Wrestling with Self Forgiveness (Part 8)
Getting to work helps us to forgive ourselves. After the apostle Paul’s conversion, Jesus Christ put him to work. In 1 Timothy 1:12-14, Paul reflects on this: “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” Saul of Tarsus was already zealous. He needed his energies redirected into worthwhile activity.
When we find ourselves not doing anything, it is easy for the mind to wander back to darker times. Staying busy doing the Lord’s work keeps our mind focused on the present. The Christian has plenty of work to do. The only question is whether he will get busy doing it, but what if he does not feel like doing it? Do it anyway. We should not subject our work for the Lord to our negative feelings. Rather, our feelings should be subject to the work we do.
Work will replace the negative feelings of unforgiveness with feelings of accomplishment. First Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” Our work for the Lord means something. Indeed, it will always mean something. Hebrews 6:10 says, “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley