Strength

Strength

2 Corinthians 2:10-11

10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices

Forgiveness has been on my heart the past couple of days. I know the #1 reason to forgive is God said so, and because if we don’t forgive one another, He won’t forgive us, and that will keep us out of heaven. I can’t help but look at other points of view though. Not in the sense of having reason to harbor unforgiveness, but more reasons why we shouldn’t. 

While because God said so and He won’t forgive us if we don’t should be reason enough to forgive, I believe others, including myself at times, need to know more. 

Paul’s Situation

During my study this morning I read 2 Corinthians chapter 2. Someone in the Corinthian church had sinned against Paul. Instead of showing up, pointing fingers and throwing his weight around, Paul wrote a letter.  He’d already forgiven the man but was hurting because he wanted him to repent. Not to Paul of course, but to God for the sin, so that his joy could be restored. Most of all he wanted him and the church to know of Paul’s love for them. 

Strength

That really got me thinking. The strength it takes to be sorrowful for someone else’s sin towards us, not because we feel sorry for ourselves, but because we want them to be in right relationship with God. 

Can we lay our pride and selfishness aside no matter how bad the offense and kneel before God in prayer for someone who has wronged us? 

Love One Another

Having lived in the world, and then being in right relationship with God, I can honestly say I have never seen more harsh feelings and unforgiveness than I do in the church. We tend to justify our feelings by pointing out scripture we think proves our point all the while ignoring His second greatest commandment. Love one another as you love yourself. 

Disunity in The Church

The devil would love nothing more than to create disunity within the church. If a church is not in unity God’s full power cannot be experienced. Miraculous healings, deliverance, chains of bondage broken, those things won’t take place if we don’t learn to let go, put ourselves aside and love one another.

Mark 12:30-31, Romans 12:18, 2 Timothy 1:7

**Lord thank You for opening my eyes to things I need to store deep into my heart. I ask that You convict me immediately, so I don’t walk around with harsh feelings or unforgiveness. God, I pray for peace and unity, not just in my church, but everywhere. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. **

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