Time to Forgive

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March 20, 2012

"Time to Forgive"

Scripture Reading:
Ephesians 4:32  (HCSB) And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

Devotional Reading:

At nearly every wedding ceremony I perform, the bride and groom hear this verse from Ephesians as a part of my charge to them. Marriage is not a fifty-fifty proposition. It is two people each giving 100 percent, regardless of the performance of their mate. In other words, it is a husband’s responsibility to be as kind, tender-hearted and forgiving to his wife as Christ has been to him. Likewise, it is the wife’s responsibility to extend that same Christ-like kindness, tender-heartedness and forgiveness to her husband. I wonder sometimes if this is truly understood as a bride and groom stand at the altar. I imagine if their thoughts could be broadcast, they would be more like this: “Boy, I’ve got a gal here who will meet all my needs. I’ve had a poor self-image all my life, but now I have someone who really loves me, and I’m thrilled to be with her.” And the bride: “I’m so glad I’ve found this guy who will meet all of my needs for life. When we’re married, all of my troubles with family, friends, relationships, and work will just melt away!” This is what I call a “two fleas/no dog” proposition. A flea is a parasite in the insect world. It sees a host, attaches itself to that host, and has itself a nourishing meal. But when a husband and wife both look to the other person as their “meal ticket” to lifelong satisfaction, what you have is two fleas and no dog, or to put it another way, two takers and no givers.

It is not hard to see trouble ahead for a relationship of this sort.  To compound this issue, when things go astray as they most likely will, forgiveness is the right path, the right key, the right approach and the right answer!  Without forgiveness offered freely, the coupe will get lost, the door will remain locked, the approach will be blocked and the answer will never be found!  Then more destructive behaviors which take you further from God, take control as you begin to do, say and act in manners to "get even" or "inflict pain/hurt".  Ultimately the Lord will be the judge and He will reward those who practiced evil for evil...BEWARE!

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20