Whatsoever
Things Are True
by Dan Coburn
Pastor, Emmanuel
Baptist Church
pastordan@mtida.net
Dropping the Tude.
Often, when we see someone respond in an inappropriate way, a third party
might justify with: “well, they have been through a lot”. Surely this is
truth, but is there nothing to be done about it? All of us have experienced
hurt - real or imagined. We have all been let down by someone we love,
or passed over for a promotion, or taken for granted, or even worse, ignored.
Imagine if the emotional scars were visible on the outside. What would
we all look like? Does it matter for us in our everyday lives? Does
it effect our decisions? Our relationships? Are there no practical steps
to be taken or do we just have to “get over it”? First, does it effect
you? Yes. Holding on to hurts Always results in bitterness.
It can be suppressed for a long time, but it is bitterness just the same.
“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any
root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”
- Heb. 12:15. Spiritual Switch. A couple of things about
the “Root”. First, it sends out taps that spread. Do you want to
do that to your family? Your kids? Second, a root is underground. Hidden.
Yet everything you take in is filtered through this root of bitterness.
Also, it can literally become your identity. Ie; “I am a victim of
_______” - you fill in the blank, although you may need more space.
You may even yearn for revenge. “I want them to feel the hurt I feel”.
Point is, one day you wake up and ask: “How did I get like this?”
Nugget: A bitter spirit Always does more damage to the vessel in which
it is stored (that’s you) than the object on which it is poured. Worse
yet, there are side effects both physical and emotional relegating us to
negative angry people, constantly complaining while perpetual un-forgiveness
governs every aspect of our being. Test; Have you ever used being wronged
as an excuse to do wrong? Me too. The world will counsel you to do
so, while as usual, God’s standard is diametrically opposed. “And be
ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God
for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” - Eph. 4:32
Hmm. The single word in the Bible that gives me the most grief is the
two letter word - “as” which means the same, and to the same degree. I
have to forgive like Jesus forgave me? “But God commendeth (displayed
or manifested) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:8. Application: Long before I confessed;
long before I apologized, long before I believed, God sent His sone to
die for me. To provide my forgiveness. I’m supposed to forgive “as”
He does, yet I’m holding my breath for my enemies to come to me on bended
knee in sack-cloth with tear filled apologies? More ironic, is the
fact that they don’t think about me often, if ever, yet my life is consumed
with this anger? Next time, we’ll discuss how. For now,
ask God to help you extend mercy “as” you have received mercy. It’s for
you, and it will change your life. God Bless. |
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