Day 171 – Let forgiveness be the bond that builds Unity.
Today’s Reading: Psalm 130 – 134
Psalm 133:1 “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
The soul aches when we harbor angst in our hearts against another soul. But when we constantly seek forgiveness, forgiveness acts as a salve to heal the wound.
We were created for communion “relationship” with one another, but sin became a wound that would continually have to be healed. However, we don’t see forgiveness come into relationships until Jacob and Esau, the brothers that had the sins of greed and lies break their family unit. Eventually, Jacob would have to come face to face with Esau to take on the land that was to be his, but first Jacob asked for forgiveness from his brother and it was shown in a grand way. Esau opened his arms and everything he had to Jacob and Jacob did likewise, so they decided to split that land but still live in unity with one another.
I wish I could say that once forgiven, sin was never committed between a group in unity, but sin lives in this world. The only forgiveness that lasts forever is that given to us through Christ and nothing can take that away. We will all struggle with one another. We all have different opinions, hurtful words, and sinful gestures that can bring wounds into any relationship. And when we let our wounds remain open the hurt will flow through our soul until it turns into anger and eventually into bitterness. These wounds whether big or small if not squelched with forgiveness can burn bridges between families, friends, co-workers, congregations, or really anywhere where 2 or more people are together. But forgiveness can heal the deepest wounds, rebuild the strongest of bridges, and restore churches, friendships, and families.
This is Unity – choosing to stand up for one another even though we are different, fallen, and sometimes hurtful. Unity is where Love and Forgiveness Dwell. Unity is available through Christ, and honestly, it takes Christ in You to build Unity.
Running 2 Fly 