Walk Of Life – Day 17, November 2020 – Thoughts From The Book Of Proverbs
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. Proverbs 17:9 KJV
Have you ever tried to cover up a mistake of your friends or a family member or your sibling? It is very rare to find such behavior in the society these days. Usually no one likes to be blamed for someone else’s mistakes or wrongdoing. Though one may bear it, one cannot hold it for long and discloses the truth in one way or the other because no one wants to bear the penalty of others’ mistakes.
It amazes me and fills me with awe as to how the Lord Jesus Christ bore all our sins, unrighteousness, and transgressions. The Lord Jesus covered all our sins and took up our punishment on Himself so that we would be free. Imagine a person has to be imprisoned for disobeying the law for a year and is forgiven mercifully by the judge or his punishment is reduced to a few days, then his joy knows no end. He would be so free, all his burdens are rolled away, tears turned into joy, and his family would be very happy on the news. In the same way, we have been forgiven for all our unrighteous sins once and for all by our heavenly judge and have been set free on accepting the Lord. Yet, it seems so hard for us to forgive others and bear each other even among our own family members at times.
The one who covers up a mistake or overlooks the mistakes of others is the one who is being merciful and showing the kindness of our heavenly father. Today most of us listen to God’s Word but very few of us actually do what we hear. Many people are trying to show others that they are kind, simple, humble, and merciful and good through their status and posts but when it comes to reality, they fail to bear each other’s mistakes, to stand in the gap, to forgive, and to heal.
One who is not mindful about the work of God in his life tends to repeat the mistakes, discuss about them again and again, and ruin relationships. Christ had forgiven us once and for all and has wiped away our sins. The word of God says He never will remember them which means that He only wants to love us and not bring up the past and offend us or ruin the sweet relationship that He has with His dear son or daughter. We are called to show Christ, imitate Christ, and follow Christ. Strive for peace and unity and not for hopelessness and disunity, God who sees our hearts will reward us. It is very easy to hurt someone through our words, let us be mindful not to break good relationships and separate friends and speak words of kindness, encouragement, and love being filled with the love of God.
Love is the language of Christ and the same must be the language of the Christian.
“Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. Love never dies.” I Cor 13: 3-7 (The Message[MSG]) Bible.
I like the part that says “Does’nt keep score of the sins of others.” Many of us have this habit of repeating mistakes of others again and again till we memorize it so well that even if we want to forgive at some point we are not able to. If we have the love of Christ, we will forgive and forgive wholeheartedly. It is surely very difficult but with the grace of God is surely possible.
“Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free only to realize that the prisoner was me” Corrie Ten Boom
