| Your Christian Testimony and Forgiveness |
A life of love outpoured is the greatest Christian testimony. He has given us the power to live victoriously and love courageously (2 Peter 1:3a).
So why do so many Christians fail to live and love powerfully?
Prayerfully consider these two reasons:
- They do not fully comprehend the depth of their sin and the unmerited grace, mercy, and forgiveness they have received from God (Isaiah 6:5, Romans 5:8).
- They have not wrestled with God over who they are (1 Timothy 1:15) and who He is (2 Peter 1:3b).
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His divine power has given us
everything we need
for life and godliness
through our knowledge of Him
who called us
by His own
glory and goodness.~2 Peter 1:3
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In a nutshell, they do not yet see themselves or Him clearly.
Especially when Christians have been wronged, their Christian testimony seems to falter. They realize—perhaps for the first time—that they don’t have the natural capacity to love with agape love.
For Christians, there comes a time in each of our lives where circumstances warrant that we learn how to forgive genuinely. Perhaps you’re there now. I’ve been there too.
I can assure you that in the midst your heart-breaking and overwhelming circumstances—when you’re asking, Where are You, God?—He sees your agony, your confusion, your loneliness, your pain… even though you don’t see Him.
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Whatever the devastating blow to your life—the distressing life choices of a wayward child, the betrayal of an unfaithful spouse, the disloyalty of a back-stabbing “friend,” the evil treacheries of an abusive childhood*—God can use your painful circumstances to teach you to forgive which will release you to love powerfully, strengthen your inner “woman,” and let your Christian testimony shine.
When the pain is so overwhelming because of the damage caused to us by another’s sin, we desire relief and often take one of two courses, turning away from God:
- We ignore the hurt, withdraw, and become protective; or
- We turn to everything (drugs, alcohol, and other addictions, food) and everyone (unhealthy relationships) except the One Who can truly minister to our souls.
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*Are you a victim of abuse?
If you have been the victim of evil (such as childhood abuse or cult leadership), please prayerfully consider personal counseling with a qualified Christian counselor. This series of articles does not address in detail the process of your growth through those circumstances.
But I do hope you will continue to read these articles and find strength and courage to address your grief as you discover Who God is.
I also recommend that you read one or both of these books:
- Bold Love by Dr. Dan B. Allender & Dr. Tremper Longman III
- People of the Lie by M. Scott Peck, M.D.
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The reality of Who God is
is not seen in this sinful world
but in His forgiveness of us. ~Bold Love
Dr. Dan B. Allender
Dr. Tremper Longman III
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And even if we turn to Him, He can seem so distant, so unreachable, so unloving.
So like Job, we question Him:
And we demand:
If you are questioning and demanding, you are right where you need to be: wrestling with God. And so your process of deepening inner growth begins… if you continue with the wrestling.
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
~Psalm 13:2
Continue with the next article in this “How to Forgive” series:
Christian Depression and Forgiveness.
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