#LonelyHome 2019.03.20
I read once that revenge builds lonely home… space enough for one person. And the goal of it's tenant is to make someone miserable - the problem is, that person is themselves.
But God reminds us that this is not how we are to live.
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. | ||
Hebrews 12:15 |
It’s kind of amazing as to how, as people who want to cultivate things that bring God honor & happiness, that we’re told no grow bitter root. In an actual farm, why would we? On that farm, we would want to grow only things that would produce a profitable result. And yet, in each of us, we all grow this root, limiting our "profitable result" with God, and yet causes a defilement to many! I’m sometimes amazed at how our sin twists everything around.
Now, I know what you’re thinking?
Wellllllllllllllll... how do we do THAT?!?
God knows about the horrible things that happened to me as a kid!
How do I forgive a man who was supposed to be a father but left his family?
Why am I troubled on a daily basis about my lack of self-worth?!?
None of us will ever know another person’s true story, we’ll never know about all of the things that made us who we are today… all of the baggage that each of us carry (and trust me, we all do). But we all want to know: How can God heal this hurt that I’ve been carrying for so long?
What if we start with Biblical examples? What about Joseph? How exactly do you forget that your 10 brothers selling you off? How do you forget the image of watching them walk away, never to return? And yet, he was a accused of rape (by captain of Pharoah’s guard’s wife, Potiphar - Joseph’s owner), a model prisoner, interpreted some dream only to be not given the credit for it at first, but ended up becoming vizier because of his work.
And when you are blessed with the power & position of vizier, and your initial offenders stand before you, what exactly would you do? Would you say, "Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do"? Or would you accuse them of spies and have them thrown into prison?
How does it feel to know that in the Bible, Joseph was human like the rest of us? Despite the fact that all of this wonderful things had happened because of this horrible event, he didn’t initially forgive them because forgiveness is one of the hardest things a person can do. We will do all of these wonderful things for God, but…
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry | Ephesians 4:26 |
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. | Ephesians 4:31 |
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. | Colossians 3:13 |
Really, God?!?!! | |
For me, forgiveness is difficult because the idea implies pardoning the offender for what they’ve done. But in fact, that’s not the case! God cares about justice more than we do!
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. | ||
You have to remember that what God says, He will do… and then re-read the line "It is mine to avenge. I will repay" Everyone whose wronged you, or took advantage of you, God will exact justice. (How scared is that?!?!) God will extract justice from the for hurting you. But remember something: The same will be asked of you because you have wronged others as well. Holding onto selfish revenge is enough on it’s own!
No one is innocent, and everyone whose walked the Earth (except Jesus) will have to answer for all of the things that they’ve done. Where do you stand with forgiveness?? Now ask your spouse and closest friend for that answer about you - Are all of the responses similar? Or is your response quite different from the others?
Forgiveness isn’t a one-time thing - it requires an active effort every day. But as long as you choose to try, God will give you the strength & endurance to do it. But with that support, God will bless you for your efforts, just like he blessed Joseph. Give up your tiny house of revenge, and love the pace of grace.
