I have realized how forgiveness is so much more amazing to live by than living in bitterness and revenge. Society looks at forgiveness in somewhat of a noble yet weak and boring way, yet looks at bitterness and revenge as the way to live your life. Why? because it is easier.
To constantly forgive people that have wronged you in some way in the past, whether it is friends, or family members, is one of the hardest things to do. Why? because we want to be right, we are selfish beings, and even when we have practiced forgiving and you think you are okay, it comes back to haunt you. I truly believe it is Satan who brings these things back, because my mind can be no where near remembering the past, and then these thoughts will come into my head. Thoughts that make me want to rekindle past flames of hurt and bitterness, in order to create a grudge filled fire. Do I give in? depending on the day, yeah sometimes. Other times, I yell at myself, I yell at Satan, because I know that is not the type of heart God calls us to have. I have to remind myself who I serve, and that is the Holy God, who forgave me even though I despise and reject Him with sin daily. Who am I to hold a grudge on someone, and then pray to God? Who do I think I am? That would be completely hypocritical of me, to call myself a Christian, and then hope revenge on someone, or treat them like crap of stuff that happened in the past. No, God calls us (meaning: Christians, those who follow Christ) to be set apart. To forgive, to love, to show mercy to those who don't deserve it, because that's what He showed to us through His Son.
As I have studied other religions, and learned about them through my comparative religion class at school, I cannot waver from Christianity. I mean, many religions sound the same, you do this and you'll find happiness, you do this and you will find peace. People put Christianity in that area, which makes sense, but here's what makes it different and I cannot get over, it is the Cross. I cannot get past the Cross. Sure, people can say Jesus was a good moral teacher or a prophet of some sort, but can one really understand the Cross if all they believe is that He was a good moral teacher. I think not.
Honestly, I have thought about other religions being the "right way" to go, believe me, I have really considered it before. Yet none of them have a story like the Cross. None have a story that God would come in human form and die for mankind.
I have considered Judaism as a religion to follow, yet it saddens me, because I realized, they are a lost people. They were God's chosen, and still are, but reject the Gospel message, and now just wander waiting for the Messiah that has already come. How terrably sad. My professor talks about how they (including him) are a persecuted people, why do you think? In Deutoronmy God promises Israel prosperity if they follow Him and worship Him, and if they don't, destruction. Has Judah ever been able to rest since they returned to their home during the Persian Empire? Actually, have they been able to rest since the temple was destroyed during the exile to Babylon? 400 years past by, and then a man claiming to be the Messiah comes. Many believe, many reject, and some betray Him. Why? In order that the words of the prophets may come true.
God shows forgiveness to mankind throughout the Old Testament, and into the New Testament we are able to see it much clearer through the demonstration of the Cross.
What an amazing story that is to me, not that God would come and teach people how to live "good" or "moral" lives, but in order that He may die. Imagine your goal in life, your mission on earth, is to die. What kind of mission is that? It sounds hopeless and pathetic. Yet, that's what Jesus came to do, in such a picture of weakness, He dies for humanity in order to destroy Satan's stronghold on this earth, and in order for us to have the kingdom of God reign in our hearts until He comes again to take us to that kingdom. What an amazing story. All are welcome to join in too, men and women alike, equal before the eyes of God.
Ah well, I'm tired, enough of my thoughts for tonight.
God bless!
In Christ,
Amber
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