Need for true forgiveness
Key Verses: 1, 8, 14, 15, 22, 35
It can be very hard to accept a lower position than you expect. We face this when we go for a job interview and get less than we expect, either in position or in compensation. Jesus tells us to take the lower position, to not assume that you deserve more than you get. Children don’t know about rank and importance, and they don’t care. The attitude of self-importance needs to be killed. No length is too great to rid yourself of this stumbling block. That is just how important it is. We need to be humble, really humble. Pride has no place in our lives. (Remember, sometimes pride comes dressed as humility.)
Jesus cares about those who seemingly have little importance by comparison. Jesus said the one is more important than the ninety nine. The small children don’t have much power or influence, and yet Jesus says they are the most important and that we need to adopt their posture. We are important, but so are lots of other people. Let’s put our worth in perspective.
Sometimes things go wrong for a believer; sin overtakes, or should I say choices are made. When that happens we are to lovingly go and do whatever it takes to help them repent and be restored, even if it means we treat them as an unbeliever, willing to win them back with love. There is no magic formula in Christianity, no magic number, mo making God do anything apart from what He wills. God promises that when we are faithful in confronting in love, He will be with us every step of the way.
Forgiveness can be a very difficult task. If we are the one offended, the pain of the offense can get in the way of our offer of forgiveness. We often think that if I offer forgiveness, they will just do it to me again. When we are wronged and the person doesn’t change, it is OK to treat them as a non-believer. But their attitude must remain one of repentance and humility. That is how we know if the forgiveness that was offered was truly accepted and effective. Forgiveness can change a life. It changed mine!
The Arnold Journey 