If you were given a new sports car, I seriously doubt that you’d neglect the formation of a tiny rust spot on the hood.
You’d get some polishing compound and remove that spot right away and not just because it marred the car’s appearance a bit.
Your greater concern would be that the ignored rust spot became larger if you continued with your indifference, eventually leading to a junkyard grave for the car.
The latter consequence is way more costly than that tiny bit of effort and expense needed to remove the rust spot at the outset.
You’ve taken care of many rust spots on vehicles over the years, I’m sure.
Good for you.
And so it is that you understand the importance of removing “grudge spots” from the vehicle called faith.
When somebody upsets us and we choose to not to forgive them right away, we’re allowing the rust spot of hard feelings to grow toward becoming a grudge.
Continued indifference to the grudge’s threat against our soul will only lead to bigger problems.
For those we blame.
For us.
For those who love us and count on us for spiritual strength.
And for the Kingdom of God.
Ultimately, an unconstrained grudge can cost somebody his or her life, spiritually or physically, or both. It could cost multiple people their lives.
Why this topic today?
The One-Year Bible for today includes the story of John the Baptist and King Herod. You know the story in Mark 6.
Herod had chosen to marry his brother’s wife. Her name was Herodias.
John the Baptist told him the choice was immoral and should not have happened.
Neither Herod nor Herodias like John’s preaching about their immorality, but Herod didn’t want to kill John. Herod respected John as a righteous man and he liked hearing him preach and teach.
Herodias was cut from a different cloth, however. She hated John the Baptist and allowed the rust spot of hard feelings to grow into full-scale spiritual decay.
And when the nurtured grudge was given opportunity by the perfect storm of sin arranged by Satan at Herod’s birthday party, Herodias pounced like a lioness.
You can read the details in Mark 6:17-29.
Herodias’ hard feelings toward John sprouted into a grudge that grew into bitterness and a desire for revenge. That hunger for revenge then grew into a ticking time bomb needing only a trigger before blowing up and causing all sorts of carnage.
Dear friend, if you’re harboring ANY hard feelings toward somebody, please let them go.
Sacrifice your pride, not your spiritual integrity.
Remember that grudges always carry a high price not just for your enemy but also for your compromised faith.
It is a ticking time bomb.
That’s how Satan works. Give him an inch and he’ll take a mile.
In all directions.
Even if your grudge doesn’t cost you your soul, it certainly costs you the blessings of fellowship that you might have had with the relative, friend, co-worker, classmate or neighbor offended you, perhaps even unintentionally.
It also weakens the fellowship that you have with the Lord since such an attitude is in direct rebellion to His Word.
It is SO much better to forgive and get on with your life of loving people despite their imperfections.
Aren’t you glad that Jesus didn’t hold a grudge against you, despite the fact of terrible sins against Him?
He loves us and forgives us despite our imperfections.
Grudges have no place in His heart.
Let the same be said of us.
As always, I love you
Martin
