Praise.Passion.Purpose

FORGIVENESS-RECONCILIATION- THE FRUIT IT BRINGS

Forgiveness has been the topic of discussion for about a week now. At first a friend asked a question on facebook "Does forgiveness mean you're buddy buddy with the person after you forgive them"
Then my sister and I were talking about it. then I was faced with it internally concerning a man who had hurt me in the past, then a beautiful woman of God who is like a mom was talking with me about it. It's been in my face for awhile so I figured I should probably do some studying.

After really studying it in the scriptures- God gave me revelation and it has been heart pounding, life conforming awesome!!  I pray you'll read with open heart and the Holy Spirit will speak to you through these words. (Let me start by saying, that I'm in no way stating that I've arrived) I'm just sharing what the Lord gave me for the purpose of challenging, encouraging and blessing you.) Iron sharpens Iron!

Someone who has been offended or deeply hurt will usually feel they have a right to be angry, hurt and bitter. They may even plan to take revenge. In contrast, God asks us to trust him with our pain, trust him for justice, and forgive those who hurt us (Romans 12:17-20).

I was led to Matthew 5:21-26  I'm going to show it in the Message Bible Translation.

21-22You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.
 ^23-24 This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.
 ^25-26 Or say you're out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don't lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him.

Ok!  First off our words have power and most christians know this, but how often do we carelessly let death fly from our lips without a second thought. I have been guilty. Speaking death about people, places and even events in my life rather than speaking life. but God says in his word that its murder.
Then it says if YOU remember that your friend has a grudge against YOU that YOU are supposed to abandon your gift and go to them and be reconciled (verse 24 of the King jamesVersion)²⁴Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.  Reconciled definition: To reestablish close relationship with;  to settle or resolve

Now how often have you said, "I'm walking in forgiveness, but if THEY aren't in forgiveness then that's just between THEM and GOD"

You're right, if someone is in unforgiveness that IS between them and God, however this scripture clearly states that if you (being a christian) know that your brother or sister has something against you, you're not supposed to WAIT for them to come to YOU... you are supposed to go to them before you try to even give your tithe or offer your gift before the Lord, but how many of us do that?

and be reconciled... now that's a deep one!! and some would say that's a hard one... but you know what God spoke to me??  It IS hard when you're in your flesh and walking according to your own will, but in Christ you do it anyway.

It was hard for me to forgive you all your sin- having to take it all upon myslef. it was hard for me to drink of that bitter cup,  but in Matthew 26:39  Jesus said, Let this cup pass from , BUT never the less, not MY will but THY will be done!

God wants His family reconciled with one another. he wants to come back for his church that is without a spot or wrinkle... (wrinkles = divisions) (spots =sin)  God's order was NEVER for people who love him and live for him to be divided. that was NEVER His plan, but what happens is WE get in the way. We allow our own logic, flesh, hurts, understandings, religious traditions, insecurites, and junk to get in the way of the divine order God intended. THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.  Are folks divided and hurt in heaven? Is there unforgiveness and folks not speaking in heaven?  (I'll let you answer that)

Romans 5:10 says when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.
(Reconciliation takes death to self and our need to hold grudges)

2Corinthians 5:18 says But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself  and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him].  

WHOA!!  reconciliation is a ministry and the ministry is to bring others (unbelievers) into harmony with him, but how can we bring others into harmony when WE (believers) aren't in harmony with one another?  it just won't happen.

The Fruit that forgiveness and reconciliation brings is this:

peace with God, justification, Fellowship with God, adoption, Love, times of refreshing, joy, restoration, indwelling of the Holy Spirit. and So much more!

I pray that we all will come into the true understanding of forgiveness and reconciliation and not only will we understand it, but just like in 2 Corinthians 5:18 we will all by Word and Deed LIVE the Word and bring others into harmony with Jesus Christ our Lord!

Blessings and Favor.

Alisa