Family Feud

Do you have siblings? More importantly, do you speak to your siblings?

Most of us know the story of Jacob and Esau. Jacob tricked Issac into thinking that he was Esau so he could bless him as his firstborn. Esau became furious and threatened to kill Jacob. When Jacob got wind that Esau was going to kill him, he fled.

For 20 years, these twin brothers did not speak to each other. They each had their own families and their own servants that never got to know each other. Until 20 years later, Jacob had some issues with is in-laws and decided it was time to try to go back home. So, he and his family left.

He prayed that Esau would forgive him for all of the things he had done to him in the past. He placed his faith in Christ to keep him safe on his journey home and when he met Esau for the first time in 20 years. He did not want Esau to kill him.

As Jacob made his way home, Esau was coming towards him as well. From a distance, Jacob saw Esau and got a little nervous and scared. He bowed down to Esau to show him that he was sorry for everything he had done to him. Esau, without any question, forgave Jacob and they became the best friends they never were growing up.

I know that there are many of you who have siblings that you do not speak with. I have written devotionals on rekindling relationships with people before because it is important that we hold no grudges. It is important that we forgive. It is commanded that we forgive when people do not treat us fairly. Yes, we may still be angry with them but we must do it.

My sister and I have fought and argued a lot over our 34+ years together. We have been weeks and months without talking to each other. Bottom line is that I still love my sister and no matter what she does, she will always be my sister.

This morning, if you have a brother or sister who you don’t talk too much (or ever), send them a text and tell them that you love them. Pray for them. Let them know that you care for them. Make it a goal this year to become a family again. We should care for their souls as much as we do others.

Forgive them for whatever they have done to you. As the Bible mentions, we are commanded to forgive. If we do not forgive then we risk not being forgiven by God for things we have done.

• Luke 6:37: “Pardon, and we will be pardoned”
• Ephesians 4:31: “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, [a]clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.”
• Matthew 5:22 “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.
• Matthew 6:14: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

It is simple… We must forgive. Why risk losing eternity of an earthly dispute? God will forgive you when you upset him; we must forgive others when they upset us.

The time is now!

God is Good!