Matthew 6: Let It Go

Matthew 6:14-15
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

¹⁴ For if you forgive people their trespasses [their ^[a]reckless and willful sins, ^[b]leaving them, letting them go, and ^[c]giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their ^[d]reckless and willful sins, ^[e]leaving them, letting them go, and ^[f]giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.

 

It hurts when someone betrays and mistreats us.  To the core, pain wracks in the deepest place of the heart.  Yet, what does our Father say about it?  He says, to let them go, forgive them.

 

Easy to type, not so easy to accomplish.  In my opinion, a damaged soul is so much worse than a damaged physical body.  But there is healing, and it comes by "letting them go."

 

The popular animated Disney movie, Frozen, contains the song, "Let It Go."  And, although I don't agree with all of the lyrics in it, there is an encouragement in them. 

 

 

 

"It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me can't get to me at all
It's time to see what I can do
To test the limits and break through"

 

"I'm never going back, the past is in the past"

 

Elsa, the Disney Snow Queen, had been hiding her gifting for years, because she feared the negative reactions of others.  In the movie, she decided to use her gifting, to let it go.   

 

Let me suggest that there are people who are reading this post right now whose gifting was squelched by the wrong reactions of others.  You must forgive those who mistreated and betrayed you, and let it go!

 

Let it (unforgiveness) go!

 

Let it (suppressed gifting) go!

 

Let it (the past) go!

 

Healed souls result when forgiveness is chosen!

 

Let it go, friends.!  Let it go!!!  In the great and awesome Name of Jesus, AMEN!!!

 

 

 

Matthew 5: (be) Attitudes- Counter Culture Christians

Matthew 5:1-12
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

5 Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him.

2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3 Blessed (happy, [a]to be envied, and [b]spiritually prosperous—[c]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!

4 Blessed and enviably happy [with a [d]happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace] are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted!

5 Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, [e]spiritually prosperous—[f]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth!

6 Blessed and fortunate and happy and [g]spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God [h]enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be [i]completely satisfied!

7 Blessed (happy, [j]to be envied, and [k]spiritually prosperous—[l]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!

8 Blessed (happy, [m]enviably fortunate, and [n]spiritually prosperous—possessing the [o]happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!

9 Blessed (enjoying [p]enviable happiness, [q]spiritually prosperous—[r]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and [s] maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God!

10 Blessed and happy and [t]enviably fortunate and [u]spiritually prosperous [v](in the state in which the born-again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!

11 Blessed (happy, [w]to be envied, and [x]spiritually prosperous—[y]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account. 12 Be glad and supremely joyful, for your reward in heaven is great (strong and intense), for in this same way people persecuted the prophets who were before you.


As Christians, we have heard Jesus' beatitude teaching, but do we pause long enough to consider how to apply them to our lives?  

These attitudes are counter culture in today's American society, and may be seen as a sign of weakness rather than strength.  Society at large shouts, 

"You must promote yourself or you'll never advance."

"Don't feel bad about that sin.  Everybody is doing it.  That is an outdated notion, we have evolved past its restriction."

"Hunger and devote your time towards making your mark.  Righteousness gets in the way of advancement."

"Revenge is sweet."

"Did you know what was said about you?  I'd tell her a thing or two if I'd be you."

"She's a Christian.  She thinks she's too good for us.  She's a "holy roller" an extremist!"

"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!  That's all he talks about." 


Friends, if we modify our (be) attitudes to fit into today's society, we forfeit the blessings, which Jesus intended for us.

 

• The Kingdom of heaven!
• Comfort!
• Our inheritance!
• Righteousness!
• Mercy! 
• Seeing God!
• Sonship!
• The Kingdom of heaven (again)!
• Reward! 

Holy Spirit, empower me to be counter culture with an attitude pleasing to Jesus!  AMEN!!!