To "One Another" One Another (Forgiving)

How we treat our fellow Christians is beyond important!  Jesus even talked about it in Matthew 5 when He said, 

²³ “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift."

It is as if He puts the status of our relationships above our worship of Him.  Not that that is exactly the case. But God does say that if we can't love our brothers then we don't love Him {I John 4:20}.  If we break a relationship with another we have first broken it with Him. 

Broken relationships are a part of life here on earth.  We will all be hurt at one point or another.  We will all hurt someone else, too. That is why Christ calls us to...

 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

We need to forgive.  It is the only way to live free in a world of hurt.  Unforgiveness has terrible consequences...bitterness being its worse offspring.  A bitter person is angry, hostile, and not easy to get along with. If you are struggling with unforgiveness there are lots of resources to help.  You can start by looking at my series, 31 Days of Forgiveness.  Throughout these posts are ideas, scriptures, books and encouragement to help you through the process of forgiveness.  It is never easy to forgive.  But we are most like Jesus when we do!

They will know us by our love.