Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson
I really don't if I ought to share this here but I will anyways.
Recently I discovered that someone had something agains't me for several yrs,and I really was not aware of it but after I found out I called this person on the phone and asked for forgiveness,boy was I relieved when I did that.
That thing worked on me after I found out about it,and the thing was this was several yrs.ago and it was never was brought to my attention.
I want to be at peace with all my brothers and sisters live in right relationship with all men as much as possible.
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Amen, brother; that is a good attitude and example.
I have some personal experience with offences/grudes/etc as well. Unfortunately, I've had experience with having something against someone but not letting them know it for a long time; which is very wrong. I am so glad that I finally did something about it.
I have come to realize that the following 2 pieces of scripture deal a lot regarding this...
Mat 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Mat 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee;
Mat 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
and...
Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.
In the first instance, a persons KNOWS that someone has ought against them and the responsibility is on THEM to make things right with their brother. Whereas in the second instance, the responsibility is on the one OFFENDED to go to the brother ALONE and let him know and give him the opportunity to make things right. Sometimes a brother/sister is NOT aware that they have offended you, which is why once you have been offended, it is YOUR responsibility to let them know.
Offences/grudges that are NOT dealt with can grow and can cause hatred and bitterness...
Heb 12:15 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;
The thing is that if someone offended you and you do nothing about it, it can lead to hatred and bitterness towards that person. You hate them and are bitter at them, but it does absolutely nothing to them, but is destroying YOU.
I believe the scriptures teach that relationships in the body are very important and that when anything happens that may try to destroy a relationship, knowingly/willingly or unknowingly/unwillingly, we MUST take care of it so as to not destroy the relationship.
I contend that if one is offended and does NOT go to the offender and make things right, then they do not LOVE their brother. They think that somehow since they are the one who offended, then they are in trouble with the Lord, and that by you not giving them a chance to make it right with you, you are somehow keeping them in trouble with the Lord. This is carnal thinking and is NOT the case. It is YOUR responsibility to let them KNOW. Therefore, they are fulfilling their responsibility and going on living for God. YOU however have a problem UNTIL you do something about it.
Sometimes people try to rationalize or justify themselves out of doing what the bible says they should do, but in the end, it is OUR responsibility to fulfill what the bible says we should do.
If you will do what the bible says you should do, regardless of how much time you have let pass (I have personal experience in this area), you can be liberated and healing can take place inside you.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
The ones who will obtain mercy from the Lord are those who will have mercy upon their brothers/sisters and will go to them and make things right.
If you are unwilling to do this, then you will not obtain mercy and you will be stuck in a rut and will not be able to move on until you deal with it.
This goes against what the world does and what carnal flesh wants, but it all comes down to let brotherly love continue.
1Jn 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Sometimes PRIDE plays an issue with not making things right with others as well.
Thank God that Jesus knew the things that we in the church would have to deal with and gave us very simple instructions to follow to keep the peace and the blessings flowing and to keep us loving one another.
God bless and good thread.
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