God forgave us our sins (Ep. 4:31-32) and He understands our infirmities.
To oppress or destroy a person because of his frailty shows our own selfishness and pride.
Families fall victim to this.
Early life gives itself to this.
If you have done this, make it right. Treat family with same dignity as you treat outsiders (at least).
RESPONSE TO OTHERS
FORGIVING AS WE ARE FORGIVEN
Matthew 18:33
(33) Shouldn't thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?
Matthew 18:21-22
(21) Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
(22) Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Luke 6:35-36
(35) But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
(36) Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Luke 11:4
(4) And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
Ephesians 4:31-32
(31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
(32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Colossians 3:13
(13) Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
CONCERNING INFIRMITIES/WEAKNESSES FROM AN EARLIER POST
INFIRMITY/WEAKNESS IS NOT SIN...
Weaknesses and infirmities may be the result of sin, but it is not necessarily the evidence of personal sin in the afflicted one. Infirmity, weakness, sickness are all direct results of Adam's sin and... sometimes the result of the sins of other people or even our own sins. However, the infirmity, weakness, sickness is not sin. We may suffer in our knowledge, wisdom, understanding, physical strength and other areas, without it being called sin.
Here are verses that address this in the New Testament, with my notes.
Hebrews 4:14-16
(14) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
(15) For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
(16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
DLG notes...
Jesus is touched by our infirmities, but He has no sympathy or mercy for sin. He knew what it was to suffer certain afflictions of the human body, but it was not sin. We can come to Him and receive help in time of need, whereas, when we have sin, we receive forgiveness and cleansing.
Romans 8:26
(26) Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
DLG notes...
The Holy Spirit does not help sin, but He does help us when we are suffering because of our weaknesses. Our inability to serve the whole agenda of God is not always a sin problem, and that is when the Holy Spirit helps us. In this passage, He helps a believer pray in the Spirit.
Romans 15:1-2
(1) We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
(2) Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.
DLG notes...
Christians should never help anyone sin and should never try to circumvent the purpose of God, but we who are strong ought to help the infirm, the weak.
2 Corinthians 11:30
(30) If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
2 Corinthians 12:5
(5) Of such a one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
DLG...
Paul would not glory in his own sin, yet the Spirit directed him to say he would glory in his afflictions.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
(9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
SOME THOUGHTS...
When we are young and when we are in the early stages of a relationship it is easy to hurt those who are close to us. While the one who does the hurting moves on, because he never sees the depth of offense in his actions, the offended one may suffer a lifetime. The insensitive person says, "Suck it up and be adult" not realizing they need to confess and ask for forgiveness for being an oppressor.
As we get older, we might become more sensitive and less abrasive with new friends or casual acquaintances, but we still need to repair the breech we created with loved ones when we were younger.
Though this kind of offense did not necessarily come from a mean spirited intent, but possibly from a personality quirk, when we realize we have hurt someone, we should make it right with them.
RESPONSE TO OTHERS
FORGIVING AS WE ARE FORGIVEN
Matthew 18:33
(33) Shouldn't thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?
Matthew 18:21-22
(21) Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
(22) Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Luke 6:35-36
(35) But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
(36) Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Luke 11:4
(4) And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
Ephesians 4:31-32
(31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
(32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Colossians 3:13
(13) Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
CONCERNING INFIRMITIES/WEAKNESSES FROM AN EARLIER POST
INFIRMITY/WEAKNESS IS NOT SIN...
Weaknesses and infirmities may be the result of sin, but it is not necessarily the evidence of personal sin in the afflicted one. Infirmity, weakness, sickness are all direct results of Adam's sin and... sometimes the result of the sins of other people or even our own sins. However, the infirmity, weakness, sickness is not sin. We may suffer in our knowledge, wisdom, understanding, physical strength and other areas, without it being called sin.
Here are verses that address this in the New Testament, with my notes.
Hebrews 4:14-16
(14) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
(15) For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
(16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
DLG notes...
Jesus is touched by our infirmities, but He has no sympathy or mercy for sin. He knew what it was to suffer certain afflictions of the human body, but it was not sin. We can come to Him and receive help in time of need, whereas, when we have sin, we receive forgiveness and cleansing.
Romans 8:26
(26) Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
DLG notes...
The Holy Spirit does not help sin, but He does help us when we are suffering because of our weaknesses. Our inability to serve the whole agenda of God is not always a sin problem, and that is when the Holy Spirit helps us. In this passage, He helps a believer pray in the Spirit.
Romans 15:1-2
(1) We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
(2) Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.
DLG notes...
Christians should never help anyone sin and should never try to circumvent the purpose of God, but we who are strong ought to help the infirm, the weak.
2 Corinthians 11:30
(30) If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
2 Corinthians 12:5
(5) Of such a one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
DLG...
Paul would not glory in his own sin, yet the Spirit directed him to say he would glory in his afflictions.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
(9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
SOME THOUGHTS...
When we are young and when we are in the early stages of a relationship it is easy to hurt those who are close to us. While the one who does the hurting moves on, because he never sees the depth of offense in his actions, the offended one may suffer a lifetime. The insensitive person says, "Suck it up and be adult" not realizing they need to confess and ask for forgiveness for being an oppressor.
As we get older, we might become more sensitive and less abrasive with new friends or casual acquaintances, but we still need to repair the breech we created with loved ones when we were younger.
Though this kind of offense did not necessarily come from a mean spirited intent, but possibly from a personality quirk, when we realize we have hurt someone, we should make it right with them.
DON'T BLAME THEM FOR YOUR ABUSES.
