If this is your first time here, please return and start from the beginning! Thank you!
We are onto the sixth Commandment already!!
Exodus 20:13 "You must not commit murder."
Well, that sounds simple.... Right? There was nothing added on. No promises. Nothin!
But what is considered murder in the eyes of the Lord? We say murder, and that means that someone took another person's life. But just as man's rules are not the same as God's rules. Man's dictionary is not the same as God's dictionary for some things. Does this include anyone that dies from your hands? No matter the circumstance? What if it was self-defense? What if you were being attacked? What if it was a cosmic accident? What if you tripped and fell- falling into someone else- causing them to fall! And they then smash their head on something and die!
Well man's definition of murder is: The unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another.
So, does that super simplify it?!? Ha- don't hate anyone enough to plot their murder!
What if we add this verse into the mix? 1 John 3:15 "Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don't have eternal life within them."
WHAT!?! So now you are telling me, that if I simply hate someone... even though I am not planning their murder... that God still sees me as a murderer?? Huh, I think we all have some soul searching to do! And some forgiveness to hand out!! This is why forgiving others is so important! For where there is forgiveness, there cannot be hate!
Ephesians 4:31&32 says, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you!"
Let me tell you- it is not always easy to forgive! There are some pretty despicable people out there! To tell a child to forgive the person that killed their parents. Or to ask a rape victim to forgive their rapist. These are hard things! These are things that no person should have to go through! But these are the things that we seek the Lord for! We ask for His help and His mercy! The only way forward with these hard asks, is to seek Jesus! He may just have to carry you through on these rough ones! Some will take time! God knows your heart! He needs to know you are trying! He needs to know you're seeking Him for help and guidance!
For clarity!!--- Forgiveness does not equal a free pass! That person is still to serve their punishment! To forgive - means that you do not hold that person in contempt inside of you! You release that weight to God!
There are people that many of us could say, don't deserve forgiveness. But at the end of the day- neither do anyone of us. None of us deserve what Jesus did on the cross for our benefit! And thank God that we are not the final judges! They will have to account to God for their actions! But so do we! Part of our actions are to include forgiving others!
So.... Who do you need to forgive? Don't be afraid to seek counsel from a Christ following friend! Seek God constantly! And when someone pops back into your life that you did not even realize that you held hate for. Deal with it right then! Or at least start to! Even though God know, He needs to hear it from you too! Keep the lines of communication open!
Until next time:
Numbers 6:24-26
24. May the Lord bless you and protect you!
25. May the Lord smile upon you and be gracious to you!
26. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace!
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