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It holds the power of continuance in the face of things that could otherwise be destroyed. It holds families together instead of allowing them to crumble. Relationships can be saved if a person is only willing to forgive.
At each new year people sing of Auld Lang Syne, Scottish words meaning: "good old days", or "time remembered with fondness." yet the years roll on with memories of heaviness. In order to have a true Auld Lang Syne, one must remember to forget to take the time and effort to work out forgiveness as we work out our salvation.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:9: Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. One who is a peacemaker is one who is blessed. Notice that the scripture says that these are the children of God. Peacemakers are willing to put old events behind them by forgiving, and refusing to seek revenge for injustices done against them.
A man of peace is stronger than a man of war in the instance that he can hold his heart, and bridles his tongue. He is one that does not have to fight, or seek a battle because he is at peace as he journeys through the storms of battle. He can forgive. He spends time in perfecting his own spirit in order to have the same mind that was in Jesus Christ. The word of god and Fellowship of the Almighty become his stay, and anchor on the sea current of life's appoint-ments as well as disap-pointments. In his actions he obtains an excellent spirit.
Jesus Christ is such a one, who is a strong man of forgiving. Though grossly mistreated, he said on the cross of Calvary, Father forgive them, they know not what they do. Even though His sufferings were intense, he still knew they had their roots in the will of God, and that in the end, the victory would come.
The story of the prodigal son is one of forgiveness told as a parable by our Lord in Luke 15:11.
11: And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13: And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
A prodigal is one who spends or gives lavishly and foolishly. Sometimes one can be so inundated with the pleasures of the world that they fail to realize the treasure of relationship. It is more important to take, to them, than to give at some point. By such selfishness, others who love the person can be wounded. In their mind are weightier thoughts of self-preservation and their personal desires and lust. It does not occur to him the importance of those in relationship, as he spends the wages of the father on riotious irresponsible living.
Though wounded, the father of this young boy realized the son was of more value as he waited and hoped for his return. When he could see his son coming in the distance, he could only think of celebration, for the place left empty and dead by the son's leaving would now be filled. There was no condemnation, only true forgiveness and love.
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