Put away!

Ephesians 4: 31      NKJV

³¹ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you...

My grandparents on my Mother’s side (May God rest their souls), were some of the most imprisoned people I have ever met in my lifetime.

If anyone loved a good spat, it was them!!

They carried more bitterness than anyone I ever remember.

They were always quick tempered enough to pass judgment on other people, but very slow to hold themselves to the same standard.

As I write this devotional this morning, and I mean no disrespect, but this is what most people will remember about them.

They carried a grudge like no other...well almost like no other. What will people remember about you, some day?

Forgiveness always comes down to a choice. God will never make us forgive someone who has harmed us.

But before we go that route, we had better understand what we’re getting ourselves into.

I would venture to say, that in church we should find some of the most forgiving people on planet earth.

Un-forgiveness imprisons people to their past, and offenses scorch their spirits. When it comes to forgiveness, does the church operate differently than the world?

Bitterness is a devastating sin that can be directly traced to a failure to forgive.

Unfortunately, I believe that was a sin my Grandparents were willing to take to their grave.

Unresolved anger and bitterness that accompanies a failure to forgive, leaves a door wide open to the Devil himself.

I refuse to pay the price for nursing a grudge...and I’m praying that I’m not at odds with anyone...when it’s time for me to die...