August Bible Plan Week 2: Forgiveness & Compassion
Bible Plane Week 2: Forgiveness & Compassion
This week we are focusing on forgiveness and compassion. Something we can all use a little more of and something we can all give more freely. Just as Christ has shown you through all of your transgressions. Forgiveness is not an easy thing to allow yourself or to give to others, especially by those who have hurt us or done us wrong. However, It is a vital component of being a Christian. Forgiveness allows us the ability to heal and compassion gives us the ability to feel. It is my belief that at most times and circumstances compassion and forgiveness are one in the same. If you have compassion and understanding for someone or a situation it makes forgiving come easier. Did the Lord not have compassion on us sinners? Enough to send his only son to die for us and forgive us of our sins? That was and still is the ultimate form of compassion and forgiveness this earth will ever see.
Having compassion also allows us to understand that everyone struggles, everyone makes mistakes. It is not our job as Christians to judge, make false claims or drag them down. It is our job to uplift, empower and help others. I don’t know about you but I have had people hurt me so severely in my past that I thought I might not recover or love myself again let alone others. Finding God was one of the greatest moments of my life. I had never felt such love and kindness before and it was overwhelming my heart and mind. My soul was renewed and I exuded love and kindness. I wanted all to share in this joy, compassion and peace, and I still do. That is why Jesus urges us to forgive so much. He has so much love for us that he is bursting at the seems and all he wants to do is show people how good it feels to just forgive and to just love! If he can still affect people in the same way he did 2020 years ago can you imagine seeing Him face to face, the love and overwhelming joy both of you will share? I want him to tell me, good job on earth, you loved and lived in my name and glorified all that I am. And I believe that is through forgiveness and compassion for yourself and others.
Think about the time when you first learned about Christ, think about the moment you truly felt his love and forgiveness. Take a moment, think back, maybe it was a week ago, maybe it was 20 years ago. Do you still feel that overwhelming love, grace, joy, peace, compassion and forgiveness he gave you? Or has time, circumstances and people diminished those feelings? It is easy to get caught up in the negativity of this world. God tells us not to though.
"Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
Isn’t that the truth? But you see how easy it is to lose your way and go down the rabbit hole of self loathing, doubt, fear, anxiety, gossiping, hatred, and so much more. It is the daily trap within the mind and body that the devil sets before you wake up. He is always planning and always scheming. He knows our weakness and how to get into our heads and plays games. He tells us, remember what they said, remember what they did, remember how they made you feel?? It’s okay to hate, it’s okay to hold a grudge, it’s okay to get even, look what they did!! This even applies to your self worth y’all! He gets in my head at times, he makes me question myself in everything. He puts in my head; I’m not skinny enough, pretty enough, or girly enough. I’m ugly and fat, no one likes me, how can anyone love someone like me?? You know who can love me?? GOD CAN & DOES! He loves me so much that he created me, cared for me, watched over me, guided me and most importantly, he found me! God loves you too, so very much. Just remember the love you felt when you first encountered him. I am sure you cried from that feeling of overwhelming love and forgiveness. I know I did, and I still do. Just remember what he instructs us to do. To love, to give grace, to forgive others and to give compassion. To yourself and others. Your life will be so much better off living in His light and commandments.
Here are some biblical passages on forgiveness and forgiving. I love all of them in their context. They show you such a merciful picture of what our father is. And there is that overwhelming love feeling, can you feel it too?
Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
Ephesians 1:7 "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace."
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Daniel 9:9 "The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him."
Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more ..."
Isaiah 1: 18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'"
Micah 7:18-19 "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea."
Hebrews 10:17 “Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
Jeremiah 31: 34 “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
Luke 5: 20 "When Jesus saw their faith, he said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven.'”
Luke 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
Matthew 18: 21-22 "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"
Matthew 6: 14-15 "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Colossians 3:13 "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Ephesians 4: 31-32 "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
These are just some of the verses on forgiveness. Don’t most of these verses detail both forgiveness and compassion? Let God show you the ones that entail both and think of how you can apply them to your life right now. Talk to him, ask him what he wants or needs from you. The answer may not be an easy one, but i guarantee it is what you need to heal. It is what he has been calling you to do all along. Just listen and prepare your heart and mind for his answer.
Let’s go forth this week, and not just this week but for all time, and let’s forgive others as he forgave you, let’s show compassion, as he has shown you. I hope y’all can find some compassion in your hearts to forgive those that need it. It will take time, patience, study, prayer and faith but I believer in you, so does our Father. May you all have a blessed week. I love you all dearly & may God bless every one of you.
Love,
Mama J