Letting Go…

Hold fast to Jesus and let go of everything else.

Looking back on last year, how much energy do you think you spent on issues? Things Paul calls “works of the flesh” Galatians 5:19. Remember Paul’s contrast between the flesh and the Spirit? We have ‘works of the flesh’ God has ‘fruit of the Spirit.’ Big difference!

Maybe this is what Paul meant when he wrote: let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8

We ask ourselves again, how much energy did we spend last year on our issues? What if we gave up our rights and humbled ourselves as Jesus did for us. He gave up all His rights becoming a bondservant even to death on the cross. Just maybe, this is our new mindset for this new year.

Maybe this is the way to be released from the burden of bitterness and resentment because of what others did or did not do for us. Maybe the mind of Christ says, they are never going to pay what you think they owe you. Perhaps they are never going to be respectful, or loving, or forgiving, like you think they should. Maybe the burden we feel we are under is the false expectation that they will by some miracle change. Maybe it is time to stop holding our breath and do what Jesus did: just forgive them. 

Jesus gave His right to be understood, appreciated, and respected so He could accomplish His purpose. Since He has given us His Spirit, perhaps we have all we need to do the same. So, we can hold on to the debt ‘they’ owe us. Or, we could do for them what Jesus did for us, forgive the entire debt. Now, we and they can live debt free.