RECONCILESpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: Above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins. If you do not forgive, my heavenly Father will also not forgive your trespasses and sins. (Matthew 18:35) Forgiving must be done whole-heartedly only then your act will be fruitful. My precious Friend, it is something over which you will have to ponder.
My daughter died in a cruel car accident. The secular newspapers published words of comfort to me and the members of my family. However, a particular Christian Evangelist published, “Dhinakaran had purposely planned the murder of his daughter” in his magazine. When the whole world was lamenting and mourning with me, these words pieced my heart like a spear. Later on, although I determined in my heart to forgive and forget this matter, the bitterness still lurked in the inner vault of my heart. It is a shameful act to confess but yet I carried that unpleasantness for fifteen years. Outwardly, I would shake hands and praise him in public but deep down in my heart that sting did make me remember the pain. The thought, “Being a Christian, how could he say that I killed my daughter?” lingered on and it kept tormenting me.
One day, as is customary, I fasted and prayed for our journey to Singapore where the Jesus Calls Prayer Festival was to be held. I prayed saying, “Lord! None of my faults should stand between You and me in bringing the desired blessings for the people. Your blessings must descend without having to wait for.” At that moment, the Holy Spirit in His immense mercy pointed out the dark spot in my heart. I told, “It is true that I have this bitterness in my heart. What shall I do? I am unable to overcome this despite having done my best adhering to the verse Hebrews 8:12 and You are aware of that.” Then the Holy Spirit showed me the following verses,
‘ “Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins” (Proverbs 10:12).
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8)’ and told, “My son! Instead of trying to forgive him start showing your love for him. Then the bitterness will go.” I thank God because from then on I got rid of the black spot. Whenever his name came up in my memory or if other pronounced it, I made it a point to say, “I love him. Lord bless him.”
I always remember a moving incident that took place in a village church. The senior pastor would visit only once a month. The deacon looked after the affairs of that church. This deacon could not act on certain unscriptural issues raised up by a particular senior member who also happened to be a very wealthy man. The rich man told, “Hereafter I would not come to this church.” Three weeks passed by and on the fourth week the senior pastor would come to give holy communion (The Lord’s supper). The night previous to that Sunday, the deacon could not sleep. On Sunday morning, the deacon went straight to that rich man’s house stood outside and sang a beautiful song. “My brother! Please come. You are not going to take just bread but partake in the body of God. Therefore Come.” That song directly struck at the strings of the rich man’s heart who heard it from inside. He opened the door rushed outside and embraced the deacon. Great joy filled them when the senior pastor served the communion that day.
My dear Friend, when you come to the house of the Lord (Church) analyze whether you have any grouse against anyone. If you have any, immediately go straight to that person and reconcile. Then divine peace will fill you.
Prayer
Loving Lord,
Please help me to love my fellowmen. Help me not to harbour bitterness in any form when I enter the house of God (Church). Give me the grace to take the step forward in reconciling and receive the divine peace and joy it brings this day. May I not only be a hearer of Your words but also a doer from this year. In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen. |