And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Matthew 22:39 (KJV)
Beloved, Jesus has stated that in order for us to love our neighbour, we must first love ourselves. Our Saviour has ranked the above Scripture as the second greatest commandment. Moreover, there is a golden rule that is still relevant today – ‘We should treat others the way we want to be treated.’ Know that whatever we sow, we will also reap upon ourselves.
As we perform introspection, we may discover that we have unresolved emotional hurts and wounds that are harbored in the deep recesses of our souls. We never saw the need to bring it to the Potter (Isaiah 64:8) for Him to use His refiners’ fire (Malachi 3:2-3) to perform spiritual surgery and extract the bitterness, hatred, and/or other fleshly works(Galatians 5:19-21) that is resident in our hearts. Thus, we treat our neighbours harshly based on the foundation of past pains and hurts. Saints, self-examination will allow the x-ray light of God to diagnose our spiritual condition, and the sanctification work of the Holy Spirit will expel both the symptoms and the effects that are resident in our hearts.
The first step towards the process of inner healing is to forgive those who have hurt you deeply so that you may be delivered from the spirit of unforgiveness. There is a need to be rid of the root of bitterness, which continually provokes sin. Myer Pearlman, in his book “Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible,” encourages us to lay all dross (sin) on the altar of sacrifice as the blood of Jesus cleanses us and refiner’s fire of the Holy Spirit burns it out.
As we lay prostrate at the altar of sacrifice, let us prayerfully make this declaration: “Heavenly Father, I am free from the spirit of unforgiveness and strife. I forgive others as Christ has forgiven me, for the love of God is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, I declare, Amen!”
Read: Exodus 20:5-6; Matthew 6:12Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 32; Mark 15:33-47; Leviticus 23; Leviticus 24
