If things get
progressively worse with blood flow in the arteries (to the heart) surgical
intervention might be required, this would involve grafting a blood vessel from
elsewhere in the body to the diseased heart artery.
A detour is made
around the blockage (in the same way a road construction crew re-routes
traffic around road construction). A
double, triple or quadruple bypass refers to the number of heart arteries that
are bypassed.[ii]
This illustration above also applies
to us all spiritually. When we fail to stay to do what is needed in our
relationship with the Almighty eventually our line 0f communication (prayer) is
virtually non-existent as the emotional walls go up. (Forgiving others for the
wrong they do to us becomes extremely difficult.)
When we try to live life on our own
without the aid of our Heavenly Father, the reality of life becomes harder to
deal with.[iii] Trying
to shut the Divine influence out of your existence because your life hasn’t
worked out as you expected, is unwise.
“Blame doesn't empower you. It keeps you stuck in a place
you don't want to be because you don't want to make the temporary, but painful
decision, to be responsible for the outcome of your own life's happiness.[iv]
God is completely sovereign.
God is infinite in wisdom. God is perfect in love. God in His love always wills
what is best for us. In His wisdom He always knows what is best, and in His
sovereignty He has the power to bring it about.[v]
You become stronger only when you become weaker. When you
surrender your will to God, you discover the resources to do what God
requires.”[vi]
Matthew 18:21-27 (MSG) deals
with the importance of repaying the debt of forgiveness we owe to both God and
others.
At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many
times [should] I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?”
Jesus replied, “Seven, hardly. Try seventy times seven.
“The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square
accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before
him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars.
He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with
his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.
“The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet. [He] begged, ‘Give me
a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let him off,
erasing the debt.
1.
In the above story, the servant did
not try to clear his debt by pushing his guilt off on the king.
2.
The
servant did not try to brush off his guilt by ignoring his conscience in doing the
right thing.
3.
The
servant did not try to pay the king off with his good works (or charm).
“We can
never make ourselves better by trying... praying more or longer, studying more
of the Word, performing good works, etc. Don't get me wrong... it's not bad to
do any of these things. In fact, it's good. It's just that doing them in God's
power is the only way those things will have any real and lasting effect in our
lives.”[x]
When the
servant put himself before the mercy of the king, his debt was forgiven. Our
Heavenly Father is trust worthy with the promises He makes to us.
“So
let’s do it—full of belief,
confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the
promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive
we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together
as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day
[of Jesus' return to Earth] approaching.[xi]
When you make a mistake and the devil comes and tells you 'You're no good,' you don't have to take on the guilt and condemnation he wants to put on you. No! You can immediately confess your mistake to God, thank Him for forgiving you and cleansing you with the blood of Jesus, and move forward in the victory of His grace and forgiveness.”[i]
[i] The title for this post is taken from the 1991 song
by the same title by Gloria Estefan
[Verse
1:]Why be afraid if I'm not alone?
Life is never easy
The rest in unknown
Up to now for me
It's been hands against stone
Each and every moment
Searching for what to believe
[Chorus:]
Coming out of the dark
I finally see the light now
And it's shining on me
Coming out of the dark
I know the love that saved me
Sharing with me
[Verse 2:]
Starting again is part of the plan
I'll be so much stronger
Holding your hand
Step by step
I'll make it through
I know I can
May not make it easier
But I have felt you near all the way
[Repeat Chorus:]
[Bridge:]
Ever
I stand on the rock of your love
Ever, ever
Can't nobody stop me
Watch me
Ever and ever
Stand on the rock of your
Love is all it takes
No matter what we face
[Chorus:]
Coming out of the dark
I finally see the light now
And it's shining on me
Yes, it's shining on me
I know the love that saved me
You're sharing
You're sharing with me
You're sharing with me
You're sharing with me
You're sharing with me
Cannot be in the dark
Make it into the light, yeah
Your love is shining on me
Shining on me
Shining on me
See the light
I see the light shining
Shining on me
I didn't think that
I could take it
But your love helped me to make it
Coming out of the dark
I see the light now
See the light now
[ii] Adapted from Google Answers
[iii] This post was inspired by the sermon, The Prison of Unforgiveness: Finding
Freedom (installment one) Pastor Dave Jansen Sunday, January
8, 2017 CenterPoint Church Gahanna Gahanna OH
[iv] Quote by Shannon L. Alder
[v] Quote by Jerry
Bridges
[ix] Romans 3:10 (NCV)
[x]Quote by Joyce
Meyer
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