If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
Many may already be aware of this but Alex Hernandez (New England Patriot's Wide Receiver), received a life sentence for first degree murder of Mr. Odin Lloyd 2 years ago...the sentence didn't come as a surprise to many, but what the victim's mother said in court at the sentencing, was remarkable:
Odin Lloyd's Mother Forgives
Aaron Hernandez For Murdering Her Only Son
Ursula Ward (Lloyd's Mother)
"First and foremost I'd like to thank the jurors for all their
concerns, helping me with everything - and I thank God for being here this
morning. My name is Ursula Ward, Odin Lloyd's mother. Odin was the first born
of 3 children; Odin was my only son. Odin was the backbone of the family, the
man of the house, and his sister's keeper. We all wore purple today because it
is my son's favorite color. I forgive the ones who had a hand in my son's
murder; either before or after. And I pray and hope that someday, everyone out
there will forgive them also. May God continue to bless us, thank you. We serve
an awesome God and we all should remember that; because without Him, we are
nothing.”
There was a conversation between Jesus and His disciples in Caesarea Philippi where He asked, 'Who do they say that I am? The disciples gave their responses, then He made it personal - He asked them, 'Who do YOU say that I am?' Peter pipes up and proclaims that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God! This is powerful revelation right?
Matthew 16:19
And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
So we can see here that Jesus reveals some Keys to the Kingdom based on a personal revelation Peter has...understand that there are keys in the Kingdom of God available to you and I, that can be used to unlock doors closed to us preventing destiny, dominion, favor, and blessing...these keys are:
LiberalityWorship
Forgiveness
Forgiveness can open doors that devotion cannot. When you walk in God's forgiveness, you are living in the essence of His nature! It's only natural for God to forgive!!
Forgiveness can shield you and protect you from the wrath of your over-emotional decisions (anger, fury, rage, etc.)...It produces what the bible calls, a peaceable fruit...
Example - David became enraged when Nabal disrespected his army and his services...so much so, that he was on his way to kill Nabal and all his household. Abigail stopped him and showed him the bigger picture! She explained to David that had he pursued his pound of flesh, it would've robbed him from being the king God had called him to be...bitterness and can rob you of your future!
Forgiveness is also a weapon > rather than complain about being done wrong, you can turn things on the devil and in your favor! Daniel could've easily caused a ruckus about the satraps who lied on him about praying and placing him in the lion's den...he chose rather to stay focused on God and allow God to overthrow his enemies, instead of him (Dan. 6) - we all know the outcome of that story.
Can you walk in the forgiveness of God, or are you stuck in your own bitterness and unforgiveness about someone? The problem is, the only person suffering from your unforgiveness, is YOU! Allow God to be your advocate and let forgiveness flow throughout your life.
