Thank you dear saint, for your post.Jesus said that by the "same measure we use to judge others, we will be judged". So the question is, how long is your measure? Hmmm???? This can come very close to home. My wife and I have been married 23 years. It has been a rocky road to say the least. Without going into all the details, I wonder and others wonder why and how we stay together. I can tell you in a word...mercy. See, God has been extremely merciful to me; infinitely patient as well. So when I get out of joint with my wife and take it to God, He reminds me that He did not choose her, I did. Second, He asks, "what you say she has done to you, have you ever done that to me, Lahry"? Oh God, don't ask that! You know I have. "How often did I forgive you, Lahry". Every time, Lord, every time, and without hesitation. "How many times, Lahry, did I forgive you"? Too many to remember Lord. You never set a limit on how many times, Lord. "Is there a limit to how many times you can forgive your wife and show mercy to her that she may not deserve"? No, Lord. I forgive her, Lord. Thank You for forgiving me and for being so merciful to me. Help me to have and give like mercy to all, dear Lord. Saints, the day we run out of mercy and forgiveness for others is the day we run out of mercy and forgiveness from God. For it is a sound doctrine of the bible that if we expect forgiveness, we must forgive. God does not hesitate to forgive us and be merciful to us, because of the blood of Jesus. We therefore have no right to do any less to our spouses, children and brethren in Christ. There is no "Christlike example" without forgiveness and mercy in our heart. We don't have anything to share with others unless we have mercy and forgiveness as a hallmark of Whose we are. Believe it, or not. It's not a matter of choice, it's a matter of life, everlasting life. Forgive us ours sins, as we forgive others. Do you need mercy and forgiveness from God? Now you know what to do. But wait, there's more. Expect that opportunities to forgive others will begin right away. Learn to rejoice in them. Be generous in your forgiving. God will lavish mercy and forgiveness on you...and me. Thanks be to God. Amen and amen.As a footnote, my wife and I are finally getting in one accord. We are planning a mission trip to India later this year, with our heart on long term service. It's taken a long time to get here, and yes we missed much opportunity with our quarreling along the way. But it's not over yet. No, not yet. So we hope to give God some years, should He so graciously let us live them, totally in His service and in servitude to the lost. India is such a wonderful oppotunity to do just that. God gave Hezikiah 15 more years. I've asked Him for at least that much for us, and for our good health as well, both spiritually and physically. Kindly hold us in your prayers, as we have many valleys and bridges yet to cross. But we both certain that we are on the way. So each valley and bridge are one step closer to our goal.
