’s movie could be used by God to minister to me? I saw things taught in the Bible coming forth in that movie. Some may wonder how that happened. I just accept it all as a happy thing that helped me focus on good today.
The movie has words on the dvd box that say, “A dazzling vision of the future” - It’s true that God tells us things in the Bible that tell us our future is expected to be a bright one.
If you have not seen the movie yet you may want to view it soon.
I can leave a few words on here to help others know what stood out to me during the movie.
I heard words in songs shared in this movie that reminded me that we are to let go. How many people talk about letting go and letting God take care of things? It is important for us to remember God is in control of all things.
The movie also shows that if the mind is allowed to be controlled by bad thoughts bad things will occur. We have a need to focus on good things. God not only wants us to have good thoughts but He wants us to carry out good things while we are on this earth.
Thoughts shared by Elizabeth Evans Wolfe
My daughter, Beth, and I were talking about the power of forgiveness yesterday.
We had talked and prayed with a young woman that had been hurt by someone she dearly loves. She hasn’t walked with the Lord for a great number of years and she hasn’t been involved in church services. She does have a number of Christian friends and family members.
She came to us sharing her pain. Beth held her when she cried and I was seriously frustrated seeing her in pain. We kept praying with her and doing all we could to minister to her. One of the first things I began to tell her was about how she has the right and power to forgive the person she felt betrayed by.
She wanted to forgive but there was also a part of her that wanted to hang onto the anger she was feeling.
Oh what a sweet child of God. She heard how Jesus asked the Heavenly Father to forgive others for they didn’t know what they were doing and she heard about the words Jesus said when he instructed us to forgive and we’ll be forgiven. God did a miracle within her heart. She prayed asking God to forgive the person she had been harmed by and she forgave the person.
I remember leading her in prayer and seeing her countenance change a bit when I asked her to join me in asking God to forgive the person that harmed her and when she was asked to say that she forgave that person as an act of her will in order to obey God. Even though she didn’t want to forgive the person at first she said the words and she started to think about what she was praying.
In a day’s time I saw a difference in her. She was no longer angry and upset. She was set free to laugh and to love again. She was happy!
I told Beth I understood the joy she was having for there have been times I’ve asked God to forgive people that made me feel betrayed. I couldn’t do it by my own strength. It wasn’t natural for me to want to let go of the grudges in my own heart. It was a GOD THING.
God teaches us to forgive. God helps us do this when we don’t even think it’s possible. When we obey Him to forgive we find freedom and joy that is indescribable.
If you have someone that needs forgiveness. You don’t even have to tell them how much they hurt you. You can take the matter to the Lord in prayer. You can ask God to please forgive them and let God tend to them. Let God take vengeance if it is needed. Let God be the one to convict them if they’ve done anything wrong. Let God help you feel the freedom that can be yours if you let go of the past memories that cause you pain.
Remember that forgiving someone doesn’t mean you have to place yourself in a position where they can harm you again. If you can steer away from further harm or abuse then it makes sense to get away if possible. Forgive them so you aren’t holding the baggage any longer. You don’t have to spend more time in anguish dwelling on the ugly things they’ve done to you or to anyone else. You can freely forgive them taking one day at a time to allow God to help you heal.
Some people may cause you so much harm that you will heal best if you stay far away from them.
I was once told that it is completey understandable for you to stay away from someone that continues to do you harm when you are around them. It makes sense that if you need to get away from someone because you can’t trust them then stay away from them. It is not a sign of unforgiveness for you to stay away from people that prefer to harm you rather than to help you.
Remember Jesus walked away from those that were trying to harm him. There are Biblical accounts of walking away from bad situations.
We know that when Jesus did end up suffering harm He could have called on many angels to help provide Him with protection. He chose to suffer for our sins.
Matthew 18:20-22, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.21Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?22Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
Jesus said we are to forgive 70X7. He knew all about forgiveness. He was betrayed and left standing alone before His accusers even though He had done nothing wrong.
Matthew 26:31-35, “
31Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.’32“But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”33But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.“34Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”35Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too.”
John 18:15-26, “15And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.16But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.17Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.18And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.19The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.20Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.21Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.22And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?23Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?24Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.25And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.26One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?27Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.”
Have you ever felt betrayed? Could anyone feel more betrayed than Jesus must have felt?
Jesus walked on this earth doing good things for everyone. He healed the sick, raised the dead, and fed the multitudes. Jesus taught about the love of Our Heavenly Father, He taught His disciples how to pray, and He prepared them for the future. Jesus even knew about the men that would betray Him.
You may say, “O Judas is the one that betrayed Him.” See Matthew 26:25 – “25Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.” Judas did betray Him by giving Jesus up to the Chief Priests.
There was a different kind of betrayal that the other disciples committed against Jesus. Judas betrayed Jesus for money giving Jesus over to people that intended to kill him. Peter and the other disciples betrayed Jesus by discontinuing their loyalty to Him when they saw that they could suffer personal harm.
We are all human and we know how hard it is to stand up for what you believe in when the opposition is great. Try speaking to a group of people that believe it’s alright to murder innocent babies telling those people you believe it is a sin against God and you will see what opposition is. Try speaking up against other things that God calls sin and see how quickly some people (even people that say they believe in the Lord Jesus Christ) attack your personal stance based on Biblical teachings.
Jesus knew beforehand that the other disciples would not be loyal to Him once he was taken away from them. He even knew how many times Peter would deny Him.
Isn’t it enlightening the way we are told that Peter is the same one that asked Jesus how many times we should forgive others since Jesus forgave Peter for every time Peter denied Him?
How many people say they will forgive a person once and maybe twice but they won’t forgive them a third time? They even declare that they won’t give a person an opportunity to harm them again. Ha…. We are not in control of things like that. We can’t control how many times a person may harm us. We can try to avoid harm in many ways but we do not have as much control as we’d like to have. If we had that kind of control we wouldn’t suffer harm in the first place.
God tells us to forgive. Jesus didn’t only hang on the cross asking His Father to forgive people He died for their sins making a way for them to have the complete covering of their sins.
Jesus stood before Peter again asking Peter if he loved Him. Take a look at these verses from John 21, “14This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
Our Pastor talked about how there are times we can see that God repeats Himself in His Word. We can see that Jesus repeated a very important question to Peter. It is generally understood that this particular set of Scriptures shows Peter being asked a question three times because Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus not only asked Peter if Peter loved Him but He accepted the answer Peter gave Him and then He instructed Peter to feed His sheep. Jesus showed that He knew Peter was grieved by His act of disloyalty. Jesus showed his forgiveness toward Peter by giving Him a commission. The true followers of the Lord Jesus Christ want to serve the Lord. God’s people want to obey Him by feeding His sheep. I expect that Peter was honored to be given this opportunity to serve the Lord even though He was reminded of his unfaithfulness to Jesus each time Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. Can you just hear Peter telling himself how he never wanted to disappoint the Lord by being disloyal to Him again? Can’t you just imagine how Peter’s heart cried out to the Heavenly Father asking for help to be the kind of person that would serve the Lord the way he said he would when he told Jesus he would die with Him rather than disown Him?
If we want to walk the way the Lord Jesus walked on this earth we will need to be prepared to do what Jesus did. We need to be ready to forgive forgive forgive. We need to be prepared to trust people that have harmed us if they show they are truly grieved by their acts of disloyalty.
There may be some people that we may never be able to fully trust because they just take so long to start showing the signs that we know come with repentance. We will have to trust in God to give us wisdom and direction in all circumstances because some people may continue to disappoint us. We will always be able to forgive them 70X7 though. With God’s help we can forgive them again and again.
I was talking with friends tonight.
We talked about how important it is to keep forgiving others.
One man mentioned that holding onto bitterness, anger, and resentment just hurts the person that isn’t forgiving.
I’m glad God made a way for us to be forgiven. I’m equally happy that He tells us He wants us to forgive others. We can forgive with His help.
It is possible to think of the fine good things God has given us. When Jesus shed His blood on the cross for us He made a way for us to be forgiven. That is something to smile about.
When Jesus asked His Father God to forgive the ones that hurt Him because they didn’t know what they were doing I believe it’s very possible that this is a clue He left for us. It is probable that many of the people that hurt us don’t even realize what they are doing. Some of them are probably hurting so much themselves they don’t realize it when they hurt others.
Just sharing some more food for thought.
Luke 18:9-14, “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:10Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican 12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.13And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. ”
I know I pointed out recently about how the Word of God shows us that we are to judge those within the church but we also see where we are not to judge lest we be judged. Luke 18 tells one of my favorite parables taught by Jesus. It is a favorite one because it shows us who gets the final say about things. God is always in control and He is the best judge of all.
We should not be eager to judge anyone even though there may be times some are called to expel a wicked man from the church.
This parable not only reminds us that God hears our prayers. We can also see how the man that prayed humbly recognizing that he is a sinner is the one that was made righteous. The man with the proud and pompous attitude was missing out on some blessings that come from God.
No one is perfect this side of heaven. We are apt to get the soles of our feet dirty more times than we’d like to. It is my hope that just because we know God forgives our sins we won’t use that as an excuse to continue walking in sin.
1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
9And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
15And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
17Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
18And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
19And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
20Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
21And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
22Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
24And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
25For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
26And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
27And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
28Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.
29And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake,
30Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.
31Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
32For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
33And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
34And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
35And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
36And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
37And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
38And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
39And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.
40And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
41Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
42And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
43And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.