They say, Forgiveness is a funny thing because it cools the sting and warms the heart. Is there a coldness in your heart? Try forgiveness.
1. Have you forgiven yourself?
Are you living under self-condemnation for your past sin? Forget those things which are behind (Phil3:13). You have no right to condemn one whom God has forgiven - that is yourself. Cheer up! (1Jn 1:9).
2. Have you forgiven the penitent?
What is your reaction when someone says. “I am sorry”? You are not going to live here forever. It is not worth carrying a grudge for a lifetime. It is a burden for one who ought to travel light in life (Lk 17:3,4). One day I developed a symptom of cancer. My first reaction was to kneel down and forgive all those who I never thought I could ever forgive in this life. A check-up ruled out cancer. Should we wait for God to strike us to obey His commandment? (Psa 32:8,9).
3. Have you forgiven the impenitent?
One day I wrestled with God to forgive one who did not apologise. I was absolutely sure there was no teaching in the Scripture to forgive such an one. I told God that if He could show me just one verse for that, I would surrender. Out of my mind, suddenly popped out this verse: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
4. Have you forgiven the dead?
Do you still keep rattling about what your mother-in-law or so-and-so did to you, who is no more? Stop talking the bad things and attempt to say something of their goodness. “Take heed to yourselves...forgive” (Lk 17:3). Forgiving helps you!
5. Have you forgiven the family, race, community, nation?
If one has wronged you, do you keep warning others not to trust that particular group to which he belongs? “Never trust a Malayalee. Don’t have anything to do with a Madrasee. North Indians are ruffians. South Indians will sit on your neck.” Do such phrases flow from your belly? (Eze 18:2-4).
6. Have you forgiven your friend, relative, neighbour?
Have you turned down their overtures to make amends? Even after betrayal, Judas was Jesus’ friend. A friend loves at all times. Do not let friendships, relationships, break over matters great or small. Often I have found those who hurt me have themselves been hurt badly by someone out of which they reacted towards me (Col 3:13).
7. Have you forgiven your enemy?
Jesus said, “Love your enemies.” That is one step more than forgiveness. If God has forgiven you who were His enemy, you ought to forgive your enemy too (Rom 5:10). Or else God cannot forgive you (Mt 6:15). The prayer of faith requires a forgiving spirit (Mk 11:23-25).
8. Have you forgiven 490 times?
Are you afraid to be hurt? Do you think he may take advantage of you or count it your weakness? It is better to be hurt than to hurt others. It is better to be cheated than to be a cheat. Jesus knew Judas was going to hurt Him, yet sat with him for supper (Mt 18:22).
9. Have you forgiven from the heart?
You say you have forgiven him but you grit your teeth at the mention of his name or tear up his photograph. If you have forgiven from the heart, prove it - by praying for him, smiling at him or writing to him and not speaking ill of him to others (Mt 18:35).
10. Have you forgive the innocent?
Do you hate your wife for giving birth to a girl? Or your daughter-in-law for “stealing your son?” Or your daughter because she married someone you didn’t approve of? Or associate the death of a beloved to the arrival of someone into your home. You cannot hate someone on hearsay or suspicion too (Prov 3:30; Mt 5:22a).
Why should you lose your Christian virtues just because someone lost his’ with you?
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
They say, Forgiveness is a funny thing because it cools the sting and warms the heart. Is there a coldness in your heart? Try forgiveness.
1. Have you forgiven yourself?
Are you living under self-condemnation for your past sin? Forget those things which are behind (Phil3:13). You have no right to condemn one whom God has forgiven - that is yourself. Cheer up! (1Jn 1:9).
2. Have you forgiven the penitent?
What is your reaction when someone says. “I am sorry”? You are not going to live here forever. It is not worth carrying a grudge for a lifetime. It is a burden for one who ought to travel light in life (Lk 17:3,4). One day I developed a symptom of cancer. My first reaction was to kneel down and forgive all those who I never thought I could ever forgive in this life. A check-up ruled out cancer. Should we wait for God to strike us to obey His commandment? (Psa 32:8,9).
3. Have you forgiven the impenitent?
One day I wrestled with God to forgive one who did not apologise. I was absolutely sure there was no teaching in the Scripture to forgive such an one. I told God that if He could show me just one verse for that, I would surrender. Out of my mind, suddenly popped out this verse: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
4. Have you forgiven the dead?
Do you still keep rattling about what your mother-in-law or so-and-so did to you, who is no more? Stop talking the bad things and attempt to say something of their goodness. “Take heed to yourselves...forgive” (Lk 17:3). Forgiving helps you!
5. Have you forgiven the family, race, community, nation?
If one has wronged you, do you keep warning others not to trust that particular group to which he belongs? “Never trust a Malayalee. Don’t have anything to do with a Madrasee. North Indians are ruffians. South Indians will sit on your neck.” Do such phrases flow from your belly? (Eze 18:2-4).
6. Have you forgiven your friend, relative, neighbour?
Have you turned down their overtures to make amends? Even after betrayal, Judas was Jesus’ friend. A friend loves at all times. Do not let friendships, relationships, break over matters great or small. Often I have found those who hurt me have themselves been hurt badly by someone out of which they reacted towards me (Col 3:13).
7. Have you forgiven your enemy?
Jesus said, “Love your enemies.” That is one step more than forgiveness. If God has forgiven you who were His enemy, you ought to forgive your enemy too (Rom 5:10). Or else God cannot forgive you (Mt 6:15). The prayer of faith requires a forgiving spirit (Mk 11:23-25).
8. Have you forgiven 490 times?
Are you afraid to be hurt? Do you think he may take advantage of you or count it your weakness? It is better to be hurt than to hurt others. It is better to be cheated than to be a cheat. Jesus knew Judas was going to hurt Him, yet sat with him for supper (Mt 18:22).
9. Have you forgiven from the heart?
You say you have forgiven him but you grit your teeth at the mention of his name or tear up his photograph. If you have forgiven from the heart, prove it - by praying for him, smiling at him or writing to him and not speaking ill of him to others (Mt 18:35).
10. Have you forgive the innocent?
Do you hate your wife for giving birth to a girl? Or your daughter-in-law for “stealing your son?” Or your daughter because she married someone you didn’t approve of? Or associate the death of a beloved to the arrival of someone into your home. You cannot hate someone on hearsay or suspicion too (Prov 3:30; Mt 5:22a).
Why should you lose your Christian virtues just because someone lost his’ with you?
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
