It is interesting and sad to see how quickly our fallen nature kicked in,and it was within a family Genesis 4, and it all started within a religious setting. Cains sacrifice was not acceptable to God,while his brothers Abel's was,and that made him very angry,it wasn't that God had rejected him,but that made no difference.His anger exploded into violence,and he killed his dear brother. A friend said to me recently how severe family disputes can be,he spoke of a relative of his wife's who had holds a grudge against them,even though his wife had tried to mend the relationship. Unforgiveness is not in some peoples repertoire,and that is very serious, especially if they are Christians, because God will not be pleased. A man called Walter Wink tells of two peacemakers who visited a group of Polish Christians 10 years after the end of World War11.They were asked if they would meet up with some German Christians from Germany? They wanted to ask for forgiveness for what Germany did during the war.They were told that was impossible,we cannot forgive. Before they parted they prayed the Lords prayer,when they reached the words''forgive us our sins as we forgive'' everyone stopped praying. One of the Poles spoke,''I must say yes to you, I could no more pray the Our Father, I could no longer call myself a Christian, if I refuse to forgive'' ,and so by the grace of God there began a process of reconciliation'.
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