Forgiveness
(Romans 12:17–21)
I had all the best intentions of moving on to Romans 13 to talk about law and order. But the Lord had another course for me to take. Proverbs 19:9, rang true for me this week as I prepared, in which is written, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”
The first indication that I needed to change course was reading the opinion page in Saturday’s paper. An article submitted by Edmond Day of Rotterdam, NY, caught my eye, it was titled, “America Is Fast on the Path of Hatred.” What struck me about this article is that the very thing needed to quench the hatred is what I was preaching about last week. I asked myself, “Did those who heard the sermon last week understand how to overcome bitterness and hatred?
Then, no sooner did I finish reading the paper, when checking my e-mail, I was asked to approve a comment for a blog I wrote over five years ago, that the comment might appear on my blog. In it, was written,
I really needed this today. I am grateful that you put this up as it came to me in the middle of a violent situation . . . I am homeless have no friends nor family I can count on, no vehicle and the only stability and security I possess is through Jesus Christ . . . God works in mysterious ways, but oh how I adore the beauty that blooms up from pain, suffering, affliction, addictions etc.I was curious to read what I wrote so long ago that impacted her so. The title was, “If You Mess with God’s Children, You Are Going to Have to Deal with Their Father.” This too, was a theme of last week’s message.
Today, I want to make sure that you know how to put into practice last’s week’s message. The only way that you can overcome the natural response to seek revenge, is to know what God will do and what you are asked to do. Last week, I told you what to do. This week, I want to tell you how to do it.
Think about someone who has wronged you. What can you do about the bitterness and desire for revenge? There are three things to be done. 1) Give it to God and let Him avenge the wrong 2) Forgive the person who wronged you. 3) Pray for help and reconciliation. Hopefully, today, you will learn from the Scriptures how to do this.
