Here in Lynch Station it is a very cold and rainy morning. The arthritis is singing a sweet melody of stiffness and pain but the coffee is hot and my mind is awake. It has been awhile since my last post. When I first started I was cranking these out daily. I was writing from a position of anger and bitterness. The world needed to know how hurt I was and about how “church members” hurt me. It was an outlet for my pain. Now The Lord has healed me, brought peace to my soul, He has soothed the anger and has brought clarity to me through His word.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. -Colossians 3:13
Until you understand your need deep need for grace and forgiveness you will never understand how to forgive others. A pastor friend told me one time “You cannot give what you have not received”. For a long time I could not give forgiveness because I wanted retribution. My flesh craved vengeance and I wanted nothing to do with Romans 12:19:
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: it is mine to avenge, I will repay, says the Lord.
I now write from a position of peace and calm. Instead of wanting condemnation I want salvation for those who have brought pain. I saw this quote on Facebook the other day “You cannot treat people like garbage and love Jesus at the same time.”. I agree. Will we have our moments of frustration and anger? We sure will but the believer in Christ does not consistently live that lifestyle. (I have found that the people who disagree with that statement are the ones living in that lifestyle.)
We understand the need for deep forgiveness that only Christ provides and then we offer that to others who have hurt us. I personally think that is part of spiritual maturity. You have to grow up in the faith.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen. -2nd Peter 3:18
I have found that teaching to be offensive to church members. The teaching of Spiritual Maturity - to grow up in your faith, is repulsed by so many. I guess that means people actually have to read their bibles…by themselves…and spend time in prayer…and you get the idea. An 80 year old man who has attended church all his life should be a spiritual father/mentor to the younger men in the church (Titus 2:2) not still sucking on a pacifier. Yet, that is the case in the majority of our churches. Where do we even begin to unravel that big ball of tangled Christmas lights?
People are so content in their complacency.
Any who… This is what my mind is on this morning as I stare out on our wet and cold landscape.
Time for another cup of coffee.
So pleased to hear how the Lord is healing your soul brother. I guess we should never be surprised when toddlers act like toddler and teens act like teens. It is just that it is harder to tell what people are spiritually than biologically.