And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)
What I have come to learn after being in the ministry for over 20 years, is that at this time of year, certain emotions begin to come to the front which can hinder believers from giving God praise and celebrating the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.
The world parades as though everybody should automatically be cheerful. But for many people it is just the opposite. Depression sets in during holiday times, anger arises, bitterness is magnified, unforgivingness is at its highest peak, and tragedies run rampant. The negative emotions that people have held in their heart over the years begin to well up. Then they meditate on it instead of dealing with it according to the Word of God.
Holding on to past hurts is a tremendous hindrance to the power of God in your life. However, forgiveness can cause these past hurts to dissipate and bring you to your position of victory, with Satan under your feet. You can forgive that person.
You can look at it this way. If anybody had a right to have a complaint against us, it was Jesus. But He treats us with such love, in that while we were yet sinners, He forgave us and died on the cross for us.
But it did not stop at the cross. The reason we should make this ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ is because Jesus is still extending forgiveness to us today. Maybe we have missed the mark over and over again. The good news is that His Word is still the same. He is waiting for you to come to Him so He can cleanse you with His forgiveness. He will not cast you away. He forgives you and throws your sin as far as the east is from the west. Now that is a whole lot different that what we deserve!
Receive God’s forgiveness and love. Then what will please Him is that you turn right around and forgive others of those things of the past. If Jesus forgave them, if Jesus died for them, certainly you can forgive them too.
Let it go so that you can enjoy this holiday season and the rest of your life in peace. Yes, it can be for you the most wonderful time of the year!
Scripture References: John 6:37; Hebrews 13:8; 1 John 1:9
2007-12-05 04:13:47 · 4 answers · asked by Fearfully and Wonderfully made!! 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Praise God for His gospel, the glorious gospel of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ! And thank you for so faithfully proclaiming it!
Who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted Him and bestowed upon Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father!
-Philippians 1: 6-11
-
Even more so wonderful should be Easter, than Christmas!
Glory be to God!
-
Grace and peace in Christ!
-
2007-12-05 10:45:55 · answer #1 · answered by yachadhoo 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Instead of focus on pretending to be nice for a few months out of the year, why not extend altruism, wisdom and compassion, along with say... gifts and love, all year around and then there's a whole lot less stress. Also attachments to thinking there's a certain thing you want to get for a holiday or birthday, and then you don't get it... all things then slide downhill.
Ditch the attachments and aversions all year long and be altruistic all year long...
_()_
2007-12-05 12:19:13 · answer #2 · answered by vinslave 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think that every time of year is wonderful. Every new season that comes I think is my favorite, they're all so beautifull. We should be celebrating Jesus all year not just around christmas.
2007-12-05 12:19:26 · answer #3 · answered by misty_dawn1100 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋