Offence and forgiveness

Like water off a duck's back, offence is supposed to go straight off the Christian's soul. What keeps the duck's feathers free from water? it's the oil. So we need the Holy Spirit to help us forgive. God requires forgiveness; Col 3:13 says, " bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." This seems like a tall order, especially when people say or do things that hurt! That is why we need the oil- the Help of the Holy Spirit. It has been said by Alexander Pope, "to err is human, to forgive is divine". I think in some sense this is true, it is only possible for us to forgive with God's help. God in His great mercy has forgiven us of so much, and when we think of this it becomes easier to do the same. If I desire mercy, I need to be willing to show mercy (see Matt 5:7). When I look at God's example of forgiveness, and allow His Spirit to fill me with love it is much easier to show mercy.

Col 3:3 says "your life is hidden with Christ in God", if my life is truly hidden in Christ then it becomes unimportant/irrelevant what others think (or don't think of me). I'm definitely not there yet, bur I want to get to a place of security in Christ; where what He says about me and thinks of me is what defines me (and NOTHING ELSE!)
 "May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love" Eph 3:17 AMP. This is my prayer- that Jesus would live in my heart, and that my entire personality, who I am, would be secured in His love. If this would be my truest reality, how could I not forgive and love others?! 

"LORD make Your love our utmost, deepest reality. Ground us in Your love, let us draw from You- for You are the fountain of life. Hide us in You, that when offence comes it will not touch our hearts- for we know beyond a shadow of a doubt we are loved. Make us secure in You, we ask in Jesus name".

May the Lord bless you and keep you hidden in Him.

May He make His face to shine upon you so you will be rooted in His love.

May He give you peace as you forgive as He has forgiven you.