"Please Make Things Right With........" Series

The Ultimate Decision

July 28, 2014

I saw this article on the front page of MSN and it brought to mind the battle of Good VS Evil.

MILWAUKEE (Reuters) - A Wisconsin girl stabbed 19 times in a murder plot allegedly hatched by two classmates to win favor with a fictional Internet character has been sent a prestigious Purple Heart medal by an anonymous well-wisher, the victim’s family said on Tuesday. The Purple Heart was recently sent to the 12-year-old girl in an unsigned card that read, “The Only Heart I Could Find – Be Strong," the family said in a statement.

There have been philosophers ,theologians and many under the sun who have attempted to talk about are we good or evil?

In the Garden of Eden, God made man and woman perfect. They were made in God’s image, we were made in God’s image. It was not until after the Fall that evil entered our body in the form of the flesh. But even though there is nothing good in the flesh we are basically good with a tendency to sin. We are not evil with a tendency to do right.

Some of you today have had argumenst with coworkers, loved ones or friends and your relationship at best is strained. I could say to you to forgive them as God forgave you and to give them the benefit of the doubt. But a lot of us got into this predicament of words in our flesh then we try to work it out in our flesh. That will never accomplish anything.

We are spiritual beings and the battle for our soul is in the Spiritual Realm. The battle for control of our soul, emotions and how to love is in the spiritual realm.

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

What would our world and our lives be like if we truly turned the other cheek. Are you willing to take some shots for Christ? If not then you do not know what Christ continues to not only do for you each day but also asks of you each day.

First of all how many times should we forgive someone?

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”

Okay so we now know that there is no limit on how many times we are to forgive someone. But

Matthew 7:1,2 "“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

You and I would both agree that we sin everyday against God. A sin is any word even a thought that is not in perfect harmony with God. We have no problem going to God and asking for forgiveness in the name of Jesus. What this passage is saying is that we cannot have it both ways. We cannot accept God’s forgiveness and then not forgive those who sin against us.

There are those that have been through some very painful trials with people. There are too many tragedies to mention. But it is ONLY in the Spirt that we will be able to forgive. So what does that look like?

Please read and re read this passage

Romans 8:8-13 " You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”

When God looks down from heaven and sees you He DOES NOT see your sin but He sees the sacrifice elf Christ and His Holy Spirit living inside of you. You are forever redeemed. A high price was paid for your and my salvation. Such a high price that there were many opportunities when Christ was spit upon, mocked, beaten and beaten again that He could have called His angels to end it all. He died for You. He lives so you can live. He loves so you can love. Today many will come against you BUT SO WHAT. Even if someone comes against your integrity SO WHAT. They did the same thing to Jesus and He did not fight back.