Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!……. “His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full.” Matthew 18:21-35
Another work ethic Jesus had was his unvindictive attitude towards others. He taught it and lived it. “And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses” – Mark 11:25.
The disciples for whom he heavily laboured deserted him. Judas betrayed him. Peter denied him. The rest fled from him. But he rose up to give them his peace. “Jesus stood in the midst, and said unto them, Peace be unto you” – John 20:19.
Today, in the kingdom in which Jesus forgave his teammates and others, a lot of people including ministers of God refuse to forgive others. A pastor could just insult his fellow pastors to his church members just because an offence.
Can’t we follow the example of Jesus, who even on the cross was asking his Father to forgive all those who offend him. “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” – Luke 23:34.
At work place subordinates hate their superiors over maltreatments, two subordinates are not in talking terms yet they are going to the same church, one is the announcer and the other is the praise leader. These are certainly not followers of Jesus!
Apostle Paul who decided to part company with Barnabas because of John Mark, later told Timothy to bring to him John Mark. “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you: for he is profitable to me for the ministry” – 2 Timothy 4:11. Paul forgave Mark. That is the beauty of christianity.
Your heart is not designed by God to keep hurts there. You’re damaging your heart if you pile up pains from the hurts of others there. When you fail to forgive others, you deny yourself of enjoying God’s perfect peace.
LET’S PRAY
Heavenly Father, give grace enough to know that, when l keep pains in your heart, l am killing yourself slowly. O Holy Spirit, take full control over my heart to willingly forgive and live peaceably with my neighbours. Take more of me and give me more of You so my life will glorify You in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen Amen Amen
AGREE WITH ME
You are a plant and you just need water to flourish and bear fruit to fulfill your destiny. So, you need to be connected to the Source that never dry. I therefore decree and declare this morning “May your business, finances, career, academics, marriage, family, health, physical person and spiritual person be connected to the Fountain of life, by the Power of the Holy Spirit in the mighty name of Jesus Christ!”
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