Monday, November 26, 2007
The Willingness to Forgive
Bishop Keith Butler
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)
One time when we lived in the church parsonage that was right next door to the church, I was angry with my wife, Deborah, for something she did. I was so ticked off at her that I left the house and went into the church. I went to the altar, and started praying. But I was not really praying, I was complaining. I said, "Lord, I want you to do something about this woman." I am telling the Lord what I want Him to show her. The Lord said to me (I heard it loud and clear), "You be careful what you say about her. She was my daughter before she was your wife."
I removed my grubby knees from the altar. I went across the alley, and into the house. I kneeled down on my knees and said, "Baby, I'm sorry. Please forgive me." Was she wrong? I thought so. But, God did not care if she was right or wrong. God said, to exercise forgiveness towards her. God requires forgiveness, not just when we want to forgive. He does not say, you can forgive this but not that. God's forgiveness is unilateral.
Satan's number one tactic to destroy the body of Christ is to destroy families. If he gets us out of the Word of God in handling our relationships, then he will succeed. We must look to the Word of God to tell us how to be single and care for the Lord; and how to live in a happy marital relationship. If you serve the Lord with all your heart and trust God, He will send you the mate that is the right one for you. And when you get the one God sends you, you will praise God for the rest of your days.
Scripture References: Mark 11:25-26, 2 Chronicles 26:5
