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

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Jesus Was Wounded for Our Transgressions and Bruised for our Iniquity

Many followers of Christ understand that Jesus died on the cross so that their sins would be forgiven, so that they would be reconciled back into the family of God and have eternal life. But Jesus did far more than that through His life and death at the cross. Jesus not only purchased eternal life for us, but also alife of peace, health and wellbeing.

Jesus gave us a new life, a new way of living that we may livean abundant life on earth, when we operate in His kingdom principles. Jesus was Wounded to pay for our transgressionsand misbehavior; He was bruised for our iniquity and crimes against God; He was chastised in our stead that we may havepeace, and He received the stripes we deserved so that we are now able to have health and healing. 

Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. NKJ

God’s laws did not change, the wages of sin is death and the consequences of mankind’s transgression and misbehavior, are chastisement and unrest, sickness and disease.  Jesus came as a man and all these things He receive as the punishment that was due us for our rebellion and to settle the debt mankind owed to God for our disobedience. 

Now there are two systems in operation within this world. One is where fallen mankind is still operating under the oppression of Satan, choosing to follow their own thoughts and enticement, while being blinded by the enemy. The other is where mankind receives Jesus as their Lord and Savior, where He has paid for their sins and purchased for them a new life, new family and new kingdom. 

2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Everyone has a will and everyone has the same choices, to accept Jesus or reject Jesus’ payment for their sin. If they choose to reject Him they must stand before God on their own to give an account for their actions, deeds, rebellion and sins. Mankind is bound to the one they obey. Whether it is to sin, and the satisfying of the desires of the flesh or obedient, fastened and connected by the Holy Spirit to the things of God.

Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 

Jesus did much more than just die for our sins, though that alone would have been more than enough. He saved us from eternal destruction but He also came that we may have an abundant and prosperous life on earth. This is not to say that life will not have its challenges, difficulties and hard times, it will, because we live in a sinful world full of sinful people. But,our outlook and perspectives are different because we know God has a plan for us and we know in the end we will be victorious.  We too will go through the same difficulties as the world but God has provided a way of escape. He will give us a peace that the world will not understand, because we know how to operate in His kingdom ways and principles. 

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The stripes that were imposed on Jesus were the ones we warranted and deserved because of the rebellion and insubordination against God our Creator, Lord and King. Jesus took the sickness and disease that we deserved and instituted the Lord’s Supper. This is a new covenant with His blood that was shed to take away our sins and to restore health and healing to those who believe in the healing power of His blood. 

Matthew 26:26-28 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread,blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Jesus took on the wounds that our transgression, disobedience and misbehavior deserved. He was bruised for the iniquity, evil and injustices we committed. The penalties for our sins were paid by Jesus and we are no longer in sin debt to God.  Jesus was chastised, scolded and criticized, He took on this punishment, rebuke and the penalty we earned from our disobedience, so that we may live at peace with God and have peace on earth. 

Nehemiah 9: 31 Nevertheless in Your great mercy You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them; For You are God, gracious and merciful.

All the condemnation the world tries to place on us was laid on Jesus. When we come to God in Christ for His forgiveness we also receive His peace. Though our life choices do have consequences, God has provided a way of escape and will work those things out for our good and His glory.  We are not punished for our sins because Jesus has paid it all. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Romans 8:26-28 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.   Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

For all who by faith believe in Jesus as their Lord and King, God has given them the Holy Spirit to help them in their weaknesses. God knows our heart and mind and the Spirit of God intercedes for us that we may walk according to His will. Though our life choices may not be perfect, God knows how to take what the enemy meant to be evil against us and work it so that it can be used for the testament of God’s goodness, mercy and His glory. 

1 Peter 2:24-25 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.   For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe, sin had left a crimson stain but He washed me white as snow.

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God – The Heart of a Loving Father, Or A Cruel Tyrant

Some people are astonished at the fact that God would send His only begotten Son to die for sinful mankind. They speak of what a cold and heartless Father He must be to do such a thing to His Son, to allow Him to be beaten and crucified.   Yet they are blinded to the great love He has for us and all who are created in His image. 

The Father’s love is so great that He would allow His Precious Son to give His life for those who had no hope. Perspective is everything! How we view a matter is of the utmost importance. The enemy is constantly trying to blind the eyes of humanity of the great love God has for us.

John 12:40 He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” NKJ

Jesus’ great love for His people, moved him to lay down His life, though He despised the shame of the cross. It gave Him joy knowing that we would be forgiven and spend eternity with Him, so He endured the shame.  Jesus chose to lay down His life for us. God was not a tyrant Father who made Jesus come to this earth and die. The Trinity, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are always on one accord. 

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

It was the love that Jesus has for us that compelled Him to give His life for His people and God the Father was moved with compassion, mercy and forgiveness and allowed it. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that moves and indwells every true follower of Christ that brings them to the saving knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.  This is the Trinity at work on one accord for the salvation of mankind. 

1 Thessalonian 1:3-4 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 

Our perspective will determine how we see and view God as a Father who offers up His Son for the sins of others. This can appear to be an act of a cruel and merciless Father with little or no regard for His Son. Yet, in reality it was a loving Father, a Sovereign God and His plan of redemption, salvation and restoration, for the rescue and recovery of His people and to glorify His Son above all.  

What appeared to be a cruel act, by a fallen world, was in truth a loving act of God our Father, full of compassion and mercy extending deliverance to His creation. God showing mercy and grace that we may live again and have an abundant life on earth and live eternally with Him in glory. For this reason, we must study God’s word to understand His kingdom principles and to know God our Father and Jesus Christ whom He sent. In this knowledge we are able to have peace and discern what is best from that which may appear to be good.   

2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,   by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Satan is continuously lying to mankind and accusing God of being a cruel and heartless tyrant, while accusing mankind of not really loving God, but only caring for what they can get from Him.  It takes the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the truth of God’s word and His everlasting love for us. 

When we see what Jesus’ act purchased for us and the greatness of the riches and the glory God has given through Christ, then we will begin to understand how great the love God has for us. God loves all humanity, all mankind and all who were created in His image, and that is why He sent His Son to deliver us from destruction. 

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

God loved us so much that He would not leave us in our corrupt, evil and wicked state. It would have been fitting for God to just save our souls from eternal destruction and leave us to pay for the consequences of our disobedience on earth.  But through God’s constraint He moved on our behalf with His tender mercy and great compassion that we might not only have eternal life but abundant life on earth. 

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

2 Corinthians 1:3 Heartfelt thanks be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ–the Father who is full of compassion and the God who gives all comfort. 

Psalm 103:4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

May God give us knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. May we be granted wisdom to hate evil, pride and arrogance and to understand His kingdom ways and principles. May we also be given discernment to make the best choices for ourselves and family.  That we may have Favor with God and man to fulfill His purpose, to show His love to a dying world and to reflect and reveal His glory on earth. 

Daniel 1:9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 

Hosea 2: 19-20 “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the Lord.

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As The Father Has Sent Me, I Am Sending You!

Jesus was sent by God His Father with a Divine purpose, to give His life that others may be saved. When we look at the life of Jesus we see the example that is set before us as followers of Christ. This same Divine purpose and assignment has beengiven to every true believer in Christ, to die to self, lay down their pride and to give their life that others may live and have eternal life.

John 20:21-22 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”  And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

We must change the way we think about suffering and sacrifice for the gospel’s sake. When we look at the life of Christ and of those who walked closely with God we see the same pattern of self-sacrifice for the betterment and the greater good of others.And also, for the glory of God being magnified not only on earth but in the heavens and in the spirit realm.

Jesus was despised and rejected by the people He came to save. Jesus carried our griefs and sorrows, he was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities and He was chastised of men so that we could have peace in this life. 

Isaiah 53:3-5 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 

We must adjust the way we view and measure success. We have to recalibrate our thinking and the way we view life, by resetting our goals and what we call success, which is most often the world’s way of measuring success. This is because this fallen world’s images stay before our eyes in every form of media. 

We are to set the life of Christ before us, let our eyes be open to His light, that the truth of His word must be the plumb line or the measure of our success and upward growth. God gave the prophet Amos the picture of the plumb line as a symbol of the standard of which God has for His people. This represents the requirement for those who are faithful to His word and as a way to measure or gauge their faithfulness to His divine calling.  

Amos 7: 7-8 Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand.  And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said: ‘Behold I am setting a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore. 

At every turn we are being fed a steady diet of covetousness, materialism, greed and narcissism, which is shown to us in every outlet of media and social media, written or electronically. The enemy wants our eyes and minds fixed on the things and the corruptions of this world, so that we do not have time to read and meditate the truth of God’s word. 

Psalms 101:3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away;
It shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness. NKJ

We wonder why our children and families are so self-centered and narcissistic. It is what they are seeing and being taught subliminally, without them knowing it, through all the noise, voices and distractions the world is sending out. It is in every toy and cereal commercial, in every clothes and shoe commercial or ad. This fallen world is telling us and our children that we need these material things to be happy, to be accepted or to have worth.  

Psalms 4:20-24 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble. My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my saying. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you. 

As the Father has sent Jesus, so Jesus has sent us. We are toldto die to self as a kernel of grain dies when it is sown into the soil that it may produce a greater harvest. It is when we die to our selfish concerns that our lives are being planted by God, into the lives of others that they too may receive eternal life. Just as Jesus did for us. This is a hard saying, and not many can take it. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit and the will of every follower of Christ to accept this truth from God and pray to God to give them the will and the power to do His great work.

John 12:24-26 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

We are told not to be weary, disenchanted or fed up withdoing well, because in doing good and helping others, we will be rewarded. We rewarded if we do not become faint hearted and give up before we accomplish the assignment God has given us. We may get tired, exhausted and drained as we serve and engage the hurt and wounded, the oppressed and marginal but we are to come to God, our Source so that He may restore and refresh us.

We are not to get disillusioned or jaded with doing good to those who may not appreciate us, or to those who may not be lovely in their response to us. Because God will reward us if we do not faint or do not give up. Let the Lord be our Shepherd the one who feeds us and restores and refreshes our soul.

Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

That same Jesus who was despised and rejected by men, is still being rejected. It is the life of Jesus that lives in us that thisworld also hates and rejects. It is the resemblance and reflection of God’s glory that is upon us that is being attacked by Satan, who has set himself up as God’s enemy. Satan reviles, hates and scorns all humanity because there are created in the image of God, and as the people of God we are to reflect and reveal God’s glory on the earth.

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Just as Jesus laid down His life without murmuring or complaining, so are we to be the example before this crooked and perverse world. We are to let the light of Christ shine through us and not allow our own selfish concerns to take priority. We can do this by holding fast to what the word of God tells us, so that we will rejoice with Christ and our labor will not be in vain.

Philippians 2:17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all

John 20:21-22 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”  And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

The life of every true follower of Christ is one that must die to self-service and be poured out for His service. We will rejoice when we see the souls of those whose lives we sowed into, living with Christ for eternity. 

This can only be done when we have received the Holy Spirit of God living in us and through us. We are called to be broken bread and poured out wine for those around us.

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Truth – What is Truth?

Many people have their own beliefs, opinions and perspectives that have been shaped by their families, communities and lifestyle. The information that we have been fed from our upbringing is the only information we have at the time. Though the information we have may not be truth, but it is what we have been taught, given from someone’s opinion, their teaching or philosophy.  Most times these teachings are developed for the benefit and/or the protection of that particular family or people group. There is only one truth, while there may be many opinions and perspective, but Jesus is the only way “the truth” and the life. 

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. NKJ

As young children we accept the teaching we receive from our parents and adult authorities as real when in actuality they may not be fact, but only the information that they have been limited to or had access to.  As we mature into adulthood we find ourselves evaluating and questioning those presumed facts, beliefs and opinions. We see this with our teenagers as they transition from adolescence to adulthood, they start reevaluating the information they received to see if these beliefs and opinions line-up with their experience. 

There are so many perspectives, opinions and beliefs that portray themselves as truth but in reality they are lies,deceptions and just smoke and mirrors. That is why we must be sure of what is the real truth and how to authenticate what is true and then accurately communicate that truth to our children, family and community. 

Johns 18:37-38a Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”…

As Pilate asked, people are still asking that same question, “What is truth?” Jesus stated, for this reason and for this root cause He was born into the world, that He should display, exhibit, make evident and be a witness to what truth really is. Truth is not part of this fallen world’s views and biases but truth is according to the word of God.  Without the truth of God’s word men would not have been able to believe by faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and then to receive Him as their Lord and Savior. 

Jesus has revealed to us what truth is and has told us the He is the truth, life and the way to God our Father, Creator and Sustainer. 

Jesus “is the way,” the way we should live life on earth as God’s creation to reflect His glory on the earth.  

Jesus “is the truth,” the truth of God’s word to us and the truth of who we are and who we were created to be as God’s ambassadors to reflect and reveal His truths to those who live in lies and darkness.

Jesus “is the life,” He is the One who gives us eternal life that we may have everlasting life with God our Father for all eternity while experiencing an abundant life here on earth.  

John 17:17-19 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.  As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.  And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

Jesus’ prayer to God the Father is that He would sanctify us by His truth and that His word is truth. Many people have the wrong concept of the word sanctify, because of what they have been taught. Some people believe to be sanctified is to remove sin or to be without sin. Jesus said He sanctified Himself, that we may also be sanctified. Jesus did not have any sin to remove but He separated Himself and set Himself apart from His heavenly glory so that we through faith in Christ and the truth of God’s word may also be set apart from this world. 

To sanctify is to set apart, to dedicate, to bless, hallow or to respect. Jesus is asking God the Father to make a difference between His people and the world. To separate them from this fallen system, to bless them to give them honor and respect.

John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.   All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.   And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Before the foundation of the world was laid Jesus was with God in the beginning, He was the Word of God and He was with God and Jesus is God. All things were created by Jesus and He made everything in perfect harmony with God our Father. He also gave His creation, mankind a will, that is the ability to choose their allegiance. It was Satan that brought sin and darkness into the world. Fallen humanity was blinded to the truth of God’s word after they rejected God’s truth for Satan’s lie. Jesus came back to restore truth and gave mankind the opportunity to choose once again God’s truth over the lie of the world. 

John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

For those who choose Christ as their Savior, Jesus states, if they abide in His word they are His disciples through the actions and deeds that they perform. It is the word of God that instructs us on what truth is and gives us the ability to discern God’s best from what the world calls good.  

We shall know the truth and the truth that we know, will make us free. To know with understanding the word of God is different than just hearing words spoken without any intellectual insight or understanding in our mind. The truth that we should know, is the truth that is in God’s word. When we have a real understanding and knowledge of God’s word and put into practice what God’s word say on a matter, then we are able to be free from the bondage, oppression, suppression and burden this fallen world system tries to bring us into.   

What is Truth? Jesus, His life His words and His love for us is true reality of life. Satan is a deceiver, a thief and a liar but Jesus came to expose the enemies lies and to give us a life that will fulfill our purpose, which is to reflect and reveal God to lost world.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. NKJ

John 10: The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

The truth we need to know is that Jesus is the only way to Godthe Father. In Him is life, not only eternal life in some far-off future, but the way for us to live an abundant life on earth.

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The “How” to Forgiveness

We spoke on who we are to forgive, everyone everything. We have explained what we are to do, forgive, because it is a directive from our Lord and King to forgive. We are told when we are to forgive, today, “let not the sun go down on your wrath.” We are informed where, from the heart, not in eye service before men but as unto the Lord we are to do this service. Why, because the blood and death of Jesus is precious to God His Father who forgave us our great debt against Himfor His Son’s sake. Now let us speak on the How of our forgiveness, it is through the power of the Holy Spirit and by faith in the completed work of Christ.

Colossians 3:13 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.  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 

Ephesians 4:6 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. NKJ

Ephesian 6:6-7 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 

Hebrews 3:15 while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

How to perform every command of God is the same as the steps we take to be saved, the steps we follow to the call of faith in Christ unto salvation. All that God requires of us He has provided by grace through faith in the completed work of Christ. The how to perform for His good pleasure is given to us by the Holy Spirit. 

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Once we receive Christ as our Savior He becomes our Lord and King and through the power of the Holy Spirit we have the ability to forgive others no matter the hurt, loss, offence or debt.

The same steps of faith to receive the power of salvation, are the same steps of faith we take to obtain the forgiveness for others. They are same steps we take to receive the answers to all the promises of God, answers to our prayers and our petition to God for provision and protection. The steps of faith unto salvation are the same we need for the forgiveness of ourselves and others. 

The first step to the call of salvation is to acknowledge we are sinners in need of the Savior. The second step is to believe in our heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead, to pay the sin debt that we owed God for our rebellion. The third step is to confess or to affirm that Jesus is our Lord. This is called the AB C of the gospel of faith. We use these same ABC steps to obtain the forgiveness we need toward others and are the same steps to receive any promise of God. 

Acknowledge the truth of what His word states on the matter. Father we acknowledge our wrong and our sin in that we are not letting go of our hurt, resentment and bitterness as our Lord and King has commanded us.

Believe and have faith in God to do what He promised in His word on the matter. Father in our heart we believe you are God and raised Jesus from the dead and through the power of the death and blood of Jesus, You forgave the whole world their sins.

Confess and keep on professing and affirming God’s word regarding the matter. Jesus as Lord of our life we askyou to give us the forgiveness we need to let this thing go and create in us a clean heart and right spirit.

When we acknowledge our sins, this is our will agreeing withGod’s word, that His word is right and we were wrong in our rebellious sinned against Him. We must acknowledge our wrong and our need for forgiveness. Many people want to cover their sins and pretend as though they did not sin but they are calling God a liar. When they refuse to acknowledge their wrong or as Adam did, blame someone else, they are saying they are right and God is wrong.

1 John 1: 8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.   If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

We are to believe in our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is not just a head knowledge of Jesus or some dreamy belief that Jesus was just a good person, a good teacher or just a prophet. To believe in one’s heart, is to believe that Jesus is the Son of God who gave His life that we might have eternal and abundant life. This belief is from our heart and is a firm conviction and certainty of faith that God raised Jesus from the dead for our sins.

Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.   For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

With our mouth we confess Jesus to be our Lord, Savior and King. Some people want to believe in Jesus but are afraid to confess Him before their friends, family or community. Just as those, who lived during the life of Christ, who believed in Jesus, yet they refused to commit or confess their beliefs because they wanted to be accepted by the leaders and into the synagogues. To have faith in God’s word requires a corresponding action that reveals and reflects our belief. 

John12:42-43 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

James 2:19-20 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!  But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 

Words are powerful and they are important to God, He created the whole universe with words. If we believe in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died and was raised again for our sins, and we confess and commit to Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we shall be saved. 

Jesus had to die for us to be forgiven of God. It was the death and blood of Jesus that allows us to be forgiven and also allowsus to be in right standing with God. God has forgiven our sinsand has given us a directive to forgive others.  We receive this forgiveness by faith just as we receive salvation by faith. Though our feelings may not change immediately, we must have faith to know that God has given us the forgiveness we asked for, towards others. 

When the enemy comes and tries to bring those old feelings of resentment back, we are to remind him that the blood of Jesus has paid for that debt and they are forgiven and so are we. 

This is not to say people will get away with their wrongs, vengeance is God and He will repay the unrighteous for their acts. Forgiveness allows us to be set free from the pain and to trust God to act on our behalf. We no longer have to feel responsible for paying someone for what they did to us, or have to feel ashamed or belittled because of some wrong done to us. We can now have faith and trust in God’s word and that He is faithful to His word. 

Deuteronomy 32:35 Vengeance is Mine, and recompense;Their foot shall slip in due time;
For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.’

This does not mean we have to allow those who does us harm into our space. God does not want His children to be misused and though we forgive them, we do not have to give those who harm us space or access into our lives.

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God Requires Forgiveness! We Are to Forgive Everyone, Everything!


Some people may think they can be a follower of Christ, and even call themselves Christians, while they are unforgiving toward others, but they are self-deceived and living in darkness. They are not in right standing with God.  Some may ask, why is forgiveness so important to God and why must we forgive everyone for the wrong they have done to us? 

God in His love for all humanity sent His only begotten Son to die for the sins of the whole world. So that those who choose to believe in the death and the blood of Jesus as their payment for sin and accept Jesus as the Lord and King, they will have eternal life with Christ.  To refuse to forgive a person is refusing the blood Jesus shed on the cross for all humanity.

John3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  NKJ

It is man’s pride and self-centeredness that causes them to hold on to their hurt, anger and resentment and thereby refuse to forgive others while they disobey God. He has commanded us to forgive so that we may be forgiven. They want God’s mercy and grace for the forgiveness of their sins and yet they will deny others that same grace, charity and forbearance. Often it is because they are stuck in the old mindset of fallen mankind where their vanity and self-importance, rise above the blood of Christ and His death. Our obedience should be to the word of God and the call of God to forgive. 

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.

35“So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother ]his trespasses.”

God was operating out of His true nature, which is love, when He sent Jesus to pay for our sins. He saw mankind in their sin and depravity and with great compassion He sent Jesus to be the propitiation or payment that they could not make for their own sins. The blood of Jesus and His death, is precious in the sight of God and yet He offered up His Son and Jesus gave His life that the world and all mankind could be forgiven. To refuse to forgive is to refuse the blood of Jesus, which to God our Father, was a great price that Christ paid for their offenses.

Many people have refused God’s offer of grace, His mercy and love, which is salvation through belief and faith in Jesus Christ.  To all who believe by faith in Jesus’ completed work of redemption and choose to confess Him as their Lord, Savior and King before this world, they will be reborn into the family of God and have eternal life.  

Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.   For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

1 John 2: 1b-2 And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.    

Jesus had to die for us to be forgiven of God. It was the death and blood of Jesus that allows us to be forgiven and also allowsus to be in right standing with God. If God has forgiven our sins, who is man to bring a charge against someone when Jesus has died and paid their sin debt. God has made restitution for our freedom. Who is man to condemn or hold an offense toward another when we have been forgiven such a great debt of sin ourselves. 

Romans 8:32-34 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?   Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.   Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Refusing to forgive someone is refusing the blood of Christ which was paid for everyone’s sin, that they may be forgiven. Refusing to forgive someone is not an act against that person but against God. Forgiveness has nothing to do with the one who committed the offense but everything to do with the heart of one who was offended. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of God in us that our hearts are able to be free to forgive others. To refuse to forgive is to refuse the gift of God’s love in our lives.

Some people are waiting for an apology or an acknowledgement of the wrong doing by the person who did them wrong. They think they are justified in requiring the offender to confess and give an admission of guilt. That is because their pride is sitting on the throne of their heart while Jesus and the love of Christ has been dethroned. It is the love of Christ that indwells our heart through the Holy Spirit that give us the will and the strength to do God’s good pleasure and Hisgood work of forgiveness.

Philippians 2:13-14 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing,

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Forgiveness is not an option but a directive from our Lord and King! Forgiveness may not be a prerequisite, requirement or condition of salvation, but it is the evidence of true salvation! Forgiveness is the sign, the proof and the mark of authentic and sincere salvation, with the love of God ruling in our hearts and lives through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us. 

Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

God requires a forgiving heart. We are to forgive everyone, everything.

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Reconciliation Through Intercession

God has committed to His people the ministry of reconciliationand this is done through intercessory prayer. Jesus Christ is our example; He died and gave Himself as payment to make restitution for the debt mankind owed but was not able to pay. We as followers of Christ are to die to self, pride and offense when others misuse us and forgive their wrong doing, and we are to intercede for them and to bring them before our Father in prayer. That is the example Jesus set for us on the cross when He died for us and prayed for us saying, “Father forgive them…”

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting theirwrong doings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Luke 23:34 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.

Though God is the creator and over all things, He gave dominion of the earth and all that is in it to mankind. God does not go back on His word; He gave mankind authority and they gave it to Satan. Thereby, God will work with mankind to accomplish His will on the earth. This is why Jesus came as the Son of Man that He may have legal right and authority, as a Man, to operate in the earth to save mankind and to regain what they had lost and turned over to Satan. This is also why God works in collaboration with humanity and not autonomously, independently or on His own, regarding the things within the earthly realm. God has respect for the words He has spoken and God does not go back on His word. 

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:10-13 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.   He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.   But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

God reconciled us to Himself and forgave us by faith throughthe death of Christ and He also put us in right standing with Himself through Christ. Our collaborative work with God is to reconcile others to Christ, through forgiveness and intercessory prayer that they may come to the saving knowledge of God by faith in the completed work of Christ. 

As followers of Christ, we must accept our calling to bring those who have hurt us and those who are hurt, full of hate and anger before God in prayer to intercede for them. We are to pray that God would open their eyes to the light of the gospel, of the good news of Christ and to bring them out of darkness so that their souls will be saved and that they may be reunite with their Lord and Sovereign King.   

Acts 28:18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

Some people want to say they believe in the life of Christ and may want him to save them from their sins, but they refuse to acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Master. Many want to be saved but will not allow Jesus to command or direct their lives on earth or tell them they are to obey His word. God is calling us into a relationship with Himself as Father and child where there is reverence and respect as a loving Father who teaches,corrects, disciplines and guides us in the way we should go. 

God is not calling us just to believe in Jesus, the word says “the demons believe and tremble.” God is calling us into a relationship where He is Lord over our lives and we are to be like Christ, to follow Christ and His life’s example on the earth. That is so we may reveal and reflect God’s glory on the earth. And like Christ, this may even be at the cost of giving up our comfort, our reputation, or even our lifestyle for the revealing of the truth of God’s love and forgiveness on the earth. 

James 2:19-20 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!   But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 

God is our Sovereign King, Almighty God, Jehovah and Lord of all, the one who has purchased us at the price of His Son’s life so that we are no longer our own. We as followers of Christ are not to live for our selfish concerns and desires.  Though we were once sinners and aliens to the commonwealth and family of God we are now made to be children of God, the product of His craftmanship. God is creating us to be like Christ for the good work of reconciliation and intercession for the lost and forthose who offend and mistreat us.

Ephesians 2: 10-13   For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

The old man has passed away, the self-centered, prejudiced and unforgiving person is no longer who we are. As followers of Christ, we have been made a new creature by the power of the Holy Spirit. Though we may still have to fight against the old flesh and those natural affinities that we want to stay connected to. In the past we have aligned and affiliated ourselves according to our race, ethnicity and national ties, which is part of who God created us to be. But these things cannot take precedence or prominence over Christ and the love of God in us. Only God can have preeminence, absolute authority over who we are and how we live our lives. That is what the Lord and Master does, He leads, directs, rules and governs our lives.

Ephesians 2:15-18 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Jesus came and abolished all the reasons for disunity, prejudice, hostilities and biases according to the flesh and made us to be one new person in Christ.  Many people want to say they believe in Jesus but they will not obey Him, they refuse to give up their natural affinities prejudices and also refuse to forgive others, they live in self-centeredness and pride.

They refuse to show the love of Christ because they do not have the love of God living in them. They will say “It does not take all of that, we do not have to forgive or love others, God knowsme and made me who I am.”  But, they have listened to the liesof the enemy, God did not make man in that way or in that image. 

1 John 4:20-21 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?  And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

Jesus is our High Priest in heaven where He is making intercession for us before God the Father. We are called to be kings and priests on the earth, where the king has dominion over his kingdom and also the responsibility to provide and protect his people. A priest is one who represents the people before God one who also intercedes and prays for the people before God. Though mankind slayed Christ, He forgave them and though they turned their backs on Him, yet He said He would never leave them nor forsake them. This is how we too must be like Christ, to not be easily offended and to forgive and pray for those who have wronged us. 

Romans 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 

In God’s love we are called to intercede for others and to bring them into reconciliation, where there is no room for unforgiveness. This is only done through the power of the Holy Spirit, and we must forgive everyone, everything.

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God In Collaboration with Mankind

God created the heavens and the earth to reveal His love, His character and His glory. He created mankind in His image and gave them godlike authority over the earth and they were called the sons of God. Just as God’s glory is seen in all the heavens, God gave mankind the authority and ability to reflect and reveal His glory over all His creation on the earth. God does not have to collaborate with mankind but He chooses to do so for the betterment of mankind and all His creation. 

God is love and He created us with the capacity to love and with the need to be loved and a need to love Him. So many people live a life that seems less than fulfilling because they lack a love relationship with God, for which they were createdto receive and reflect His love on the earth. God is a Holy, Just and Righteous God but these all flow from the well-spring of His Love which is the principal character of who He is. When God made mankind He engineered us to be like Him, to be in relationship with Him and with one another in love. 

God is not a narcissist, one who is vain or looking for attention, nor is He self-centered or self-absorbed. God is not needy nor does he need our love to be complete. God is love and it is thisgreat love of God that is seen in His abundant compassion and mercy. It is the character of God’s love that is displayed as Heshares His love and goodness with His creation. 

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” NKJ

The Trinity of God operates in a relationship of love that abounds and flows through God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Love exists in relationship and God created us to be in a loving relationship with Himself. We were created by the Love of God and to be in a love relationship with God and to reflect and show His love to others. That is why when we are not in a relationship of love with God there is a feeling of void or we may have a feeling of a lack of accomplishment. 

Many people walk around wondering why are they living and what is the point of their existence and their being in this life. This is because they lack an understanding of their designedpurpose and who they are meant to be in Christ. God created us for Himself and there is a hollowness for those whose life donot have a love relationship with God. Love is a universal factor that all people, races and nationalities seek after and pursue, but so many people lack a true understanding of the meaning of love. 

Love is not just a feeling, though feelings may be a small or shallow part of love. Love gives of itself and love is relational, looking for interaction with and the betterment of the one they love even though it may be costly to oneself.    

1 John 4:16, 19 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. …We love Him because He first loved us. NKJ

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Before the fall, mankind was in perfect love and harmony with God and with all His creation. God and man fellowshipped and communed in the garden, which God had created to display His love and His splendor on the earth. The creatures God createdHe brought to Adam to name, it was God and man in collaboration for the advancement and development of earth and all that reside in it. 

Genesis 2: 19-20 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.  So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. NKJ

Satan came and deceived mankind by creating doubt as to God’s love for them and tricked mankind into giving over all their godlike authority to him. Mankind was no longer resembling or revealing God’s love on the earth nor were they walking in their created purpose to reflect His glory. They fell into fear and a satanic like character of narcissism, an extremelyself-centered behavior and cared only for self. Everyone began to think only of self and doing what was pleasing and right in their own eyes, regardless of how may affect others. 

Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, Butits end is the way of death. NKJ

Mankind had little or no resemblance of their Creator-God and had lost their ability to love and have concern for others.  God marveled at how far they had fallen and that there was not a person who was concerned for justice and no one praying or interceding to God for others. Therefore, God Himself would come as the Son of Man to bring salvation to all humanity and to make intercession for the lost that they might be reborn into the kingdom of God and once again into His likeness.

Isaiah 59: 15b- 16…Then the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him That there was no justice.
He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.

God created us to be in a relationship and fellowship with Himself. God collaborated with Adam in the creation and naming of the animals and with Moses when he prayed that God would turn away His wrath and forgive the people. Godstill wants to be in a loving relationship with us, to work with us and to collaborate with us that we may intercede on the behalf of those whom we love and even for those who persecute and hate us. That the earth will be filled with His glory. 

Numbers 14:17-21 And now, I pray, let the power of my Lord be great, just as You have spoken, saying, The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.’   Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.” Then the Lord said: “I have pardoned, according to your word; but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord— NKJ

God is a God of Justice, and He is Holy but He is great in love,He has long patience and show abundant mercy to those who are lost.  God sent His Son to seek and to save the lost and now Jesus’ ministry is one of intercession in heaven to God for His creation and His will to be done on earth. We should work together with Christ to intercede and pray for those who are without the hope of Christ and who live in darkness without the love of God .   

Colossians 1:14-17He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.   And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 

Romans 8:34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. NKJ

This is the collaborative work we have with God, to reconcile others to Christ, just as God reconciled us to Himself and put us in right standing and joined us to Himself through Christ. We too must accept the calling to bring those who are hurt, those who are full of hate and anger and bring them before God in prayer. To pray that God would open their eyes to the light of the gospel of the good news of Christ and to bring them out of darkness so that they may be reunite with the Sovereign Lord and King.   

This is only done through the power of the Holy Spirit and we must forgive everyone, everything. In God’s love we are calledto intercede for others and to bring them into reconciliation,where there is no room for unforgiveness. 

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrong doings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

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Christ – The Gift of Forgiveness

The greatest gift ever given was God’s gift to mankind, whichis Jesus, the Son of God, who brought the peace of God through forgiveness of sin. The totality of the Christmas message is that Jesus is the gift God gave but it was for the forgiveness of sin. Christmas is not just about a baby being born, but He was thesacrificial offering, being given so that mankind can make peace with their God and their Creator.

Luke 2:9-12 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.   For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.   And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

In the Old Testament, the blood of lambs and bulls could only cover sin for a while and when the sins of the people could no longer be covered, the Holiness and Justice of God required the payment for sin, which was death. Mankind was afraid to approach a Holy and Righteous God, and rightly so. Prior to Christ’s birth, His death and resurrection, God dealt with humanity based on their sins and His righteous judgement.Jesus came and made a New Covenant, giving us an opportunity to receive the payment that Christ gave for our sins, in full. We would never need another sacrifice because He gave us the forgiveness of sin through His blood atonement. 

The first salutation and announcement of Christ’s birth by the angel was telling mankind to not be afraid. Because Christ was bringing good tidings, good news and a good report that would bring great joy to all people everywhere. Born that day was the Savior and God who would die for all mankind and could take away their sin, their treason and their rebellious acts.  Through faith in Christ as their Lord and Savior, He will pay the sin debt required by a Holy and Just God for all who trusted and believed in Him.  

Jesus was born in the humblest of circumstances, though we glamorize His birth with decorated words, like laying in a manger, but in actuality it was a feeding box for animals. The Creator of the universe, chose to be born in a lowly place where the animals were kept, so that we may know He can identify with our circumstances, however low they may be.

Though it was God’s love and compassion that stirred His heart for mankind, it was the gift of Christ’s life and death that allowed Him to forgive all humanity.  The shed blood of Christ opened the way for us to have forgiveness, salvation and to be eternally with God. Jesus came to bring the goodwill of God to humanity so that they would no longer have to be judged asrebellious traitors before their God. 

Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” NKJ

The celebration of Christmas is not just the celebration of the birth of Jesus. It is also the celebration of God’s forgiveness, peace and goodwill that is extended to all mankind. Jesus is the gift of God’s grace, and it is through our faith in the blood of Jesus as our Savior, that we acknowledge Him as our Lord. The Lord who has every right to direct, lead and shape our lives in every situation for the advancement of the kingdom of God on earth.

Ephesians 2:7-8 That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

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Beatitudes Matthew 5:11

To be persecuted, despised and being evilly or falsely spoken of because of, the righteousness and the light of Christ that is in you, Jesus says you are blessed. You are divinely favored of God, highly exalted of God and have awesome access to God’s kingdom and His divine goodness on earth. This is a hard saying and it is difficult to bear it without the Holy Spirit and the understanding of God’s kingdom on earth.

Matthew 5:11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  NKJ

Our natural being is full of pride and wants to be overly indulged and admired because our fallen nature is self-focusedand wants others to respect, revere and highly esteem us in this life. When people fail to receive this recognition, respect and admiration, that they believe is due them, it can lead to a lack of restraint, violence and debauchery. It is the love of self that causes people to hate, despise and even murder others for an act that appears to be disrespectful, insolent or is an insult to them.  Pride is the prevailing character of Satan. It was pride that caused him to rise up against his God and Creator and to try to esteem himself above the Most-High God, but caused him to becast out of heaven and destined for the pit of hell.

Isaiah 14:12-14 How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart:‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregationOn the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit. NKJ

Those who think more highly of themselves than they should,tend to be more inclined to respond in pride, hate and violence. Whether it be a person, a nation or a race of people, when they begin to exalt themselves over others they are walking in the character of Satan. Satan comes to kill, steal and destroy those who are in the likeness of God, those who reflect His light, His image, His humility and His love. 

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Jesus calls us blessed and highly exalted when the enemy comes to abuse, scorn us or to harass and bully us because the life of Christ is being reflected in us to a dark world. It may not feel as though we are highly esteemed or blessed when we are going through these problems in the natural, but in the spiritual kingdom we are making advancements for God’s kingdom to progress and spread throughout the earth.

Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

When we view life from God’s kingdom principles on earth we will understand our life is not just about us living comfortably. God is molding us into the image of Christ and at the same time He is advancing His kingdom of light in a dark world. Violence,hostility and cruelty is allowed to take place in this world,because it is the outcome of mankind’s choice. It is a direct consequence of the decision they made to disobey God and follow Satan. Though God does not interfere with our bad choices or disobedience, He will use them and work through them for our betterment. 

Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 

God is not responsible for the chaos and violence that is taking place in this world, it is the result of mankind’s action at the fall when they gave over dominion of the earth to Satan. Satan is the ruler of darkness and comes to persecute and revile those created in God’s image. God did not leave us without hope even though we all have made bad choices but God will use those mistakes and rebellious acts for our good.  

All our troubles and problems may not be directly caused by us,but we live in a fallen world where Satan is destroying all he can. We learn through our experiences to be like Christ. It isour Christ like responses and actions that will reflect God’slight in dark places, which may be the very tool used or the seed sown in someone’s life that may bring them and others to Christ. 

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

It takes the Holy Spirit to give us God’s kingdom perspective and for us to understand that we are in warfare with an enemy. Satan is attacking, persecuting, oppressing and causing violence against God’s kingdom and His people. It is faith in the love of God and His faithfulness toward us that permits us to perseverethrough difficult times and situations. This will allow the loveof God and the forgiveness of God to be seen in us. In this, we will show a dying world how-to walk-in love and how to lovethe unlovely and forgive the unforgiveable. 

2 Corinthians 4:1,17-18 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

It is when we understand, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that whatever the injustice, persecution or abuse, we are to see it as God’s opportunity to reconcile a lost soul to Himself. Just as Christ reconciled the whole world through the injustice and violence He experienced, we too can choose to trust God and pray for those who have misused and abused us. We then are giving God the legal right and access to intervene and intercede in that person’s life in our behalf.

2 Corinthians5:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, NKJ

Because of God’s divine goodness and mercy, we are able to bring reconciliation to the people on earth. Those who are persecuted for Christ’s sake are blessed, divinely favored and highly exalted of God. They are also the ones who have access to God’s kingdom.

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