Gratitude (or lack thereof) is very telling!

“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” -Luke 7:47, NIV The amount of gratitude ought to match the amount forgiven. This is one lesson I take from Jesus’ teaching in this verse. And it is an important spiritual lesson … Continue reading “Gratitude (or lack thereof) is very telling!”

An Active Ongoing Choice

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…. -Proverbs 23:7a, KJV Forgiving an enemy is hard work. It is hard to interrupt the ruminations on revenge. The thought gets going and builds steam until it consumes your emotional well-being. This is not good. Why give an enemy so much power over our emotional … Continue reading “An Active Ongoing Choice”

You can forgive a cheater without the cheater being forgiven.

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. -I Peter 3:18a, NLT You can forgive a cheater without the cheater being forgiven. This is a paradoxical truth about forgiveness. Both are true. You have truly forgiven your cheater. However, … Continue reading “You can forgive a cheater without the cheater being forgiven.”

Towards fixing Protestantism’s failings on forgiveness and supporting adultery victims

  So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great. -Job 2:13, KJV Protestantism is big on sin and forgiveness. Emphasis on sin and forgiveness is pervasive through evangelical teaching and preaching. That is … Continue reading “Towards fixing Protestantism’s failings on forgiveness and supporting adultery victims”

Forgiveness begins with acknowledgment of wrong

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” -I John 1:9, KJV What good is forgiveness to someone who does not think he or she did anything wrong? It is worthless.  They are not in bondage to a conscience warning them … Continue reading “Forgiveness begins with acknowledgment of wrong”

Justice and forgiveness

Trusting God with our hurts is hard. Forgiveness is about doing just that, though. It is allowing God be God in our situation.   But forgiving our cheater is nearly impossible if we believe we care more about justice than God. Justice matters to God. He did not just give sin a pass. It isn’t … Continue reading “Justice and forgiveness”

Forgiveness does not erase natural consequences!

  13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. 14 But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.” -2 Samuel 12:13-14, NIV God forgave David for murder and adultery. It says so here. However, God … Continue reading “Forgiveness does not erase natural consequences!”

Hostage to Acknowledgement?

Are you waiting on an acknowledgment of wrongdoing by your cheater? I have some good and bad news on that front… First, I will share the bad news: You may never get an acknowledgment (and a full confession) of wrongdoing from your cheater. Some people are so disordered, cowardly, and/or wicked to do so. Waiting … Continue reading “Hostage to Acknowledgement?”

Shaking off the dust as “forgiveness”

“But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.” -Mark 6:11, NLT At some point, we need to let go of the need for an apology and reparations for the wrongs we … Continue reading “Shaking off the dust as “forgiveness””

Do NOT enter their warped reality!

There is more hope for fools     than for people who think they are wise.  –Proverbs 26:12, NLT They traded the truth about God for a lie….   –Romans 1:25a, NLT Cheaters can come across as so confident in their lies. This confidence has the power to make even the most stalwart faithful spouse second-guess their instincts, hard evidence, … Continue reading “Do NOT enter their warped reality!”