We all sin-even Christians. It's because this earthly world we live in is inhabited by evil. Don't believe me? Look at Ephesians 6:12.
"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."
Satan is always looking for a way to make you sin. He knows your weakest spot. He knows what sets you off. And he likes to insert his opinion into your very own thoughts. Just think of it like this. Think of someone in your life who you feel has wronged you. Don't you silently curse them? Don't you secretly think of ways to get them back? You plot your revenge. But most of the time (not all the time) but for the most part, I bet they don't even have a clue that they've done something to offend you. It is Satan who is getting you all riled up. He wants to see you fall. He wants to see you lose trust in Jesus Christ.
Let me take it a step further. Wouldn't it surprise you to know that those who hurt you are still loved by God. I can't explain it or how it's even possible but God still loves them too. Don't get me wrong. He hates when they persecute you. He hates when their thoughts of you are filled with jealousy, anger and malice. But He created them too. Look at Psalm 139:13-16.
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You ask, "How is it possible for God to love them?" And believe me, I've asked that same question countless number of times. All I know is what I read in the Bible. And if He loves them despite their sin, the only thing I can know to be true is that He also loves us despite our sin.
The way, I see it. We have two choices on how to handle the situation...no-three choices.
1) Confront them one on one...gently but firmly.
"If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over." Matthew 18:15
2) Decide in your heart to forgive and leave it at the feet of Jesus.
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:24-26
3) And last, for your own sanity (after doing 1 and 2) if reconciliation can't be achieved then the best thing to do is remove yourself. Remove your heart from the situation; realizing that you wish them nothing but the very best in their life. Express genuine kindness for them to succeed in all that they do. Understand that the Lord created them and loves them, just as He loves you. But put behind you all forms of hatred and malice. Remind yourself that Jesus Christ was crucified by people just like you and I, so that we may be saved from the very sin we committed. If you are a believer in Christ, then you understand that your job, being spiritually alive, is to offer spiritual sacrifices to the Lord daily. Trust that He will take care of the situation and be done with it.
"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”"
1 Peter 2:1-6
Dear Readers,
I struggle with this daily. BUT I believe He is using this to help mold and transform me into a wiser and much more spiritual person....to make me acceptable for heaven one day.
Kim
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