By Brenda Groves
The Post Newspaper Contributing Writer
A few years ago, I was reintroduced to the game of Monopoly. I was never very successful at it and that trend continued the first few times our family gathered to play.
My son had taken on the role of banker and when I tried to buy up property he responded, “Mom, you can’t afford that hotel.”
“What about a house?”
“Nope”
“A tent?”
“Not a chance. You can’t afford that either, Mom, you’re bankrupt.”
Now, that’s not a nice thing to say to your mother. Next time, I’ll be a banker and control all of it! Lol!
Well, one day the Lord used this board game to show me something about unforgiveness: That when it comes to holding on to unforgiveness, we can’t afford that. It is harmful to our health because it damages our heart, spiritually and physically. It costs too much!
So how can you forgive someone who has wronged you?
I want to share something really wonderful with you that I read one afternoon.
The book of Philemon is only one chapter book in the Bible, but it is so rich in showing us God’s love toward us.
This is a letter from the Apostle Paul written to his good friend and brother in Christ named Philemon. Now at that time slavery was a common practice among men (but not ordained by God), and Paul had encountered a runaway slave named Onesimus, who belonged to Philemon. In his letter, Paul explains that this man has received Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior and Paul implores Philemon to take back Onesimus and receive him as a beloved brother in Christ.
Paul said, “For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave- a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.”
Now this next verse jumped out at me:
“But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.”
Right then, the Lord spoke softly to my own heart about a situation I had been dealing with, telling me, “Brenda, if this person has wronged you or owes anything, put that on My account.”
It struck me to the core. Why?
Because Jesus has paid for their sins on the cross. Their sin debt has been paid, even if they choose to reject Jesus, that is their choice and they will not receive the benefit of that payment (salvation), but that doesn’t mean the debt hasn’t been paid.
My sin debt was also bought and paid for with the same blood sacrifice — Jesus the Lamb of God — just like their debt was paid. We are joint heirs of the grace of God together.
“Salvation has appeared to all men.“
And the Lord is not imputing sin to any of us in this time of grace (Romans 4:8).
The next verse says, “I, Paul, am writing with my own hand I will repay, not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.”
When we forgive from our heart, it slams the door shut in Satan’s face and opens the door for God’s best to flow in our lives.
You see, the Lord loves us and He knows how bitterness and unforgiveness can be an open road for Satan to come and “steal, kill and destroy” us.
So if this is you, and someone has wronged you, or even if you are the one who has made wrong decisions in the past, transfer that debt onto Jesus’ account. Talk to Him and settle it quickly, with your whole heart. You can trust Him. And believe that it is done. And He will repay you with joyfulness and gladness. “A merry heart does good like a medicine”
.
You can’t afford the end results of keeping a heart weighed down, carrying around a sin debt that has already been paid for.
The Lord is RICH in mercy and grace and freely we have received so freely we can give.
That “slave” who owes you could be a future brother or sister in Christ. I am learning to respond with love and respect. You know, we don’t have to trust a person — that is earned — but we can choose to forgive and walk in love.
And if they are already a brother or sister in the Lord, we are all learning and growing in our love walk with Jesus according to the time we spend renewing our mind in the word of God. Choose to pray for them and give that person over to the Lord and keep your own heart free.
We cannot afford to allow someone else’s sin toward us to reproduce sin in us.
P.S. — Grace is not a license to sin but a “get out of jail free card.” Receive it with joyfulness, use it with gladness and keep it with reverence for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords who became bankrupt…..for you:)
Contact Brenda Groves at: bkgroves1996@yahoo.com
