Monday, February 20, 2012

Still Holding a Grudge?

Grudges are not only harmful to one's physical health, but also to one's spiritual health. A grudge is an attitude of unforgiveness, which comes from a belief that the other person is undeserving of being released through YOUR forgiveness (like as if you have that authority).

"They deserve to suffer" is what you say. But in reality, everyone suffers; the person that doesn't forgive, the unforgiven person, and the people who know both parties.

This is what Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship had to say in his book "Discipleship": 

"If you have really been forgiven [by God], and you understand something of that forgiveness, you will be forgiving to other people. If you are not forgiving to other people, I question whether you know any thing of God's forgiveness in your own life. 

A forgiven person will be a forgiving person. A true disciple will harbor no grudge in his life toward another. The disciple knows it will hinder his prayer life and his walk with God. Let's not forget what Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).

For that reason, no child of God can walk around with bitterness, anger or hostility in his heart toward another person without feeling the conviction of his sin. We must forgive others as we have been forgiven."

See also: Psalm 66:18; 1 John 1:9

Friday, February 17, 2012

Half Way

I've been thinking quite a bit about the story of Abram in Genesis 12 where he finally picked up from Haran and went where God had initially told him to go - the land that God had promised. But it took the death of his father, Terah, to leave Haran.

Eventually Abram, his wife Sarai and everyone that was with them made it into Shechem (v5).

Many of US are Half Way to full obedience. We seem to stop in our own "Haran".

What needs to happen is death to whatever relationship is holding us there, just like the death of Abram's father finally released him to go where he should have been.

No excuse is acceptable, but any excuse will work to stay in your "Haran".

Too Old? - Abram was 75 years old when he finally "got it" and left Haran.

God can't use me? - This was the second time God gave Abram this promise. God gives second chances.

There's nothing that compares with the peace that comes with knowing you're not holding back from living the way God wants you to live and it is pleasing to Him.

Are you in Haran, or in Shechem? Half obedience or full obedience? What are you allowing to hold you back?

Put whatever it is down (dead) and move into a place of full obedience and peace with God.