HOW DO YOU OBTAIN MERCY?

If you really want to go to heaven you cannot withhold forgiveness from anyone, you can never seek vengence against another and you certainly cannot hold hate in your heart toward anyone! Jesus told the story in Matthew 18:23-34 of a king who forgave his servant a debt that he couldn't pay. But then that same servant went to a fellow servant who owed him a small amount, and because he could not pay, he had him thrown in prison. The king called back the servant he had before forgiven, cancelled his forgiveness, and had him thrown into prison. Then in verse 35 Jesus said, "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses." This is pretty plain. Unless we forgive others, God will not forgive us our sins!

I once attended church with two elderly men who held a grudge against one of the deacons of the church. The church almost became a war zone for them. If the pastor called on the deacon to pray, the other men would get up and walk out the back doors. It was very unsettling for those who knew what their problem was. As far as I know, both men went to their graves with an unforgiving spirit in their hearts. I sincerely hope they received more mercy after they died than they were willing to give while they were living.

Often it isn't easy to forgive someone who has wronged you. It is much easier to forgive someone who talks about you behind your back or hurts your feelings than it is someone who has an affair with your spouse or burns down your house. But God said we have to forgive them all or He will not forgive us!

When Jesus gave us a model prayer to pray in Matthew 6, He told us to ask God to forgive us of our debts as we forgive our debtors. I'm afraid if God only forgives those of us who do not withhold forgiveness from others, there may be many professed Christians who will not make it to heaven!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Are you harboring unforgiveness in your heart? I once prayed for two years before I could turn loose of an unforgiving spirit toward someone. Sometimes it isn't easy but it can be done if you want it bad enough and ask for God's help. Just remember, the only way you can obtain mercy is if you are merciful to others!

I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK!

LOVE, MEME

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