OLIVE BRANCHES

I have been thinking about olive branches and olive trees, seeing as someone extended an olive branch to me this week.....

At first I thought a lot about it, and sent them an olive tree, at first thinking that a tree is full of branches so I was extending many branches to them. So I started looking a little more closely at the meaning so here goes:

The olive tree. The biblical olive tree symbolizes fruitfulness and beauty and dignity. 'Extending an olive branch' signifies an offer of peace.

The olive tree. The biblical olive tree symbolizes fruitfulness and beauty and dignity. Extending an olive branch signifies an offer of peace.

How good God is!!!

But this took me on a journey of forgiveness and how very divine it is. What a price Jesus paid for us all on the cross. If He who is the Son of the Living God could die for me and for you, oh my friends who are we to even carry the smallest grudge in our hearts?

What is Christian forgiveness?

Defining Christian forgiveness is done with words and actions. The word “forgive” is a grace word in the English, as well as the Greek, meaning “to give or to grant.” The meaning is “to remit a debt, to give up resentment or claim for requital, or to pardon an offense.”

Christian forgiveness also encompasses action. Our confession with God involves us seeing our sins as He sees it, bringing God’s forgiveness. When we sin against others, we sin against God. For this reason, we ask God to forgive us of our sins, but we must also forgive our fellow man. “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong” (1 John 1:9).

What guides Christian forgiveness if an offender is not willing to repent, when the victim has done nothing wrong? The Lord commands us to forgive, releasing the offense and the offender to Him. This is done in prayer to the Lord. God recognizes these situations with this Scripture. “Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, ‘I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).

When we have been wronged, and know we did nothing to deserve harsh treatment from the offender, we normally begin to think of retaliation. Retaliation or revenge is not the right course of action. We no longer dwell on the offense when we relinquish forgiveness, allowing God to take care of the vengeance in a fair, just, and appropriate manner.

Steps to Christian Forgiveness
We recognize that we are sinners in need of forgiveness.
We make the choice to forgive others.
We believe and experience Christ’s loving forgiveness in our lives.
Christ helps us to overcome negative thoughts that are blocking our ability to forgive.
The Holy Spirit empowers us with the right attitude to forgive those who have hurt us.
Trust that God will judge all the wrongs in the world.
When struggling with forgiving others, talk with someone you respect and trust to give you wise counsel, such as your pastor or friend

So dear friends FORGIVE and LIVE!!!

Remember God loves you and so do I

Hugs and gratitude for your friendship

Sharmaine