Peace from Forgiveness
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)
Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy once said, “Let us forgive each other – only then will we live in peace.” Forgiveness, which means to release, to dismiss, or to let go is the required remedy for a heart that has been made cold and callous by the hurts, heartaches, and disappointments of life.
I’m sure you know what it’s like to have someone hurt you, betray you, cheat on you, lie to you, or talk about you behind your back. You understand the feeling of your heart being taken over by bitterness and your mind consumed with revenge because the pain of betrayal seems like it just won’t go away.
But Tolstoy was right. Forgiveness is the gateway to living in peace, and when we do not forgive, our faith is corroded, our hearts are hardened, and our peace is robbed. But the question we must wrestle with in light of today’s key passage is whether there is an answer for a heart that has been overtaken by unforgiveness.
This is where Paul’s letter to the Ephesians comes in. Paul knew exactly what it was like to be tempted to harbor unforgiveness. He had been treated so unfairly and unjustly for the sake of the Gospel, and yet he lived with a forgiving heart so that he could experience peace rather than be dominated by bitterness. In doing so, he was able to encourage the Ephesians then and us now to rid ourselves of anger, malice, and bitterness through the avenue of forgiveness.
With that in mind, have you been harboring anger towards someone who hurt you? Have you been robbed of your peace because you’re having trouble forgiving someone who sinned against you? If so, I urge you to ask the Lord to help you forgive this person. Pray that the Lord would replace your bitterness with peace, and watch how He redeems your circumstances and restores your heart and your attitude.
Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy once said, “Let us forgive each other – only then will we live in peace.” Forgiveness, which means to release, to dismiss, or to let go is the required remedy for a heart that has been made cold and callous by the hurts, heartaches, and disappointments of life.
I’m sure you know what it’s like to have someone hurt you, betray you, cheat on you, lie to you, or talk about you behind your back. You understand the feeling of your heart being taken over by bitterness and your mind consumed with revenge because the pain of betrayal seems like it just won’t go away.
But Tolstoy was right. Forgiveness is the gateway to living in peace, and when we do not forgive, our faith is corroded, our hearts are hardened, and our peace is robbed. But the question we must wrestle with in light of today’s key passage is whether there is an answer for a heart that has been overtaken by unforgiveness.
This is where Paul’s letter to the Ephesians comes in. Paul knew exactly what it was like to be tempted to harbor unforgiveness. He had been treated so unfairly and unjustly for the sake of the Gospel, and yet he lived with a forgiving heart so that he could experience peace rather than be dominated by bitterness. In doing so, he was able to encourage the Ephesians then and us now to rid ourselves of anger, malice, and bitterness through the avenue of forgiveness.
With that in mind, have you been harboring anger towards someone who hurt you? Have you been robbed of your peace because you’re having trouble forgiving someone who sinned against you? If so, I urge you to ask the Lord to help you forgive this person. Pray that the Lord would replace your bitterness with peace, and watch how He redeems your circumstances and restores your heart and your attitude.
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