DEVOTION FOR TODAY

The Beatitudes, Latin, beatitudo, which simply means happiness is a collection of eight attitudes we must dispose to God, yourself, the non-believers and believers. To each one, the attitude requires an approach that is different. For instance, the fifth attitude, blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy in Matt. 5:7 is a disposition to your brothers and sisters in the faith.
In Col. 3:13, Paul uses two words to explain how to be merciful to your fellow believer in Christ. 1. Forbear. Literally, it means to hold back. It also means to be patient, lenient and self controlled. Legally, it means to refrain from exercising your legal rights especially enforcing the payment of debt. Why should you? That brother or sister is Christ no matter your perception of them. In other for you not to make the most mistake of arresting or enforcing your legal rights on the person of Jesus, hold back your thoughts, words and actions. 2. Forgive. Stop feeling angry or resentful towards your brother or sister in Christ for an offence or flaw or mistake. It means to pardon, sometimes, excuse and exonerate. All the time, it means to cancel a debt. No matter the offense, you are under divine obligation to write it off as paid in full. When you forbear and forgive, you do so because of what Jesus has done for you. He forgave you 2,000 years ago before you offended Him. Can you begin to practice advance forgiveness? Before your spouse or parents or children or neighbors offend you, you have forgiven them. That is the attitude that we must have to become mature kinds of God on earth. Partner with me to reach 30 million souls in 50 nations this year. Bishop Michael O. Amamieye - www.aggressivefaith.org.