Salvation Army

Today the Salvation Army is coming to pick up part of our surplus to requirement as my English godson likes to say. I did not finish going through my books, I will schedule another pickup in January. How have we accumulated so much stuff!?!?!? I am donating fake plants, Christmas ornaments, and decorations, slipcovers, throws, comforter sets, throw pillows, curtains, Christmas lights, fall decor, paintings, and 15-20 books. I donated clothes earlier in the year...getting rid of the excess seems to be a process with me instead of a singular event. Oh well, as long as it completed soon.

I said all that not to attract attention to my "good" deed but to say many of us have so much excess in our physical lives - too many possessions we no longer use/see, we walk right by them as well as the excess in our spiritual lives because we have not taken it to the Lord for 1 reason or another and left it at the foot of the Cross.

When we ignore sin, stuff it down, or decide in our case God understands and there is no reason to confess it to Him and repent, we open the door wide for our lives to fall apart physically, mentally, and or spiritually.

I had a friend I'll call Mary, she decided she would not forgive a wrong, over time she twisted Scripture to uphold her position, our pastor counseled with her, her doctor sent her to a psychiatrist to no avail. Over the course of 3 to 4 years, I watched this vibrant woman become frail, tremble all her waking moments, and end up in a wheelchair. It was horrendous for her family and friends. Her decision not to forgive the offense devastated her spiritual life, her mental capacity, and her physical well being. Is this an extreme example? I don't think so.

What caused her to decide not to forgive? Pride? Self-righteousness? Hurt/Anger? I do not know.

The Bible is clear about the matter of forgiveness.

Matthew 6:13-15

And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Matthew 18:21-30

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.  Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.  The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’  Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’  So his fellow servant fell down at his feet[a] and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.  So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.  Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.  Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’  And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.  “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”