Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - The List That Rules Your Life - #8266

Thursday, May 7, 2009

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There are way too many stories like this one in the news, but this one seemed colder and more brutal than most. A quiet man set out on a killing rampage, making his way across the miles to murder one family member or coworker after another. His final victim was himself. The police uncovered the list that ended in so much bloodshed. They said, “He kept a list of those who did him wrong.”

I’m Ron Hutchcraft, and I thought, “A lot of us do.” It may not be a physical list; it might just be in our heart. And it will probably not lead us to an act of violence. But a list like that is still a bitter blot on our lives. The irony is that when we refuse to forgive those who’ve hurt us, they control us. The very people we don’t want to think about, we’re tied to by our list of wrongs against us.

The Bible says, “Love keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:5 ). How many marriages, how many families, how many relationships, how many churches have been destroyed by someone keeping a list of wrongs. When we open our hearts to Christ’s love, we have a powerful weapon against bitterness in our soul. “Love one another deeply, (the Bible says) because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8 ). If you’ve got a list of wrongs you’re harboring, it’s a list that all too often rules your life.

When you came to Jesus’ cross to have your sins forgiven, He ripped up the list of every sin you’d ever done. Now, with the help of the Great Forgiver, you can tear up the list you’ve been keeping before it does more damage to you and to others. Forgiving is a choice, and forgiving is freedom.

There’s more spiritual encouragement for you at our website. It’s ALifeThatMatters.org.

This radio program references: 1 Corinthians 13:5 ; 1 Peter 4:8