Be Nice and Forgive

As we walk through our days on this earth, God has called each of us to be an ambassador for Christ reconciling ourselves to God (2 Corinthians 5:20). In God’s Word, He provides guidance that encourages and prepares every Christian to stand strong and run the race that is in front of them (Hebrews 12:1). As we reflect upon these scriptures, we are inspired to be mindful of this world and its ill intent to either rewrite God’s truth with false narratives or crowd out His plan for His nation, both Jew and Gentile.

Photo by Sherry Childers

When we think about our lives and daily walk with Christ, we are called to be the light (Isaiah 42:6), to be set apart and the difference for this misguided world (2 Timothy 2:21). We are not called to be like everyone else and we are especially not instructed to follow the actions we see or hear about from the environments we live in. This world has been pushed into such an overwhelming state of chaos we tend to except and mimic what we see and hear without even knowing we are doing so. The freedom and foundation of our Christian nation is being altered before our very eyes. The change is so subtle and non assuming that we as parents, citizens and more importantly Christians are allowing it to occur. Please know, this is not a judgement upon anyone as I am as guilty as anyone reading this blog to have accepted more than I should and not stood where I could.

As God’s ambassadors on this earth, we are called to be different, be the light of hope and truth. Our calling is not easy, but on this earth and upon our transition to heaven, it can be rewarding. I was reading about Lot this week and it made me think about the current society and world we live in. Lot chose to live in Sodom and according to 2 Peter 2:7-8 it troubled his soul. That is a lot to digest, first, he chose to live in a city state that was so vile God destroyed it with brimstone and fire. Let’s compare that to today’s society, the fleshly lusts that are allowed to occur, the murder, deceit, theft, manipulation, fraud, anger, rudeness, ludeness….the list goes on. Everywhere we look, when compared to the Bible you can find a society out of control and living for everyone’s own self interest. It brings to mind the verse, 2 Timothy 3: 1-5,”But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power.” Does that not outline the times we live in perfectly?

As Christians we are called, we are led and instructed to live a life exemplifying the glory of God and His Truth for a fulfilling existence on this earth and eternally. Our lives should not line up with this world and by choice, those around us should see the difference of our sanctification and transformation. How can we start or what is a first step? I find it humorous, but it goes back to what your mother told you when you were young. If you do not have anything nice to say, then do not say anything at all, but even more applicable, be nice.

Be nice, it sounds easy enough, but are we? In the grocery store do we allow others to go in front of us or do we hurry to cut them off because it is our turn and they have more items then we do. Besides, we have to hurry home to watch the spiritually revealing TV show that is about to come on…that is a joke. How about at work, are we happy for others that receive a raise, especially when it is assumed to be more than we bring home? How about your co worker that was just promoted, and in our opinion should not have been because we work much harder than they do? Last but certainly not least and more importantly, do we cut our family members some slack and walk in love and forgiveness?

As we have all experienced or will experience, family does not live forever. It appears through these past several years the stress of these times has taken its toll on members of our families, our friends or acquaintances. The loss has been unimaginable. Not only for ourselves, but those around us. How about the sickness, cancer, residual affects of COVID or mental illness we see affecting our communities in one way or another? Please note, these are just a few of the illnesses running rampant, the list can go on for days!

With all of that said, it brings me to the final message I have for today, forgive. Forgive those when they are deserving and especially when they are not. We all need forgiveness and Grace at times, but the Word says to receive forgiveness, you must first forgive those that sin against you (Mt. 6:14-15). I believe forgiveness is a very slippery slope. By no means am I asking anyone to return to or remain in an unsafe or detrimental situation. I believe you can forgive someone but you do not have to associate with them. This is counter culture, because society teaches and leans on the concept of you must remain associated with someone to prove you have forgiven them. In a way this relates forgiveness to the law. Under the law you were obedient and proven righteous through works. If I do this, then I am proving my obedience and therefore remaining in the will of God. In Grace, Jesus Christ came as a sin offering allowing for those living in the Spirit through Christ to have fulfilled the righteous requirement of the law (Romans 8:3-4), therefore works of the flesh are required no longer. Instead of physical works to prove you have forgiven, the transformation occurs within the heart of the forgiver. Forgiving through a transformation of the heart, allows for a closer and more intimate relationship between the forgiver (you) and Jesus further reconciling you back to the Creator, God Almighty.

Forgiveness is more for the person forgiving than it is for the person being forgiven. Unforgiveness within a heart corrupts the heart, building a wall between the Christian harboring the unforgiveness and the transformative power of God’s love through Jesus Christ. Unforgiveness is similar to cancer. Cancer cells spread and affect the cells around them and are only stopped through a form of remediation. Unforgiveness left unaddressed spreads and begins to affect other areas of the Christian’s spiritual growth, and I believe, not proven that I have found, can have direct negative affects on a person’s health. A soul focused on a situation of unforgiveness, spends day and night affected by a state of anger, restlessness, tension, anxiety, bitterness, sleeplessness, etc.

To be released from the chains of unforgiveness and the negative affects it brings, it starts with repentance and prayer. It is important that in your prayer time you ask the Lord how He would like you to release any unforgiveness you may have in your heart. I have even found historically that I needed the Lord to reveal to me what unforgiveness I may have in my heart that I was not even aware of. In prayer He has shown me areas of my life that I did not even consider an issue, however upon His further revelation it was made known how those feelings of unforgiveness were affecting not only my spiritual connectivity with Him, but my physical body and focus.

I mention focus because when you carry unforgiveness, your focus, either consciously or unconsciously remains on the area you harbor in your heart. In prayer God will open your heart to first show you areas that need to be addressed and second lead you through a process of release and healing. This could be reaching out to an individual asking for forgiveness, continuing or not to associate with an individual(s) or it could just be a spiritual cleansing you must go through.

Whatever God leads you to do, releasing unforgiveness and opening your heart to His Grace is a high priority step in growing closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and your transformation into the person God created you to be. I pray these words have opened your mind and heart to the revelation and need for forgiveness and the peace, joy and Grace that comes with a transformed heart and reconciled soul.

Be blessed and may any areas of unforgiveness in your heart be revealed and the wisdom, knowledge and strength needed to forgive be poured out upon you!

Shalom!!