Calvin Synod Herald, 2014 (115. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2014-01-01 / 1-2. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 9 then surely you can give up your grievance whatever the cost? The question is will you do it? 3: COMMIT YOURSELF TO RESTORE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS Every time I turn on my computer a little windows pops up that asks if I want to run a check to see if my programs are all working properly. God in his word issues a very similar invitation. It is the invitation not to check to see if our computer software is working properly to but check whether our personal relationships are working properly. Here is how the Lord issues that challenge in “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” Romans 12:18 The important phrase there is, as far as it depends on you. God by using that phrase is personally challenging each one of us to do all we can to restore our relationships. The Lord wants you to do everything you can to restore any relationships that have gone wrong in your life. Some relationships might have gone wrong in your life because of what other people have done and they might well not want that relationship restored. God recognizes that. That is why he starts by saying “If I’ts Possible” But let’s be honest some of our relationships have gone wrong because of what we have done haven’t they? When God’s word says here as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” it is saying if you have caused a rift in a relationship then you have a responsibility to do everything you can to restore it. That everything includes the one thing we all probably find most difficult, asking for forgiveness. Am I not the only person who finds it hardest to say “I am sorry” to the people I am closest too? I wonder how many marriages represented here are not all what they should be or could be simply because someone won’t say “I was wrong, I am sorry, will you forgive me” I am certain that some of us who are married need to ask forgiveness for “ harsh words and cutting remarks” that have really wounded our partners over the years. Maybe God is saying to some of you that this change of year is the right time to restore that relationships you ruined by going and sincerely saying that you are sorry for those angry words or those selfish and unthoughtful actions. Make no mistake it will be hard to do that but one of the most significant things that you can do to mark the New Year is not set off a firework but to admit your past errors in relationships and humbly seek forgiveness from the one you have hurt. Will you rise to that challenge and make a commitment to restore your broken relationships in this new year ? 4: COMMIT YOURSELF TO TURN YOUR BACK ON YOUR TRANSGRESSIONS. Christ died to set us free, the Holy Spirit has given us the power to be free. Listen to these words from Rom 6 “Do not let sin control the way you live, do not give in to its lustful desires ... we are no longer slaves to sin” Romans 6:2 That is the last challenge that I believe if you will rise to meet will make this New Year truly significant for you. When God says “Do not let sin control the way you live, do not give in to its lustful desires He is issuing the challenge to turn your back on your transgressions. I had the photocopier repairman in my office the other day. He turned on the machine and it said on the display “Error code ” He looked at and said “Same old fault” He then explained that each model of photo-copier usually has a particular way of going wrong that happens time and time again. That is a principle that is as true in the spiritual world as it is in the electronic world. Christian writers used to talk about something called besetting sins. What they meant by besetting sins were particulars sin that a particular Christian was prone to doing time and time again. For most of us when we are saved we give up certain sins easily but there are other things that we know are wrong that we really battle with. Those are our besetting sins. Many of us end up choosing to give into our besetting sins and end up living double lives. Maybe that is how you lived over the last year, constantly defeated by the same old sin. If you will ask for God’s forgiveness for your sin and his power to resist that sin then this year can be for you a new era in your spiritual life. Don’t miss that opportunity. Conclusion It all boils down to this: Will this New Year be just a calendar changing event for you or are you willing to rise to these challenges from God’s word and make these commitments and so make it a life changing event? Are you willing to make these 4 commitments for 2014? Will you commit yourself to forget your failures? Will you commit yourself to give up your grudges? Will you commit yourself to restore your relationships? Will you commit yourself to turning your back on your transgressions? This New Year will really be something to celebrate if you’ll make forgiveness the heart of what it’s all about for you. Have the courage right here at the begining • To forgive yourself and “forget the past” • To forgive others who have hurt you “and forgive whatever grievances you have” • To ask for forgiveness from those you have hurt and “as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” • To ask for God’s forgiveness and “No longer be a slave to sin” JP CHANCE OF ADDRESS FORM Name..................................................................................... Subscription No................................................................. Old Address:....................................................................... 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