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- Apr 25, 2006
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Forgiveness is freeing (2) - Wear the right shoes
'Make allowance for each other's faults' Colossians 3:13
Imagine you're playing a game of footy, or doing a dance class. In front of you, you have a choice of two pairs of shoes to wear: the top of the range, high-spec, lightweight super-duper shoes, or, a really old, heavy lead pair, with chain laces. Which do you choose? The first pair, right? So, when it comes to feeling pants when someone's hacked you off, why would you choose not to forgive? It's like choosing the lead shoes - that'll weigh you down, and stop you doing your best in the 'game' that is your life.
By choosing to forgive, it's like chucking away those ugly heavy shoes and grabbing the uber-spangly pair - you'll find the game goes much more smoothly. Just like lead shoes, unforgiveness will hold you back, and slow you down in your walk with God.
You may still ask 'Why should I forgive?' Not because Word 4U 2Day is telling you to, but because God is. Jesus said 'be reconciled to your brother' (Matt. 5:24) - that means it's your job to make things right. Should you wait for them to make the first move? No. Paul says 'Make every effort to live in peace with all men' (Heb. 12:14). You have to bite the bullet.
Finally, don't stop with forgiveness, but 'pray for those who mistreat you' (Luke 6:28). When you do, God will give you the strength and grace to truly forgive, and leave those lead shoes behind once and for all.
written by Bob Gass
'Make allowance for each other's faults' Colossians 3:13
Imagine you're playing a game of footy, or doing a dance class. In front of you, you have a choice of two pairs of shoes to wear: the top of the range, high-spec, lightweight super-duper shoes, or, a really old, heavy lead pair, with chain laces. Which do you choose? The first pair, right? So, when it comes to feeling pants when someone's hacked you off, why would you choose not to forgive? It's like choosing the lead shoes - that'll weigh you down, and stop you doing your best in the 'game' that is your life.
By choosing to forgive, it's like chucking away those ugly heavy shoes and grabbing the uber-spangly pair - you'll find the game goes much more smoothly. Just like lead shoes, unforgiveness will hold you back, and slow you down in your walk with God.
You may still ask 'Why should I forgive?' Not because Word 4U 2Day is telling you to, but because God is. Jesus said 'be reconciled to your brother' (Matt. 5:24) - that means it's your job to make things right. Should you wait for them to make the first move? No. Paul says 'Make every effort to live in peace with all men' (Heb. 12:14). You have to bite the bullet.
Finally, don't stop with forgiveness, but 'pray for those who mistreat you' (Luke 6:28). When you do, God will give you the strength and grace to truly forgive, and leave those lead shoes behind once and for all.
written by Bob Gass
