NO EXCEPTIONS
“But now the righteousness of God without the law
is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the
righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all
them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come
short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3: 21 – 23
King James Version
For those of us who have children, we know that they have different
personalities. We may have seven children but each one of them responds to what
we tell them differently. Some of them may respond to correcting words after
they have done something wrong. Others may have to be spanked. However, all of
them have the same rules and guidelines they must follow.
It is the same with Jesus. He has told us to forgive one another. The
Bible says that if we don’t forgive one another, our Heavenly Father won’t
forgive us. (Matthew 6: 14, 15) When we refuse to forgive someone, then God
will not forgive us. The verse does not say “For some have sinned, and come
short of the glory of God”. It says “For all have sinned and come short of the
glory of God.” There are no exceptions to this verse.
A few years ago, I had a disagreement with a close friend and I have
apologized over and over. I called her a couple of weeks ago and asked her if
she wanted to go out to eat. She told me that she did not want to resume a
friendly and social relationship with me, that I had called her a name when I
was so sick and taking all of those pills they made me take. She said, “I know
it’s not your fault, but you called me a name”.
I honestly don’t think that I did, but it is possible because the
doctors were making me take up to twenty five different kinds of medicine a
day. However, I submit to you on the authority of the Word of God that it does
not matter if I did say something unkind to her. God says that we are to
forgive and He also says that all have sinned. All of us have been unkind to
Jesus at times by our critical words and spiteful actions. If it were not the
grace, mercy, understanding and compassion of Jesus, all of us would be on our
way to hell without any hope of salvation.
If someone has hurt you and you refuse to forgive that person and are
still holding on to that offense in your heart, then you are hurting Jesus and
God will not forgive your sins. You need to understand that you also hurt
people. It would make you very sad if they wouldn’t forgive you.
There are no exceptions when it comes to forgiving from the heart, doing
good, and loving one another with unconditional love as Jesus has commanded us
to love one another. How dare you and I expect Jesus to forgive us when we’re
not willing to forgive from our hearts when people hurt us! How we must make
Jesus sad and break His heart when we become so cold and calloused. Let’s
forgive one another from our hearts and not just say “I forgive you” verbally.
It will make Jesus happy.
Joanne Lowe
October 8, 2006
