The “F” Word
The roaring of applause’s fill the air & slowly being to subside as 3 Miami break dancers end their Lincoln Road street show. The crowd begins to disappear one by one when a girl comes up to me & gives me a little card. This little card is known as a gospel track & is a great tool used by Christians to spread the gospel. My friends & I noticed she was wearing an aqua shirt & in a quick “Ah-ha! moment” realized there were Christians all around us. It was so… encouraging & inspiring to see youth and people of all ages walking the streets of Miami spreading the truth of God’s Word & bringing salvation to the unforgiven. And though it may seem this blog is going to be about evangelism, it is not. You see before we can preach to others about Christ, we need to follow the most important commandment He has given us.
36″Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:36-40 As I think of that little track, I remember it said, “The F Word” on one side. The other side said, “Forgiveness” & proceeded to explain Christ’s forgiveness. I felt compelled to write this blog specifically to the Body of Christ. I truly believe many of us are walking around with some measures of unforgiveness in our hearts. Naturally, we are imperfect people & will eventually fail, offend, disrespect or step on one anothers toes. And guess what, it is not always the devil, sometimes it is just our human sinful nature.
As slaves to righteousness, we have to ask God to search our hearts, expose that unforgiveness & deal with it. If we do not, THEN we give room for the enemy to come & begin division in the Body of Christ.
Remember that we are supposed to be His reflection inside & outside the church.
*Sometimes we may not even realize that we are harboring bitterness or unforgiveness for someone. Here are 4 ways to examine yourself as the Word says & see if your heart & conscience is clear.
- Relational Distance. You tend to distance yourself to the person that offended you or that caused your hurt. This is a sign of unforgiveness in your part. We tend to distance ourselves from them and pretend to be strangers.
- Harsh Words. Another sign of unforgiveness. You speak words that will surely stir your heart to be angry again with the person. Or speak words against that person, especially by venting to others. Even silence or omission of words can be harsh.
- Accusation and Suspicion. When we have not forgiven, we can become suspicious of others, reading into what people are saying and accusing them of things that may not be true. Accusation and Suspicion can ruin relationships!!!
- The “Honesty” Test. You constantly doubt his/her loyalty and motives. Is a clear sign of unforgiveness.
I’m so happy that God has forgiven me. And now after granting us such a precious gift isn’t it our duty to do the same & extend that forgiveness to others? The Bible says there is one thing that should be so obvious in our character that it separates us from the outside world, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35
The time is now to fully give our hearts to God & BE instruments of LOVE today!
Writen By: Ali Sanchez | August 22, 2010About the Author:
