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1-Dec-14

IJohn2-12aI am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus. I am writing to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I am writing to you who are young in the faith because you have won your battle with the evil one. I John 2:12-13Action in writing because of who you are.  How easy it is to not write, and ‘escape’ rejection and confrontation.  Yet John writes, saying three times – I am writing to you.  Who?  Three kinds of people!  Those who have been forgiven, those who are mature and know Christ, and to those who are young in the faith.  No matter which category we find ourselves – forgiven, mature or young in the faith – we have won the battle against evil.What is the basis of winning?  Love and forgiveness, we are forgiven because we are loved.  Loved by the God who IS Love!  But, wait, does His love stop with me?  No His Love is alive, His Love is to be given away.The politically correct stance is to offended by others in our current culture.  Forgiveness cannot be practiced in a climate of perceived offenses on every hand.  The following scripture demands that we forgive ‘anyone who offends us’.  How can we do that?  We clothe ourselves in His love, we envelope ourselves in a climate of love.That climate of love is like moving to a South Sea Island with plenty to eat and plenty of comfort-giving climate.  That love leads to living in harmony.  Not just a duet or quartet of harmony, but a world of perfect harmony – living together without dissent, anger or jealousy.  All of this negative living fades away when we forgive others.Dear Lord of Love, Help me to be blind to offenses in this life.  Help me see others as You see me.  May your love emanate from me to others I meet in passing and those I live with in this world.  May your love grow in me like a mighty oak tree.  In Jesus’ Name I pray….AmenMake allowance for each other’s  faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.  Colossians 3:13-14