Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21,22
Forgiveness, a powerful medicine. Bitterness, poison for the soul and body.
Never mind the fact that many people are suffering with ulcers, cancers, chronic pains, migraines, and other various ailments directly related to their bitterness. Never mind the fact that many of those that suffer from bitterness would rather die a slow death than forgive the person that offended them. The thing you need to focus on today is, do you need to forgive someone? The Lord commands that we forgive those that trespass against us. If I were to demand you to forgive someone, for what they have done to you or your family, my command probably wouldn't carry much weight. But when the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who forgave those that were crucifying Him even in the act of the Crucifixion, demands it, everyone must obey. How can we as sinners expect to be forgiven of the sins that put the Savior on the cross if we withhold forgiveness from those Christ died for. I am not going to question any ones salvation here, but the Word of God plainly says that if we have not love we do not know God. If we do have love than that love would cause a desire to forgive.
Personally, I remember a time in my life when God said to me, "You can not get any closer to me until you forgive." I literally remember God speaking this into my life. I had a choice to follow my calling, or to hold onto the bitterness that was in my heart. Praise God I had the courage to forgive! My personal experience occurred before God allowed me to step out into ministry. The decision I faced that day would determine the rest of my life! I believe that had I chose to withhold forgiveness I would not be in ministry today.
What blessings, miracles, and breakthroughs could, no ARE withholding from your life due to unforgiveness? What a question to ponder. I pray that you would be courageous enough to forgive and obedient to God's Word.
God Bless
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About Me
- Paul LaRose
- Paul LaRose currently serves as the Discipleship Ministries Director for the Kentucky District of the Assemblies of God. He is also Senior Pastor of New Harvest Assembly of God in Frankfort, Kentucky. His passion for discipleship and Christian education is made evident by the fruits of his ministry labor. Paul has been involved in two successful church plants. He served as the Associate Pastor at Harmony Tabernacle AG in Dallas, Texas planted in 2001 where he developed the Christian Education program from the ground up. He currently pastors New Harvest AG planted in 2002. New Harvest is one of the fastest growing AG church plants in the Kentucky District and provides a strong Discipleship and CE program for all those that attend. Paul has been working with the Kentucky School of Ministry in course development. He wrote the course work for the Youth Leaders Tract and is finishing the Children’s Workers Tract. These courses are being used in many of our Assemblies of God Schools of Ministry.
1 comment:
So very true! Forgiveness is power tonic for what ails you. So many people wander around not realizing what pain they cause themselves. Lord, if we could just release the weighty burden that we carry.
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