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| Are You Stuck and Need a Miracle?! |
| May I offer Three Words of Freedom? |
Do you need a miracle in you
life? Do you need one in your
home? Is a relationship with
someone you love slowly
degenerating and facing
eventual destruction and only a
miracle from God can turn things
around? Well, I'm going to tell
you how to get a miracle.
Surely you desire truth in the
inner part. (Psalm 51:6)
David understood the
importance of honesty in
relationships. He knew that the
lines of communication could be
severely hampered if he let an
offence remain unsettled. The
same holds true for us. Every
interpersonal relationship you
have (including the one you
have with God) demands
honesty. We've got to come
clean with one another. We
must, if you'll excuse the
expression, cut the bull!
Therefore each of you must put
off falsehood and speak
truthfully to his neighbor, for we
are all members of one body.
(Ephesians 4:25)
If you tie a tourniquet on one of
your limbs and leave it there
indefinitely something terrible will
happen. That part of your body
will no longer receive anything
from the rest of your body. It will
soon begin to whither and die. If
you allow unresolved issues to
cut you off from a family member
or friend your relationship with
them will begin to whither and
die.
Do you have a relationship that
is withering and dieing? Maybe
you feel like it's already dead.
Have you been hurt and angered
by a loved one or perhaps a
loved one is hurt or angry with
you? Perhaps you see no
resolution to this painful
situation. You need a miracle,
right? Well, I've got one for you.
I have three words for you that
will bring about amazing miracles
in you life and bring healing to
your interpersonal relationships!
We all blow it from time to time
and even hurt someone we love.
We've even searched for ways
to make up for it. However, the
three words I'm going to give you
will help you do more to set
things right than the most
expensive gifts or most
meaningful cards you can offer.
No, it's not the words "I love you"
or "I am sorry" It's not even the
words "Please forgive me."
These expressions of remorse
and affection may be good but
nothing will break down walls
and usher in healing like these
three little words. "I WAS
WRONG."
If we confess our sins, he [God]
is faithful and just and will
forgive us our sins and purify us
from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9)
It's that simple. If we confess our
sins God will forgive our sins. In
other words, call a spade a
spade. Admit you were wrong.
Don't make excuses. Just "fess
up." Rather than trying to explain
yourself, rather than trying to
excuse your behavior, just say
these three words. Don't try to
justify your actions or even your
reactions. Just say, "I was
wrong." Do that first. Then you
can add other words like,
"Please forgive me." But first you
must admit your own wrongdoing
in the matter.
"But I tell you who hear me:
Love your enemies, do good to
those who hate you, bless those
who curse you, pray for those
who mistreat you. If someone
strikes you on one cheek, turn to
him the other also. If someone
takes your cloak, do not stop
him from taking your tunic. Give
to everyone who asks you, and if
anyone takes what belongs to
you, do not demand it back. Do
to others as you would have
them do to you." - Jesus (Luke
6:27-31)
Make sure that nobody pays
back wrong for wrong, but
always try to be kind to each
other and to everyone else.
(1Thessalonians 5:15)
life? Do you need one in your
home? Is a relationship with
someone you love slowly
degenerating and facing
eventual destruction and only a
miracle from God can turn things
around? Well, I'm going to tell
you how to get a miracle.
Surely you desire truth in the
inner part. (Psalm 51:6)
David understood the
importance of honesty in
relationships. He knew that the
lines of communication could be
severely hampered if he let an
offence remain unsettled. The
same holds true for us. Every
interpersonal relationship you
have (including the one you
have with God) demands
honesty. We've got to come
clean with one another. We
must, if you'll excuse the
expression, cut the bull!
Therefore each of you must put
off falsehood and speak
truthfully to his neighbor, for we
are all members of one body.
(Ephesians 4:25)
If you tie a tourniquet on one of
your limbs and leave it there
indefinitely something terrible will
happen. That part of your body
will no longer receive anything
from the rest of your body. It will
soon begin to whither and die. If
you allow unresolved issues to
cut you off from a family member
or friend your relationship with
them will begin to whither and
die.
Do you have a relationship that
is withering and dieing? Maybe
you feel like it's already dead.
Have you been hurt and angered
by a loved one or perhaps a
loved one is hurt or angry with
you? Perhaps you see no
resolution to this painful
situation. You need a miracle,
right? Well, I've got one for you.
I have three words for you that
will bring about amazing miracles
in you life and bring healing to
your interpersonal relationships!
We all blow it from time to time
and even hurt someone we love.
We've even searched for ways
to make up for it. However, the
three words I'm going to give you
will help you do more to set
things right than the most
expensive gifts or most
meaningful cards you can offer.
No, it's not the words "I love you"
or "I am sorry" It's not even the
words "Please forgive me."
These expressions of remorse
and affection may be good but
nothing will break down walls
and usher in healing like these
three little words. "I WAS
WRONG."
If we confess our sins, he [God]
is faithful and just and will
forgive us our sins and purify us
from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9)
It's that simple. If we confess our
sins God will forgive our sins. In
other words, call a spade a
spade. Admit you were wrong.
Don't make excuses. Just "fess
up." Rather than trying to explain
yourself, rather than trying to
excuse your behavior, just say
these three words. Don't try to
justify your actions or even your
reactions. Just say, "I was
wrong." Do that first. Then you
can add other words like,
"Please forgive me." But first you
must admit your own wrongdoing
in the matter.
"But I tell you who hear me:
Love your enemies, do good to
those who hate you, bless those
who curse you, pray for those
who mistreat you. If someone
strikes you on one cheek, turn to
him the other also. If someone
takes your cloak, do not stop
him from taking your tunic. Give
to everyone who asks you, and if
anyone takes what belongs to
you, do not demand it back. Do
to others as you would have
them do to you." - Jesus (Luke
6:27-31)
Make sure that nobody pays
back wrong for wrong, but
always try to be kind to each
other and to everyone else.
(1Thessalonians 5:15)
It doesn't matter to God who started
the squabble. He doesn't care who
said what or did what to whom.
Each of us is accountable to
Almighty God for our own actions
and our own reactions; that's right--
your reactions. "Don't return wrong
for wrong. Bless those who curse
you, pray for those who mistreat
you." I am not accountable for what
others do to me. However, I am
accountable for how I react to them.
Bear with each other and forgive
whatever grievances you may have
against one another. Forgive as
the Lord forgave you. (Col.3:13)
In your anger do not sin: Do not let
the sun go down while you are still
angry. (Ep.4:26)
In the eyes of God I am personally
accountable for everything I do--
everything! I can't expect to go
before God with excuses for
disobeying Him, "You just don't
know what that person did to me,
Lord! I was so hurt. How can I ever
forgive them for what they did. Or
how can I trust them ever again!"
If that's your attitude God wants to
ask you a question. "How about
you? How did you REACT to what
they did? Did you get angry and
say hurtful things back to them?"
You may respond, "Well yes, but I
was so hurt! They made me angry.
What they did was wrong!"
To which God replies, "Yes and I
will hold them accountable for what
they did. It was wrong and they
need to apologize to you and
repent before me as well. However,
(and this is the part we don't want
to hear!) What about you? It takes
two to tango, you know. The way
that you reacted to the offence is
equally wrong. Right??"
Well... I suppose it is"
"Did I not say, 'Make sure that
nobody pays back wrong for
wrong?' Did I not say 'forgive
whatever grievances you may have
against one another. Forgive as the
Lord forgave you.'?"
"Well... yes, but... "
"There's no buts about it. Are you
reacting in a Christ-like way to
insults?"
"Well, no Lord. I am not."
'Then, in that case, say it."
"OK, I will. I was wrong; wrong to
react in anger and bitterness to
them and more importantly, I was
wrong to disobey your word."
"Good! Now, what are you going to
do?"
"Go to the one who offended me
and tell him I was wrong to snap
back at him and to act so
un-Christ-like."
"He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the
slaughter, and as a sheep before
her shearers is silent, so he did not
open his mouth." (Isaiah 53:7)
"I have set you an example that
you should do as I have done for
you." - Jesus (John 13:15)
"Your attitude should be the same
as that of Christ Jesus."
(Philippians 2:5)
"I was wrong." What a powerful
phrase! What a liberating thing to
admit!" I was wrong. It doesn't
matter what you did to me, I was
wrong to react the way I did! I've
asked God to forgive me and now
I'm asking you to forgive me." Wow!
That will set you free AND set them
free too.
"Therefore, if you are offering your
gift at the altar and there remember
that your brother has something
against you, leave your gift there in
front of the altar. First go and be
reconciled to your brother; then
come and offer your gift."
- Jesus (Matthew 5:23-24)
It's the formula for the healing of all
relationships, those with God and
with others, as well. "I was wrong."
Try it sometime. You'll be amazed
at what these three little words will
do.
the squabble. He doesn't care who
said what or did what to whom.
Each of us is accountable to
Almighty God for our own actions
and our own reactions; that's right--
your reactions. "Don't return wrong
for wrong. Bless those who curse
you, pray for those who mistreat
you." I am not accountable for what
others do to me. However, I am
accountable for how I react to them.
Bear with each other and forgive
whatever grievances you may have
against one another. Forgive as
the Lord forgave you. (Col.3:13)
In your anger do not sin: Do not let
the sun go down while you are still
angry. (Ep.4:26)
In the eyes of God I am personally
accountable for everything I do--
everything! I can't expect to go
before God with excuses for
disobeying Him, "You just don't
know what that person did to me,
Lord! I was so hurt. How can I ever
forgive them for what they did. Or
how can I trust them ever again!"
If that's your attitude God wants to
ask you a question. "How about
you? How did you REACT to what
they did? Did you get angry and
say hurtful things back to them?"
You may respond, "Well yes, but I
was so hurt! They made me angry.
What they did was wrong!"
To which God replies, "Yes and I
will hold them accountable for what
they did. It was wrong and they
need to apologize to you and
repent before me as well. However,
(and this is the part we don't want
to hear!) What about you? It takes
two to tango, you know. The way
that you reacted to the offence is
equally wrong. Right??"
Well... I suppose it is"
"Did I not say, 'Make sure that
nobody pays back wrong for
wrong?' Did I not say 'forgive
whatever grievances you may have
against one another. Forgive as the
Lord forgave you.'?"
"Well... yes, but... "
"There's no buts about it. Are you
reacting in a Christ-like way to
insults?"
"Well, no Lord. I am not."
'Then, in that case, say it."
"OK, I will. I was wrong; wrong to
react in anger and bitterness to
them and more importantly, I was
wrong to disobey your word."
"Good! Now, what are you going to
do?"
"Go to the one who offended me
and tell him I was wrong to snap
back at him and to act so
un-Christ-like."
"He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the
slaughter, and as a sheep before
her shearers is silent, so he did not
open his mouth." (Isaiah 53:7)
"I have set you an example that
you should do as I have done for
you." - Jesus (John 13:15)
"Your attitude should be the same
as that of Christ Jesus."
(Philippians 2:5)
"I was wrong." What a powerful
phrase! What a liberating thing to
admit!" I was wrong. It doesn't
matter what you did to me, I was
wrong to react the way I did! I've
asked God to forgive me and now
I'm asking you to forgive me." Wow!
That will set you free AND set them
free too.
"Therefore, if you are offering your
gift at the altar and there remember
that your brother has something
against you, leave your gift there in
front of the altar. First go and be
reconciled to your brother; then
come and offer your gift."
- Jesus (Matthew 5:23-24)
It's the formula for the healing of all
relationships, those with God and
with others, as well. "I was wrong."
Try it sometime. You'll be amazed
at what these three little words will
do.
| All scripture references are from The New International Version of The Bible. |
