The other side of Forgiveness (it can be difficult and requires grace)

Dearly Beloved

I write you today again about Forgiveness.

I would never tell you that forgiveness is an easy thing to do, but more than anything else the relationship with God is to be prized.

The Word says we are forgiven with the same measure which we forgive, so it is imperative that we show mercy as we need God's daily portion of mercy, forgiveness and grace. We need God's help and a grace to forgive.

I must tell you though that even when we may forgive, sometimes God seperates people. Forgiveness is not the same as trust, trust must be worked at and gained.

There are some individuals even if they are believers, they continue in destructive behaviour patterns that will continously wound  and distract you from being effective for God.

Some may believe there is a Christ but may never come to the place of surrender and full conversion. There seems to be a "wrestling" of the Spirits as you may grow more in God and these individuals continue to live connected to the World and the Devil.

Some people boast "I cut off" particular individuals because they really upset me. Seperation should be in God's will and not because you are offended.

Let me tell you truth and fact not one person is perfect including me and you (reading this message). Conflict and differences will arise in any healthy relationship, how we deal with these conflicts is an indicator of how much we have matured in Christ and the Agape love of God has overtaken our hearts.

Imagine the word says this:

Psalm 119:165

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them

I am not there yet (you know I like to be honest and transparent), but I am at the place where I am so wrapped up in God that many things that used to trouble me and provoke a response, no longer bothers me. I just know I have got to shake off these things in order to keep my focus on God and if it becomes difficult to shake it off and I find it begins to get on the inside of me bringing me from a place of being wound and hurt to the place of being offended. I admit the truth and ask God for help and ask him to clear it from my heart and restore my soul.

That leads me to speak about two things sometimes forgiveness and healing from a wound takes time. Think on this if you get a scratch it heals quickly but if you get hit by a club and suffer broken bones it takes a while to heal. So it is my friends - the deep wounds of a trusted friend, spouse or any one who you may have brought very close to you - it can be so shocking and traumatic when one suffers betrayal, but

WE MUST FORGIVE, BECAUSE FORGIVENESS IS NOT ABOUT THE OTHER PERSON, IT IS ABOUT US WALKING AND REMAINING CONNECTED TO GOD'S HEART AND WALKING IN FREEDOM.

Think again carefully beloved friends whatever you are holding in the heart (by not letting it go and leaving it to God), that thing is taking room in your heart and soul that God and his love should occupy.

Lord help us to forgive from the heart.

Matthew 18:35

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye FROM YOUR HEARTS forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

I began to ask God to search my heart, after I did the message on forgiveness, there are two individuals who I have encountered in my 60 years of living that I can honestly say their heinous acts and the way they lied over and over again (concerning me) with an aim to damage my character, though I have forgiven, I still pray if I ever think of them that God would vindicate me, not to bring them to destruction but to repentance.

If we pray AT PEOPLE (and not unto God) destruction no matter how badly they have wounded us - we are operating in Witchcraft.

Remember our view of a situation is not the final and only view, we may never understand what "drives" individuals' behaviour and their choices....some have suffered so much abuse and have unresolved trauma. It is true "hurting people hurt people"

LEAVE IT TO GOD - LET IT GO

ONLY HE ALONE DECIDES, HOW ONE WILL END

Even if someone hurts, wounds or offends you, think of it they may die tomorrow, we have got to be concerned about their Eternal standing.

Matthew 5 Amplified

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, [n]love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him]. 46 For if you love [only] those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers [wishing them God’s blessing and peace], what more [than others] are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles [who do not know the Lord] do that? 48 You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Forgive today

Walk in freedom

Walk good in Christ

Nuff love and blessings

Pastor J