Forgive the Person, Not Their Actions..Craig Denison Ministries

 

Forgive the Person, Not Their Actions

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

Offering forgiveness to others is one of the most difficult and important aspects of the Christian life. The Bible clearly commands us to forgive others. God longs to fashion us into his likeness that we might model the love we’ve been shown to a world with no concept of mercy. He longs for us to offer grace and forgiveness to the undeserving as we have been offered grace and forgiveness when we were undeserving. May you be filled with courage and boldness to offer forgiveness to those in desperate need of grace. And may God’s love shine through as you enter into your calling as a minister of reconciliation.

Scripture:“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34

Devotional:    

One of the most important distinctions to make when learning about the practice of forgiveness is to forgive the person, not their actions. Playing the sequence of someone’s wrongful action over and over again in the mind is a terrible hindrance to obeying God’s command to forgive. When we continually reflect on how wrong an action was, our thoughts act as a blockade between our hearts and God’s heavenly compassion.

John 13:34 tells us, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” God forgives us because he loves us, not because our actions are ever worthy of forgiveness. He forgives us because he values restored relationship with us over our sins. He forgives us because he is filled with love for us, not because our acts of confession demand forgiveness from him. And he says, “Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” When Peter denied Jesus three times, he offered him relationship and another opportunity to serve him. When Thomas was filled with doubt, Jesus offered him his nail-pierced hands. And when we sin against God, he offers us forgiveness that we might receive the full depths of his love again.

Luke 6:37 says, “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Our job is not to judge or condemn the actions of another. The only one worthy of passing judgment is already seated on his throne. God alone is perfect and able to offer sound judgment. He alone carries the burden of being King of kings and Lord of  lords. And he continually chooses to show mercy and compassion on the undeserving. He continually offers forgiveness to the unworthy and sinful. He continually runs out to meet us in our sin, like the father of the prodigal son.

Showing compassion for the wrongful actions of another is not easy, but it is necessary. If we are to live a lifestyle of continual forgiveness the way God commands, we must look to heart of the person and receive God’s compassion rather than taking up the seat of judgement. If we are to love one another as God has loved us, we must value relationship over worldly justice and give grace where none is deserved. May we obtain access to the heart of our heavenly Father today as we seek to love as he loves. May we be filled with compassion for others after reflection on the overwhelming grace we’ve been shown. And may we be filled with courage and strength to reach past a wrongful action and forgive the person from our hearts.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s command to “judge not.” Allow Scripture to renew your mind to the important command to forgive others.

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37

“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” Proverbs 17:9

2. What action has been deemed unforgivable in your mind? Where are you struggling to forgive a person because of the way they’ve wronged you?

3. Ask God to give you the ability to look past a wrongful action to the heart of the person so that you might have compassion and offer forgiveness. Spend time in his presence removing yourself from the seat of judgment so that you can offer grace and forgiveness.

“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:10-14

When we offer forgiveness where none is deserved, we are placing our hope for justice and reconciliation in God rather than ourselves. When we offer mercy we look to heaven for all things to be set right and renewed rather than looking to this fallen and folly-filled world. There is no perfection in this world. There is nothing we can do to completely rid this world of its inherent depravity. So we must look to our heavenly Father to work and heal as he wills and follow in his footsteps. We must carry an atmosphere of grace so that heaven can meet earth through our lives and draw people into the fold of God. May we have the strength and perspective to place our hope in heaven and offer mercy, compassion, and forgiveness to the wrongful, destitute, and proud.

Extended Reading: John 13

The Authority of Our Message..Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Authority of Our Message

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Kings 17:1

King Ahab's first thought after encountering the prophet Elijah may well have been, Of all the nerve! Just who does this guy think he is? Bursting onto the scene out of nowhere, Elijah confronted Israel's wicked king with a message that would soon disrupt life throughout the entire region.

The validity of the revelation rested with the Source, not the mouthpiece. Elijah was a man of great faith who believed what God told him; he could boldly speak with authority because he knew and trusted the One who gave the message. He spent time alone with the Lord and listened as he stood before Him.

Our Father doesn't speak to us in exactly the same manner that He spoke to the Old Testament prophets, but the process of receiving His message hasn't changed. It begins with being alone in His presence and involves listening as He speaks through His Word. But it shouldn't end there.

Prophets had the responsibility of telling the people what the Lord revealed to them. Similarly, we are to share with others what we learn from God's Word. Devotional time with the Lord is not just about our own interests and needs. The Father reveals His treasures to us so that we can share them with others.

Begin each day alone with God in His Word and in prayer, listening as He speaks to your heart. Believe what He says in Scripture, apply it to your life, and then share with someone else what He has revealed. Be bold and remember that the authority of your message comes from Him.

Finding Rest in Christ in a Restless World..Lynette Kittle

 Finding Rest in Christ in a Restless World

By Lynette Kittle

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”—Matthew 11:28

Nowadays, individuals are encouraged to be on the go 24/7, whether working, traveling, or doing good. On the other hand, resting is not viewed with much respect or on the top of many peoples’ “to-do” or bucket lists. Instead, the push to go, go, go is motivating individuals to be constantly doing, whether it’s collecting views, likes, and comments on Social Media or visiting as many countries in the world as possible.  Although many are tired, weary, and burdened, our restless world doesn’t offer us many opportunities to rest. As well as many individuals who are unwilling to answer Psalm 46:10s calling to “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Find Rest in Christ
Still, amid all the pressure to look and be successful in our culture, how many times have we heard someone tell us, “Just rest in Christ.” It’s biblical and is wise counsel, but how do we go about it, especially in a restless world? Following are six ways to experience God’s rest.

1. Understand even God rests. 
Most of us go right over Genesis 2:2, not considering how God rested. “By the seven days God had finished the work He had been doing, so on the seventh day, He rested from all His work.” We’re created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), so because God rested, then we are created for rest, too. 

2. Realize life can be tiring. 
The Old Testament Prophet Elijah was ministering tirelessly, 24/7 around the clock, to defeat wicked Queen Jezebel. So much so that he became utterly and completely exhausted, feeling like he just couldn’t go on any longer. 1 Kings 19:5, 6 tells us what he needed to go on, 

“Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.” 

Often, too, what we need the most to keep going on is rest.

3. Choose trust over worry. 
Resting in Christ means trusting Him for what’s happening in our lives. Rather than trying to make things happen, we look to Him to lead us in His will for our lives. When we trust God’s will for us, we let go of worrying about not doing enough or living up to other people’s standards and goals. Psalm 62:1 explains how “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him.”

4. Let go of fear. 
With the push to always be on the go, there comes the fear of missing out. Social Media posts fuel this feeling with photos of all the places everyone else is visiting and the exciting activities they are experiencing, along with the tons of accomplishments they are achieving. But we don’t have to live fearful, afraid we’re missing out on life. As Isaiah 41:10 assures us, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

5. Turn to the Lord. 
Peer pressure for adults is probably at an all-time high with the use of social media, cultivating an atmosphere of continually trying to look prosperous, popular, progressive, productive, and so much more. Often, it’s hard for many to turn away from the pressures to look certain ways. However, when we turn towards God, the veil that hides the truth is removed to reveal God’s love and His covenant with us. 

“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” - 2 Corinthians 3:16

6. Spend time with God. Amid this whirlwind of being busy, when is there time for God? Resting in God is centered on spending time with Him through reading His word, prayer, and praising Him. God will lead us into His rest when we spend time with Him. Psalm 23:2 describes how “He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.”

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Are you feeling rested or restless? Is everyday life leaving you little time to find rest in Christ? If so, ask God to help you to come to Him and experience His rest. 

When Someone Else is Living the Life You Want..Laura Polk

When Someone Else is Living the Life You Want

By Laura Polk

 BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” ( Proverbs 14:30)

Is everyone’s life picture perfect (except mine)? One look at social media would attest to that fact. Our feeds are filled with adoring spouses, doting grandparents, children who excel at impressive rates, beautifully maintained homes, dinners that rival a five-star restaurant, love stories that should be in the movies, vacations that I can only dream about... and the list goes on.

It’s easy to glance at someone else’s life and wonder... how is it that they got the life I always wanted? It’s also one of the fastest ways to become discouraged, disgruntled, and disconnected from the blessings we actually have right in front of us. We could talk about how things don’t always look as they seem, but when we take on the mindset of wanting someone else’s life, the issue isn’t really with the person we envy, it’s with us.

God has a plan for each and every one of us. An individual plan that’s based on our unique bents, gifts, and needs. Looking into another’s life and pining away for what they have steals the joy away from the blessings He’s chosen to give us. He doesn’t toss blessings at us randomly as if we are some person in a crowd that He’s tossing giveaways to. He chooses to bless us based on His intimate knowledge of our past, present, and future needs. We should be thankful that what He gives us is precisely what we need at the time.

In Luke 17, Jesus was approached by 10 lepers who begged for healing. After telling them what they needed to do to be healed, they took the blessing He gave and went on with their lives. But one leper was so thankful that he returned to Jesus, threw himself at Jesus’ feet, and praised Him. Though the other nine were also blessed, they didn’t bother to thank the One who’d given it. They simply took what He gave.

There are blessings all around us. Blessings that we may not even notice. Blessings we take for granted. Do you take the time to see them and be thankful? For the one leper that returned, Jesus told him, “Go, your faith has made you well.” While the others were blessed and all were physically healed, the one who returned to show his gratitude was made well in ways that the others were not. By seeing the blessing and being grateful for it, he experienced it differently in his life than those who simply took. Be the one.

A Prayer for Those Who Are Hurting..Kristine Brown

 A Prayer for Those Who Are Hurting

By Kristine Brown

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT)

We stood in the foyer of our church that Sunday morning— chatting over unbelievable events of the past week. One friend brought up the fact that a church just across town grieved over the unexpected death of their young pastor. He left a wife and two children behind. 

“How could something like this happen to such a good family?” one person asked. As our group took turns sharing their thoughts and committing to pray for the grieving family, I couldn’t help but linger with her question a while. Many people in our community were hurting, and I didn’t know what to do.

Every day I come across someone else who’s hurting. The needs around us can feel overwhelming if we don’t know where to turn to find comfort. The apostle Paul reminded the church at Corinth that God is not only merciful. He is also our source of comfort. God’s presence is the one place we can find supernatural comfort that will soothe the deepest wounds. But God’s promise to comfort us in our troubles doesn’t stop there. He gives generously so that we can comfort others in their difficult times, too. 

God’s Word says, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT)

Paul told the church about the troubles he personally endured. He described himself as “crushed and overwhelmed,” and used his testimony to encourage believers. (2 Cor. 1:8) Because of the trials he faced, he learned to rely on God more than ever. What an awesome promise from the Lord! He can use our deepest hurts for our good and his glory.

God knew we would have times in life when we’d need our brothers and sisters of faith to surround us with love and tenderness. But I often hesitate because of fear of saying the wrong thing or not knowing what to do. Thankfully, God equips us with his love, guides us by his Spirit, and empowers us to reach out to a hurting world. God will allow us to be the answer to someone's prayer— offering compassion to a hurting heart. 

So, let’s seek God’s presence as we ask ourselves, “Who do I know facing trials right now? Who can I pray for today?” Let’s begin with this prayer for those who are hurting and trust our merciful God to point us toward people in our lives who need his comfort. 

Let’s pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,
Everywhere around me, I see people who are hurting. They’re dealing with things like grief, disappointment, and discouragement, and they need your comfort. Be present with your children right now, Lord. Help them feel your Holy Spirit wrapping them in the warmth of your lovingkindness as I pray.

Your Word tells me, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4) Thank you for your promise of comfort, no matter what difficulties we go through.

People in my community, in my church, and even among my family and friends are facing trials. I want to help them, but I don’t know what I can do. Thank you for reminding me that Jesus was my example for showing compassion to those who are hurting. Help me follow Jesus’ example and reach out to hurting hearts. Help me listen to your guidance and find ways I can offer comfort. And above all, let me remember to always start with prayer.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.