The Secret Life of a Christian Teenage Girl

Matthew 6:6-15

Definition: Trespass
tres·pass
ˈtrespəs,ˈtresˌpas/
verb
1.) archaicliterary
commit an offense against (a person or a set of rules). "a man who had trespassed against Judaic law"
synonyms: sin, transgress, offend, do wrong, err, go astray, fall from grace, stray from the straight and narrow.
"he would be the last among us to trespass"

Scripture: Matthew 6:6-15 (KJV)
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
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Think:
How can you expect forgiveness if you have not forgiven?

My Description:
I'm burning hot. I open my eyes to see I'm standing in a small room. A room that would be pitch black if it wasn't on fire but the fire isn't spreading. The walls are on fire but only the walls. Odd.

My breathing becomes heavy, my heart quickens and I look for the exits. If there is an exit I can't see it because of the flames. There is no escaping.

Sweat mixes with my tears as both liquids poor down my face. I spin around the room quickly, What is happening? Why isn't the fire spreading? I don't understand.

I drop to my knees the heat is becoming to much for me, so, I cry out to the only savior I know while I still have time, "Lord? What's going on? Why am I here? Please, save me."

Then I hear a soft but stern voice speak and I know it's my God, "Child, you don't have to be here. It's not too late, you still have a chance."

"I don't want to be here, help me. What have I done to be here? Please, God forgive me." I plead.

I place my hands out in front of me as I listen to the voice respond, "I cannot forgive you until you have forgiven."

The heat increases and I feel like I'm on fire, "Lord, what do you mean?" I cry.

"My child, others whom have sinned against you, you have yet to forgive. You have hatred in your heart for the neighbor your meant to love." my God explains. "I can't forgive you until you have forgiven but you still have time forgive your neighbors and love."

I feel the room shift-- or maybe that was my heart? Either way, I notice physically the temperature has went down a few degrees. Though, that doesn't help much because the room is still on fire and I can't exit.

"My neighbors? The ones who were mean to me? Who hurt me?" I cry harder, "I need to forgive them?"

"Yes, my child. While you still have time. For your life isn't over yet and the My day has yet to come." He answers me.

I whisper to myself, "I have time." I reach up and touch my heart as tears pool out of my closed eyes, "I forgive my neighbors, they have sinned against me and hurt me but I still love them. I forgive them." I speak out honestly. I no longer will hold what they've done against them as I pray others will no longer hold my sins against me.

It's like something in my heart breaks not fully but there a crack and I know I must finish this, "My Lord?" I speak out.

I let out a breath, "Please, forgive me. I have sinned, I have not loved my neighbors but I've judged them. I have been holding what they've done against them and not forgiven them."

I straighten my back but keep my head towards the ground ashamed of my actions, "I ask, Lord, that you forgive me. I have done wrong and I admit that-- I have sinned against You and my neighbors. Please, Father, forgive me."

As my word stumble out of my mouth the wall-- the sin, that keeps me divided from my Father in heaven has cracked and is now crumbling to the ground as I hear the sweetest voice of my Savior say, "You are forgiven, my child."

I feel the affect of His words immediately in my heart, a pure feeling washes over me as I'm being cleaned of my sin and forgiven.

The heat in the room goes down drastically to a temperature more cool and comfortable to my hot body. I open my eyes and observe the room. The flames shimmer down to nothing and a door cracks open allowing a bright light shin through.

I breath out a sigh, as joyful tears begin to fall. My Lord has forgiven me.

Review:
We've all been hurt by someone. Whether they've said something mean, hurt us physically or emotionally. We've all been hurt.

Message I Got:
I've been hurt by someone many people, actually. And how I responded to the situation was wrong. I became angry and I wanted them to feel the same pain I felt but that wasn't right of me. I should have loved and forgiven not judged and hated.

As christians, we follow and read of the ways of Christ Jesus (in the Bible). If you pay attention you will see how Jesus responds to hate and judgement when others sinned against Him.

In Luke 23 is when they killed Jesus and hung Him on the cross. Not only did they nail him to a cross-- they spat on Him, they whipped Him and mocked Him. Do you know what Jesus said as He hung, dying on the cross? "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." Luke‬ ‭23:34‬ ‭(KJV‬‬).

Even in the hardest moments we must follow Jesus's example and forgive as Matthew 6 tells us, as Luke 23 shows us and many others shares with us.