I’ve had the opportunity because of COVID-19 to spend an inordinate amount of time with my family. During this time, God has blessed me with the opportunity to serve, love, and humble myself by extending grace, mercy and forgiveness when I feel like I’ve been wronged, and I don’t want to forgive.
However, in those moments, when it’s difficult to do the aforementioned, I remember our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. I remember the example of love He left for us to imitate and walk in. I remember the commandments of love He gave us:
(1) “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34).
(2) “Love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
I think about those moments when I have gone before the Lord, knowing that I didn’t deserve forgiveness, and He had mercy on me. He gave me grace instead of condemnation. He forgave me of my sin and cleansed me of all unrighteousness (1John 1:9).
I think about all of these things, and I choose to serve when I don’t want to. I choose to love when I don’t want to. I choose to have mercy and give grace when I don’t want to. I choose to forgive when I don’t want to. How wicked would it be of me to consistently ask the Lord for these things, and when He gives them, I refuse to give them to others who need them (See Matthew 18:21-35).
Therefore, as God blesses you with the same opportunities He has bestowed upon me, I hope you will choose to be like your Father in heaven. Choose to serve. Choose to love. Choose to extend mercy and grace. Choose to forgive. When it’s difficult, ask the Father to help you. He will. For it is His will for you to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ! Be encouraged! 🙂
True Love's Revelation 