Scripture(s): Matthew 18:21-35 (NIV)
Here we go. The costumes are away, the leaves are changing, Christmas things fill the stores, you get your turkey and stuffing, all the while making arrangements for holiday family get togethers and they are there. You go to work, the grocery store, the gym, the restaurant and they are there, too. The negative co-worker; the critical neighbor; the manipulative friend; the way too needy family member. Let’s face it, we all have difficult people in our lives. During this series we learn how to live with, survive and love Those Usual Suspects.
In week #2 of the series, we will look at those individuals in our lives that are those who cannot remember birthdays and anniversaries, but they can remember when you said “that thing” to them, forgot their birthday or anniversary or just said something they did not agree with. Who are they? They are Those Unforgiving Ones. How do we live with them, love them, be there for them; yet, encourage and strengthen them to not be that way, but become who they can be in Christ. Equally important, how can we not become “those people” or stop being “those people” and truly become who Christ calls us to be in Him.