Values No 2: Don't hold a grudge - forgive

"You shall not take vengeance, not bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself. I am the LORD".  Leviticus 19:18.  NKJV

'I'll never forgive that person; you just don't know what they've done to me." Does this sound familiar? You know, Jesus wants there to be, no place for hatred, holding a grudge, revenge, retaliation or getting even in our lives. He set us free from all of that when He died on the cross. If you think differently, sorry, but you've got it wrong.

A grudge can fester away within a person like a cancer. It can spread until it causes total devastation. It destroys the grudge-holder and quite often the person who is the reason for the grudge, knows nothing about this. 

Forgiveness is probably the most important of Christian Values. Without it, we're lost and destined to a very dark and terrible place, when we die - hell. If we hold a grudge and refuse to forgive that person who you believe is responsible for you feeling this way, then you will not be forgiven yourself:

'But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in Heaven forgive your trespasses.'
                                                                                         Mark 11:26   NKJV

'Yes, but you don't know what she did to me.' No, I don't, but Jesus does; leave it with Him and let Him deal with it for you. When we say that, 'I'll never forgive,' we are actually making an inner vow, and a vow is very hard to break. A vow is a solemn promise or declaration - a pledge. When we make an inner vow such as, 'I'll never forgive that person,' that vow is a promise that we have made but it is breakable. However, you may need prayer for this purpose if you can't manage it yourself. Usually, it requires a change of thought and you making the decision that the vow will never rule in your heart again. It other words, you're breaking the stronghold:

'For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds; casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God; bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.'
                                                                           2 Corinthians 10:4-5.  NKJV

If you're holding a grudge, it is ruining your Christian walk. Make a firm decision - today, that from this moment you will release the grudge; forgive the person and get on with your life.
It may mean that you have to make a telephone call to someone to confess, forgive them and allow them to forgive you. That will be difficult but God will be delighted.

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com