As you think about gifts you are planning to give to others, maybe it is time for us to think a little harder and dig a little deeper… Not into our wallets, but into thinking about what we could give that would TRULY honor God. Truly honor the Spirit of Christmas. Truly honor our Savior’s birth. Maybe the gift you need to be giving is something that may not cost you something financially, but cost you a wee bit of “dying to self” – maybe the gift you need to be giving, is the One our Savior gave us – the gift of forgiveness.
Many people will stop reading this right there because pride and stubbornness will get in the way of reading any further, they don’t want to HEAR that, but it just might be what Holy Spirit is whispering to you (and to me…)
Christmas has become so commercial that it has lost it’s true significance, maybe it’s time for us to honor the gift God gave us in Jesus by remembering WHY it is that Jesus was born. John 3:16 says:
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
What are YOU giving to those that YOU profess to love? What gift can you give that will last beyond the holiday? One that might be the key to changing someone’s life for the better? One that will honor God? Are YOU willing to endure the cost of maybe having to humble yourself? Maybe cause you to have to “be the bigger person” (even if you were the one who was wronged…). How can you honor God in the Spirit of this holiday? Forgive.
Hurt people, hurt people… That’s the truth and something that is very prevalent particularly in this day and age. And it is not only the unsaved that do it – it’s even those that profess to be Christians… And ol’ slewfoot laughs at the division that occurs within the body of Christ, for he knows that fractures within the body of Christ cause division, and in Mark 3:25 it says:
“And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”
So perhaps we need to think about how we can honor God during this Christmas Holiday? What is the BEST way we can thank God for ALL He has done (and is still doing – thank God for His grace, His mercy, His forgiveness and His love) for us?
We forget that the Bible addresses everything in life. Jesus was betrayed by one of His own, remember? Someone from His inner circle. What did Jesus say to do when someone sins against you? He said TO FORGIVE.
“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His clothes by casting lots.” (Luke 23:34)
Can you imagine? There He hung on a cross innocent of everything He had been accused, watching as they divvied up His clothing. This undeserved punishment, yet STILL our Savior hung upon that cross and in love, grace and mercy He forgave.
“But He was wounded for OUR transgressions, He was bruised for OUR iniquities: the chastisement of OUR peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.” (Emphasis is mine)
FORGIVE…
The Bible actually has quite a bit to say about forgiveness and Our Savior leads us by the example He set. See Colossians 3:13.
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
We are instructed in Ephesians 4:31-32:
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
I know these words are hard to read, even for myself. There are people I need to forgive – and it is one of the hardest things to have to do, especially if you were the one who was wronged. But Jesus says, “forgive them for they know not what they do…” It is even harder when you know that person(s) KNOW what it is they have done. We are to walk in forgiveness regardless. Heck, we may even have to ask God to forgive us for NOT walking in forgiveness, for holding someone for the wrong they have done us. Jesus didn’t hold people for the wrong that they did Him throughout His ministry, He forgave them and so should we. (Yeah – that’s an “ouch” word isn’t it?) We have a higher calling and who knows what God will do in the situation IF we do as He asks? Maybe our prayers have been hindered because we haven’t walked in forgiveness? Maybe the ONLY thing blocking that person(s) from coming to Christ or if it is someone who professes to be a Christian, GROWING in Christ is seeing Christ in YOU. Hey, maybe in walking in forgiveness WE are given a gift ourselves (other than our own sins being forgiven themselves), but also the peace that passes ALL understanding because we are walking in the Spirit and NOT in the flesh. In doing so, we honor God. We are obedient to what Jesus said.
God wants us to look past the offense and put on eyes to see as He sees… Will you? Can you? I know Holy Spirit is whispering into someone’s ear as they read these words. Forgive – even if the forgiveness you give is one that you just choose to do within your own heart. What gift will you bring this Christmas before the Savior who died for forgiveness of YOUR sins? How will you honor Him this Christmas? And if you find these words difficult to read (I struggle myself to write what I know I myself need to do) maybe what you need to do is ask God to heal the wounds of the offense this person(s) caused. Ask God to fill you with love for them, even if that forgiveness isn’t verbally said. Make it an action that you choose to take. Make it an attitude change. Holy Spirit will show you and give the appropriate time and place if it IS one that needs to be verbally said. Forgiveness can be healing! Ask God to show you how to pray more effectively for them. Ask God to not only change their hearts, but to also change yours…
Maybe the gift you give this year, is the one you yourself needs to receive… The price He paid for the gift He gave us is so much higher than we can ever fathom – let’s find a way to truly honor Him with a gift He himself gave us. The gift of forgiveness.
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