Colossians 3:13 Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the LORD forgave you.”
Living without Baggage Claims!
With loving forgiveness
so vengeance is absent.
No fingers are crossed and
no grudges are held.
What’s missing is payback
and lingering anger…
which, by GOD’s design,
doesn’t match with HIS ways.
So clear contrast we have when
asked if we’ve forgiven
someone who has harmed us.
First thought? Retribution!
But think with me long term
since CHRIST is eternal.
Our answer then must be
resoundingly, “No!”
For we are not perfect! In
fact, quite far from it. So!
Just say, “I’ve made progress
as HE grants me strength.”
Because! Our flesh hates to
turn any cheek to those hating;
Our flesh moves opposing to
all ways of GOD.
So with loving forgiveness,
leave all in HIS presence
and carry no baggage…
around anymore!
As HIServant re-lightening my load by not leaving HIS Way,
Whitney
Devotional: Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as GOD in CHRIST forgave you.”
Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight (all needless baggage),
…and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…”
Baggage Claims are defined here as interactions which bring, breathe and highlight Contrast.
Whenever we’re wronged, mistreated, abused and the like, isn’t our flesh the first to file a baggage claim? Just to get payback?
Whether at the instant of interaction, after exchanged words of offense or when the conflict reaches a physical leve…
…the old nature moves rapidly to collect baggage as ammunition.
However it’s costly on every level, no matter the outcome, regardless of whether we can see every debit and detraction.
So let us lovingly forgive and walk freely with praise – surrendered to the LORD – all through life!
Amen and amen.
2CJC 