love

24
Dec
2019

Be liberal with your love

Originally posted on the Electric Gospel on July 3, 2018.

Last year for Independence Day, I posted a message titled, “To Change a Nation, You Must Change Souls.”   I thought I’d post something again this year for the national holiday — something that says a little bit about how the culture of politics often differs from how hearts are moved by faith.

Feel free to share this post with others.

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Be Liberal with your Love

by David Sellnow

I want to be liberal, and hope you will be too.  I’m not talking about political liberalism, but the kind of liberality that every Christian will want to espouse.  Our hearts go out to all those in need of spiritual guidance or physical assistance.  Our gifts will flow freely, liberally, in order to bring needed benefits to them.

I fear that some within the Christian community have so adopted the doctrines of political conservatism that they become unwilling to practice liberal Christian kindness, which is eager to assist those in need.  A church member—a dear, dedicated lady—argued against giving aid to struggling families.  Our congregation was providing them with vouchers to the community food bank.  Bear in mind, we paid pennies per pound for the food, and our annual expense for this charitable effort was less than one percent of our congregational budget.  It wasn’t the amount of our donations that sparked this woman’s objection.  It was the principle of the matter.  She was firmly convinced that helping the poor encouraged helplessness and dependency.  This can sometimes be the case, but is not always so. The Bible writer James described a scenario in which an individual is truly in need of help.  You can’t tell him he should budget his income better; he has no income.  You can’t say he should work harder; he has no job and no prospects.  The person James pictured is literally naked and absolutely lacking.  He’s got nothing.  He’s totally helpless.  Will you help him … or will you pass by on the other side of the street?  James’ brother, Jesus our Savior, told a parable that warned against behavior like that.  Jesus’ parable pictured a priest and a Levite passing by on the other side of the road when they encountered one of their countrymen who had been robbed and beaten and left for dead (cf. Luke 10:30-37).  Being a true neighbor means helping anyone that you see in a position of need—as the good Samaritan in Jesus’ parable exemplified.

Along with our inaction toward neighbors in need in the communities where we live, we have allowed ourselves to fall into similar attitudes globally.  We see Third World inhabitants as the concern of international policymakers, not of personal concern to us.  We fear foreigners as threats to our jobs through outsourcing, or we want them as markets for our products through exporting.  We fail to remember that they are, first of all, people.  They deserve our evangelistic concern and Christian compassion.  If love for others—including strangers and foreigners—is not in our hearts, can we say the love of God is in us?  “He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love. … If a man says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:8,20)?

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“Be liberal with your love” is excerpted from the book, Faith Lives in Our Actions: God’s Message in James Chapter 2.  Get the eBook for your Kindle, or you can download the free Kindle app to read on any device

Posted by Electric Gospel
24
Dec
2019

Deep love

Originally published on the Electric Gospel on August 16, 2017.

Loving like Christ

by Alissa Ambroso
Alissa wrote this devotion for use with her high school students at a Christian academy where she was teaching.

Whether we want to admit it or not, dating has a major impact on the high school experience. It’s considered to be embarrassing if you don’t get asked to prom, it becomes a devastation if you break up with your beau, and some high schoolers may date multiple people throughout their high school careers. It becomes essential to have an Instagram relationship, a publicly intimate profile with intentional, filtered, and perfected photographs of holding hands and beach kisses. There are so many high schoolers today that feel they are “in love” with their boyfriend or girlfriend. We need to examine these relationships because many of you will face the same thing. While facing enormous pressures in the world of high school dating, I want you to remember to chase only one thing: Jesus. When you seek God’s approval rather than your boyfriend’s or girlfriend’s approval, you are trusting God with your heart. You want to make sure that you do not just fall in love with being in love.

What does it mean to seek God’s approval rather than a boyfriend’s or girlfriend’s approval? We look to the Bible for that answer. The Bible describes an unconditional, unequaled love that no one else can possibly match. If you’ve ever felt like you cannot possibly go on without your boyfriend or girlfriend, I am here to tell you that God loves you more than you could possibly imagine. Because he loves you that much, he wants your whole heart, not just when it is convenient. Trusting God with your heart means that if you find yourself the only person without a date, or look at your news feed and see that everyone else is getting engaged, or you have never been in love, but have chased God as your priority in life, you will know the closest thing to a Christ-like love in this world.

The problem is that there is no absence of “love” in society. People describe everything from enjoying a certain type of food to deep affection for another human being with the word “love.” There is such a wide variety of definitions it’s no wonder we get confused about the true meaning! Do we feel love or do we do things in love? Well, we do both.  When we decide to honor another person, love is the action we take no matter how we feel.  The apostle John described love with the word “agape” in Greek language.  It is not merely a feeling based on emotion or affection, although emotion can and will be present.  Deep love is something we choose to do and put our minds to doing. Agape love is grace; it is undeserved love. There is a major difference between shallow love and Christian love. Truth and love go hand-in-hand, so that where Christ’s truth is, there true love will be, and where true love is there the Truth will be. Agape love is more than just a warm, fuzzy feeling inside of us. Christian love is completely selfless, never looking for a personal benefit. Does this mean we can never be angry with our significant other? Absolutely not! It means we look to build them up, rather than strike them down. It means that we strive to show Christ’s love to help the other person feel loved by him. It may mean we don’t want to go to their basketball game, but we do so to support them. It means we may not want to wake up early to make breakfast for our whining kids, but we do so because we love them. Christ’s love has zero hint of selfishness. It is sacrificing, everlasting. It is not rude, does not boast, is not self-seeking, and keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8). There’s no harm in keeping a list of things you want in your future spouse and, if you’re like me, you already may have made a list of characteristics. But I want you to use Scripture to make that list.  If you’re able to keep chasing God and allow the godly man to chase you, you’ll find that all of those characteristics get checked in time. Now, this isn’t a quick fix to the so called “problem” of singleness. Yes, it may be lonely during the homecoming dance, it may be difficult seeing everyone around you in seemingly happy relationships, but there is no greater love than the love your Father in heaven has for you. Trust him with your whole heart.

So how will you know if the person that comes into your life is someone you should be with? Remember that true love seeks the truth, is always healing, never harming. If your relationship emphasizes Christ’s truth together and looks to build each other up rather than cutting down, pray. That well may be the right relationship for your future. Notice I didn’t say that it was the right relationship without a doubt. God may bring many Christian men or women into your life, but relying on the principles you learn in his Word, his truth will guide you toward godly decisions.  Date intentionally. A boyfriend or girlfriend who does not love what you love cannot help you grow closer to that love. If the person you have interest in is not following Christ, then you need to reevaluate those feelings and think about who you’re chasing. Agape love isn’t just expressing your feelings; it’s also about listening to their feelings. Again, it is selfless. When your significant other asks you about your day, without hopes of more time to talk about theirs, it is an attempt to show love. A pastor wisely said, “Listening in love means we seek to understand others on their own terms, as they themselves want to be understood.” It goes beyond being physically supportive. Listening to one another is possible because first we listen to the Lord.

While an unconditional love in this world can’t compare to the truly unconditional love of Christ for his people, we can strive for such a love. Focus on Christ until the person you will love always in Christ comes into your life. Whoever may come down your road, always ask yourself, “Who am I pursuing?”
Posted by Electric Gospel
24
Dec
2019

Learning lessons about friendship

Originally published on The Electric Gospel on April 13, 2017.

Learning lessons about friendship


by Megan Koester
This letter is written to those I wished had been my friends in grade school, or the ones that were my friends, but as the years went on they faded away due to rumors and bad reputations.

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Dear schoolmates,

We have been going to school together for a few years now, but there are times that we do not all get along. Some days we are all the best of friends and we all play together at recess, but on other days none of you want to be seen with me. I am writing this to explain my side of the story and to hopefully better understand why things are the way they are.

I know that no one is perfect and that is why feelings can be hurt. What happens is we do not always put others above ourselves; everyone is guilty of it. I also understand that it is easy sometimes to leave people out without realizing it, but I’m hoping this letter can make you realize it. You might also hear things about people and believe them to be true, but that is not always the case.

I look to the eighth commandment when struggling with a possible rumor. As the commandment says, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). When you get told something about someone and you are not sure it is true, the best step is to talk to the person first. Ask whether or not it is true, because stories get made up or sometimes they get accidentally changed, like in the game telephone. Always keep that person’s reputation in mind. No matter what you hear, think of that person first and talk to them. There is an important proverb to remember in regard to gossip: “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret” (Proverbs 11:13).

A true friend is someone who looks out for others and includes them in everything. All of us struggle with this and may leave people out. This can be for many reasons. It might even be because of the rumors you have heard about the person. Other times we leave people out because they do not fit in our group of friends. The problem never goes away. Even parents leave other adults out of an activity because they feel they do not belong.

Think of the story of Zacchaeus. Jesus called him out of the tree and went to his house for dinner. Jesus’ disciples were unhappy about this because Zacchaeus they saw him as a dirty tax collector. Jewish tax collectors were disliked because they would cheat people out of more money than needed. The tax collectors would then keep that extra money for themselves. The disciples thought Zacchaeus did not deserve to be eating with their leader, our Savior. Jesus pointed out that he had come to earth to save everyone, and everyone was the same in God’s eyes. Everyone was covered in sins and needed their sins washed away.

In our lives, everyone is different, yet we all are forgiven because of God’s love. We are loved, and we too want to love everyone because of Christ’s love in us. One of my favorite passages is 1 John 4:19 – “We love because he first loved us.” This is, of course, difficult for all of us to do because we are sinful, but because of God’s mercy and Jesus’ death we are forgiven.

Next time you hear a rumor or are about to leave someone out of your group, talk to the person. Take a moment to show the love that Jesus showed you. Go out and show that love to others because Jesus has filled us with much to share with everyone around.  I will continue to pray for you, and I ask that you continue to pray for me.

Your sister in Christ,

Megan

Posted by Electric Gospel
24
Dec
2019

God doesn’t hold grudges

Originally published on the Electric Gospel on February 25, 2017.
Author’s name withheld by her request

God doesn’t hold grudges

She could not forgive herself. She was convinced that God was angry with her over her sins. She felt the need to keep begging for forgiveness as though God were holding a grudge against her. She just assumed that until God was satisfied that she had suffered enough for her sin, he would not help her if she prayed for help. The reason this woman felt this way was because, as a child, someone would grow coldly silent for long periods of time and hold grudges against her. She tried and tried to get forgiveness but nothing worked. As a child, she didn’t have many experiences and this was normal to her. She ended up translating this behavior to God.

Maybe you endured someone’s silent anger when you were growing up. Maybe it is happening now. Maybe you tried and tried without success to get this person to forgive you. As a result of this, you may have a hard time forgiving yourself, thinking that God is treating you the same way. Maybe you feel like you can’t be forgiven. Maybe you can’t forgive yourself.

God is not like this. He did not wait until you “suffered enough” to send Jesus to be your Savior. If he had, Jesus never would have come, because we deserve nothing less than eternal suffering for our sins. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).  Jesus died for you when there was nothing good in you. That is how much he loves you. Because Jesus was punished for you, your sins have been forgiven in full. “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).  There is no need to earn your forgiveness by begging God. Your forgiveness was accomplished when Jesus died on the cross. When he looks at you, God sees Jesus’ righteousness in place of your sins. Because of this, you can live in peace, knowing that Jesus already did everything necessary for you to be forgiven. God does not hold grudges, no matter what it is you have done. Like Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, he will say to you, “‘Then neither do I condemn you…Go now and leave your life of sin’” (John 8:11).

Posted by Electric Gospel
24
Dec
2019

Are you tired?

Originally published on the Electric Gospel on September 24, 2016.

Are you tired?

by Mary Meyer

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

So often, I’m so tired.  Between school and work, I chase from one task to another and get worn out.  Have you ever been so tired that you couldn’t keep your eyes open, no matter how hard you tried?  Doctors say that kids anywhere from the ages of 6-13 need about 9-11 hours of sleep.  Teenagers need 8-10 hours, and adults need 7-9 hours (Mayo Clinic). When we don’t get that amount of sleep in a night, our bodies feel weak and tired.  When we are overtired, we turn to our beds, cuddle up with a blanket and drift into dreamy sleep.

There’s another kind of tired, though, that sleep alone can’t cure.  When Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened” (Matthew 11:28), he wasn’t talking so much about being physically tired, but about being mentally, emotionally and spiritually exhausted. That happens to us because of how sin-burdened our whole world is (cf. Romans 8:22-24).  When life in this world is wearing us down, Jesus calls out to us, inviting us into his open arms.  “I will give you rest,” he said (Matthew 11:28).  When a nap isn’t enough, Jesus wraps us up in his love.  We don’t need to worry about the big science test coming up, or be frustrated by obstacles in life that make us feel overwhelmed.  We have God’s constant promises.  We have his powerful hand reassuring us that he will always take care of us.  “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things” (Romans 8:32)?  When we are sick, when we have committed a sin, when we are just plain tired of our busy lives, Jesus is there as our spiritual resting place. He tells us that he loves us, he forgives us, and that he will have his hand on our shoulders in every time of need.

The next time you feel that things are getting too hard or that your body aches with tiredness, fold your hands, bow your head, and rely on Christ’s all-encompassing love to comfort you. Jesus cares for you.  In him always you will find the rest that you need.

Prayer:
Dear Savior, lift us up when we feel weak, give us comfort when we feel burdened, and give us rest when we feel tired. We know that you care about us and our needs, because you died under the weight of all our sins and rose again to bring us back to life.  Help us to feel awake and free, so that we may sing your praise forever. Amen.

Posted by Electric Gospel
24
Dec
2019

Blessed are the peacemakers

Originally published on The Electric Gospel on September 12, 2015.

Blessed are the peacemakers

by David Sellnow

“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:18).

What does it mean to be a peacemaker?  Is it about negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration?  I suppose if you’re a diplomat trying to resolve tensions and conflicts on this or that part of the planet, that’s what peacemakers do.  But that’s not exactly what James was writing about when he spoke of sowing peace and reaping a harvest of righteousness.

Think of the message of peace you hear in the Bible again and again.  What sort of peace is it?  Where is it found?  Let me remind you of some prominent passages:

  • Psalm 29:11 … The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
  • Isaiah 9:6-7 …  To us a child is born, to us a son is given …  He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
  • Isaiah 53:4-5 … [The Servant of God] was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
  • Isaiah 54:10 … “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
  • John 14:27 … Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
  • Romans 5:1 … Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Philippians 4:7 … The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
  • And the beginning lines of several epistles:  “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 2 Thessalonians, Philemon).

Peace comes from God, from the Lord Jesus Christ.  Peace was brought into the world for us by Jesus Christ.  True peace, lasting peace, saving peace is what God gives us in Christ.  It is just as the angels announced when Jesus was born into this world for us, saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).

So again, when James says, “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:18), remember that he’s writing to us as “believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ” (James 2:1).  The peace we sow is the peace that comes from Christ.  The righteousness we reap is the righteousness found in Christ.

In tangible terms, how do you sow peace day by day?  How do you act as a peacemaker?

Well, it starts with talking to people.  It starts with greeting people, caring about people, getting to know people.  The early church had a tradition of the kiss of peace.  At the end of several of the epistles in the New Testament, God’s people are encouraged, “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, 1 Thessalonians).  Maybe you’d think a kiss in church would be weird – it’s not your cultural custom.  But the point is to connect with each other, to relate to each other, to be encouragers of one another in Christ.  A hug, a kiss, a handshake, an arm around someone’s shoulder – along with the reassurance of peace and love and hope in Jesus – that’s how we are peacemakers with one another.

As Christians living in community with one another and with other neighbors, does it happen that sometimes we don’t even take the time or the care to introduce ourselves to each other?  At school or at work, we don’t go over to sit at lunch with someone we haven’t met before.  In the neighborhood, we avoid interactions more often than we befriend and connect with others.  In the community, we pass each other in our cars on the street or with our carts in the stores, but maybe not much more.  I know; I understand.  We’re all so very busy.  We all have so much work and so many tasks to do.  But what is our first calling to one another?  Is it not to be peacemakers – to be peace-bringers – to be gospel encouragers to one another day by day, sharing the peace of Jesus?   Paul put it to us this way:  “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. … Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” (Colossians 3:15-16).   The Bible tells us to “carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), to “encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).  Day by day, in the midst of each day’s business and busyness, Jesus is calling us to be peacemakers in his name, to sow seeds of his peace, his hope, his love, his forgiveness.  As we do so, the Spirit of God produces a harvest of righteousness in our lives and in our relationships with one another.

I urge you to follow up on this message with intentional action.  To those you know and those you don’t yet know, keep reaching out with a hand of fellowship, with a kiss of peace, with the love of Christ.  You are peacemakers to one another and to all the world in his name.

Posted by Electric Gospel
24
Dec
2019

Cleansed by Christ

Originally published on The Electric Gospel on February 7, 2015.

In one of my classes when  teaching at a Christian college, I gave students this essay prompt:

  • A friend of yours is struggling with both hatred and self-loathing.  She had dated a guy for three years and they had become close, very serious.  He had always pushed the physical side of their relationship, and eventually she yielded to him and their relationship became a sexual one.  Actually, she also had welcomed that part of the relationship because it made her feel loved and valued.  But then it seemed like the boyfriend tired of her.  She found out he actually was pursuing other women too (including sexually), and then he broke off the relationship with her.  Now she is struggling against constant feelings of hatred toward him, wishing all sorts of evil and harm would happen to him.  And she’s full of shame and disgust with herself, feeling like she will forever be a “slut” (as she now thinks of herself). Write a letter to your friend that talks about repentance and forgiveness and encourages her in her spirit in Jesus.  Help her find a way to move forward with an understanding of how repentance works and how our lives are changed by the gospel of forgiveness in Christ.

The following devotional piece was written in response to the essay prompt.   

Dear Ashley

by Alison Wine

Hey, beautiful!  I’m writing to you because I know how bad things have gotten recently.  It breaks my heart to know how much you are suffering.  I want to remind you of something:  God loves you more than you can understand!  He has loved you with an everlasting love.  No matter what you have done or thought, or felt, God has loved you always.  He sent Jesus to die for all those thoughts, feelings and actions — for all of your sins.  I know how heavy your heart is about what you had done.  The sorrow you feel is the first step toward repentance.  Now let faith take over.  You are forgiven of all that you have done wrong.  Jesus’ blood covers up your every sin.  You are his child.  Period.  Is God’s child a slut?  No.  Does God think of you that way?  No.  Should you think of yourself that way?  No.  You are holy and blameless in God’s sight.  Rejoice in this fact.  God doesn’t need you to be perfect.  He is perfect for you.  You can release the weight you’ve been carrying around .  Unpin the “scarlet A” from your life.  Throw that stain away.  Look at yourself the way God does — as his beloved, forgiven child. And you now may live in that way.

Now, Ashley, about Alex.  I understand how angry and hurt you are about what he did.  It is truly terrible.  But does the hatred for him that you are carrying around in your heart help you in any way?  No.  Carrying hatred in your heart is never good.  God tells us not to let the sun go down while we are still angry.  Alex may not be sorry for what he has done, but you don’t do him or yourself any good by harboring hatred for him.  What keeps you from letting go of your hatred toward him?  Your pride?  Your sense of justice?  Or your own sinful nature?

Pray about this, Ashley, Forgiving Alex will hurt, but ultimately will make your life better.  Release the hatred from your heart and have that void be filled with Christ.  Take your time; forgiveness doesn’t mean you instantly will forget or that what he did doesn’t matter.  But it does mean that you are aligning yourself with God’s will, and being guided by his love.

I love you, Ashley, and so does God!

Your friend,

Ali

 

Posted by Electric Gospel
24
Dec
2019

Love where love has been lacking

Originally published on The Electric Gospel on December 21, 2014.

The holidays can be joyous times for families … or extremely stressful times. Families often aren’t as harmonious as we hope they would be. Relationships are sometimes tense, sometimes badly marred, sometimes completely broken. How do we handle pain and hurt within our families?

This Electric Gospel post may not seem like a Christmas message, but in many ways it is very fitting at this time.  A young woman has shared with me her story of struggle in her relationship with her father, and has granted permission to share the story here with you.  If Christmas is a time for families, it is also a time for seeking reconciliation with family members.

Christ be with all of you in your families at Christmas.

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Honor thy Father?

Author’s name withheld

If you’re anything like me, we all learned our commandments as children. The one that was drilled into my head the most was the 4th Commandment. I knew that I had to be obedient to parents and authority figures because God put them into place to help me and take care of me.  I had a tough time keeping this commandment. No, I was not a rebellious child. I loved my mom and other authority figures in my life. However, I always had a beef with God’s commandment when it came to my dad.

My dad was never there for me. Yes he was there physically, kind of, but never emotionally. He would not come to my piano or dance recitals, or sports games. He didn’t talk to me about my day. I never once remember him telling me he loved me, or that he was proud of me. Additionally, he hardly ever went to church with us. Work, watching television, or sleep was more important to him than spending time with his family.

My parents divorced when I was in high school.  Feelings of anger and hurt bubbled to the surface in me. I watched how my father treated my mom, my brother and me. I witnessed his deception and greed and saw his lack of concern for us. How was I supposed to honor a father who does not care, repeatedly tells lies, and continually acts selfishly? I could not understand how to do this. I realized during this stressful time that no matter how hard I tried to please my father and make him proud of me, I could not gain his approval. Trying to let go of the anger and hurt hasn’t been easy; in fact it’s still lingering in my heart. During my years of growing up and going through the divorce, I didn’t know how to love and obey my father.

Obviously, my relationship with my earthly father is very strained. I am not perfect and he is not perfect. Yet I knew I was commanded to obey him. It is incredibly hard to honor and obey a parent who has not lived up to the standard God has put into place for him.  Scripture states, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). I was more than exasperated.  I have been infuriated with my father for the kind of father he is. I also am frustrated with how his sins have affected my life. But I also realize that I am sinful. God does not see my father’s sins differently than mine; all sins are sins in God’s eyes (James 2:10).  How then can I be vengeful toward a man who is the same as me in God’s eyes? I cannot return an evil for an evil. Holding a grudge against my father isn’t going to make anything better. As the apostle Peter advised us, “It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:17).  Peter was speaking to Christians who were being persecuted for their faith. He was urging them to love their enemies and to suffer for doing good.  As I see it, this also applies to those children who have had a parent like I’ve had. It’s easy to want revenge on those who have hurt us. But how much better could life be if instead of doing evil or thinking evil we do good and think positively about those who cause us hurt? How much better could life be if we forgive others as God forgives us? Understandably, this is easier said than done, but God calls us to no longer see anyone from a worldly point of view (2 Corinthians 5:16).

I have learned how important it is to extend grace to a parent who has left scars. Our Father extended grace to us when he sent his Son to live the perfect life that we could not, suffer death in our place, and rise victorious over death and the devil.  Our heavenly Father showed us his mercy; through him we are able to show mercy and grace to people who may have hurt us. By showing grace to a parent that’s hurt us, we are honoring and obeying parents just as God has commanded. They don’t deserve this, but we didn’t deserve to be saved by Jesus either.  By showing grace to someone who has done us wrong, we not only show our faith, but also share the love of Christ. I know my father had to hear God’s law, but now I realize he needs to hear the gospel. He needs to be shown how to be loved again after years of hate and anger. Showing love to my father is not going to come from my own power, but from my Father above.

Currently, I am extending a line of communication to my father, letting him know I do not want to talk about the hurt. I simply want to be able to have a plain conversation with him, something we have not been able to do since the divorce happened. I wrote a letter stating that I pray for a real heartfelt apology, but know I may never receive one. I just pray that we will be able to talk, that I will be able to forgive him for his transgressions, and that we can try to have a “normal” relationship.

So to those of you reading this who have experienced the same kind of hurt I’ve had from a parent and struggle with keeping God’s commandment, extend grace. Forgive and love a parent who has caused so much hurt … because God loves you. Honoring a parent who has failed to be a godly parent may take a different form than what we would have wanted, but we can still honor them in Christian love. Pray for your parents, however they may have behaved.  Pray for yourself, asking God to give you a forgiving heart.  Look for the opportunity to do good because of how good Jesus has been to you. Extend the love that Christ has given you.

Posted by Electric Gospel