We often ask,”Why would God accept us?” And that is an interesting and very important question–“Why?”. Most of you know the answer. It is because of His grace! That’s why He sent His Son. That’s why He accepts all who accepts His Son (Eph.1:6). But here’s a question that we seldom hear–“How can God accept us?” Think about it. How can God who is holy forgive sinful man? It would be unfair for Him to forgive us unless there is some grounds for Him to do so. John Stott gives us the answer:

How is it possible for the righteous God to declare the unrighteous to be righteous without either compromising his righteousness or condoning their unrighteousness? This is our question. God’s answer is the cross.

According to the Christian revelation, God’s own great love propitiated his own holy wrath through the gift of his own dear Son, who took our place, bore our sin and died our death. Thus God himself gave Himself to save us from Himself. This is the righteous basis on which the righteous God can ‘righteous’ the unrighteous without compromising his righteousness. (Scripture references changed to K.J.V.)

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Matthew 5:9

A word. A slight. A look. A forgotten birthday or anniversary. A piece of gossip about us–yes, it was true but no, it didn’t need to be spoken. Things happen to us every day, from minor to major, that could serve as an excuse for vengeance. And each time something hurtful happens, we have a choice to make: Will we be a peacemaker or a revenge seeker? Will we inflame the event with the fire of revenge or will we smother it with the blanket of peace?

Let’s assume you’ve been hurt purposefully. What should you do? God said, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Ezekiel 33:11). Substitute whatever you’re tempted to do in retaliation for the word “death” in that verse and you’ll get God’s counsel on your contemplated course of action. God said that vengeance is His; He will repay (Romans 12:19). And Paul wrote that we are to do everything possible to “live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). When we choose to forgive instead of fight, we are bringing peace to the world.

If you are faced with the choice of seeking peace or seeking vengeance today, choose peace. Receive the blessing of God in return for spreading the peace of God.(From Turning Point)

The noblest revenge is to forgive.
Thomas Fuller

No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby– Hebrews 12:11

Those who know me best probably get sick and tired of hearing me repeat certain things over and over and over again ..I’m guilty! However, if the message ever really sinks in they won’t have any qualms about it–they will see the importance of it. One of the things that I intentionally repeat is this–“For the Christian, the best is always yet to come”. Many years ago that thought totally transformed my outlook on life. It enabled me to put all of my experiences in the proper context. But, I suspect that not everyone gets the picture.

Some folks suppose that I am making a reference to heaven and nothing more, but there is more…much more. Let me give you an example. Just this morning I read the following article and was reminded once again that the best that is yet to come is not always a reference to heaven and eternity. Sometimes “the best” thing to come from an experience comes during our time on earth–we actually live to see the benefit of our burden. Here’s the article:

If you are suffering under some great trial right now, then hear these empathetic words: no trial feels good at the moment or seems to be a good thing.

If you thought the Bible teaches that you are supposed to feel good under God’s chastening hand, then you can now breathe a sigh of relief. God knows that your pain hurts; He does not, and you should not, expect it to feel good when affliction comes.

However, there is this great encouragement — although it does not feel good right now, your trial will have a good result, as you are “exercised” by it. This is an interesting choice of words, because “exercise” in the Greek is the same root from which we get our English word gymnasium.

If you go to any gymnasium today and observe the participants inside, you will see the same principle on display there of which the writer is here speaking — people going through pain and discipline and difficulty in order to obtain a worthwhile goal.

Gymnasts go through rigorous training in order to nail their floor exercises; bodybuilders endure repeated strain in order to chisel their muscles; even middle class moms and men put themselves through strenuous workouts in order to keep their heart healthy. Similarly, we are to understand, suffering is sent to build us up, to keep us healthy.

As we are weaned of this world by trials, and are made to look to God for our strength and fulfillment, we become stronger because of the difficulty we have faced. May your soul-exercise today bring you great rewards in your relationship with your God!( A Good Thing)

It is a wonderful thing to have a friend who can be trusted under any circumstances; who knows the worst about us and loves us any way; who knows the best about us and entertains no envy; who speaks the truth to us, at times even correcting us, but always having our best interest at heart; who tells the truth about us, even when others are telling lies to discredit us; who doesn’t insist that we agree with him on every issue; who is patient with us and gentle toward us when we are in disagreement; who listens to our oft repeated stories as though he is hearing them for the very first time; who is willing to help in a time of need without being asked and without complaining about it to others; who sees us prosper and isn’t jealous; who sees us in need and isn’t indifferent; who refuses to impose on us by expecting us to return every favor; who does not smother us by insisting that he be our best or only friend.

To have such a friend is not only wonderful, it is also rare. You are more likely to find fortune and fame than to find a friend who is so faithful. They are truly rare and therefore of great value. They should be treated as such. Love them unconditionally; forgive them entirely; help them cheerfully; defend them vigorously; correct them rarely, lovingly, and wisely; give of yourself unselfishly. Be the friend to them that you need them to be to you.Indeed, it is wonderful to have such a friend, but it is more important to be that kind of friend!