Forgiver? Forgiven...

Have you ever suffered a wrong?
             Have you ever inflicted any wrongs?
                        Hmmmm.....
                                   Are you thinking yet?

I hope so....we need to think about the things we do and the way that we respond to everything.

I know that growing up I can remember a friend getting into trouble with her father because she had said some things to her mother in an unkind manner.  I am sure you have heard, and maybe even said yourself, "It's not what you said, it's the way you said it!" Just our inflections can change a kind word into an unpleasant word.

Have you said any unkind things lately?   Okay now here is the kicker...you had controlled your tongue, but you have thought in your head...oh that lazy so and so...why couldn't he or she have done this or that?

Matthew 5:28 KJV

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Okay? Do you understand where I am going with this?  Even if your tongue hasn't waggled and said the words, if you thought them in your heart, you have still sinned...I know, I know, this is difficult, but remember, no pain no gain...you are exercising your brain...and that is also a great thing do.  Oh and just in case, this is not just applying to lusting after someone or something...this applies to everything that we do or think! 

Okay now lets go to the other side...now we are going to talk about forgiveness!  I heard something wonderful this morning, and something that we should all consider, especially if we have done something that we, ourselves, may think is unforgivable.  The context in which I heard this, was a women and a men, talking about how they as a Christian family, had learned to deal with infidelity within their marriage.  The couple had a good marriage, but somehow the woman become involved with a man, obviously, other than her husband.  And I won't go into all the details, except to say that the moderator of the program said something I think is extremely profound as she was listening to this couple tell their story. The wife was in a conversation with some women friends and one of the women asked her if she felt that she had forgiven herself? And she said no....and the the program moderator made this statement, "people who do not accept forgiveness for themselves are saying that the cross is not enough for me." Think about this statement for a moment....do you realize that this is like slapping Jesus in the face, you are saying, that what Jesus did wasn't enough.  What all did Jesus go thru for us?  Have you ever watched "The Passion," and watched the movies portrayal of Christ's pre-crucifixion beating, that Christ took for you and for me, and then He had to walk all the way up that long, long hill, carrying his cross, that huge and heavy cross?  By not accepting the forgiveness of Christ you are saying, "Jesus what you did wasn't enough for me..." What more could this amazing man, this Christ, this Son of God, have done for us?

Do not slight God!  Give the reverence to Him, that He so richly deserves.

If you want to see the complete story of this fine family of God, you can watch it on Homekeepers with Arthelene Rippy or go to: www.bobandaudrey.com

Their story of forgiveness, and their understanding of what Christ did for us,  is an amazing example that we should all learn from.    

On this note I am going to go and work on a little project that I need to accomplish and hopefully this will be a blessing to someone.