The Relationship Choice

  • Pastor Duane Cross
  • Nov 8, 2009
  • Series: Life's Healing Choices

LIFE’S HEALING CHOICES

“The Relationship Choice”

  Pastor Duane Cross |  11.08.09

           

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”  

                                                                                                (Matthew 5:7)

 

Evaluate all my relationships, offer forgiveness to those who’ve hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others except when to do so, would harm them or others.

 

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ, God forgave you.”                                                                                                                             (Ephesians 4:31-32)

 

I.  I’m to forgive those who’ve hurt me.                                             Why?

a.  Because God has forgiven me.

b.  Resentment doesn’t work.

“To worry yourself to death with resentment would be a foolish, senseless thing to do.”                                                                                                                                  (Job 5:2)

 

“It’s foolish to harbor a grudge.”                                                 (Ecclesiastes 6:9)

 

“You’re only hurting yourself with anger.”                                                (Job 18:4)

 

“Some men still stay healthy till the day they die...others have no happiness at all, they live and die with bitter hearts.”                                                                                     (Job  21:23-25)

 

c.  Because I need forgiveness in the future.

“When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins too.”

                                                                                                  (Mark 11:25)

How do I forgive those who hurt me?

•  Reveal my hurt.

•  You release the offender.

 “How many times should I forgive my brother when he sins against me?...’Not seven times but seventy times seven times.’”                                                                                             (Mark 18:21-22)

•  Replace my hurt with God’s peace.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”                              (Colossians 3:15)

 

II:  Make amends to those I’ve hurt.

“Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble hurting many in their spiritual lives.”                                                                                       (Hebrews 12:15(TLB)

 

a.  Make a list of those I’ve harmed and what I did.

b.  Think how I’d like someone to make amends to me.

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”                       (Luke 6:31)

“There’s a right time and right way to do everything.”                 (Ecclesiastes 8:6)

“Speak the truth in a spirit of love.”                                            (Ephesians 4:15)

“Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword but wisely spoken words can heal.” 

                                                                                              (Proverbs 12:18)

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18)

 

c.  Refocus my life.

“Put your heart right, reach out to God, then face the world again, firm and courageous, then all your troubles will fade from your memory, like floods that are past and remembered no more.”                                (Job 11:13-16(GNB)

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