The ACTS Message
May 7,
2009
"And
be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even
as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you."
(Ephesians 4:32)
Society today seems to embellish the idea
that we are able to be selfish and still live a productive life. This
concept however is foreign to the teachings of Jesus. There is nothing
beautiful about selfishness. It is ugly!
Selfishness divides, it never unifies!
It produces harmful misunderstandings about the needs of others. And the
concern for others is the basis of Jesus' message, not our own
preference.
"Be kindly
affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one
another;" (Romans 12:10)
Now, selfishness will produce a very
noticeable trait: "Bitterness".
"Follow peace
with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root
of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;"
(Hebrews 12:14-15)
When one puts self before others, he or she
has the tendency to devalue another's worth. Therefore, when one offers
an opinion different from their own or another's work is preferred over
theirs etc... they harbor ill feelings. Satan cultivates this animosity
until bitterness takes hold of a person's heart.
When bitterness springs up, it will manifest
itself openly with distain. Soon, the infected person will spread their
dreadful disease to the harm of others. And others is the very thing
that Jesus is desiring us to prefer!
"Let all
bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put
away from you, with all malice: And be you kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has
forgiven you." (Ephesians
4:31-32)
Now, I must ask: "Do you have bitterness in
your life?" Are you harboring any negative feelings, animosity, or even
hatred towards another person?
Perhaps you have been deeply hurt. Perhaps
you were sexually, physically, or verbally abused as a child. Maybe
you've been unsuccessful in school or in your current career.
I know that we all face hurt and rejection
in life. But I also know that Satan laughs when there's conflict that's
caused by bitterness. Why does he laugh? Because he knows that a spirit
of bitterness gives him a foothold in your life, which will make you
unable to pray effectively, unable to witness effectively, and unable to
serve God effectively!
You say, "Well, Pastor, you don't understand
how much I've been hurt. You don't know how deeply I've been wounded.
You don't know my story." And you know what? You're right. I don't.
But I do know what happened to Jesus when He
was taken into the hands of cruel and violent men. He was handed over to
Roman soldiers who saw Him as nothing but a piece of flesh to be
executed. They beat Him, mocked Him, pulled out His beard, spat in His
face, and they nailed Him to a cross.
And yet Jesus said, "Father, forgive them,
for they know not what they do" (Luke
23:34)
That's what Jesus has done for you! And as a
Spirit filled believer, He lives within you, enabling you by His power
to respond to others with forgiveness.
You know, if you will ask God to take away
your bitterness, He'll do it. Jesus will bring you to a place in your
life where His grace and peace replaces the animosity, hurt, and anger
that you feel.
Now, it's
time to be courageous and ask the Lord to help you forgive the one who
has hurt you so deeply.
It's my prayer that you display God's power
in your life by preferring and forgiving others.
God Bless and Keep You Always,
Sr. Pastor: R. Johnson