Name Tags: You are… Forgiven
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.
Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV)
Don't fool yourself. You can't walk with Jesus (nor receive the blessings of His Father) if you continue to harbor A GRUDGE!
No matter how grievously you were hurt.
Not even if you hurt for someone else.
No matter if your grudge seems justified.
No matter if everyone takes your side...
God loves your oppressor, as He loves you, and He hopes for each sinner's salvation.* Therein, consider a few need-to-knows about forgiveness and unforgiveness:
No matter what sins were once committed, saints are clean and forgiven in Jesus. They're lovely in the Eyes of their Father.
Some believers (who were “rulishly” raised) may permeate “holier-than-thou” airs. But to God, pride is a stench in His Nose.
When Christians forgive other people’s sins, they set themselves up for equal treatment. The Lord's Prayer emphasizes that point.
If Christians hold onto unforgiveness– more than they hold onto God's Commandments, they're embracing sin more than loving Him.
God's Word says unforgiveness brings torture.** Victims are continually tortured by the poisonous thoughts flowing through them.
A case can be made: all sin is equal.*** Or perhaps better said, everyone sins. We all fall short of the glory of God.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
Many Christians have thrown venomous darts toward Entertainment’s shows and actors. In some ways, their concern is justified, but their judgment and hateful words are not.
In your hand is the poison's antidote! LOVE… seen by unconditional kindness.
This truly remarkable reaction is a beacon that calls out to lost sheep. It’s the hope they’d all but given up, which is resurrected by God in you.
Name Tags: You Are… Forgiven (Part 42)
* 'Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the Truth' (1 Timothy 2:4, NKJV).
* ' 'Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?' declares the Sovereign Lord. 'Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?' ' (Ezekiel 18:23, NIV).
** Concluding Lines of The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant: ' 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses' (Matthew 18:32-35, NKJV).
*** Are all sins equal to God?
Billy Graham's Answer: What is Sin? Are All Sins Equal in God's Eyes?
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you'r