June 14, 2010                                                                                                                                     

From the Desk of: Pastor Lawrence A. Fox   

 

BY GOD’S GRACE: Jesus Forgave Me That Way:

This is a little poem poetically expresses the choice that we make to follow God’s way of dealing with offenses so as to avoid bitterness lodging in our hearts.

 

BY GOD’S GRACE I choose to take the first step to bring about reconciliation –

because Jesus forgave me that way.

BY GOD’S GRACE I choose to let love rule my every motive and action as I seek reconciliation –

because Jesus forgave me that way.

BY GOD’S GRACE I choose to look for signs of genuine repentance in the other person –

because Jesus forgave me that way.

 

BY GOD’S GRACE I choose to forget the score and erase the tally of rights and wrongs –

because Jesus forgave me that way.

BY GOD’S GRACE I choose to keep loving and respecting the one who hurt me –

because Jesus forgave me that way.

BY GOD’S GRACE I choose to forgive the one that hurt me from the depths of my heart –

because Jesus forgave me that way.

 

BY GOD’S GRACE I choose to release all of the resentment that clings to the past –

because Jesus forgave me that way.

BY GOD’S GRACE I choose to give Jesus the bitterness deep inside me and to care about and begin to relieve the other’s pain –

because Jesus forgave me that way.

BY GOD’S GRACE I choose to be honestly concerned about the welfare, the hurt, the pain, etc. of the one that hurt me –

because Jesus forgave me that way.

BY GOD’S GRACE I choose to be kind and compassionate to the one that hurt me –

because Jesus forgave me that way.

 

BY GOD’S GRACE I choose not to play the martyr role when I forgive –

because Jesus did not forgive me that way.

BY GOD’S GRACE I choose not to settle the score first before I forgive –

because Jesus did not forgive me that way.

BY GOD’S GRACE I choose not to keep a running tally of grievances –

because Jesus did not forgive me that way.

 

BY GOD’S GRACE I choose not to forgive with my lips and then bring it up again when I need the advantage in an argument –

because Jesus did not forgive me that way.

BY GOD’S GRACE I choose not to forgive and then tell all the right people about it –

because Jesus did not forgive me that way.

BY GOD’S GRACE I choose not to go through all the motions of forgiveness and then harbor resentment for weeks, months, years –

because Jesus did not forgive me that way.

 

Romans 12:9-21

9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

 

14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

 

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

 

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.