““Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:1‬ ‭NIV

My heart has been burdened for a long time about the idea of judging others because they have made mistakes in their past. I really strive to be sure that I don’t make that same mistake. My spirit is weak; but I believe if I cling to God’s Word, I won’t be tempted to judge others. If I am realistic and honest, I sometimes err in the other direction. I am a really trusting person by nature, and so much so that I tend to get hurt by that trusting nature! I was the victim of a scam because I truly believed I was helping someone. I lost my life savings in the process, and it totally changed my outlook on life. It didn’t make me lose my love and desire to help others, but it did make me more careful about how I deal with others!

When a person repents of his/her sins and receives Christ as his/her Savior, God forgives and forgets the sins. How easy it is for us to continue to hold those sins against someone even though we want forgiveness for our sins!

“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Hebrews‬ ‭8:12‬ ‭

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew‬ ‭6:14‬ ‭

“But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew‬ ‭6:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In other words, if we want to spend eternity in Heaven with God, we need to really think about forgiveness of others. I have been thinking about what Heaven will be like. I believe Heaven is a place of perfection and complete painlessness. There is no sin. There is not even temptation to sin. Given that entry into heaven takes some fleetingly enjoyable activities off the table, it is more than worth it. No amount of worldly pleasure would ever be worth losing out on the chance to enjoy perfect happiness and oneness with the One who made us all. Therefore, forgiving others is a very small exchange for eternity in Heaven.

The reason this topic has been on my mind and in my heart so much lately is that I know several individuals who have been hurt badly by people who continue to bring up things that happened in their past. The injured people have changed their paths, confessed their sins, and are doing their best to help others. God is working in their lives! However, satan continues to plaque them through the actions of others. My prayer is that God surrounds these individuals with a hedge of protection and love and allows them to lead their lives winning souls for God’s Kingdom.

I know this post sounds like I am chasing rabbits, but the truth is I am searching for answers that will allow me to help others who are seeking peace! Heavenly Father, please intervene and give guidance and answers! Only You can Solve these situations. In Jesus’s Holy Name!