I know, after my initial post you probably expected a continual stream of hellfire and brimstone. Don’t worry, there’ll be a bit of that for those who still need to feel the heat before they shift into first gear.
There is a connection, though.
Prevalent throughout the teaching of Jesus and the apostles is the word “love.”
Jesus stated that we should love God and love one another. He even said that ALL of the law and the prophets are summed up into these two basic commands. For those of you who want to point to the 700 some odd requirements of the Old Testament and decry the impossibility of keeping them, the Lord just made it easy for you.
Now aren’t you glad that you don’t have to worry about your ox escaping and killing someone?
A quick side note about all those laws. The Ten Commandments are the “non-negotiable.” The other rules and regulations are written primarily for the tribes of Israel at the time. Think of a law in your hometown that is specific to that town (like “no parking on Thursdays” because that’s the day they sweep the streets.
This is a huge over-simplification, but it meets our needs for the moment. I am not an apologist, nor do I care to get into the details of a 4000 year-old dead language and the unfortunate translations often generated from it.
Okay, back on track; first we must be saved. Deep diving into Deuteronomy can wait a bit.
The reason that Jesus stressed the importance of love so much is that we are so very bad at it. You think not?
Try this: think of the person who has hurt you the most.
It was easy, wasn’t it? Because, somewhere in your heart, you have not let go. Now, I’m no fool. I know that some hurts are massive and many are trivial. I can honestly say that all of mine have been trivial, like a co-worker who talked behind my back to make me look incompetent (honestly, I probably didn’t need his help).
Some of you, however, are harboring deep wounds of abuse, betrayal, bullying, and humiliation. I will not insult you by claiming to understand your feelings.
But this I know: God will forgive any of your sins, trivial or massive. And we are told, over and over throughout the New Testament, that we are expected to forgive others as God has forgiven us.
I’m sure you’ve heard phrases such as “your anger is a prison which you have built for yourself.” This is probably something I would say when I have nothing better to offer (all of us can learn to shut up and listen).
I can say, however, that taking that step of faith and believing in Jesus Christ will begin that process of forgiveness within you. You don’t even have to think about it right away. As you make progress in your journey, though, and understand the cost of your salvation—the suffering and bleeding of the only man who has never committed any sin—then your own hurts will fade and forgiveness will become second nature.
I’ve made this post a priority because, as I understand the words of my Lord, unforgiveness will drag more people into hell than almost any other sin (unbelief being the big one…more on that later, but I assume if you’re here you’re already working that one out).
I wish nothing more than everyone reading this will greet me in paradise one day. Harboring any anger in your heart and finding yourself in eternal torment because someone is not deserving of your forgiveness is a tragic end for you.
If you really want to show ‘em, forgive them. If they haven’t changed, that will heap burning coals upon their head. They will either realize that they, too, need to repent of their sins or…well, you know how it ends.
By the way, part of that forgiveness should be praying for their salvation.
Man, Ron, what do you want from me? You don’t know what I’ve been through!
I don’t. But He does. Your sin is on full display in Heaven, as is the sin of everyone you’ve ever known.
None of us is good. Not one. And God doesn’t work on a “sin scale.” Sin is sin is sin. If He, who is perfect, can forgive you, a horrible sinner, then you can forgive another horrible sinner.
It may take time. But don’t push it back too long, or your spiritual growth will come to an absolute standstill. Even worse, your salvation may be in question.
Start with love. Love everyone (they’re all your neighbors). Tell them the truth in love. Show them love through your actions. Pray for them, especially the ones who deserve it the least. Hate is the easy, and cowardly, way. Love is the perfect way.
Until next time, go in peace.
Ron
Snatched From The Fire 
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