Heaven on Earth

Part 22

It was Sunday already and Rose was teaching the first timers class as usual but she noticed that Richard wasn't around, she struggled to concentrate but she made the Holy Spirit use her to teach his people. After that, she dismissed them and joined the main service, she sat on the second row with Jane beside her, she had reserved a seat for her. Shortly afterwards, Kirk and Margaret also sat beside them with Kirk sitting on her left hand side

"Hey, how are you?...I'm excellent, you?...I'm great. You look amazing...thank you, you look good too...thanks...Kirk I'm a bit concerned about Richard, he wasn't in my class today, do you think he must have remembered me and stopped coming to church?...I don't think so but let's just wait for service to end, he might have been late so we'll look out for him in the congregation, is that okay?...yes that's fine, thank you... you're welcome, now let's enjoy the service...okay"

Pastor Dan came up after the choir led the congregation in a soul stirring moment of worship, most people's eyes were teary and he just smiled, liquid love radiating through him.

"Today, we gonna talk about forgiveness, let me hear you say forgiveness...Forgiveness" the entire congregation re-echoed.

"Let's open our bibles to Luke 17:4_ it says; (And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him). When Jesus thought his disciples how to pray, in the format, he said: give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us_ you need to forgive, not necessarily for the one who offended you to be at peace but for you to be at peace and if you don't forgive as Jesus forgave you of your sins, you will not receive your daily bread, as a child of God, there are daily provisions for you but if you're not aware of this you will not receive them, halleluyah! It's like a man who dies and leaves possessions for his only son but without the reading of the will, the son will not be aware of such possessions bequeathed to him, once he becomes aware, he claims it and starts living up to that standard. In the same way, you have to study and meditate on the word to know what God has willed to you in Christ Jesus so that you can receive daily. There's a lot to discuss on this topic so let me not deviate, the point is, when you forgive others in your heart even before they ask for forgiveness or if they don't ask, you tend to set yourself free from unnecessary ailments that raid your body as a result of unforgiveness. The text we just read indicates clearly that even if the person offends you 7 times in a day and turns back to apologise those same number of times, you're to forgive at each point. It can be difficult especially when you notice the person was intentional about the offences but that's why you have the Holy Spirit who makes the love of God abound in you. Romans 5:5 says; (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). Jesus is love himself and he lives in you, therefore love is in you, which makes you love personified. Keep grudges out of your life because they prevent the manifestations of God's blessings in your life without you realising it. The most amazing fact about this is that, you may think you're punishing the offender by not forgiving them but you're rather punishing and hurting yourself, most at times, the offender most likely isn't aware of his/her offence and is living happily, free of guilt but you're suffering for them. Just let go of people you've held in your hearts and your life would be an unending spring of joy. Even when you think you're not the one at fault, it makes no difference, forgive whoever might have offended you and put the matter to rest".

The saints were quiet, each taking in the words of Pastor Dan, he knew without a doubt that the Holy Spirit was working on each heart, individually. Rose just couldn't control the tears, she had learnt so much in church and studied the word on her own but still hadn't come to terms with the repercussions of unforgiveness. She had to forgive Richard who raped her and also her family who took everything from her after her parent's death.

"We could use a whole year to discuss this topic because it's so important to your Christian growth that it cannot be ignored, Now I want anyone of you who still has someone in your heart you haven't forgiven to stand on your feet, you're going to let them go this instant and pray for them with all the love in your heart" most people stood up and amongst them was Rose and Kirk, she was surprised to see him standing too, she never thought he also had to let go of and forgive someone. Pastor Dan instructed them to place their right hand on their chest and declare that they had forgiven anyone who had offended or hurt them in anyway, after that, they should pray for the person.

" Praise the Lord_ I'm sure you feel like a load has been lifted of your shoulders. Now I know this may be too much for you but you say I can do it...I CAN DO IT" they all said. "You will now meet anyone you just forgave after church, that is if they're still alive, and first of all apologise for holding any grudges against them, then you tell them you already forgave them even before they could ask and that you love them. I bet you, they will be so full of remorse and actually ask you to pardon them which you already have, isn't that amazing, those who still remain unmoved will eventually come begging you. From now onwards make up your mind that you would consciously overlook the wrongs of others because you're the love child of a love God with his nature and character in you, PRAISE THE LORD!" and everybody said "Halleluyah!!!"