The Miracle of Genuine Forgiveness

Romans 12:18- "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

Peace with others is a wonderful thing, but not always possible. Peace always begins with God. If we aren't at peace with God, then we can never have peace with ourselves. If we aren't at peace with ourselves, then we can never have peace with others. It seems that all the beauty contestants say that their wish is for world peace. Great idea, but it's a pipe dream if God isn't at the center of it. Without God in my life, I hate myself and everyone and everything I come into contact with. Without God, all of creation is a potential enemy. Once God is in the picture, it changes my view of all of creation. Even when there is inevitable conflict, because I have peace with God and with myself, I can and should have a different view of those with whom I'm in conflict.

Matthew 5:44: "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

If God can love me to the point of dying for me while I was His enemy, then He gives me the supernatural power to love those with whom I have conflict. That doesn't mean that we have to agree or approve of them or their actions. It doesn't mean that we have to act like everything's cool and sing kumbaya and pretend to be friends. It does mean that we should pray for God's best for their lives, not enter into gossip about them, and keep no record of wrong. This is NOT humanly possible. That's what makes it a God thing. If you want proof for the existence of God, then look no further than this. If, as a believer, you can love your enemy, that is as much proof of the supernatural as walking on the water. Today, I'm stepping out of the boat.