Victory Can Be Yours!
Article # 17 – “Be On the Alert”
When we believe in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on
the cross, we are forgiven of our sins and promised eternal life with
Christ. This is the greatest act of
forgiveness we could ever know, one which delivers us from eternal death to
eternal life.
That is not where forgiveness ends. We are commanded by Christ to forgive one
another. There is constant strife in the
world and too often, conflict within the church. This sometimes results from a statement made
with no malice intended. It also can
come from a difference of opinion on a certain subject. Regardless of the reason for feeling
offended, we are to forgive, reconstruct our relationship, and move on in a
positive direction. When Jesus was asked
by Peter, “’Lord, how often shall my
brother sin against me and I forgive him?
Up to seven times? Jesus said to
him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to
seventy times seven.’” (Matt. 18: 21, 22)
There should be few disagreements and no animosity
between believers. We may not agree on
every little thing, but it must not cause separation as we are brothers and
sisters in Christ. The Apostle Paul, in
his letter to Corinth wrote, “Now I
exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree,
and that there be no division among you, but that you be made complete in the
same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Cor. 1:10) Any difference can and must be faced up to
and worked out.
We must be forgiving to our brothers and sisters in
Christ, because we are commanded to forgive all men. “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your
transgressions.” (Matt. 6: 14, 15)
Let us remember; “Now
the deed of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes,
dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and the things like
these of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who
practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, hoy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;
against such things there is no law.” (Gal. 5: 19-23) When we are offended, let us go out of our
way to resolve the difference so that it does not fester and get out of
hand. Then, let us always guard
ourselves against the possibility of offending others. “Therefore,
laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we
are members of one another. Be angry,
and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give
the devil an opportunity. (Eph. 4:25-27)
We must always be careful with our behavior as the Lord advises us in
His word; “Be of sober spirit, be on the
alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls
around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Pet. 5:8)
You, too, can have victory in Jesus! More to follow.
Lowell Parrish
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