Forgiveness

Forgiveness is one of the hardest things to do. It is not something that comes natural to us as humans. We want the vengence, but God says vengence is mine. It is not about getting our way. It's not about shunning others to manipulate to feel like you have control. Do we as Christians really understand the amount of forgiveness GIVEN to us? As Christians we believe that nothing in this world we could do to gain access to our heavenly Father. No, there was not anything. But Jesus. Do you know how much Jesus took on Himself at the cross? Do you understand that without any of His persecutors asking He said, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." Shouldn't we be the same way. Shouldn't we say "I forgive you" as readily as Christ. Isn't that what we are supposed to do? It is not about the selfishness of feeling like we are due an apology, acting as if we have never committed a wrong to another individual. 

 We say we love each other. Do we really love each other? 1 Corinthians 13 says, "If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails." So I am asking that all who read this really long post check your heart to see if it lines up with what the word says. Nothing says life will be easy, but I think we often times make it harder than necessary.