This...is the age of the Judge TV Show.This is the age of lawsuits and demanding my rights.
Lawyers on TV offering to get you what's coming to you.
Divorce for under 100 bucks 150 if with kids. What???
Yes, we do have "rights".
Yes, you can demand that someone recognize "your" rights...after all, you have the right to be happy...right?
You have the right to be #1 in your life...right?
You have the right to get what you deserve...right?
Demanding "rights" won't make you...well...right.
Christian, your standard bearer gave up HIS Right as King to die for your right to be forgiven.
He asks us to forgive others.
If we claim Christ is our savior while harboring, nurturing, feeding a bitter unforgiving heart...we may need to reconsider the way God views "our rights".
Good news is not found in a gavel...a pounding demand of "self" rights.
Good news was found in a single act of forgiveness when Christ dropped his right to rule in favor of forgiveness, sacrifice and love.
So...who deserves your anger?
Who are you mad at?
Who deserves your unforgiving heart?
A neighbor?
A child?
A boss?
A spouse?
An employee?
A politician?
According to Christ...if you claim to be a follower of HIS...an image bearer...then no one does.
If you have any complaint against those whom God has called you to love...pick up your cross, not your gavel. The Bible tells us we are to forgive...not harbor a grudge. Hebrews 3:15 tells us not to harden our hearts as it is rebellion.
Christ was declared guilty in your place. Who then are you to hold someone guilty? If someone in your life has repented and asked for forgiveness, do not withhold that from them...your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Proverbs 19:11
A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.
Matthew 6:14
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matthew 18:33
Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?'
1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
2 Corinthians 2:7
So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
2 Corinthians 2:10
If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake,
Ephesians 5:1
Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children,
Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive any complaint you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
...............
Put down your list of complaints...pick up forgiveness.
I need to clear the docket of my list of complaints today...In the case of me against (fill in the blank) CASE DISMISSED!
How about you?
(We never advocate staying in an unsafe environment or situation. Abuse is NOT the subject of this message. Seek immediate help for yourself or anyone you know is in a dangerous place)
-Prayer Team.
