In Advance

Heb.12:6 “For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

For our relationships to thrive, forgiveness should happen before correction. Forgive means to completely bestow upon in advance. Choose to forgive in advance regardless of what people do. We see that this is the way our heavenly Father operates. The Bible says, “every sin against the Son of man shall be forgiven” and “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us”. God wants us to forgive. If you try to correct before forgiving, you are going to destroy many things. In fact, hold back correction until you have forgiven from your heart. This same heart is what David exemplifies in Ps.6:1 “O Lord, do not rebuke or punish me in Your anger, nor discipline me in Your wrath” [AMP].

God also shows us this pattern clearly in His Word. The Bible says, “He punishes each one he accepts as his child”. Acceptance, delighting in the person, comes before discipline. Love and forgiveness comes before correction. If you have to correct your spouse, forgive first and then deal with the issue. Similarly, in disciplining your children, forgive their wrong doing first but still correct them. Delight first in the child before you discipline the child. Delight first in your spouse before you correct him or her.

Heb.12:11 “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Correction is very uncomfortable but no relationship can grow without correction. The truth is that we are most vulnerable to the people that are closest to us and they are the ones that are capable of hurting us the deepest. However, this season of Christmas God is reminding us all that Christmas is For-Giving. What happened was painful but Christmas is For-Giving.

God forgave us in advance that while we were yet sinners, He sent Jesus to die for us. However, humility must come before love; love must be in place for forgiveness to happen and after forgiveness comes peace. We must humble ourselves before God so we can obtain peace with God. Then and only then can we have peace with self and with others.

Prayer: Lord, I release my heart to You and I receive Your peace. I declare the end of every conflict. Let Your peace reign in my heart and relationships, in Jesus Name. Amen!