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Jesus showed us love. The love that He showed us was, and is, and will always be, so powerful that people are always being drawn to Him. Jesus came to earth, lived among us, ate, slept, and did every day human things. He set the example for us. He set the example of how we should love one another, and He is the epitome of how love redeems us. I have come to see for myself that strife that occur between brothers and sisters in Christ come into existence because the enemy distracts us from the love that so redeems us. Oh, the enemy loves it when we fight with one another. He truly revels in such things, and the only way to fight discord between us is through love and forgiveness. Love will never fail us. I share with everyone these scriptures:

Proverbs 17:9
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. (NLT)

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (NIV)

The importance of forgiveness is essential for love to exist. We are human and flawed, and no one understands us like our Father does. I write this because I deem it important. We are running the good race, fighting the good fight, and as we continue in our daily walk, we need to remember that no one can know us like God does. No one can look into your heart, know your thoughts like God does. He KNOWS You. Nothing takes God by surprise...and His forgiveness and mercy is given in abundance because of the Love that we know God has for us. God lets us know how loved we are. His word shows us, illustrating this love with detail. God always seeks to get closer to us. My question is this: How can God, the Holy Spirit, dwell amongst us if there is any sign of discord among us? It is through love that we find forgiveness, and is through love that all walls come crumbling down, and through love that people are drawn to Jesus Christ. People want to be loved, they want to know the love that completes them, that does not judge them, and there is a responsibility that we carry as Children of God to be the light, the salt of the earth, and what that means is that we are Ambassador's of God's Kingdom. When we show love and kindness to one another, we are partaking in one of the greatest gifts that exists for those who partake from the bread of life.

Matthew 5:22-24 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

How can anyone be right with God, if someone is not right with their brother? It doesn't matter who is wrong, or who is right. Those things have no significance, but if there is any ill feelings between us, then we need to make amends. We are the Body, the Church, and how can we share the love of God with the world if there is any fighting among us?

I write about this because I feel this to be something very important...I pray that this can be of help to someone.

From your Sister in Christ,

Paloma

Hello Paloma

Thank you for sharing this blessed message. Thank You Holy Spirit \o/ \o/ \o/

It touched my heart, deeply.

God bless and keep you, Paloma.
Love,
Sister Mack

I just think that this is very important...because I believe that sometimes we forget that Jesus said again and again to forgive our brothers, no matter how many times they may offend in us, or even hurt us in one way or another. Jesus said it all! I don't like to just say what I think, but I like to go to the Bible. I also thought about Matthew 5:39: "But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." When we choose to follow Jesus, we are taking up our crosses and following Him. Jesus even said DENY YOURSELF. Following Jesus might mean that you may have to face some pretty difficult situations, but Jesus reminded us of the fact that we are to be the salt of the earth...and what happens when we lose our saltiness? If our purpose is to be a light to a dark room, and we lose our light, then have we not lost our purpose? And maybe I'm writing too much, or thinking too much, but I think that THIS IS IMPORTANT. And Matthew 18:21-22--When Peter came and asked Jesus, ""Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" and what did Jesus say but, Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." That's A LOT of times--but I'm glad that He said that. I have been forgiven by God for all my sins and through Jesus, I have LIFE. Jesus even said, a heart that loves much forgives much, and a heart that loves little, forgives little (Luke 7:47).

I read both Matthew 16:24-26 and Matthew 10:38-39 lately and the words came alive to me:
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"

"and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

Jesus loves us when we don't even understand ourselves! He loves us when our own foolishness causes us to stumble and fall, and yet here we are are told that if we don't pick up our cross and walk that we are UNWORTHY of following Jesus. So, forgiveness...love...these things ARE SO IMPORTANT. If we can't forgive as Jesus forgives us, then how can we be the light, the salt that Jesus called us to be?

Be in Forever Peace,

Paloma

Lots of truth here. Amen and keep sharing little sister! You're right it is important because it is the Word of God, love it and live it!

In Christ,
Shan