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Forgive, Forget and Focus

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Guest Post by John Doyle  Does the Bible Instruct Us to Forgive and Forget, The answer is clearly in Gods Word. If someone were to ask you to make a list of all of the people that hurt you or your family in past years, you will probably write out a long list of those who have caused you pain. These may even be family members, or friends, co-workers, even people from Church. So many friendships have been broken because of cruel words and actions that have left those who have been hurt feeling betrayed. Maybe your one of these people. It seems you never forget the hurt or the pain someone has caused you. Those feelings run deep. But how does the Lord want us to respond to people who hurt us? Does the Bible instruct us to forgive and forget? We can turn to the Bible for answers to this question. The phrase “forgive and forget” is not found in the Bible. However, there are numerous verses commanding us to “forgive one another" Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” A Christian who is unwilling to forgive others will find his fellowship with God hindered and it may reap bitterness. Luke 6:27-36 (Please read this) also speaks on this issue. In some areas of Christian life we struggle to find out how God wants us to respond, but that’s not the case here. God’s instructions are detailed. Jesus said, “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28). In the following verses, Jesus gives several specific examples of how to treat those who have hurt you, and He concludes with, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). The supreme standard is set here. Its not easy and it goes against how you may feel emotionally but its the Jesus way because "He is the Way, Truth and Life." It’s important that we apply Godly wisdom to all relationships we’re in. There are times when we will allow ourselves to endure unnecessary pain in relationships because we believe it’s our duty or because it brings us to a place of Meekness that honours the Christ in us. While God instructs us to take up our cross and follow Him, it’s important to discern what God is telling us through the pain we’re experiencing. The closer you become to reading and meditating on the Word of God, the more God will speak to you about the relationships you’re in. He may be calling you to realign some relationships. You may be around people who negatively influence your life. Painful words and violent tempers can create traps in your life that God may not be calling you to be part of. When you seek God concerning your relationships with others, you may also begin giving less of…

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The Peace Maker

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by Graham Mol "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Matthew 5:9 NIV During my Theological studies one of the courses that I took was on Conflict and Reconciliation. The primary text for the course was this amazing book, The Peace Maker by Ken Sande. In the preface of the book Sande has the following to say about Peacemakers: Peacemakers are people who breathe grace. They draw continually on the goodness and power of Jesus Christ, and the they bring his love, mercy, forgiveness, strength, and wisdom to the conflicts of daily life. God delights to breathe his grace through peacemakers and use them to dissipate anger, improve understanding, promote justice, and encourage repentance and reconciliation. One can fully understand why Jesus would say that peacemakers would be called children of God. I remember how studying this book had a profound impact on my life as I faced issues of conflict that needed to be resolved. One of my assignments was to help advise someone with a conflict situation that they were facing and it's really interesting reading my essay from back then. I am prompted to read through Ken Sande's words again to remind myself of the wisdom that he shares on the topic of peace making. I can say this with certainty. Peace making is hard. So often our responses to conflict lean either towards the fight or flight end of the scope. Ken Sande uses the following concept of The Slippery Slope to illustrate just how fine a balance it is to be a peace maker and not a "peace taker". The wonderful thing is that the Bible gives us all we need to know in order to be peacemakers and Jesus Himself through His love and the power of His Holy Spirit in us, empowers us to walk that narrow path. The other thing that I can say with certainty is that peace making is one of the most powerful witnesses to the power of the Gospel to change lives. Jesus Himself is the mediator of the covenant between man and God, He is the one who gave of Himself to reconcile man to God. When we act as peacemakers we reflect His glory. In my future blog posts I plan to share more of what I am learning from re-reading The Peace Maker for now I would like to leave you with the following questions: In what way do you naturally react to conflict? Do you tend to run from it or does it make you react or even overreact? Is conflict, current or past, affecting your peace? Take some time to place that conflict in Jesus' hands asking Him to give you wisdom and strength to be a peacemaker and not a peace taker in that situation. God Bless Graham

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Let’s Pray for Those Who Persecute Us

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by Caryl Moll So today I set myself a HUGE challenge… I decided that I would finally try to apply one of the most challenging passages in the Bible. Honestly, each time this scripture has confronted me, I’ve tried to side-step it. It is an instruction that goes totally against my natural grain. And I’m sure I’m not alone in this. Perhaps you feel the same? The Bible clearly instructs us to “LOVE OUR ENEMIES AND PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE US” (Matt 5:43) Why, on earth, would Jesus instruct this? Especially for ‘enemies’ who challenge our Christian beliefs.  I argue with my Lord, “Why must I pray for someone who clearly doesn’t believe in you, Lord, and who clearly goes out of their way to shun my own beliefs?” It’s simply confounding. Nevertheless, that is the instruction Jesus gives us. I am a person who is naturally compassionate; I find it quite easy to understand someone else’s point-of-view. Even if they are unreasonable, I tend to give them the benefit of the doubt and listen to their paradigm.  But it hurts when another person doesn’t give me the same courtesy and frowns on my belief. In my sadness, I find myself remembering that incredible emotional transformation that I personally experienced when I submitted myself to Jesus and crossed the line of faith. I remember the overwhelming love I felt at the time…it was so profound that I simply WANTED to share it. I WANTEd others to experience it too – to feel that ‘peace which passes all understanding’. Yet, there are other human beings out there that simply don’t understand…they seem to want to eradicate all signs of our risen Lord.  They are fervent in charting their paths independently and shunning anything that hints of Christianity. Why should I pray for them? So today, I decided to put all my preconceived ideas aside and simply follow Jesus’s instruction. I resolved to devote this day to raising up (in prayer) all my contacts who fall into this category; even those I’ve never met… Also, those in our politics, leadership and administrations who make the hair stand up on my back. TODAY I PRAY FOR THEM ALL! I recognise that they, too, have been created by my God and, like me, desperately need to be reconciled to Him – even if they don’t recognise it. But I still wonder….WHY does Jesus instruct this? Well, if you continue to read the beautiful passage from the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus gives this instruction, the reason is hinted at: Love for Enemies 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, It is in the passages that follow this, where the answer is given… “45…that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you…

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Christian Ethos

Ethos : the distinguishing character, sentiment, moral nature, or guiding beliefs of a person, group, or institution. Ethos is a Greek word meaning "character". What is the distinguishing characteristic that we as followers of Christ are called to stand for? Christian ethos are the values that mark who we, as Christians, are. In other words, the values that will work their way out in the way that we relate to one another. Sermon by Calven Celliers

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