Forgiveness and the Need to Change

Wow-

I think I have gotten it now. Forgive, not because someone has convinced me that they are truly sorry for what they have done and now are worthy of my forgiveness (after I have given them "what-for"with my sharpened tongue), but because that is what God intended and what He has done for me through Jesus and what He enables me to do through the Holy Spirit. THEN, keeping in mind that the relationship is what is important (not my being right) discuss the situation carefully, lovingly, humbly so that change can be had.

Wow-

A big part of me is cheering- THIS GOOD...THIS IS DOABLE!!" Another part of me is writhing.. which is probably normal for something that needs to die...( My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galations 2:20)...the writhing part is the part that needs to be right all the time....die old self!

I want to live a forgiving life...I want to change... WOW!

Jesus: A Life of Forgiveness

It is interesting that Garth said that forgiveness should not be considered just a single action, that it should be the way we live. In her talk at the retreat, Dawn Pratt related something similar.

A life of forgiveness...something to aspire to. Putting folks who offend us in front of the offense. Remembering that our relationship with them is more important than our rights; our right to be treated respectfully, our right to be treated patiently, our right to be right. There seems to be a recurring theme in the New Testament-We need to lay down our rights to be like Jesus.

I want to be like Jesus. Take on his yoke ( Garth gave a great explanation of that expression) and live a life of forgiveness.