A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (July 24, 2015)
He who…forgives an offense seeks love, but he who…harps on a matter separates…friends. (Proverbs 17:9, AMP)
We were out for dinner recently with my sister-in-law and her husband. While we sat in this nice restaurant, enjoying our conversation, his cell phone rang very loudly and it kept on ringing. I became very aggravated with that, as did the other customers sitting around us. I told him very sharply to turn that blasted thing off and he responded back to me very sharply, “Well, you two are the phoniest people I know”. Good thing I am saved because in my old life those would have been fighting words.
It took us all about a week to get over that but in the end all is forgiven. When we finally sat down and talked about it my brother-in-law said he did not mean “phoniest” in a sense of not being real but in a sense of always being on our own cell phones. Our choice of words are important, but forgiveness is even more important.
Countless friendships are destroyed because one person gets offended by something the other one said or did. A mark of spiritual growth is how quickly you get over slights and insults; the more mature you are, the less time it takes to “forgive an offense” and move on. One Christian writer says: “Okay, your friend ditches you and your feelings are hurt…or she’s too busy to return your phone call or email…or you’re out to dinner with another couple and the other guy insults your husband in an attempt to be funny …Offenses come…Jesus said they would (John 16:33). People are people. If you’ve been offended by a friend, or felt slighted; get over it! Hit the ctrl/alt/delete button.
Don’t let bitterness even think about putting down roots…‘Love…is not irritable…it keeps no record of being wronged…never gives up…and endures through every circumstance’ (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT)…It seems impossible…and without God’s love it is. So yield to His love, overlook offenses and walk in love, because next week you’ll be the one needing unconditional love.
When it comes to being perfect, we’ve all blown it. If you want your friends to overlook your offenses, be quick to overlook theirs.” Make this your prayer today: “Father, thank You for the relationships You’ve blessed me with. I make a decision today to release anyone who has ever offended me in the slightest…to overlook it… forget about it, and move on. I will not keep a record of their wrongs. I will offer mercy and unconditional love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
(parts reprinted from Bob Gass, The Word for You Today)
These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
