A Spirit of Forgiveness
By Greg Johnson
December 6, 2006
http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
You have no control over other people’s actions toward you. What you do have control over is your action toward others.
Our actions are fruit of our attitude and our attitude will reflect the condition of our relationship with Jesus. As we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we will walk with a spirit of forgiveness and will reflect a Christ like attitude toward others.
GUARD YOUR TALK.
God’s Word says (Ephesians 4:29 NIV) "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Have you ever met an individual that had to comment on everything said? No matter what the conversation, they have to interject their two cents worth and most times in a sarcastic and non edifying way. They are the type person that will interrupt any conversation they hear. When people see them coming, they cringe and usually look for an opportunity to make a quick exit from the conversation.
Don’t ever allow yourself to become like this type person. Guard your talk. Let all words that come out of your mouth be for the building up and encouragement of others. Refuse to be sarcastic. Refuse to be opinionated. Refuse to be degrading. Refuse to be rude. Bring your tongue under subjection to the Holy Spirit and use it as an instrument to encourage and minister.
DO NOT GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT.
When we fall at the foot of the cross in total humility and surrender our lives to Jesus, God deposits His Holy Spirit in us. The old person dies on the cross with Christ. The new person is resurrected with Christ through the life giving power of the Holy Spirit. With resurrection power, we follow Jesus on our journey from earth to glory. On your journey, allow nothing, absolutely nothing to grieve the Holy Spirit that is at work within you.
God’s Word says (Ephesians 4:30-31 NIV) "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. {31} Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." Every single item the Word of God lists here that will grieve the Holy Spirit is reflected in our attitude; bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander and malice. GET RID OF IT!!! It will grieve the Holy Spirit that resides within you and will hinder you on your journey. You will never reach your full potential in God’s Kingdom without the Holy Spirits help. Do nothing that will grieve Him! You need the Holy Spirit to successfully complete your mission and to fulfill your purpose in life.
WALK WITH A SPIRIT OF FORGIVENESS.
As we constantly guard our talk and as we constantly get rid of anything that will grieve the Holy Spirit’s work in our life, we will walk with a spirit of forgiveness. God’s Word says (Ephesians 4:32 NIV) "{32} Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV) "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children {2} and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Beloved, as we walk with a spirit of forgiveness, we will be kind, compassionate and forgiving. We will forgive others just as in Christ, God forgave us. We will imitate God and His forgiveness. We will love others as Christ loved us. How did Christ love us? He willingly gave His life for us.
Jesus walked this earth with a spirit of forgiveness. As we fix our eyes on Him and follow Him, we too will walk this earth with a spirit of forgiveness. As we guard our talk and get rid of all that grieves the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit will help us and empower us to walk in a spirit of forgiveness. God did not leave us without supernatural help on our journey! Come Holy Spirit and conform us into the image of Christ!
