Rhapsody of Realities TeeVo;
Friday, December 27th,2019;
TRULY LOVE AND FORGIVE OTHERS ;
(You’ve Got To Have Genuine Love As Jesus Does);
? Pastor Chris Oyakhilome;
? TO THE BIBLE
1 John 3:14 “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.”
◀ LET’S TALK
Walking in love isn’t an option for the Christian, and one major characteristic of love is that it forgives. You must always forgive others, irrespective of what they might have done against you. It doesn’t matter the extent of hatred and acrimony you may experience from certain people, you have the obligation to love and forgive those who hurt or persecute you, like Jesus did. Imagine His own reaction to those who crucified Him; He looked up to heaven and said, “…Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do…” (Luke 23:34). He overlooked their ignorance and forgave their wrongs.
Always be quick to forgive. Don’t say, “But what he did was so terrible”; there’s no wrong that doesn’t deserve forgiveness. Jesus proved it. Stephen did too; read his story: the Jews stirred up false charges against him for preaching the Gospel and ordered his execution. The Bible says, “…as the murderous stones came hurtling at him, Stephen…fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” and with that, he died” (Acts 7:59-60 TLB). He cried out to God to forgive those who murdered him. As you take stock and round off the year, one thing you must ensure is to look into your life and confidently say that you hold nothing against anyone. Even the most difficult people, under the most difficult circumstances, are still to be loved.
God wants you to know that all people are valuable to Him, irrespective of how you may feel about them. Train yourself to relate with everyone around you in this manner. Never judge or condemn others. Follow the example of the Master in Matthew 5:44-45.
? Go Deeper
Matthew 5:43-46; 1 John 4:7-12
? Pray
Dear Father, just as you’ve loved me, I’ve made up my mind to love like you—unconditionally. The compassion of Christ is expressed through me today. My heart is full of love, because the love of God is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost, to see the beauty and true value of others, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
? Daily Bible Reading
ONE YEAR
2 Timothy 3:1-17, Zechariah 7-8
TWO YEAR
Revelation 20:1-15, Zechariah 9-10
▶ Act
If you’ve been harbouring any grudge against anyone, this season is the right time to resolve that issue and forgive that person. Go ahead and give that person a call, and say you’ve forgiven him or her