To live in a chronic state of Guilt is a deathly behavior. I recently heard bitterness, refusing to forgive a person that has offended us, described in the following manner.
Bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting the person we despise to get sick.
This is true whether the object of our anger and bitterness is another person or myself. Yes, you read it right. Holding on the bitter anger toward myself is just as wrong as hating another person. We are made in the image of God and a thing of great worth so we must recognize our worth and treat ourselves with Mercy and grace when we fail.
We could say that some people are sick and dying from inner poison because they either refuse to forgive or do not know how to forgive or be forgiven. To forgive does not mean we forget or that we say what the person did was acceptable. To the contrary, to forgive is to acknowledge that a wrong was committed and True Moral Guilt was the result.
To err is human
To forgive is Divine
Forgiveness also acknowledges that God alone can forgive sins and that He has empowered us to forgive in His name. Forgiveness requires us to "Release the person from all demands for punishment." When I was caught speeding, I was guilty but the judge could have offered me mercy and offered forgiveness. He did not and I paid the $120.00 fine. Mercy releases us from the payment it does not erase the crime.
Is there someone you need to release from Guilt? Have you forgiven yourself for your failures? Is it time to move on from the painful past?
No comments:
Post a Comment