Genesis 14
Genesis 14
In Genesis 13 we read about the strife between Lot and Abram and how they separated to preserve peace because they are FAMILY. It must have been a hard thing to do but PEACE must be at the center of who we are as followers of Christ.
Our peace with God should bleed over into our relationships with others. Listen to Romans 12:18…
“18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all…”
In our lives we experience a lot of conflict. It is a part of life. And often, at least EXTERNALLY we fight for peace with others. But let me ask you, after “resolving the conflict” do you often have INTERNAL peace with others? Or do you remain bitter? Do you fight to view them as image bearers of God Himself? Or do you remain upset?
DO YOU FORGIVE THEM IN YOUR HEART?
We should not just fight for an external peace but an internal peace. This is hard, but by fixing our eyes on Jesus and choosing to have His heart it is possible.
Abram had this internal peace with Lot, not just the external peace we see in Genesis 13. In Genesis 14, Lot is captured. Abram heard of it in verse 14. He could have just left it alone. He could have secretly celebrated that Lot was out of the picture. He could have not risked his life, his family, or his men. BUT Abram chose INTERNAL peace. He went out of his way to do the right thing because it was the right thing to do. He rescued Lot and his family.
Forgiveness is an idea talked about in the New Testament often. We are commanded to forgive others BECAUSE Jesus has forgiven us. Forgiveness is usually hard but it is ALWAYS worth it.
Conflict in family, work, friends, and other places is real. We are not called to ignore it. We are called to engage in it. Learn from Abram today. Choose not only external peace but internal peace. Choose forgiveness.
Questions for reflection:
Why is it so hard to forgive others in our hearts?
Is there anyone in your life you are struggling to forgive? How can you choose to lay it down today?
By: Nick Parsons
In Genesis 13 we read about the strife between Lot and Abram and how they separated to preserve peace because they are FAMILY. It must have been a hard thing to do but PEACE must be at the center of who we are as followers of Christ.
Our peace with God should bleed over into our relationships with others. Listen to Romans 12:18…
“18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all…”
In our lives we experience a lot of conflict. It is a part of life. And often, at least EXTERNALLY we fight for peace with others. But let me ask you, after “resolving the conflict” do you often have INTERNAL peace with others? Or do you remain bitter? Do you fight to view them as image bearers of God Himself? Or do you remain upset?
DO YOU FORGIVE THEM IN YOUR HEART?
We should not just fight for an external peace but an internal peace. This is hard, but by fixing our eyes on Jesus and choosing to have His heart it is possible.
Abram had this internal peace with Lot, not just the external peace we see in Genesis 13. In Genesis 14, Lot is captured. Abram heard of it in verse 14. He could have just left it alone. He could have secretly celebrated that Lot was out of the picture. He could have not risked his life, his family, or his men. BUT Abram chose INTERNAL peace. He went out of his way to do the right thing because it was the right thing to do. He rescued Lot and his family.
Forgiveness is an idea talked about in the New Testament often. We are commanded to forgive others BECAUSE Jesus has forgiven us. Forgiveness is usually hard but it is ALWAYS worth it.
Conflict in family, work, friends, and other places is real. We are not called to ignore it. We are called to engage in it. Learn from Abram today. Choose not only external peace but internal peace. Choose forgiveness.
Questions for reflection:
Why is it so hard to forgive others in our hearts?
Is there anyone in your life you are struggling to forgive? How can you choose to lay it down today?
By: Nick Parsons
1 Comment
At the heart of unforgiveness is pride....always! Forgiveness is so powerful. It's how you reveal pride, face it and eliminate it. Very powerful.