James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

Yesterday as I left you I said there is a new sheriff in town. We couldn’t keep the Levitical law because it was too demanding. Now that we are in Christ we have the law of love to keep. Sounds easy, no problem.

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

How are you doing so far? If you are still a child in Christ, trying to grow up to be like Jesus, you don’t have the maturity to understand how this is possible. We often carry a lot of baggage with us into Kingdom living. Many of us when we move in want to run out and play. The last thing we think about is unpacking the baggage to examine what we brought with us. Why? The bags are hurts, wounds and pains of that past life we have not dealt with in terms of forgiveness.

We harbor resentments, pick at scabs, perhaps even wear the bruises proudly. “Look what he/she did!” It is difficult if not impossible to become that victorious warrior we should be with a victim’s mentality. Other people’s wrongs weigh on you so heavily that you cannot see your own.

It took me a long time to realize forgiveness of others is necessary to heal me, not them. Sure words of forgiveness will help heal a relationship but finding forgiveness in your heart is the breaking of chains that allow that heart to learn how to love. If you cannot find forgiveness you cannot love with this new heart the Lord has given you.

Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.