So many offenses
Every single day
From all sorts of people, near and far
How to learn to be gracious like the Lord Jesus was gracious
Like Paul was gracious and loving to those who offended Him
Like Stephen who, while he was being stoned to death,
prayed for those who martyred him
that God lay not the charge against them
Forgive like Christ did when He was dying on the cross
Forgive them for they know not what they do
If we do not forgive, the grace from the Lord may not be there for us
We have to at least try
Petition Him for the strength,
to be able to love with His love,
to be able to see things like He sees them
There are so many offenses that we could hold others guilty for
Every day
Every hour
Without question, people can be terrible,
whether they mean to or not, they push the limits
They do things they shouldn’t do
They are selfish and wretched and they do not deserve to be forgiven
Ah-hem…like all of us
We all like sheep have gone astray
We’ve all done things just as bad or worse
than the many offenses we have laid on others
It’s never ending
A constant battle of the soul, to forgive
It is all about grace
Where is our grace toward others?
If we cannot ask and seek the Lord for that grace,
how can we expect Him to extend grace to us?
Maybe you’re one of those people who had a nice childhood,
loving parents, healthy relationships, no abuse
All the more you should extend grace
You’re stronger in some ways than the imperfect ones,
the ones who don’t do the right thing always or behave like they should
People like that are held to a higher standard
They need to have mercy on the souls who don’t have it all together
No matter which direction you came from,
no matter what your background is,
love others like you would like to be loved
There is no excuse because our Lord Jesus has extended the tools
for us to have the mercy and grace and forgiveness
that He has by His Holy Spirit
Let it go
Forgive
Love as He has loved you
And don’t expect others to be perfect
With the measure you judge is the same measure you shall be judged
Additional Scriptures:
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
And they parted His raiment, and cast lots.
Lule 23:34
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Matthew 6:12
A new commandment I give unto you,
That ye love one another; as I have loved you,
that ye also love one another.
John 13:34
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged:
and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Matthew 7:2