of meekness and forgiveness
I only really blog when i have something worthwhile to blog about. Save for the QT entry, i blog according to my convictions, simply because whether one or none or many read my entries, i would like there to be a redeeming factor--a lesson learned or shared with the reader. In the same vein, comments are welcomed that i may also learn from your insights.
For days now i've been marinating on two things: meekness and forgiveness. Why? Because i think these are two values we always overlook.
Googling "what does the Bible say about forgiveness," this is what i came across:
When the Forgiver (Christ) lives in us, He wants to express His forgiving character to others. -
(Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13)
In forgiving we focus on the action of the offense, rather than on the person of the offender, and recognize that God can cause all things to work together for good - (Rom. 8:28.)
More often than not, forgiveness becomes an emotional thing for us--we forgive when we feel like it. We forgive when it's easy. We forgive because it makes us look like heroes and the person who has wronged us will "owe" us. In that case, forgiveness becomes null and is nothing but lip service. We forget or some don't even know that forgiveness is a decision of faith to allow Christ to act in us. It's very difficult to forgive sincerely because being human, we tend to succumb to our pride. And when our pride is hurt, we like to get even or at least seek vindication--that's human nature. No one can deny that. More importantly, forgiveness is a challenge to others because of what forgiveness entails: Forgiveness involves willing to suffer abuse - Matt. 5:11,12. And how many people are willing to suffer more when they've already been offended?
This is where Meekness enters the picture. In the dictionary, meekness is defined as humbly patient or docile, as under provocation from others; a disposition to be patient and long suffering. Meekness is an attitude or quality of heart [1 Peter 3:4] whereby a person willingly accepts and submits without resistance to the will and desires of someone else. The meek person is not self-willed - not continually concerned with self, his own ways, ideas, and wishes. He is willing to put himself in second place and submit himself to achieve what is good for others. Meekness is the opposite of self-will, self-interest, and self-assertiveness.
Most people think meekness is akin to weakness. On the contrary, it's not! It takes great strength and self-control to submit to others. The reason i've paired these two values together is because they go perfectly together! Let me draw you a picture (not literally, smart ass :p).
If Bert did something wrong to Ernie, Bert would do anything to seek forgiveness. Let's say Ernie forgave Bert, but in the act of forgiving, in his heart he believes Bert owes him big time for having wronged him. This may cause Ernie to act superior and even bring up the past offense should Bert ever cross him again. Now, forgiving is a present action; forgetting is a process of time. True. And the way we ought to go about forgiveness is that even though we are the ones who were wronged, we must NOT use this as leverage to superiority. In fact, we must take on the spirit of meekness and humility when we forgive others. It doesn't do well to bring up past mistakes and offenses because these are not traits of true forgiveness. Besides, how would you like it someone reminded you or slapped you in the face with ALL your shameful mistakes? You wouldn't like it at all.
It's really difficult to forgive. Especially when the person who has wronged you is someone who's close or very dear to you. But what right do we have to withold forgiveness from others when we ourselves seek forgiveness for the wrong we've done and are about to do? Because we're human, we're bound to sin then and again, here and there. But because God is merciful, He forgives us ceaselessly (but this is not so that we can keep committing the same mistake and not learn from our errors!).
I guess what I'm trying to say is, whatever it is you believe in, forgiveness is a universal thing. No one wants to go through life living in guilt. Remember the passage "let he who is without sin cast the first stone?" Who among us is without sin? NONE. All of us have sinned. All of us have fallen short. Therefore ALL of us are in need of forgiveness. For those of us who have wronged others, let's seek amends and follow through, and pray for the person we have wronged. Let's pray that they will take on a spirit of humility and seek reconciliation. For those who have wronged us, let's forgive them all the same. And let's take on a spirit of meekness. Meekness is when you know you are entitled to something yet you don't demand for it. It's when you know someone is wrong but you don't embarrass them and instead tame your tongue.
Sheesh. I know you must be thinking that a God-centered life is exhausting. Yes it is. But you know what? The rewards are endless, limitless and incomparable to anything we could ever accomplish on this earth. And because God has proven time and again in my life that He is capable of providing me with anything and taking care of me, I wish to never stray from Him again the way I did in the past. I have a lot of people to forgive, and in my heart I have forgiven them. But forgiving them doesn't mean I have to still be friends with them--especially if that person has repeatedly offended me and is causing me nothing but negativity. It's enough for me to forgive her (hehe yes one of them is a she) but I am not forced to be friends with her, nor do i have to be civil with her. I simply remain in a place where I do not compromise my faith and cause myself to sin. So if staying out of her way keeps me from sinning, then that's what I'm going to keep doing. Though it's exhausting, it's also comforting. Never again will I have to worry about my bills, my food, my transpo, or anything else because I know that God will provide.
If there are people in your life (as i'm sure there are) who have wronged you, forgive them. Forgive because that releases you from sin. Forgive because it keeps you from harboring grudges which causes one to sin. Forgive because you know that's the right thing to do. Forgive wholeheartedly as you would want God to forgive you. And be meek. Be humble. Lower yourself and seek to edify others. Let God's strength be made perfect in our weak moments. If you want to live a life of clean conscience, give that a try. Nothing feels better than that. You'll be surprised how uplifting it is when we lower and humble ourselves.
For days now i've been marinating on two things: meekness and forgiveness. Why? Because i think these are two values we always overlook.
Googling "what does the Bible say about forgiveness," this is what i came across:
When the Forgiver (Christ) lives in us, He wants to express His forgiving character to others. -
(Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13)
In forgiving we focus on the action of the offense, rather than on the person of the offender, and recognize that God can cause all things to work together for good - (Rom. 8:28.)
More often than not, forgiveness becomes an emotional thing for us--we forgive when we feel like it. We forgive when it's easy. We forgive because it makes us look like heroes and the person who has wronged us will "owe" us. In that case, forgiveness becomes null and is nothing but lip service. We forget or some don't even know that forgiveness is a decision of faith to allow Christ to act in us. It's very difficult to forgive sincerely because being human, we tend to succumb to our pride. And when our pride is hurt, we like to get even or at least seek vindication--that's human nature. No one can deny that. More importantly, forgiveness is a challenge to others because of what forgiveness entails: Forgiveness involves willing to suffer abuse - Matt. 5:11,12. And how many people are willing to suffer more when they've already been offended?
This is where Meekness enters the picture. In the dictionary, meekness is defined as humbly patient or docile, as under provocation from others; a disposition to be patient and long suffering. Meekness is an attitude or quality of heart [1 Peter 3:4] whereby a person willingly accepts and submits without resistance to the will and desires of someone else. The meek person is not self-willed - not continually concerned with self, his own ways, ideas, and wishes. He is willing to put himself in second place and submit himself to achieve what is good for others. Meekness is the opposite of self-will, self-interest, and self-assertiveness.
Most people think meekness is akin to weakness. On the contrary, it's not! It takes great strength and self-control to submit to others. The reason i've paired these two values together is because they go perfectly together! Let me draw you a picture (not literally, smart ass :p).
If Bert did something wrong to Ernie, Bert would do anything to seek forgiveness. Let's say Ernie forgave Bert, but in the act of forgiving, in his heart he believes Bert owes him big time for having wronged him. This may cause Ernie to act superior and even bring up the past offense should Bert ever cross him again. Now, forgiving is a present action; forgetting is a process of time. True. And the way we ought to go about forgiveness is that even though we are the ones who were wronged, we must NOT use this as leverage to superiority. In fact, we must take on the spirit of meekness and humility when we forgive others. It doesn't do well to bring up past mistakes and offenses because these are not traits of true forgiveness. Besides, how would you like it someone reminded you or slapped you in the face with ALL your shameful mistakes? You wouldn't like it at all.
It's really difficult to forgive. Especially when the person who has wronged you is someone who's close or very dear to you. But what right do we have to withold forgiveness from others when we ourselves seek forgiveness for the wrong we've done and are about to do? Because we're human, we're bound to sin then and again, here and there. But because God is merciful, He forgives us ceaselessly (but this is not so that we can keep committing the same mistake and not learn from our errors!).
I guess what I'm trying to say is, whatever it is you believe in, forgiveness is a universal thing. No one wants to go through life living in guilt. Remember the passage "let he who is without sin cast the first stone?" Who among us is without sin? NONE. All of us have sinned. All of us have fallen short. Therefore ALL of us are in need of forgiveness. For those of us who have wronged others, let's seek amends and follow through, and pray for the person we have wronged. Let's pray that they will take on a spirit of humility and seek reconciliation. For those who have wronged us, let's forgive them all the same. And let's take on a spirit of meekness. Meekness is when you know you are entitled to something yet you don't demand for it. It's when you know someone is wrong but you don't embarrass them and instead tame your tongue.
Sheesh. I know you must be thinking that a God-centered life is exhausting. Yes it is. But you know what? The rewards are endless, limitless and incomparable to anything we could ever accomplish on this earth. And because God has proven time and again in my life that He is capable of providing me with anything and taking care of me, I wish to never stray from Him again the way I did in the past. I have a lot of people to forgive, and in my heart I have forgiven them. But forgiving them doesn't mean I have to still be friends with them--especially if that person has repeatedly offended me and is causing me nothing but negativity. It's enough for me to forgive her (hehe yes one of them is a she) but I am not forced to be friends with her, nor do i have to be civil with her. I simply remain in a place where I do not compromise my faith and cause myself to sin. So if staying out of her way keeps me from sinning, then that's what I'm going to keep doing. Though it's exhausting, it's also comforting. Never again will I have to worry about my bills, my food, my transpo, or anything else because I know that God will provide.
If there are people in your life (as i'm sure there are) who have wronged you, forgive them. Forgive because that releases you from sin. Forgive because it keeps you from harboring grudges which causes one to sin. Forgive because you know that's the right thing to do. Forgive wholeheartedly as you would want God to forgive you. And be meek. Be humble. Lower yourself and seek to edify others. Let God's strength be made perfect in our weak moments. If you want to live a life of clean conscience, give that a try. Nothing feels better than that. You'll be surprised how uplifting it is when we lower and humble ourselves.