Living Without Forgiving

The story we read today, 1 Kings 1:28-48, really needs to begin at verse 1. This entire chapter paint a picture of family dysfunction. King David's family had challenges and troubles, much like your family and mine. Not that this fact is a comfort, but it does point to the reality of our broken world. A world that has been broken from the beginning. From Adam and Eve.

The first 27 verses in 1 Kings 1 relate the story of one of David's sons, Adonijah, Solomon's brother. The King, David, his father, was dying. His life nearing its end and Adonijah decided to get a jump on things. He declared himself king and began to plan his coronation and all the pomp that goes with it.

Nathan, the prophet, got wind of what was happening and went to Bathsheba. The two then went to the King to tell him. David immediately rectifies the situation by telling Bathsheba, “As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, I will surely carry out this very day what I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.” (1 Kings 1:29-30 NIV)

I wish I could say that everyone lived happily ever after, but when we read on in 1 Kings, we see that is not so. More bloodshed and retribution took place. But isn't that the way it is even now? Too often, family transgressions are not easily forgiven nor forgotten. Brothers don't speak to brothers, sisters ignore sisters, holding grudges for years.

Jesus came to change all this; He came to forgive us so we can forgive others. Jesus's suffering and death was the hardest thing He had to so. It stands to reason that the act of forgiving others may well be the hardest thing we do too.

Dear Jesus, give me a heart to forgive. Help me overcome my fear of rejection and do the right thing. Amen.

1 Kings 1

Forgiveness is Never Easy

…When their message came to him, Joseph wept.  Genesis 50: 17b

Have you ever had to forgive someone a huge wrong?  It’s hard to do isn’t it.

I’m not talking about forgiving someone who talked bad about you or lied about you.  Maybe you have had someone steal from you and you knew you needed to forgive them.  Forgiving someone is always hard but I am talking about forgiving someone whose choices had a life altering consequences for you.

Perhaps someone’s lies lost you your job, causing you to uproot your family in search of a new start.  Maybe you have been the victim of abuse.  Now, because of someone else’s choices you are trying to learn how to trust again. It could be, you have lost a loved one to a drunk driver and your only choice is to forgive or let the hopeless bitterness and despair consume you.

Joseph was confronted with the seemingly impossible decision of forgiving his brothers.  Sold into slavery as a young boy, Joseph was separated from parents who loved him and forced to live a life of servitude.  He was falsely accused of assault, imprisoned, and alone.  None of these things would have happened to him if his brothers hadn’t acted in such an evil way against him.  Joseph had reason to seek revenge yet their father asks him to seek forgiveness.

His dying request for his son was, “I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.”   Joseph’s response to this request was forgiveness, but something happened before he declared them forgiven and I don’t want you to miss it.

Joseph wept.

When we have been sinned against, forgiveness is required of us.  It is not easy, especially when the hurt is deep and life-changing.  I believe to forgive a deep hurt we must grieve.  Grieve what was lost.  A friend, a job, trust, innocence… Grieve.  Weep deeply, then turn to God to fill that void.  When God fills the hurt we can rely on his strength to forgive.

Read the entire scripture here Genesis 50: 12-21

Galatians 5:1, 13-25

Knowing My Calling......Life By The Spirit

“Serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14

We have heard these lines many times before, but what about this next one?

“If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” Galatians 5:15

“The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.” Galatians 5:22-23

Let’s be honest. It is not that difficult to serve those who welcome our service, and ooze with the fruit of the spirit themselves. It is also quite comfortable to love our neighbor when he is appreciative, and reciprocates gentleness, patience, self control, and love. It is not easy however, to love, serve, be patient with and kind to those who consistently make us feel sad and frustrated. That IS however, living life by the spirit.

It is much more natural to harbor bitterness and resentment, and far easier on the heart than to love and serve others we feel do not deserve it. The destruction that results however, is real. We tend to judge rather than love. We put down instead of building up. We take things personally and hold on tightly to those negative feelings, rather than forgiving. I’m sure glad God doesn't do that!

Our calling is to “live life by the spirit.” Not just when it’s convenient or comfortable, easy or satisfying. In fact, when it is most difficult, is when the true reward will follow.

Thank you Lord, for not giving up on us, even when we were turning away from you. During the times we were rude and indifferent Lord, you were patient and loving. When we did not deserve your time, you gave it to us anyway, and loved us, you just loved us!

Read/Listen to Galatians 5:1

Read/Listen to Galatians 5: 13-25