John 15:12 This is My Commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

 

Jesus commanded us to love one another as He loves us. To love someone is to forgive them of their shortcomings just as God forgives us. This is not easy to do at times because we hurt each other. Whether it be intentional or unintentional, we cause each other pain. That, my friends, is a fact.

 

Jesus said that IF we abide in Him, we will be able to forgive those who hurt us. Our faith in Him and His Finished Work on the Cross enables us to forgive others just as He forgave us. I have heard it said, “I just can’t forgive him again. He has done this to me too many times. I’m through!” To this I respond, “How many times has your Heavenly Father forgiven you?”

 

Unforgiveness leads to bitterness which is a root that goes deep and will destroy every part of our being. Jesus said, If you love Me you will keep My Commandments. (John 14:15) His Commandments are to love God and love one another. Therefore, we can’t love Jesus and be bitter toward someone at the same time.

 

Unforgiveness and bitterness will control every part of a person and lead to total destruction: body, soul and spirit. The Word of God tells us that if we harbor unforgiveness and bitterness against our brother we will die and spend eternity in Hell. Yes, that’s what the Word says. John, the beloved wrote: We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. He who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has Eternal Life abiding in him. (1 John 3:14-15)

 

This is an extremely serious situation. The Word of God does not lie. God means what He says. Read it again: We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. He who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has Eternal Life abiding in him. (1 John 3:14-15)

 

Please consider carefully this Word from the Lord. God extends His Mercy toward us and forgives us every day. Let us do the same toward our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are not perfect and neither are they. If you love Me you will keep My Commandments. (John 14:15) We cannot say we love Jesus and not keep His Commandments.

 

Forgiveness on your part will……….turn the tide……….in your life.

 

I forgive, Doreen

 

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