Forgiveness

                                                        Psalm 139:23
                                       Search me, O God, and know my heart;
                                              Try me, and know my anxieties;
                                      And see if there is any wicked way in me,
                                            And lead me in the way everlasting.

What do you do when someone holds something against you? We have all had times in our lives when we see things differently than another person. Instead of coming to an understanding, both parties become bitter, holding resentments, and blaming the other person. Unfortunately, when we hold resentments and bitterness we also harden our heart, making it impossible to praise the Lord, study His Word, or have true fellowship with others.

Thirty-six years ago a love one of mine entered the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous. The steps he learned to remain sober were life changing, becoming a matter of life and death. As children of Christ, we need to take the Word of God as seriously. Just as he learned to make a searching and fearless inventory of himself, promptly admitting when he was wrong, and making amends to those he had offended, we need to do the same. Above all else our desire should be to walk blameless before the Lord, knowing we have allowed Him to search our heart, and then be willing to take ownership of our faults, asking for forgiveness from Christ and those we have offended.

                         Do all things without complaining and disputing,
                         that you may become blameless and harmless,
                         children of God without fault in the midst of a
                         crooked and perverse generation, among whom  
                         you shine as lights in the world.                __Philippians 2:14-15                                              
Admitting our faults, asking for forgiveness, and then being willing to take reproof from the other party is never easy. Nevertheless, sometimes that is what we need to do. It isn't always necessary that the other party agrees with us. Sometimes we just need to agree to disagree. What matters is that we are at peace with the other person, that we come to an understanding, and that once again we are in fellowship with our Lord.

                         Confess your trespasses to one another,
                         and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
                         The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man
                         avails much.                                             __James 5:16