Here is a challenge...

[Carl Emerson]

We read in 1 Cor 13 that love - "does not take into account a wrong suffered..." (NASB)

We also read from the mouth of Jesus to pray "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sinned against us..."

Holding on to past sufferings and being bitter towards the perpetrators is not love and gives legal entry to the enemy of our souls.

So it is essential to reflect on past hurt and forgive.

Forgive parents who bought you up in difficult circumstances and were way too harsh.

Forgive those who falsely accused you.

Forgive those who abused you.

I note that in the main modern therapists do not touch on this important matter, but think to empathise with the hurting is enough.

Follow the advice of Jesus - forgive and let it go.

That will free up your life and bring healing and release.

 

[NBB]

if you don't forgive, you can't receive from God, there is nothing more damaging to what God wants to give you apart from sin.
I always say, my mom too says, that on top of what others did to you, you are going to waste God blessings because of that person, no way, so that gives me incentive to forgive.

Christians have Jesus help to forgive, i notice unbelievers have a really hard time to do it.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Here is a little proverb I penned...

If you are plowing a field and hit a rock - don't look back or you will go off course.

 

[timothyu]

I heard a pastor a while back while accompanying a friend I was visiting, who rambled on incessantly about forgiveness, skimming the surface as clergy do, never once touching on the deeper meaning of why, that we are all one in our sin of self interest and anything anyone does we are just as capable of doing ourselves. We're all screwups needing encouragement to transcend our instinctive ways that run contrary to the Kingdom. Thus the old adage if we forgive others we forgive ourselves for none of us are innocent. If we are not capable of that, why should God concern Himself with our forgiveness on that day?

 

[Aaron112]

Here is a little proverb I penned...

If you are plowing a field and hit a rock - don't look back or you will go off course.

hmmm...... remember Jesus is the rock we are to stand on. (no, I know, not the one in a field)

 

[Aaron112]

Forgetting what is behind, pressing forward to what is ahead (IN JESUS TODAY and always).

Follow the advice of Jesus - forgive and let it go.

Keep a single eye upon Jesus; a single purpose; peace in Him. Not neglecting forgiveness of others and even of ourselves, as He guides us His Way.

 

[timothyu]

hmmm...... remember Jesus is the rock we are to stand on.

Perhaps we should elaborate and mention Jesus said the rock, His church, was truth only from the Father, and not what man wanted it to say?

 

[Aaron112]

No. He did not call the church a rock. That is what man wants to say, to gain power over others apparently, or simply without a reason ? Just because it was taught for so long outside of Scripture?

Perhaps we should elaborate and mention Jesus said the rock, His church, was truth only from the Father, and not what man wanted it to say?

 

[Aaron112]

"Jesus as the Rock​

In the Bible, Jesus is often referred to as the Rock (Petros in Greek, Sela in Hebrew). This metaphor is rooted in the Old Testament, where God is described as a Rock (Deuteronomy 32:4, 15, 18, 31; Psalm 18:2, 46; Isaiah 17:10) and Israel’s salvation is tied to God’s provision from the Rock (Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:11)."

 

[Carl Emerson]

I heard a pastor a while back while accompanying a friend I was visiting, who rambled on incessantly about forgiveness, skimming the surface as clergy do, never once touching on the deeper meaning of why, that we are all one in our sin of self interest and anything anyone does we are just as capable of doing ourselves. We're all screwups needing encouragement to transcend our instinctive ways that run contrary to the Kingdom. Thus the old adage if we forgive others we forgive ourselves for none of us are innocent. If we are not capable of that, why should God concern Himself with our forgiveness on that day?

Yes good point - both are necessary.

 

[timothyu]

Jesus as the Rock

Perhaps because He represents God's truth alone.

 

[Carl Emerson]

It may interest you that years back I had a vision - what I saw was a throng of believers all walking in the same direction.
On either side were well meaning folk saying this is the way - immediately I knew they did not know the way.
There was amazing music overhead - a glorious company of believers walking in the same direction.
So I pondered on where they were all walking to....
Then it became clear as I looked... on the horizon was the Cross.