Forgiveness

“It is easy to die for Christ, but hard to live for Him” – Nick Forrest. To fully live for Christ one needs to live as a dead man. I have heard this so often and have said “Amen” but how often do I really live this way? Do I really pick up my cross and carry it all day every day? Am I living like Jesus, am I loving like Jesus, and am I forgiving like Jesus? I have to say sadly enough, no.

It is absolutely impossible to live a life for Christ if one is not connected to Him. I’m not talking about waking up and reading your bible. I’m not talking about praying for 15-30 min. I’m not talking about going to church every Wednesday or Thursday and Sunday. I’m talking about this continual attitude of dependence and sensitivity to the Spirit. I’m talking about starting your day with Him, ending your day with Him and living every second with Him. I’m talking about praying without words, if you don’t understand what I’m saying then I can’t explain it to you. I pray that you will soon experience such a life, a life of living.

Forgiveness, this is one of the many things God has been speaking to me about lately. I have been given forgiveness so freely, so fully, and so undeservingly continually. How can I say that I can’t give forgiveness now? How dare I not give the very thing that is given to me? How can I say it hurts too much when the person who has given it to me has been hurt much deeper than I?

Now at this point I have a choice, do I forgive or let bitterness consume me and eat me alive? Do I live for Christ or myself? I choose Christ, I choose forgiveness, but how I don’t know. What I do know is that He is my guide, He is my leader, He is faithful to finish the work He has started in me. My job now is to stay connected to the vine, as I do He will show me how to forgive and how to live as He did. He is the best coach and counselor there ever was or will be.