forgiveness

The Prison of Unforgiveness

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;  Romans 4:7

“Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,”  Luke 17:3

“ if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” Luke 17:4

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matt. 6:14-15

Why do you think Jesus emphasize forgiveness in relationships?  He not only spoke about the subject, but also demonstrated the action. When hanging on the cross in those final earthly moments, HE forgave those crucifying him (Lk. 23:34).

What happens in life when one doesn’t forgive others for any abuse caused by them?

My mom was a prisoner of war during WW2. At sixteen she was taken away from her family in Ukraine to Germany. There she spent almost five years working in a prison labor camp. She wouldn’t talk much about the ordeal with us, but we saw the scars.

She remained bitter against the people who harmed her. From the local Jewish people who sold their loyalty to the enemy, to the German enemy who enslaved her. She never forgave them for her pain. The bitterness remained with her till the end.

On the other hand, my father also was a prisoner of war. He served in the Polish army. He was captured and spent the majority of the war also enslaved in a labor camp. After the war though, he met mom. They married. Packed up their bags. And traveled to America to start a new life. Dad put everything behind him. Left the family farm and blacksmith business to start a new life. They came to America with $3 in their name.

They both had life challenges. The difference was in their attitude and focus. Mom lived in the past. She would bring up those ugly events and relive them. She blamed others for her problems. She was a prisoner of the crimes committed against her. A true victim unwilling to escape.

Dad though, thank God for HIS interventions during the war. As painful a trial they were, he survived and grew from the experience. He walked humbly with confidence. He was a free man from his past and lived it. He raised a family. He lived and died fulfilling all his obligations. He left behind three sons each successful by worldly standards. But more importantly, walking with their God.

Mom remained in the unforgiveness prison till her death. She rarely experienced the joy and freedom Dad exemplified.

Forgiveness keeps relationships healthy. Forgiveness also allows God’s Spirit more room to maneuver your heart into a mirror image of Jesus.  Forgiveness keeps you free from the bondage of hatred. When one fails to forgive, one chooses to live in the confines of a spiritual prison cell. It is a lonely, gray place without comfort and hope.

Better to forgive and experience the freedom love offers, than to withdraw into one’s prison cell. When in doubt between two options, love is the best choice to make. To forgive is too love.

Unforgiveness leads to an emotional prison cell. Forgiveness allows you to remain free.  Jesus’ apprentices learn to forgive as HE did for us.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Forgiven People Forgive

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

Colossians 3:13

“…bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.“

Luke 7:47

“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

Friendship is a two-way street. One gives and the other reciprocates. Both enjoy the relationship and hanging out with each other.

Generally speaking, men associate with others who have similar interests. Women are more complicated and share time with others who have similar characteristics. Generally speaking. What we can agree on is both sexes desire meaningful relationships.

One of the attributes of friendship is the ability to forgive each other. Friends forgive friends. Without forgiveness, relationships breakup.

Our relationship with Jesus began with Him first forgiving us. He demonstrated His love by forgiving us in word and action. He continues to forgive as the relationship grows. As He pours out His love upon us, one cannot help but share His love with others.

As He forgives us, we forgive others. As He has forgiven me, I forgive you. Forgiven people forgive others.

The act of forgiveness is a with-God way of life. God forgives constantly. His way of always keeping the door open for the relationship to grow. God forgives us. We forgive others. Others forgive those in their life. The process continues.

Since God forgives me, I also forgive myself. I may think the self is unworthy of forgiveness, and be right. But God doesn’t. And that is what makes the difference. The God-Man sacrificed His life for me. No matter my actions or heart or thoughts, He forgave me. He determines my worth. Forgiven people forgive.  

As I forgive others, like God has forgiven me, I find myself free to love. I am not bound in chains of vengeance. I am freed from victimhood. Resentment dissipates into sorriness for the other. My prayer is for the other to come know the Triune God and experience the same freedom of grace.

Imagine a world where every person automatically forgave themselves and others. Isn’t this the Kingdom of God in action? Forgiven people forgiving those who don’t deserve to be forgiven. Must be a God thing.

  Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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What’s Your Biggest Problem?

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Romans 7:15-20

“For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.”

What is the biggest problem you have to face each day?

I know mine.

Yes, I am about fifteen pounds overweight. My cholesterol is on the high side. My mental capacity not as sharp as in my mid-thirties. Arthritis is making its appearance in my big toe. The hearing from my one side is only about 50% normal. I have the tenancy to behave obnoxiously when tired. My house projects take three times longer and cost twice more than someone gifted with their hands. I’ve had more investment failures than the creative mind could list. More times than not, I say the wrong words at the most inappropriate moment. I could also continue about relationship issues, work tragedies, and financial failures. Also there are those mental gaps, recreational trauma, and social blunders. The list seems endless.

So what is the central core of all these problems? Would you believe “ME.”

Many of these problems are caused by my desires. Other issues are caused by outside forces which I did not properly respond too. But even these problems are the end result of misbeliefs, illusions, and self lies. All because of my adherence to be satisfied.

Whether the facts are true or not, whether someone gets hurt or not, whether there is a better way, doesn’t matter. At that moment, me, myself, and I need to please the inner desires of my flesh.

Yes, I am my biggest problem.

Yet my biggest problem always leads to the biggest solution. I am thankful for Jesus Christ, HIS work of salvation, and HIS mission of restoration.

It is not my responsibility to save the world. That is HIS job.

My responsibility is to serve him and allow the Holy Spirit to morph my heart, mind, and soul after HIS image.

Yes, there is a battle raging between my carnal desires and the divine nature. I now know the taste of each of their fruits.

Apostle Paul wrote Romans some twenty years after his conversion. He was still struggling with the deception of sin. The longer we live, the more we become aware of the ugliness of sin that resides in each of us. But at the same time, we are thankful for a Comforter and Healer of the Holy Spirit.

Yes, we battle every day between the forces of sinful desires and divine wants. As we mature, we realize the problem is not those around us, but ourselves. As we age, we learn to exercise more patience with others. We learn to love others as Christ loves us. We learn others will occasionally harm us as we have inadvertently harm them. Yet, as Christ sacrificed his life for us, HE also sacrificed himself for them.

Jesus is the answer to my biggest problem. I am so grateful for his intervention. Soon, more and more people will come to realize HE is also the solution to their biggest problem. Possibly even you if you have not already accepted HIM as your Lord and Savior.           

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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