Faithbase

Hey faith-based friends and family blessings to you today. Just want to give you a quick challenge and encouragement from 2nd Timothy chapter 4. Paul says something that somehow I had missed. I'd studied the pastoral epistles but it just sat heavier if that makes sense. It's Paul's closing his letter and he knows that death is near. He's given teaching and told Timothy to be prepared and seasoned. Then he has some personal remarks he makes about bringing cloaks and scrolls and reconciliation with Mark, John Mark who he parted ways with. But he says this, he says that when he left everyone deserted him. And he goes on to say, may this not be held against them. And it struck me, I think I've read over that in Paul's last few words. The only words after this is he's sending his personal remarks to people. You know blessings to this person and this person. He says, may this not be held against them. And it just resounded in my spirit when Stephen who's being stoned to death says, don't count this sin against them. Or Jesus is on the cross he says, father forgive them for they know not what they're doing. These last words, dying words really, words that are perhaps the most powerful words that they will they'll utter. And Paul's saying, don't let any bitterness or resentment be in your heart. Don't count this in against them. Don't hold it against them. My encouragement for you as Paul models, as Stephen and Jesus models, one, let's just examine our hearts. I love the verse, above all else guard your hearts. Let's make sure there's no room for bitterness or resentment. And then two, let's just love our enemies. Which seems so illogical and so difficult. But that's the model. That's what we're called to do. I think it's brutally hard. But Paul's telling us right here, let's not count things against them. Stephen, let's just forgive them. Ask the Lord to forgive them. As Jesus asked the Lord to forgive his enemies. So when we examine our hearts today, if there's any seed of bitterness or resentment, when we give it over to the Lord and do whatever we need to do to start the forgiveness process. It's painful and it's hard but it's so worth it. Blessings to you today.