Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,
but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15
The most difficult kind of forgiveness. The hardest person to forgive is the person who admits no fault, refuses to apologize. Forgiveness is clearly commanded by our Lord, regardless of the circumstances. But how do I forgive someone who is not sorry?
Four Considerations:
#1 – Consider if they’ve really sinned. Just because you’re hurt doesn’t mean they have sinned. Psalm 141:5 says “let a righteous man strike me, it is a kindness. Let him rebuke me, it is oil for my head.”
#2 – Consider God’s forgiveness in your life. I talked earlier about perspective. Think about how many times God has forgiven you just today. There’s a line from one of our Resonate songs that says “If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.” Here I am sinking in an ocean of God’s grace – shall I offer a cup of that water to another? God has forgiven me more than I could ever forgive other people – He is infinitely forgiving.
#3 – Consider whether to tell them. Sometimes, saying, “I forgive you” simply inflames the situation. Often, it’s best to forgive them from your heart and just return to loving them. Cancel the debt. If down the road the person comes to you with an apology, instead of a debt paid, it’s a bonus you didn’t expect.
#4 – Consider the Examples in Scripture. Jesus, Stephen, David, Joseph, Moses… the list goes on.
William Arthur Ward said, “We are most like beasts when we kill, we are most like men when we judge, we are most like God when we forgive.”
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Beware of Practicing Your Righteousness Before Others
Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people, in order to be seen by them. For then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and the streets, that they may be praised by others. For truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:1 - 4
1. What’s your motive?One commentator said it’s, “Not the number of spectators, but the furtive glance of our eyes to see if they are looking at us, makes the sin.” Often our giving, or serving, or singing, or whatever, is going to be seen by others. It’s not wrong to receive affirmation, it’s wrong to seek it. It’s not wrong to hear a compliment, it’s wrong to need to hear a compliment. Proverbs says, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth.” If someone praises you, let them. Just don’t join them on the chorus! I can remember many times over the course of my ministry, where I felt like a person was fishing for a compliment. The problem here is the compliment is given out of guilt and not love and heartfelt appreciation.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
2. What’s the better reward?The New Testament talks of 5 different crowns. The Crown of Life, the Crown of Righteousness, The Crown of Rejoicing, The Crown of Glory, The Incorruptible Crown. When we desire the here and now reward, we are turning down the better one. I’ve shared the illustration before about filling up on Big Macs and Pizza when the next line had Filet Mignon and Lobster Tail. Instead of waiting for surf and turf you fill up on junk and stunk.
Friends, let's hold out for the good stuff.
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame,
I’d rather be true to His holy name.
1. What’s your motive?One commentator said it’s, “Not the number of spectators, but the furtive glance of our eyes to see if they are looking at us, makes the sin.” Often our giving, or serving, or singing, or whatever, is going to be seen by others. It’s not wrong to receive affirmation, it’s wrong to seek it. It’s not wrong to hear a compliment, it’s wrong to need to hear a compliment. Proverbs says, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth.” If someone praises you, let them. Just don’t join them on the chorus! I can remember many times over the course of my ministry, where I felt like a person was fishing for a compliment. The problem here is the compliment is given out of guilt and not love and heartfelt appreciation.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
2. What’s the better reward?The New Testament talks of 5 different crowns. The Crown of Life, the Crown of Righteousness, The Crown of Rejoicing, The Crown of Glory, The Incorruptible Crown. When we desire the here and now reward, we are turning down the better one. I’ve shared the illustration before about filling up on Big Macs and Pizza when the next line had Filet Mignon and Lobster Tail. Instead of waiting for surf and turf you fill up on junk and stunk.
Friends, let's hold out for the good stuff.
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame,
I’d rather be true to His holy name.
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