Good Monday Morning.  Here’s Today’s Nugget to chew on:

“Don’t Allow It”

Isaiah 43:25 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

25 “I, I alone, am the one who wipes out your wrongdoings for My own sake,

And I will not remember your sins.

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Further Thought: Did you notice why God said he wipes out our “wrongdoings”? He said for His own sake. You see, He would cease to be God (love, himself) if He held onto our wrongdoings. When we choose to hold onto unforgiveness, we disqualify ourselves as representatives of Christ. Now, we still have the title of “Ambassador for Christ,” but we’ve temporarily forfeited our power. So if our Father doesn’t keep a list, we shouldn’t either. Remember what Jesus said when he was being crucified on the cross: “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they’re doing.” Notice Jesus didn’t say forgive the act? No, the act is the sin, and we should never tolerate sin.

I understand that it may be hard to separate the person from the wrongdoing, but that’s what we, as Christians, are commanded to do. Love the person but hate the wrongdoing. So when others treat us wrong, let’s follow the example of Jesus by “praying for them.”  Recognize that when we hold on to unforgiveness, it distracts us.  It holds us back. It disqualifies us from God’s best. And the person who is hurt most is you. Jesus reminds us in Mark 11:22-26 that even though He’s given us the power [authority] to speak to our mountains [problems, situations, and circumstances] and receive answers to our prayers, that unforgiveness is the one thing that will disconnect us from His power.  Remember that our faith [our trust and confidence in God] works only by love.

Today’s passage also reminds us that we can get to the point in our faith walk that we forget the wrong done to us. When we allow God to be our defense, his goodness and mercy will manifest and remove all signs of the wrong. So, let’s go out today in freedom, knowing our sins are forgiven, and let’s also be willing to forgive others regardless of how painful it was or continues to be. Remember, God didn’t create you with the ability to carry anxiety, worry, or unforgiveness, so let’s not allow it to linger. 

Have a great day, and keep chewing on God’s Word.

Additional references:  Romans 12:2; 1 John 4:8; Luke 23:34; Matthew 11:28-30; Matthew 18:21-22; Matthew 22:36-40; Psalm 103:3; Galatians 5:6; Romans 12:19; John 15:4 and Psalm 23:6

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“2024 Seeking to Know, Understand and Experience the Kingdom of God”

Today’s Recommended Reading 1 Corinthians 5