It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2

Archive for June, 2026

FORGIVENESS is mandatory for the people of God!   

Forgiveness is a serious matter with God. It is so serious that He purchased forgiveness for us with the blood of His One and only Son, Jesus.  The Bible says God gave Jesus for our sins that He might deliver us from the power of sin and death and this present evil. When we refuse to forgive, we are refusing the work of Christ through His shed blood.  God paid a high price with the death of His Son to purchase our deliverance and forgiveness, and for us to refuse to forgive, it is a rejection of what Christ had done and God calls that wicked.

Forgiveness is important to God and the Bible tells us to forgive those who have wronged us just as we were forgiven for our sins against God.  Jesus gives a strong warning under the law that if a person does not forgive, they will not be forgiven and at this time Israel was living under the law of the Old Testament which was based on man’s performance.

Matthew 18:32-35  Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’  And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.  “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” NKJV

The failure to forgive is a high price to pay

In the parable of the un-forgiving servant Jesus gave an example of the importance of forgiveness when we have received forgiveness from God.  The master forgave his servant a large debt because he had compassion on his servant.

In this parable the servant though he was forgiven a very large debt, he refused to forgive his fellow servant a small debt that was owed him and had the servant thrown into prison. God called this person a wicked servant. Just as it is in all the Old Testament laws man is required to perform the law and his failure will result into dire consequences.

The law was given for mankind to realize the requirements of God and the impossibility of humanity obtaining a perfect life on their own. The law not only revealed to mankind their sins but their need for salvation. Israel was given the ritual of the lamb sacrifice that pointed to a time when the True Lamb of God, Jesus, would come and take on the sin of all mankind forever.

Jesus brought a new Kingdom order of Grace through His life, death and resurrection. By Grace are we saved, it is a gift of God and not by our works.  God forgave us our debt of rebellion and treason against Him by giving His Son Jesus to pay the debt that was owed. Sin costs God a great price and the debt was paid by Jesus. We are no longer under the law to forgive others so we can be forgiven because we are under grace. We are forgiven by God’s grace and now we should forgive others because we have already been forgiven. When we refuse to forgive it only reveals our heart. It shows who we listening to and obeying, God our Father or the lies of the devil.

Matthews 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

The sincerity of forgiveness must be from the heart, and not just in word. 

Jesus said we must forgive from our hearts not just in pretense but with a true heart. Some people may say “I forgive them enough or love them enough to get to heaven,” but is this a declaration of true forgiveness or is this self-deception?  Some people will go through the motions or with the pretext and the appearance of forgiveness but their heart is full of hate.  Our decision to forgive or not to forgive exposes the true condition of our heart, whether we realize it or not.

Those who accept Jesus as their savior and substitute payment for their sins are born into a new life and the Holy Spirit in them gives them the ability to forgive others by His grace.  When people refuse to forgive, they choose to stand on their own merit and thereby refusing the completed work of Jesus.   The forgiveness we give and the love we show only reflects our true heart which is the heart of our heavenly Father. We forgive not to be forgiven by God or to earn His Favor but because we have the Spirit of God’s Grace in us, we can forgive. It is not a natural response but a supernatural gift of God through faith in Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Many people think it does not matter if they forgive. They want to hold on to their hate and bitterness because of their pride, and they will not forgive. Forgiveness will reveal who we are and who is our lord and master. God’s people will act like God their Father whose image they bear.   God is love and He has given His people the Holy Spirit to be His representative of love in the earth to all creation. If a person does not forgive, no matter what they say, their nature and heart will reflect their true make-up whether it be the character of God or that of the enemy.

Jesus told the religious leaders of His time that they were murderers and liars like their father the devil, but Jesus has done what He had seen His Father, God do. Though we may call ourselves religious or saved our actions reveal the truth of who we are. Forgiveness is no light matter, but it is a matter of heritage and son-ship and a reflection of who our true father is. 

John 8:44 You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks his own, for he is a liar, and its father. WEB

To Forgive is an act of submitting our will to God, and asking The Holy Spirit to give us this Forgiveness we need to forgive others as well as ourselves. 

As an act of our will, it is our choice and we must choose to forgive and to obey God As a decision of our will, we choose to ask God for the forgiveness we need and by faith receive the forgiveness. Faith to receive from God is the same as when we received salvation.  By faith we believe in our heart and confess with our mouth that Jesus came and died for us so that we could be saved. We take these same steps of faith to receive by faith the forgiveness we need. In our heart we believe God’s word to be true and with our mouth we confess as an act of our will that we forgive as we were forgiven.  

Jesus is our Lord and He would not ask us to do anything that we could not do through His grace. We may feel as though we cannot forgive but it is our decision and our choice to do so. We may need to cry out and ask God to give us help for the forgiveness we need for that person or situation and as an act of the will we say, “I choose to forgive them.”  The act of faith may not always be easy but God has promised to give us the strength we need to forgive others and ourselves. 

We can uproot the anger and bitterness; it is done with the word of God and as an act of our will and our decision to choose to obey God. The Bible says Satan will come because the Word of God has gone forth and he will try to destroy the seeds of the word that were sown in our heart and spirit. 

God’s Word is sure and He tells us of the devices of the enemy.  God would not have us to be ignorant but for us to know the truth. God tells us what to look for and to know that life is coming to test our convictions and to see if we really believe the word of God.  This world system will try to take away all we have been taught and will try and steal the truth from us.  We must not be taken by surprise but be prepared to stand on the promises. 

Romans 10:9-10 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. NIV

A choice and decision to obey God’s word. 

Once we make a choice of our will, the decision to forgive and let go of those injustices, the Holy Spirit and the power of God that is in us strengthens us to walk it out.  Letting go is a choice of our will that is not to say the enemy will not try and bring those thoughts and concerns back to us but we can meet the enemy with the truth of God’s word and say, “Jesus paid for that and God has given me forgiveness for them.” Every time the enemy tries to bring up the past, remind him of your future eternity with God and his future eternity in hell.  

Our actions and choices reveal our heart. Every time we take an action, we are making choices of our will either consciously or by default. We are declaring where we have placed our hope. It is mankind’s ability to choose, their will that makes them different from all of God’s other creations in the earth.  The choices we make lead us to take action and these actions will determine our destiny and how we live this life. We do not have forgiveness for others because we have not asked God to give it to us.

Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. NIV

 James 4:2 b…Yet you have not, because you ask not.

Vengeance is Mine says the Lord

Forgiveness does not mean the guilty get away but that God will settle the matter. We must understand that forgiveness does not mean the guilty will get by with the wrong they have done. Forgiveness says we trust God to handle the matter and we will allow Him to judge justly. We must believe God will avenge us and forgiveness does not mean the wicked will go unpunished or our enemies will get away without consequence. 

Forgiveness only releases us; it does not mean God has turned a blind eye to the situation or that it has gone unnoticed. It just shows our trust in God as a righteous Judge.  God alone knows the whole situation and knows the beginning and the end. He will judge, but according to His complete knowledge and His ways, which are not man’s ways.  

Our responsibility is to have faith in God, and as an act of our will, we should ask Him for the forgiveness we need. It is God who will take vengeance for the wrong that is done to us. It is not our job to make people pay for what they did, but we are to pray and seek God’s face for them and for ourselves.  We must let God settle our claims. If we try and settle the matter, we may do too much or too little and only God can handle it as the perfect judge.

Romans 12:9Dearly beloved, avenge not yourself, and neither give place to wrath: for it is written VENGEANCE is MINE I WILL REPAY SAITH THE LORD.

Isaiah 55: 8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 33:22 For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us.

We are to use the word of God to fight against the enemy just as Jesus did. 

This process will help us move into the direction of forgiveness. Jesus defeated Satan in the wilderness with the Word of God, saying “It is written…” and he left Him for a season. So, we should not be surprised if Satan comes and tries to attack us with those old feelings of anger and un-forgiveness, by trying to have us to go back to our old thoughts and to try to again, enslave our minds. To get a stronghold in our hearts and minds, so that we go back to those old ways of thinking and hating.  

God wants us to trust and have faith in Him, ask and it shall be given to you. 

Matthew 7: 7-8 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

We can choose to think on the things that are good, just and pure. We can choose to stand on the written word of God just as Jesus did when He spoke aloud God’s word. God has given us the forgiveness and peace we need for those situations. We should praise God with songs, hymns or music and the word says that will silence the hand of the enemy.

Colossians 3:12-13  Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;  bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 

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DO NOT BE EASILY OFFENDED 

Offense is a tool of the enemy

Satan uses offense to get people ensnared with unforgiveness, which is rooted in pride. Followers of Christ should strive to change their views and personal perspectives so they will not be easily offended by people or situations. They are to follow Christ’s example, to not render insult for insult, through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

We live in a time when people’s response is to be easily offended. It is not just considered the rule in which people should react, but it is being cultivated as a preferred way to respond to problems and struggles. 

Offenses are just snares, traps and tools that the enemy uses against humanity to get them to react to situations out of hate and anger rather than to respond according to God’s word and way of forgiveness, love and mercy. Offense is part of this fallen world system where some people will cultivate it as a means of bringing division and disunity. This is of the enemy, to encourage a spirit of fear, anger, hate and to destroy the image bearers of God. 

Romans 16:17-18 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.  For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

Matthew 18:7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!

Offense comes from these root words, entrap, stumbling or obstacle. 

In the Bible there are two main words that are commonly translated to the word offense, Skandalizo: to entrap, trip up, stumble or entice to sin, and Mikshowl: a stumbling block, obstacle, enticement, to cause to fall or ruin. Both of these terms speak of the harm and injury to those who are offended. People are entrapped or enticed into sin and these pitfalls lead to devastation or a spiral downfall. 

An Offense is a violation of the breaking of a social or moral rule, that causes a feeling of resentment. A hurt is something that cause bodily harm, physical, mental or emotional. The feeling of being offended is one of the most crippling snares. It is cloaked, disguised and concealed in the pretense of being right or in defending one’s rights. When we look at this natural life, (our nationality, race, gender, religion or culture) and place it above God’s word, then we become offended. We feel we have a right to get upset and defend who we are. When we are insulted, overlooked or injured in some manner and become offended, it is because “self” sits on the throne of our hearts and not the word or the love of God.

Offense is driven by emotion that has its roots in self-importance, pride that can lead to unforgiveness. Followers of Christ should operate in faith according to the word of God and the example our Lord has set for us. Jesus speaks of those who are offended as those who have no root in God’s word within them. Many people are offended by the word of God, when they lack an understanding of God’s kingdom ways, or when things happen in a way they do not understand.  

The Bible teaches that we will experience persecution and it will be a constant test of our faith in God’s word. Those who have faith in God and know His word will believe He is faithful and will persevere to the end of the challenge and thereby, will stand in victory. Those who do not know God’s word or His kingdom ways will lack this understanding.  They are offended because they choose to trust in their emotions and their experiences, rather than in the love and faithfulness of God.

Mark 4: 17 And they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. NKJV

John 15:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Tribulations, persecutions and trials are part of our heritage in Christ.

John the Baptist was the person who preached the coming of Christ and introduced Jesus to the world as the Messiah. Yet, John questioned Jesus when he was facing death. John did not understand fully, God’s plan for his situations and circumstances, because they were not going the way he felt they should. This caused him a moment of offense. John asked if Jesus was really the One or will there be another?  When people are in difficult situations it will sometimes cause them to question God’s love and His faithfulness to His word.  

Jesus’ response to John’s question was to point to the word of God and the work of God being done for the salvation of men. Jesus did not try to justify Himself or prove He was the Son of God. He pointed to the work of God and the word of God being revealed in the lives of the lost. Jesus told them to go tell John, the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, in other words God’s divine purpose and plan are being performed and lived out. 

Jesus said, blessed are those who are not offended because of Me. Even though Jesus may not respond the way we want Him to, or we may not understand the ways of God and what He has chosen for our particular situation, we can still trust God’s love.  

Luke 7:20-23 When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’”  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” NKJ

Matthew 11: 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” NKJV

The process of not being easily offended: Is to know the word and will of God. 

Jesus gave His disciples directions on how not to be easily offended, He spoke to them the word of God and told them the things that were going to happen. He said these things were told so they would not be offended and stumble when they happened.

Some people will allow their offense to take precedence and rise above the word of God and this will lead to destruction. Some people would rather live with their pride and their righteous indignation, rather than to forgive and live in harmony with their family or friends. 

When our minds have been renewed to God’s way of thinking, we will know we are seated in the heavens with Christ. Therefore, our perspective should be different, understanding we are seated high above the things of this world, as kings and priests with Jesus. We should no longer view situations as personal attacks but to understand things are being allowed for a greater purpose and plan and to pray for God’s will to be done. 

We are to see these concerns and problems as opportunities for us to pray, intercede and to display the love and the life of Christ. It is when we are no longer easily offended by life, that we can respond in love and by this the world will be taken by surprise because of our actions. They will ask what is the secret to the strength, which allows us to forgive those who hate us. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we show this love. 

John 16:1-4 These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.  They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.  But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.

John 15:18-20a If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.  Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you…

To not be easily offended is a practice skill of dying to self. 

Followers of Christ are called to be dead to this life but to live to a life hidden with Christ in God. It is impossible to offend a dead person. They can be kicked and insulted, but there will not be a response. This is how a life hidden in Christ, will strive to respond, because of the love of Jesus. This is not something we can do on our own but by the power of the Holy Spirit. We know we can trust Jesus with our life and our situations because He will defend us. 

God is able to orchestrate circumstances and work them out for our good and His glory. Just as He provided and protected Daniel from the lions and those thrown into the fire, He will bring us out of our horrible situations. God did not keep them from going through their difficult times but He was with them. God knows the plans He has for us to give us hope and a future and He will vindicate us. 

When we lay down our lives for another and we are acting from a position of love and not selfishness, it is through this people will see God’s heart. When we respond in love, the love of God is planted into the lives of others. The pain of life has hardened some people’s hearts because of what they have seen and been through. When we display God’s love, even though there may not appear to be a change or an acknowledgment of our acts of kindness, the seed of God’s love will have been sown into their lives. We are to think on the things of God and renew our minds with His word. It is God who changes lives with the seeds sown by His children into the hearts of those who are lost. 

Colossians 3:2-3 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God

Matthew 13:23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

The Battle is the Lord’s: We do not fight against flesh and blood.

When we understand our battles are not with people, but with the principalities and this fallen world system.  We will be able to show the love of God, and to die to self-centeredness and entrust our lives to God.  Those who trust God with their fate can trust Him for their vindication, and thereby can operate in His peace and love. 

We must dethrone “self,” our pride and our egos so Jesus may reign on the throne of our hearts. As Jesus gave His body to save others, we as the body of Christ on the earth, must love and not live in offense. 

John12:24-25 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

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