Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry and do not give the devil a foothold.
Ephesians 4:25-27
To me when the Bible talks about going to your brother who sins against you I believe it is simply talking about standing on truth. To merely be honest with others. However, I have found that the world’s view of ‘honesty’ has become extremely skewed. Instead of just being honest with someone when they hurt us we attempt to get back at them, completely ignore the situation, or talk to others about the person. If we just stand on truth, even when people don’t like it, it is hard for them to argue against it, after all, when we are truly standing on truth there is nothing else. Sometimes it is difficult to confront someone about a problem, but I believe that with prayer and sincerity it can not only resolve the issue it can change lives. Confronting someone out of love lets them see Jesus in you---when you follow Christ’s model they will see that you are standing for Jesus, for what you believe in, for what he has taught us.
Forgiveness---not the easiest action for this fleshly body to take, but this is how I look at it. If Jesus forgave me and continues to forgive me of all the foolishness that I do than who am I to not forgive someone? Am I greater than Christ? If I decide not to forgive someone than quite honestly I am saying that I am greater than Jesus. Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, yet he forgives us everyday of not only sinning, but sinning against him and what he has taught us. With all the grace, mercy, and love that he has shown us, we continue to sin, yet he continues to forgive. If we are to follow Christ, than we are to forgive---that’s it, no exceptions!
When we don’t do the right thing, when we are not honest with our brothers and sisters in Christ, when we do not forgive those who sin against us, we are not only failing as a Christian, but we are allowing Satan a way into our lives. Recognize Satan for who he is---a liar! Stand on the truth, stand on the example that Jesus has set for us and don’t let Satan convince you otherwise!
No comments:
Post a Comment