What a weekend of events I was blessed to be part of,
in roles both of serving and being served through/with our church family!
I am so thankful for fellow-believers who lovingly understand and forgive
my imperfections and love me because of the love of Christ!
Hallelujah🙏
On Saturday I was part of a team that served food to men
who gathered for encouragement and instruction,
as they strive to be spiritual leaders and servants of God
in their homes, church, community, etc.
...and then I TOTALLY forgot to take pictures of lunch!
***
Fellow-believers are our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Just as in any family, we don't all see eye to eye in everything
but as we cherish and marvel at the grace of God,
through His gift of salvation, He helps us to forgive
and love one another!
We cannot love as we ought, while clinging to grudges,
and hope, while doing so, to reap the benefits/blessings of God's grace.
After professing to receive the gift of saving grace, the redemption
that pardons the penalty of sin, through the precious blood of Christ,
pray we do not we refuse grace/forgiveness to our fellowman.
Grace to our fellowman is not approving of, or excusing brokenness, sin, etc.
but it is a willingness, in light of God's mercy and faithfulness
to love one another and to trust Him to work in each of our lives
as we humbly pray for and encourage each other.
How much we miss firstly, of joy of the Lord
and then also of loving each other,
if we allow bitterness to bind our wounds,
rather than forgiveness!
Matt.18:21
21 Then Peter came to Him and said,
“Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me,
and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times,
but up to seventy times seven.
23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king
who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
24 And when he had begun to settle accounts,
one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold,
with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying,
‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion,
released him, and forgave him the debt.
28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants
who owed him a hundred denarii;
and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying,
‘Pay me what you owe!’
29 So his fellow servant fell down [a]at his feet and begged him, saying,
‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you [b]all.’
30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done,
they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him,
‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant,
just as I had pity on you?’
34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers
until he should pay all that was due to him.
35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you
if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother [c]his trespasses.
***
I/We cannot cling to grudges against those who wrong me/us, yet
Assume the One who judges will forgive me/us, and forget
Each bitter accusation, as God pardons you and me
In the light of salvation loses its validity
I/we cannot harbour grievances that foster futile strife
Yet claim the gift of righteousness and everlasting life
Redemption's transformation triumphs where mortal might fails
In the light of salvation love petitions and prevails
I/we cannot guard an idol of reasons to sustain spite
Yet boast faith's rich reward with all who have fought The Good Fight
The God of all creation provides hope in Christ alone
In the light of salvation none are fit to cast a stone
© Janet Martin
What a foretaste of glory yesterday, as voices united to sing this hymn of worship...
