THE WORD 4 ev 1

Read Matthew 11 (Click here for link)

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mark 11: 24-25

God is generous with his forgiveness! Aren't we glad? However, just as God is generous with forgiveness, he is also adamant about our forgiving of others. Remember, we pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” and “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Therefore, what Jesus says in our Gospel reading should chill us to our soul. Forgiveness is not just a heavenly thing—it is lived out here on earth. We will be forgiven the way we forgive others. (See also Matthew 6:14-15 to have this point reinforced!)

Holding grudges blocks the Lord's graciousness from our lives. Or perhaps it is that we block out the graciousness of the Lord from our lives by holding grudges. Either way, when we hold on to grudges and anger it is our will that we are doing and not the Lord’s. You must ask yourself, “Do I believe that Almighty God is the source of my will?” (You claim your faith in him each time you say the creed.) Yet, God not only expects you to do His will, He is in you to do it. THANK GOD! His Spirit dwells in you through Christ.

So, when you hold a grudge, you wage war against God, who is in you and that is a battle you cannot win! Forgiveness can never be compatible with hate.

Today, let's be children of our Father -- generous in forgiveness, quick to love, and slow to condemn.

Pastor Aaron