More Brick Work

So, some of the bricks in our walls represent the sin in our lives. Those are tough ones to disassemble. But we can do it.

Other bricks in our walls represent the sins of others. When we sin, we aren’t the only ones affected by that sin. Our sin affects everyone around us, whether we realize it or not. Yes, even our secret sins. Just as when others sin, sometimes we’re the one in the fallout.

So to pull out those bricks, we need the essential key of forgiveness. I’ve written about this before, but it keeps resonating in my heart, so I’ll keep writing about it. Maybe it’s more for me than you.

Matthew 6:14 & 15 tell us, For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (KJV)

Matthew 14:21 & 22 go on to say, Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. (KJV)

Forgiving is a big deal to God. He mercifully forgives and expects us to do likewise. Even the familiar prayer many of us say from memory indicates that we already know this when we declare: …and forgive us our debts/trespasses/sins…as we forgive others… If God were only as forgiving as we are, we’d all burn in hell forever.

But forgiving comes easy to God, we contend. Thank God for His mercy, but our sin grieves Him far more than the sins of others grieve us. Not so, you say? While it is accurate to say that the sins of others can cripple us, suck us down into victimhood and torment our minds. They can sometimes scar us physically and emotionally. They can haunt us, playing out in our memories over and over again. Believe me, I know.

But Jesus says, The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10 KJV) This is why He lovingly instructs us to forgive those who have sinned against us; to set us free to live abundantly!

Forgiveness is not giving permission to anyone to hurt you or take advantage of you time and time again. Forgiveness does not suggest that what they’ve done is okay. Forgiveness says nothing about what they’ve done – but everything about who you are. Forgiveness set you free to knock down a few more of the bricks in your walls.