Sunday, June 24, 2012

Because He First Loved Us



But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; 
I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.
Psalm 52:8
I've been thinking about the
full and unconditional love of God.
So often we sit in judgement of ourselves and each other.
However, I have been pondering how God responds to us
when we fail.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, 
clothe yourselves with 
compassion, 
kindness,
 humility,
gentleness 
and patience. 
 Bear with each other and forgive one another
 if any of you has a grievance against someone. 
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:11-13 

And then how we should relate to each other.
Not so easy sometimes 
when our emotions are 
involved.
None of us are perfect.
The Bible is very clear about how we are to 
relate (or not) to a Believer living in outright and defiant sin
but so often the things we choose to pick on 
and point out are just differences in conviction
or preference.
Sometimes we hurt one another.
Yep!  It truly happens.
I'm guilty as the next guy to opening my mouth and 
allowing self righteous judgements to spew forth.
Horrible consequences usually follow as relationships have 
to be renewed and trust has to be rebuilt.
But how are we to relate if we are the one offended?
Just as it says in that last phrase of Colossians 3:13....
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
to the praise of his glorious grace, 
which he has freely given us in the One he loves.  
 In him we have redemption through his blood, 
the forgiveness of sins, in accordance 
with the riches of God’s grace  that he 
lavished on us. 
With all wisdom and understanding,
Ephesians 1:6-8

Pastor Mike gave us a mental picture years and years
ago that has stuck in my mind.
It was of Judgement Day.
As each of the redeemed pass by the great Judge
we are hiding deeply in the robe of our 
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Just burrowed in as deeply as we can get
to as not to be seen for ourselves.
That is truth.
There is nothing in ourselves making us worthy.
It is ALL Him.
It is Christ the Father sees when He looks 
at us.  Christ the sacrificial lamb and 
perfect one. 

 Therefore it makes sense when the Bible says
we should then forgive our offenders with 
grace if we have experienced it so personally.

Not easy.
Just necessary.






4 comments:

Susy said...

Thank you Becky ~ I needed to hear this. I've been irritated with my sister (she hurt my feelings) and haven't wanted to be around her. "Bear with each other...if you have a grievance" convicted me. I can't fix her, but I'm ready to fix my heart. Blessings xo

Carol said...

Wonderful post, Becky! His Grace still amazes me!

Hugs & Smiles,
Carol

Tanza said...

Hello sweet Becky !!
Such wonderful and true words to live by !! He died to save and forgive us !! No more needed and it's ALL we have to do as Christians is accept HIM and what he has done !! We are truly covered and redeemed .. Amazing is HIS Grace and LOVE for each of us !! Love your shares sweet one .. Be blessed, and have a wonderfully happy Sunday ~
Hugs to you ~Tanza~ xo

Vee said...

The imagery that your pastor shared with you long ago is wonderful. How can I not forgive when I have been forgiven so much?! (Still having trouble with those fireworks maniacs, though. Grrrr...)