Friday 24 February 2023

Peace

 

I have said this here and elsewhere many times. This world will never know peace until it learns to forgive.

I repeat; unless we learn to forgive there will be no peace.

Look at the world today. There are wars, and fightings and killings almost everywhere. And you will find that in all cases it all boils down to our inability, or unwillingness, to forgive. Some wars date back to things that happened many years ago. People are fighting about something their parents, grandparents or beyond did years ago. Injustices that they believe should be put right, even though, in many cases there really is no right answer ... ... ... until we decide to forgive.

Let us also look closer to home. How many of us really harbour grudges and ill-feelings about things done to us, or to our loved ones, years ago?

We may hide our feelings, deny them even, fool ourselves that we are of a forgiving nature; but in reality we are still angry about something someone did all those years ago which has not been resolved to our satisfaction and sense of justice.

And that very act of resentment, hidden within our souls as it might be, becomes the obstacle to peace within ourselves, our families and our loved ones. 

I sometimes wonder ... when Christ sees the scars in His hands, feet and side; does He harbour any anger and resentment ... or does He forgive once again?

29 comments:

  1. ...peace seems to be elusive in the world today.

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    1. I agree ... revenge seems to be the norm.

      God bless, Tom.

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  2. Hi Victor, yes, it is written that if we don't forgive others God will not forgive us. It is also written to pray for all men everywhere, so if we see and hear about people doing sinful things around the world then it is good to pray that they will turn from their wicked ways, and hope that wars will be stopped - especially when it is not just soldiers, but civilians and their homes, that are being destroyed.

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    1. True, it seems that a lot more prayers are needed than are being said right now. The world is full of negative thoughts at the moment.

      God bless, Brenda.

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  3. Our Father who art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name.
    Thy kingdom come.
    Thy will be done
    on earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread,
    and FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES,
    as WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US,
    and lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.
    For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory,
    forever and ever.

    Amen.

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    1. If God holds us to the letter of those words in the Lord's Prayer, many people will get a bad surprise.

      God bless, Anonymous.

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  4. The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant - Matthew 18:21-22

    21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

    22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

    As Jesus taught us to pray - Matthew 6:5-15

    Our Father who art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name.
    Thy kingdom come.
    Thy will be done
    on earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread,
    and FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES,
    as WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US,
    and lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.
    For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory,
    forever and ever.

    Amen.

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    1. Well said, Anonymous. Sadly, many people these days are intent not to forgive but to get their own revenge and retribution instead. Everyone seems to believe that they are right, and therefore everyone else is wrong. So sad.

      God bless you.

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  5. Dearest Victor,
    As one of the U.S. Founding Fathers wisely said:
    Democracy requires a moral people and morality is not possible without faith
    You don’t have faith—you don’t have morality
    You don’t have morality—you don’t have democracy.
    And anybody is wondering why we’re seeing your democracy in jeopardy; look at that equation you don’t have faith—you don’t have morality. You don’t have morality—you don’t have democracy.
    It is far more complex than just forgiveness—that is only part of the total—FAITH.
    Jesus in the temple was also acting different...
    And the same in Luke 17:2

    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Society has not only lost its moral compass, but they don't know where to look for it. In many lives, there just is no faith, no hope, no love ... and no peace.

      God bless, Mariette.

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  6. Victor, your reflections today remind me of one of my favorite verses -
    'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.'
    - John 14:27

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    1. Indeed, a good verse to remember and treasure, Linda. It seems many people today do not want peace.

      God bless you.

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  7. We live in an imperfect world.

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    1. And that is the tragedy of it all, Christine.

      God bless.

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  8. Revenge serves no purpose except for those who hate

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    1. And sadly this is so true; people have learnt to hate.

      God bless, Bill.

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  9. Forgiveness is the key to everything, Victor. May we all be slow to anger and quick to forgive.
    Blessings!

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    1. Forgiveness might be key; but many have lost it.

      God bless, Martha.

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  10. I pray -- not necessarily for those who've done me wrong -- but for God to create a clean heart in me. A forgiving heart.

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    1. I agree, Mevely. I pray too; I say to God that I have forgiven as much as I can, if it is not enough, may He forgive on my behalf.

      God bless, my friend.

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  11. Jesus forgives and heals. I think He does not look at the scars with pain anymore. He died for us. He chose to. 💙 Bless you, Victor.

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    1. Thank you for your wise words, Sandi.

      God bless you always.

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  12. The message in this post is SOOOOO true. Small fights, family troubles and town and city problems come for an inability to FORGIVE. Thinking of you my friend sending prayers up for you and we too, appreciate the prayers you send. We are about to see the sun rise out of some black clouds here within our family. Thanks my friend of all the prayers...

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    1. Praying for you always. Thank you so much for your kind message and for your support. Best wishes always.

      God bless, Jack and Sherry.

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  13. Unfortunately our world is not in a good place at the moment.
    In my small way I do my best to help others and make it a little better.

    All the best Jan

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    1. It always starts with one person planting peace in their own little world.

      God bless you, Jan.

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  14. Sometimes it takes bringing something to The Lord and asking for help in forgiving many times before it happens, but in the end He does help and the forgiveness flows.

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    1. You said it so well, Mimi. Thank you and God bless you.

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