[:en]THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

In his practical book, The Full Armor of God, Larry Richards writes, “Christianity is the story of transition from chaos to peace, from hostility to love. Once we were enemies of God. Then, Christ’s love for us called out our love for Him, and we were reconciled to God . . . .Then Jesus came to unite the two hostile people into a single community, the Church—a community that was to be marked by peace and love . . . . But how could this possibly happen?”

It’s a good question! Relating it to forgiveness, he, then, gives us the answer, “We can go to God. We can show our wounds to Jesus and put our pain in His hands . . . . In its most basic form, then, to forgive is stop holding bitterness and anger toward those responsible for harming us. It is to look to the cross of Christ, to rest our cause in God’s hands . . . and to know peace.” Amen to that!

Perhaps in response we say, “Well, it is easier said than done.” That’s true but it is possible because if it were not possible, Jesus Our Lord would not have commanded us to forgive. All His commandments are doable, the question is, “Do we want to or not?” If we want to, He’ll supply us with His love, then, break the levee that encloses us. If we don’t, He won’t make us; He’ll wait.

It is during the waiting period that we must stand guard because it is then, during the wait, that all hells can break loose. We can swing our steps—and our arms—to the right and left, causing havoc to both our surrounding and ourselves. So, be careful; disobedience always costs us. You see, obedience builds, disobedience destroys. When we obey, there is always someone who will be blessed; when we disobey there is always someone who will be destroyed. Of course, in the end, that someone is none other than we.

Pastor Paul[:id]THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

In his practical book, The Full Armor of God, Larry Richards writes, “Christianity is the story of transition from chaos to peace, from hostility to love. Once we were enemies of God. Then, Christ’s love for us called out our love for Him, and we were reconciled to God . . . .Then Jesus came to unite the two hostile people into a single community, the Church—a community that was to be marked by peace and love . . . . But how could this possibly happen?”

It’s a good question! Relating it to forgiveness, he, then, gives us the answer, “We can go to God. We can show our wounds to Jesus and put our pain in His hands . . . . In its most basic form, then, to forgive is stop holding bitterness and anger toward those responsible for harming us. It is to look to the cross of Christ, to rest our cause in God’s hands . . . and to know peace.” Amen to that!

Perhaps in response we say, “Well, it is easier said than done.” That’s true but it is possible because if it were not possible, Jesus Our Lord would not have commanded us to forgive. All His commandments are doable, the question is, “Do we want to or not?” If we want to, He’ll supply us with His love, then, break the levee that encloses us. If we don’t, He won’t make us; He’ll wait.

It is during the waiting period that we must stand guard because it is then, during the wait, that all hells can break loose. We can swing our steps—and our arms—to the right and left, causing havoc to both our surrounding and ourselves. So, be careful; disobedience always costs us. You see, obedience builds, disobedience destroys. When we obey, there is always someone who will be blessed; when we disobey there is always someone who will be destroyed. Of course, in the end, that someone is none other than we.

Pastor Paul[:]