I was sitting on the back patio one morning enjoying that first cup of coffee as the sun slowly began to color the top of the mountains. The air seemed to have a bite of fall in it and I heard the “honk” of another early flight of Canada geese arriving. I should not have been surprised when I was interrupted by a song drifting in from the radio in the kitchen. I instantly recognized a personal favorite from one of the groups I never tire listening to. I should not have been startled by the Lord’s choosing this song to make a point; He does it with me all the time.
As I sat there, for the first time I really listened to the words and not just the melody and the harmony. And while the song was delivering a message to a lost world searching for answers, the Lord used the words to remind me of an important message for all of us.
I’ve been try’n to get down To the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it’s about forgiveness
Even if, even if you don’t love me anymore
Forgiveness is something that we all struggle with. It is one of the reasons why unbelievers say that “church” is not for them. In fact, it has been said that the army of God is the only one that “shoots its wounded.”
If we are ever going to alter that image, we must take our example from Jesus and be ready to forgive even to our own hurt. I could build a very large case to show how failure to forgive works to our detriment but this scripture sums it up well … from personal experience.
Matt 5:22-24 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ (empty, vane, shallow and worthless person) is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ (a rebel against God; apostate) will be in danger of the fire of hell. (charging another with apostasy and being unable to prove it exposes one to the same punishment) 23. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
When our hearts are filled with iniquity, our prayers never rise above the top of our heads. Considering Jesus’ words how can we expect Him to hear our prayers when we are holding something against a brother or sister; especially challenging their relationship with God? When we consider how Jesus has forgiven us, do we really need to go any further? It is a fact that failing to forgive shuts off our communion with God until it is dealt with, and these verses provide us with an excellent example … after all, isn’t that The Heart of the Matter?
You can read more about forgiveness in the full article:
The Heart of the Matter Part 1
The Heart of the Matter Part 2