Read today’s Inspiration from Rhonda Love:
Day 2: Spiritual Offendectomy: Offenses & forgiveness
Q: “How long have you served at this church?”
A: “Twenty-four years!”
The look of bewilderment owned the interviewer.
Q: “Why The Face?” Was my question to them…
Track with me: it’s highly unlikely to serve the same church four years let alone twenty-four without getting burned! You better believe within these years there have been painful moments of betrayal and the desire to withhold forgiveness. There were several Monday’s we wanted to quit, however God’s plan is healing: an offendectomy! A spiritual removal of unforgiveness caused by someone’s poor behavior aimed at you.
Embracing an offense comes natural to our flesh but we are not of the flesh, we’ve been made new. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)
Our spirit and flesh are in a tug-o-war, “…These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.” according to Galatians 5:17b NLT
News flash: people will betray us and let us down, forgiveness is required because of our birthright. It’s not an option or suggestion.
Summer of 1998 will be etched in my heart forever. Our daughter spent the summer memorizing Ephesians 4:32. She stumbled through the verse, distorting some of the words as a three year old would. At twenty-one she continues to encourage me with this passage and doesn’t hesitate to call me on it when I play in the gray.
Our response to the Word of God determines the outcome. Forgiveness brings freedom! (John 8:32)
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 ESV
Dear Friends, I state this with deep compassion, Christians are the most offended group of people I know. It’s time we live out Galatians 2:24 NLT, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.”
Actualize the Word of God. Forgive.One. Another.
“Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” (Luke 6:28 NLT)
Love,
Rhonda Love ; )
