{"id":9052,"date":"2019-10-02T11:57:39","date_gmt":"2019-10-02T15:57:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/?p=9052"},"modified":"2020-02-21T22:39:40","modified_gmt":"2020-02-22T03:39:40","slug":"forgiveness-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/2019\/10\/02\/forgiveness-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Forgiveness – Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

(The following is the second part of a five-part series. I want to preface this article by saying it is a compilation of thoughts that began in February or March of this year. What started as a 3-word phrase \u201cjumping off the page\u201d one morning in my personal devotions has continued to develop over the past seven or eight months via further Scripture reading, Bible commentaries, King James Bible preaching and devotional books, as well as personal experiences. This is certainly not an exhaustive study on the subject of forgiveness but rather a glimpse into what the Lord has been teaching me this year.)<\/em><\/p>\n

Personal Experiences<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since April, the Lord has continued to drive this truth home in a variety of ways. One of those ways has been through personal experiences. I\u2019ll share a few of those now.<\/p>\n

The first incident involves one of the younger GRANDS and the aunties. To make a long story short, the GRAND had a little \u201cmean-streak\u201d moment toward one auntie. The other auntie was not going to let this GRAND get away with the tantrum. She quickly confronted the offender and insisted on an apology.
\n\u201cTell Aunt _____ you\u2019re sorry.\u201d
\n***silence***
\n\u201cTell Aunt _____ you\u2019re sorry.\u201d
\n***teary eyes and silence***
\n\u201cSay \u2013 \u2018I\u2019m sorry\u2019\u2026.\u201d
\n***more tears and silence***
\n\u201c______, are you sorry?\u201d
\n\u201cYesssssss\u201d\u2026..followed by an abundance of tears, falling into auntie\u2019s arms and a big ol\u2019 bear hug from Aunt _____.
\nThis little GRAND had to be helped a little with the words but in the end, repentance took place and fellowship was restored.<\/p>\n

The next incident involves another little one \u2013 not a GRAND but still a little tyke. Long story short, the little one was misbehaving and the mother had to reprimand and have the child SIT. At that point, fellowship was broken and it was obvious that this little one did not like the separation caused by the misbehavior. Within seconds, we heard:
\n\u201cMommy, I\u2019m sorry\u201d\u2026accompanied by big ol\u2019 teary eyes.
\nThat\u2019s all it took \u2013 Mommy and child were hugging and fellowship was restored.<\/p>\n

The third incident involves an older GRAND offending both aunties. This time, Nana had to step in. After getting the story straight, I sat down alone with this GRAND and explained the offence as well as the hurt that it had caused. Once I made sure there was complete understanding of the wrong that had been done, I told the GRAND that an apology should take place\u2026but I left it at that. The offender had been informed of the offence and the ball was now in the child\u2019s court to make things right.<\/p>\n

The GRAND wiped teary eyes, took a deep breath, got up and slowly walked toward the hallway. (Ahhhh\u2026.can I make a confession right here? Call me soft, but knowing this GRAND and the very obvious struggle taking place within was hard to watch. This Nana struggled to refrain herself from going after the GRAND, giving a big hug and saying, \u201cIt\u2019s ok, honey \u2013 we\u2019ll just forget it happened\u201d.)<\/em><\/p>\n

Not long after, the girls came to me individually. I asked them if ________ had apologized and they assured me the GRAND had. I don\u2019t know if I\u2019ve ever been a prouder Nana than at that moment. NOW, the AUNTIES were wiping tears from THEIR eyes! Heartfelt repentance had taken place and sweet fellowship was restored!<\/p>\n

I realize that all three of the above examples involve children who were guilty of a transgression. I don\u2019t think there would be anyone reading this who would disagree with the statement that children need to be taught to say \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u201d when they have sinned against another individual. But, if repentance should be taught to children, how much more should it be expected in adults? This past Sunday morning, our pastor gave a reproof to our young people in a certain area but then, he went on to remind the adults to lead by example. I say \u201camen\u201d to that \u2013 how very important that we, as adults, not be a stumbling block but rather a stepping stone in all areas of our Christian lives.<\/p>\n

As Christians, when we sin our fellowship with God is broken. Before fellowship can be restored, God requires that repentance take place.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.\u201d I John 1:9<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

If our sin was against our fellowman, our fellowship with the individual(s) is broken. Before fellowship can be restored, God requires that repentance take place toward the individual(s) as well. This is very clear in Luke 17:3,4<\/p>\n

“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sadly, although the majority of adults would readily agree that this must be taught in children, it seems to be a \u201cforgotten\u201d practice in our adult world. Is it really forgotten, or is it just ignored? When we have been guilty of an offence toward others, we must decide what is more valuable to us \u2013 our pride or the individual(s) we have offended. To choose pride by refusing to repent is to say, \u201cI care more about myself than I do about mending this broken relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n

God wants forgiveness to take place among Christians. Ephesians 4:32 exhorts:<\/p>\n

\u201cLet all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

How can we expect to win a lost and dying world to Christ if, as Christians, our own lives are full of broken relationships due to not forgiving one another? Why would a broken society want what we have? Yes, we are commanded to forgive others\u2026”as God for Christ\u2019s sake hath forgiven you<\/strong><\/em>\u201d. How has God forgiven us? His forgiveness toward us hinges upon our repentance to Him. God requires repentance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(The following is the second part of a five-part series. I want to preface this article by saying it is a compilation of thoughts that began in February or March of this year. What started as a 3-word phrase \u201cjumping off the page\u201d one morning in my personal devotions has continued to develop over the past seven or eight months via further Scripture reading, Bible commentaries, King James Bible preaching and devotional books, as well as personal experiences. This is certainly not an exhaustive study on the subject of forgiveness but rather a glimpse into what the Lord has been teaching me this year.) Personal Experiences Since April, the Lord has continued to drive this truth home in a variety of ways. One of those ways has been through personal experiences. I\u2019ll share a few of those now. The first incident involves one of the younger GRANDS and the aunties. To make a long story short, the GRAND had a little \u201cmean-streak\u201d moment toward one auntie. The other auntie was not going to let this GRAND get away with the tantrum. She quickly confronted the offender and insisted on an apology. \u201cTell Aunt _____ you\u2019re sorry.\u201d ***silence*** \u201cTell Aunt _____ you\u2019re sorry.\u201d ***teary eyes and silence*** \u201cSay \u2013 \u2018I\u2019m sorry\u2019\u2026.\u201d ***more tears and silence*** \u201c______, are you sorry?\u201d \u201cYesssssss\u201d\u2026..followed by an abundance of tears, falling into auntie\u2019s arms and a big ol\u2019 bear hug from Aunt _____. This little GRAND had to be helped a little with the words but in the end, repentance took place and fellowship was restored. The next incident involves another little one \u2013 not a GRAND but still a little tyke. Long story short, the little one was misbehaving and the mother had to reprimand and have the child SIT. At that point, fellowship was broken and it was obvious that this little one did not like the separation caused by the misbehavior. Within seconds, we heard: \u201cMommy, I\u2019m sorry\u201d\u2026accompanied by big ol\u2019 teary eyes. That\u2019s all it took \u2013 Mommy and child were hugging and fellowship was restored. The third incident involves an older GRAND offending both aunties. This time, Nana had to step in. After getting the story straight, I sat down alone with this GRAND and explained the offence as well as the hurt that it had caused. Once I made sure there was complete understanding of the wrong that had been done, I told the GRAND that an apology should take place\u2026but I left it at that. The offender had been informed of the offence and the ball was now in the child\u2019s court to make things right. The GRAND wiped teary eyes, took a deep breath, got up and slowly walked toward the hallway. (Ahhhh\u2026.can I make a confession right here? Call me soft, but knowing this GRAND and the very obvious struggle taking place within was hard to watch. This Nana struggled to refrain herself from going after the GRAND, giving a big hug and saying, \u201cIt\u2019s ok, honey \u2013 we\u2019ll just forget it happened\u201d.) Not long after, the girls came to me individually. I asked them if ________ had apologized and they assured me the GRAND had. I don\u2019t know if I\u2019ve ever been a prouder Nana than at that moment. NOW, the AUNTIES were wiping tears from THEIR eyes! Heartfelt repentance had taken place and sweet fellowship was restored! I realize that all three of the above examples involve children who were guilty of a transgression. I don\u2019t think there would be anyone reading this who would disagree with the statement that children need to be taught to say \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u201d when they have sinned against another individual. But, if repentance should be taught to children, how much more should it be expected in adults? This past Sunday morning, our pastor gave a reproof to our young people in a certain area but then, he went on to remind the adults to lead by example. I say \u201camen\u201d to that \u2013 how very important that we, as adults, not be a stumbling block but rather a stepping stone in all areas of our Christian lives. As Christians, when we sin our fellowship with God is broken. Before fellowship can be restored, God requires that repentance take place. \u201cIf we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.\u201d I John 1:9 If our sin was against our fellowman, our fellowship with the individual(s) is broken. Before fellowship can be restored, God requires that repentance take place toward the individual(s) as well. This is very clear in Luke 17:3,4 “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” Sadly, although the majority of adults would readily agree that this must be taught in children, it seems to be a \u201cforgotten\u201d practice in our adult world. Is it really forgotten, or is it just ignored? When we have been guilty of an offence toward others, we must decide what is more valuable to us \u2013 our pride or the individual(s) we have offended. To choose pride by refusing to repent is to say, \u201cI care more about myself than I do about mending this broken relationship.\u201d God wants forgiveness to take place among Christians. Ephesians 4:32 exhorts: \u201cLet all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.\u201d How can we expect to win a lost and dying world to Christ if, as Christians, our own lives are full of broken relationships due to not forgiving one another? Why would a broken society want what we have? Yes, we are commanded to forgive others\u2026”as God for Christ\u2019s sake hath forgiven you\u201d. How has God forgiven us? His forgiveness toward us hinges upon our repentance to Him. God requires repentance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[51,20,65,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9052","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-forgiveness","category-humility","category-relationships","category-restoration"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4o6C2-2m0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9052","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9052"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9052\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9068,"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9052\/revisions\/9068"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9052"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9052"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.inthineheart.com\/staging\/8143\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9052"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}