Category:Living in Love

At one time or another, we hurt the ones we love – whether we mean to or not. Sometimes we’re just being selfish – totally self-absorbed, and we don’t even realize the level of pain our actions will cause for our spouses. Whatever the reason, it simply shouldn’t happen – in a perfect world.

But we don’t live in a perfect world. We live in a fallen world. And we all need forgiveness. And as Christians, we are required to forgive one another. Jesus said so.

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” ~ Matthew 6:14-15

Even so, we all have the ability – and tendency – to harbor resentment.
It’s the human way – that is, it’s our natural bent.
We want to punish the one who hurt us.
Get even.

[callout]Yes, you can decide NOT to forgive.
It’s completely your choice.[/callout]

And it’s the easier route.
Or is it?

You gotta know who your real enemy is. The Real Fight is not against one another. The Clash between two Kingdoms is not about Me vs. You. We’re in the middle of a Real Fight between the Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of the Air (Ephesians 2:2).

We only have one enemy. And his only tactic is a lie. It’s all he’s ever had … since the beginning of Creation. So the easiest way for him to take us out of commission … to render us ineffective in and for the Kingdom of Heaven … is to pit man and woman against one another. (Genesis 3)

But as Paul said, we are not unaware of his schemes:

Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven – if there was anything to forgive – I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. (2 Corinthians 2:10-11)