What Happens?

               What happens when a heart is pricked by God's Word, but does not change?   God has given us our consciences for a vital reason, one that affects the salvation of our souls.  If, by the hearing of God's Word, our hearts sharply remind us that we have done wrong, it is essential that we heed that warning, lest our hardness of heart grieve the Spirit of God.

               Ephesians 4:30 says, "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,", explaining in verses 31 and 32, "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."  If we hold any of these things against our brother or sister... if we are angry with them, or feel bitter, or speak evil of them to others, we are in sin.  Verse 26 specifically says, "Be angry, and do not sin."  It's easy to pass it off as the other person's fault, that we are right to be angry.  However, if we are not seeking a solution, we are most definitely part of the problem, and therefore just as guilty as the other person.

               The Bible is very clear about forgiveness.  We all owe our spiritual lives to the abundant forgiveness of God.  Why is it then so hard for us to lay aside our pride, our hurt feelings, and seek resolution to problems with have with our brothers and sisters in Christ?  Please, I beg you... consider the state of your relationships with your fellow Christians.  Work to make things right, and seek to regain God's favor through forgiveness, both earthly and heavenly.