For Thought and Meditation - Tuesday, September 19

[Pine Baron]

Good morning all. I need all the encouragement I can get when it comes to forgiveness toward others. Have a safe and blessed day.

No Limit
Dr. David Jeremiah September 19, 2023

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32

Love is at the heart of everything—even forgiveness. But not because forgiveness is a loving thing to do (though it is). But because it is a sacrificial thing to do. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul says that “love suffers long” (verse 4), which is usually a way of saying that love is patient. But when the need for forgiveness comes often, it can result in longsuffering—patiently enduring the offense that necessitates forgiveness no matter how often it arises.

When Peter asked Jesus how many times he was required to forgive the one who offended him—and suggested seven times would suffice—Jesus surprised him with a different number: seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22). Jesus didn’t mean that 490 was the limit; He was suggesting that we are to forgive an infinite number of times. We are to forgive without counting. We wonder if Paul had this teaching in mind when he exhorted the Ephesians to forgive each other “as God in Christ forgave you.”

God puts no limit on the number of times He is willing to forgive us. Neither should we limit our forgiveness for others.

If you are suffering from a bad man’s injustice, forgive him lest there be two bad men.
Augustine

[ioon44]

Amen, great message. This is really where the rubber meets the road.

[USMC87]

Amen, we say we forgive those who we feel have wronged us but often it is only words with no heart felt forgiveness.

[augercreek]

Forgiveness should be first in mind but, often it's not! Sometimes it takes me days to forgive and forget! Forgetting is the hardest part for me because Satan rides on my shoulder often!

[buckwheatpaul]

Good morning all. I need all the encouragement I can get when it comes to forgiveness toward others. Have a safe and blessed day.

No Limit
Dr. David Jeremiah September 19, 2023

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32

Love is at the heart of everything—even forgiveness. But not because forgiveness is a loving thing to do (though it is). But because it is a sacrificial thing to do. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul says that “love suffers long” (verse 4), which is usually a way of saying that love is patient. But when the need for forgiveness comes often, it can result in longsuffering—patiently enduring the offense that necessitates forgiveness no matter how often it arises.

When Peter asked Jesus how many times he was required to forgive the one who offended him—and suggested seven times would suffice—Jesus surprised him with a different number: seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22). Jesus didn’t mean that 490 was the limit; He was suggesting that we are to forgive an infinite number of times. We are to forgive without counting. We wonder if Paul had this teaching in mind when he exhorted the Ephesians to forgive each other “as God in Christ forgave you.”

God puts no limit on the number of times He is willing to forgive us. Neither should we limit our forgiveness for others.

If you are suffering from a bad man’s injustice, forgive him lest there be two bad men.
Augustine

A day late for me....but an important lesson, even if it is late!

[GhostHawk]

This is vital important stuff that many miss. If you are still holding emotions in your heart of unhappyness, anger, rage, pain. The Holy Spirit is not going to stay in that slop!

Forgive, and use your tears to wash your heart clean. Once you think it is clean ask in prayer for the Holy Spirit to come inspect. You'll probably be doing more cleaning. But once it is truly cleansed and the Holy Spirit is in residence. Life gets so much easier and more enjoyable. Peace like a river, flowing down on you. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit will take an active role in keeping you on the path. And will let you know the moment you step off it.

IMO having the Holy Spirit dwelling within your heart is almost as great a gift as that of salvation itself.