Wednesday, October 18, 2017

letting go

I sometimes struggle to let things go. Our youngest son recently started his new life away from home and I will confess that while I was excited for him, I really wanted him there at our home everyday where I could interact with him.  There are other things as well. My wife will suggest that I pass on a shirt that I last wore 40 pounds ago and I resist, thinking both that one day it will again fit and that it was a favorite shirt. Sometimes people leave the church and I want to hang on to all the reasons that they leave and rehash all the would have, should have, and could have arguments.

I am sure that most of us hang on to something at some times. Few people have totally no sentiment.
Hanging on to that program from your kids first grade play is one thing, but hanging on to hurt and hanging on to sin is something totally different.

Jesus Christ came to set us free from our sin.  John 8:34 "everyone who sins is a slave to sin."  He then goes on in John 8:36 and says, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."  It's easy to try to re-categorize some of the things that we do in our lives not as sin, but as mistakes or habits, but the reality is that when we go contrary to the will of God we are in sin.  If you are in this category, you are not alone. Isaiah 53:6 says, "All we like sheep have gone astray." Paul would write in Romans 3:23, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  The good news is that Jesus died on the cross so that we no longer have to be bound by the chains of sin. 1 John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." If you are bound by your sin, let Jesus Christ set you free. Call on him to be the Lord of your life. Receive him as your savior. John 8:32 says, "Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."

But what about when others hurt us?  Some of you, I know, have been deeply hurt by others.  It not only is hard to let go, but by clinging to that hurt, we often find sympathetic enablers who will kindly offer us attention. A little bit of enabling is OK.  Everyone needs a sympathetic ear and a kind word. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that we have a high priest (Jesus) who sympathizes with us.  There comes a time however when we have to let go.  Clinging to past hurts inflicted upon us by others can lead to bitterness, bitterness will eventually drag us down and make us and those around us miserable.  A good dose of bitterness will drive away even the staunchest of sympathizersHebrews 12:15 says "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

It can be hard to let go. Colossians 3:13 tells us to "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."  I Peter 5:7 says that we should "cast all our care on Him (Jesus)." Philippians 4:6 says that we should, "not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." The very next verse says that when we do those things, God will give us "the peace of God which passes all understanding."

Let go. Give your hurt and your sin over to the only one who can really affect change. Give it to Jesus.

For more information on how Jesus Christ can change your life contact us at www.lifepointealliance.org.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeff

If you live in the Pittsburgh area we invite you to join us in a celebration of worship every Sunday at 11:00 am.  Be sure to like us on Facebook. 








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letting go

I sometimes struggle to let things go. Our youngest son recently started his new life away from home and I will confess that while I was exc...