Because we are loved

 

 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

Today is Good Friday. For anyone who doesn’t know Good Friday is the day that is believed Jesus was crucified on the cross. Whether you’re a believer or not, the thought of being crucified is an overall very graphic and painful way to die. Yet Jesus knew that God’s will for His life was to be that sacrificial lamb so that we could have the chance to eternal life. Before I was a believer I would hear stories about Jesus and think of those stories as just representations. I truly didn’t believe that Jesus died on the cross for me. I especially didn’t think that something as simple as just believing he died on the cross was enough to grant me eternal life. Like many non-believers in the modern world I believed that Christianity was a way to control societies and insert theirselves onto my indigenous ancestors. My heart was harden towards God. On a side note, if you are struggling with your faith I recommend the book a Case for Christ by Lee Strobel, I also recommend listening to testimonies of atheist and new agers who are believers now. It wasn’t until I went through certain things in my life where God slowly but surely soften my heart and here I am today. In full faith knowing that God is real and Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Still that doesn’t mean that I don’t struggle with being kind or forgiveness.

To follow Jesus and accept what He did for us on the cross is the first step. After that it’s an everyday decision towards becoming the person who has the type of character that glorifies God. In reality many people follow Jesus and think about all the good things that would come out of it. At least that was my mindset in the beginning. I thought about how now I’d be blessed because God is with me. He’s going to bless my relationships and my finances. Two things that I really care about. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really work that way. Yes I can trust God with those things in my life, but God is more considered with my heart than my external circumstances. It’s an everyday choice towards becoming the person that God wants us to become and we have to decide that we want to walk His way.

I have realized that although my faith in Jesus is strong there are times when my character does not reflect that. I have to make a daily decision to be kind and to forgive. It’s not easy. It’s not easy to not take things personally. It’s not easy to be kind or to forgive people who have deeply hurt you and maybe feel little remorse for hurting you. It’s not easy, but then think of today. Think of the cross. Think of what Jesus did for this world. This world that didn’t even deserve it. So who am I to harbor anger or un-forgiveness towards others? Yes I believe that God knows where and who we are in our lives, and yes I believe He gives us grace. However we have to make that choice. The choice to be kind, compassionate, and to forgive is a daily decision. We must remember to forgive and to love because we were forgiven and we were loved first. When it gets hard, let’s remember what was done for us.

Have a blessed day ahead of you.