The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45 ESV)
Counting
Many of us are counters. Probably all of us. But WHAT we keep track of demonstrates what we value. Runners count miles. Dieters count calories. Sports fans count Olympic medals our country accumulates. Grandparents count grandchildren. Walmart counts customers. Bankers count deposits.
And perhaps because we do not value the forgiveness granted His children by God, Christians count sins.
Particularly, in the light of this series, we count grudges, enemies, frenemies, hates, and those we consider, “them.”
Instead, it would help move our hearts towards Godly graciousness, if we started to notice and remember the times we have forgiven others.
No, we do not need to keep a bragging book. But somehow, we easily remember our lack of forgiveness. Sometimes with shame. Sometimes with a sense of justification. Sometimes almost with pride.
Remembering the times God has enabled us to forgive, or even enabled us to desire to forgive puts goodness in the treasury of our hearts.
And that increased treasury increases our ability to forgive.
Think about Christ’s treasury in this way. While He COULD harbor anger and hate in His heart, His heart is love-filled. And so, forgiveness flows supernaturally from Him.
Count your forgiveness-es, name them one by one…