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

Posts tagged ‘Forgiveness’

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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God Wants A Willing Heart – To be Willing to Be on God’s Mission                           

God is looking for someone who is willing to open their heart to His purpose, which is for us to bear His Image, reflect His glory and to show His love to the unlovely, the lost and a hurting world. Our will, which is the ability to choose, is the most Godlike characteristic that we have been given. We possess the power to determine not only how we will live for God our Creator in this life, but the capability to decide our eternal destiny. 

Deuteronomy 30:19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. NIV

God does not require us to be perfect or live without faults or mishaps, that is the reason Jesus came, to live a perfect life that we could not. But God wants us to be willing to submit to His Word and His authority. We are to align our will with His way and be willing to accept His word. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior God will give us the Holy Spirit who gives us the ability and the strength to do God’s work according to His will.

Luke 24:49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

Acts 1:4-5  On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

In a time where there is so much division in the world, where the difference in opinions has become a reason and justification to dislike and even hate another. This is the culture that Satan and this fallen world system have cultivated to keep people divided in a spirit of anger, hate and fear. But God has called us to pray for those who misuse us, to love those who hate and persecute us.  

Luke 2:27-28 But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Some people may say this is unfair of God, to ask us to pray for those who hurt us. But this is not just for their benefit, it is for ours also. God is guarding our hearts from hate and bitterness. God knows you cannot maintain hate for those you are praying for.  God is asking us to pray for our enemies for our benefit, so we do not lose sight of who we are in Christ Jesus and also, not to lose ourselves in pride, which could turn to bitterness and hate and endanger and at risk of the judgment. 

Hebrews 12:14-15 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:  looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 

Matthew 5:22a But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. 

Matthew 18:33-35 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.”

This is not something we can do naturally on our own, it takes the power of God through the Holy Spirit to give us both the desire and the power to pray for our enemies. But it must start with us submitting our will to God’s purpose and plan for saving a lost and dying world, through the love of Christ that is within us. 

Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Most people think their goal is to live a life centered around self and to care only for themselves, their family and friends, but we are here to live a life hidden in Christ that we may reflect the life of Christ to others. To live the life Christ lived on earth, one of humility, sacrifice and as a servant to others.  He died to self-interest for the sake of others, and this is what our daily lives should look like. Except we die to the obsession and idol of self, and remove egos from the throne of our life, we will remain confused in this our life’s journey. 

A seed will multiply and reproduce once it is buried and die to its original form. The husk of the seed must be broken for it to be changed into a different form, that it may be rooted into the life-giving soil which provides nutrients that it needs to grow.   Just as we must die to our original self, where we were educated and trained in by this fallen world system that exalts self over the love of Christ. 

1 Corinthians 15:21 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. NKJ

John 12:24 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.

As the apostle Paul stated, he died daily and so should we.  We too should die daily, and every day by the act of our will, we must choose whether we will live for ourselves, our pride, position, or culture, or we can choose to die to it all that and let the love, mercy, forgiveness, so that the unity, from the life and love of Christ may flow through us. This is not something that is done overnight but is a process of change, of being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, from the old way of living to a new way of thinking.  We are to renew our minds to God’s way of living and thinking. We are to live in humility and in service to others, not looking just at their current needs but for their eternal souls.

It is difficult for us to turn the other cheek or to let people get by with the wrong they have done to us, but if we die to self, there will be no struggle. You can kick a dead man and he will not respond, and that is how we should live in this life. It is a process and a practiced skill to be able to hold our tongue and manage our dislikes, for the saving of another soul from possible eternal perdition or misery, which is far more important than our petty feeling of being disrespected, our pride or the need to vindicate self. 

Joshua24:14a, 15b

Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness….…then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Every person has a God given will, that is the ability to choose the direction of our lives. Even God will not take our right to choose away, but He tells what the results of our choices are, blessing or curses. God desires to be in a relationship with His children as most parents do. Because of His love for us His Grace gives us the same choice they had in the garden, to choose who they will believe and obey. All He asks is that we choose Jesus and He will give us the power to live this life more abundantly.  

Romans 10:9-11 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.  As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 

Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

God will not force anyone to come to Him, but He is constantly asking us to choose by faith Jesus, with our heart, mind, and soul as an act of our will. 

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God’s Kingdom Laws: Submit to Others, Do Not Retaliate and Do Justly   1 Peter 2:13-25

There are natural laws and spiritual laws that are in place that dictate natural and spiritual outcomes. There are the laws of the various nations and countries that the citizens must abide by or they could be, in danger of paying the penalty for their failure to obey. We are more familiar with the natural laws that govern this world, such as the law of gravity. As followers of Christ,we are called to humble ourselves, submit to others and to do the right things.  

1 Peter 2:13-17 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.   For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.   Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 

Most people do not have a good understanding of God’s spiritual laws that govern the spiritual realm such as the act of submitting to those in authority, because it is the will of God for His people. When we are doing the right thing even when others are offending us we are showing the world we trust in God’s faithfulness to provide and protect. We are to give honor to all people because they are image bearers of God. Jesus told the people to render unto Cesar the things that belong to Cesar which was respect, that is due all who are in authority but we are to fear(obey) God. If it is not illegal, immoral, against our health and safety, or God’s laws, we are to submit to those in authority. 

1 Peter 2: 18-22 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.  For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.  For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

We often see people who want to seek revenge or demand an eye for an eye when it comes to their injuries or injustices. Some people feel they are justified in wanting harsh penalties of others because of what they experienced,or because of the unequal treatment done by others.  They want just as much, if not more, punishment to be given to       the perpetrator or violator, but God tells us that He will be the vindicator and judge. 

Some people are punished more harshly because of their class, culture or socioeconomic background and they feel cheated.  But this is all part of the pride of life, in that we want to be esteemed just as great as others, or at least be vindicated to the same extent. God has told His people to trust Him to vindicate us and to love mercy in whatever form it may arise, knowing God is the ultimate judge who will judge justly in the end. 

1 Peter2:23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. NKJ

God has shown us His way and that is for us to do justly, just do the right thing. We are to give everyone, unbiased and unprejudiced treatment, doing the right thing for the right reasons. This is how we are to walk truthfully and in integrity, without looking for anything in return, not even right treatment in return. This is the requirement that the true followers of Christ should set for themselves. We are to love mercy; we should be devoted to showing forgiveness and celebrate it with passionate, open-hearted gladness when it is shown to others. We should not seek out punishment toward others, but should always look to show mercy and forgiveness no matter the situation, as God has forgiven us. 

Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

Jesus showed us how-to walk-in mercy and forgiveness. On the night Jesus was betrayed He washed the feet of His disciples including the one who betrayed Him, to be put to death. Jesus gave broken bread to those who were with Him as a symbol of His body that would be broken for them and He poured the wine as a representation of His blood that would be poured out for humanity.  We are told to remember Christ every time we take part in the act of communion, the one who gave His life for many. For this reason, God requires mercy of His children. We also can follow His examples of being broken bread and poured out wine by forgiving others and loving others in spite of what they do to us.

The world is living life in fear of lack, in scarcity and in self-focus, while the true followers of Christ are giving out of their hardship, and sharing their resources and loving those that were unlike themselves. Christ is the One who gave Himself for others, the One who became poor that others may be rich, the One who died that others might have abundant and eternal life and the One who forgave and loved those that abused and reviled Him. 

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. NKJ

1 Peter 2:23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. NIV

Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord, God has called them kings and priests on the earth. These are God given earthly positions that have certain roles, functions and responsibilities upon the earth. As kings we hold the position of royalty as in the family of God and should conduct ourselves accordingly. As priests we offer prayers and petitions for the people that are in our sphere of influence.  

 We see these roles displayed in the life of Christ, the One in whom we are to get our identity and should also mimic, impersonate and imitate while we live on this earth. As image bearers of God and Christ followers our purpose is to display the love, mercy and the forgiveness of God which brings glory to His name on the earth.  

 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.

We are now part of a new family, citizens of a new country and our allegiance is to our Sovereign King, Jesus. Many get stuck in their own ideas about their rights and ethnicity in the flesh that they fail to be transformed in their minds into the image of Christ and to make Jesus the Lord over all. There is so much division in the church, in the body of Christ because many refuse to let go of the old nature, old life and its priorities. When Jesus is King over our lives He will reign in every area of our life regardless of our past, affinities or affections.

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 our bad choices, and what the enemy meant to be evil against us, and turn it around and to work it for our good. It will then become as a testament of God’s goodness, mercy and His glory. 

When we have knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ whom He has sent, then we are able to see more clearly the Godly nature and workings of God in the earth and in the spiritual realm. Satan’s major attack is against the people of God, while trying to tempt them into rebelling against God. But God in His Sovereignty and purpose will use the very things the enemy has brought against His people to transform them and develop them into the image of His dear Son.  

God has always had representatives in the earth to show His way, His word and His righteousness. From the beginning with Abel, to the laws of the Jewish nation, to the prophets and now through the word of Christ, God has always provided an example to the world and to show them the way of salvation.  It has always been the choice of every person to us their will to choose whether they will remain in their fallen mind set or to let go and choose to obey the light of God’s word. 

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

 

 

 

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 Our Forgiveness Was A Great Cost To God 

We may come to God in an emotional state of despair, anguish and hopelessness because our sins are so overwhelming to us.  Some may have given up and have lost heart in believing that they will ever be made right with God or forgiven. But in every situation God has provided a way of escape.

Sin is a serious matter to a Holy and Righteous God and it cannot be taken lightly. It was of a very high cost to God, at the expense of the blood, death and resurrection of Jesus His Beloved Son. At this great cost, God was able to atone and pay the costly sin debt that all mankind owed because of their rebellion against Him.  

Romans 3:25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— NIV

I Corinthians 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. NLT

Sin cannot stand before God’s Righteousness and Holiness; light and darkness cannot occupy the same space. The wages of sin is death and thereby a Just and Holy God must requires the payment of life blood for the remission and forgiveness of sin. We all owe this debt to God because of our sins and only the blood of Christ can atone for it and make us once again right with God.

Romans 5:6,8 While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly. 

But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. AMP

All have sinned and come short of living rightly before God. Therefore, everyone must pay this debt owed to God for their acts of rebellion and sin.  No person can live a perfect life and they are not able to pay the debt that is owed to God because of their own sins.

But God in His lovingkindness, great compassion and mercy chose to provide forgiveness for all humanity and gave us the only sacrifice that could be made. It was His Son Jesus and through His life lived, His blood shed and the death He took on our behalf that paid our sin debt.

Romans 3:23-25 or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, NKJ

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. NKJ

Sin that resulted in rebellion against God is no light matter. It is not something that God can turn a blind eye to and still be a Holy and Just God. Because of the sins of Adam and Eve an animal died, its blood was shed and clothing was made for them. The blood of animals could only cover their sins for a while but it did not remove them.

God’s grace came at the appointed time through Christ Jesus to pay the total debt of sin by the shedding of His blood, His deathand resurrection. Every sin debt will be paid for, but whose blood and death will stand before a Holy and Just God to make that payment? 

God has provided a payment for all sin debt through faith in Christ. It is every person’s free will to choose whether to have faith in the blood of Christ’s or not, and then they must stand before God for their own sins. 

Hebrews 9:22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

Everyone will stand before a Holy God for judgement, because we all have sinned; our sinful blood cannot atone for our debt. If we try to stand before God on our own we will be weighed in the balance and will be found lacking in not having lived a perfect life before God in our own strength. 

Daniel 5:27 TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting;   

Romans 2:6-8 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

Even after our fall God was moved by His great love for all mankind and provided another chance of salvation for humanity. God has given us another chance to escape the second death, which is total separation from God Himself. Thischance is done with a simple choice of our will to believe andhave faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God. 

Revelation 20:11-15

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.  And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. NKJ

Many people are confused because of God’s love and forbearance toward us, thinking God will not judge sin andrequire mankind to pay for their sins eternally. But, a Holy, Just and Righteous God must require payment for sin or He will no longer be true to Himself and no longer be a Holy God. 

In God’s great mercy He provided another way for forgiveness to pay the debt mankind owed. God in His enormous and abundant love for us, He became the ransom and payment through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

Romans 3:24-26 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

God who is a Just and Righteous God, became the One who judges sin and then He Himself provided the justification forthe sinner, through faith in Jesus.  It is an extreme insult to reject Jesus, it is a great offence and rudeness to a Holy God for mankind to refuse to accept such a great gift. Jesus came to rescue and deliver us that we may escape eternal death. Again, God does not take sin lightly and it was at a tremendous cost to Himself and His Son to make this provision of salvation to all humanity.

2 Corinthians 5:18-18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. NIV

To have this faith in God’s plan and provision of Salvation through Christ is so simple, and yet so profound!

Psalm 85:10 Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.NKJ

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To Fellowship in the Suffering of Christ

Many may say they want to know Jesus, to walk like Him and be in fellowship with Him, but they have not come to the realization of what that really means, which is a fellowship of His suffering.  As Christ followers we must change the way we evaluate the things that are happening to us and around us. We must change the way we view life and our expectations in life. 

1 Peter 5:10-11 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.  To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. NKJ

1 Peter 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

God’s purpose is for us to reveal His love and His glory in the earth, which we see through the life of Christ. God’s glory and love is revealed in the earth when we are obedient to His word and by obedience our faith is displayed to those who are lostand in darkness so that they too may come to the Light.

All humanity knows how to be mean, prideful, hateful and to want revenge for the evil that is done to us, it is a natural part of fallen mankind. But the love of God is seen when we show, forgiveness, mercy and love to others. 

2 Corinthians 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

God’s goal for our lives is that we walk in love and obedience in hard and difficult times, just as Jesus did. Through this we will reveal God’s love to a lost world and this will show our faith and trust in Him. Through the Holy Spirit we can gothrough hurt, pain, agony and persecution without hurting others in return, and this is God’s purpose for our lives. Some people may call getting to the end of the trial their goal, but forGod it is the going through the trial, with love and mercy, this is His purpose. It is the trying or testing of our faith in Him. 

What some may call the process; God calls the purpose. What some may call the end; God calls a spin-off or the result of the faith that was shown during the time of the testing of our faith

1 Peter 4:12-14 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.  If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.  On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.  NKJ

Many people struggle just to get through their hardships and trials, so they can be blessed and that they may see goodness and rest in the end. But actually, the blessings are byproducts of us accomplishing God’s goal. Which is us being patience and being light in dark places and by showing of His mercy and forgiveness in difficult situations. God’s purpose and plan for our lives is to show His compassion and love in these hard and difficult times. It is in these situations that we demonstrate our faith and the likeness of Christ in the face of adversity. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. NKJ

Though Jesus was the Son of God, He suffered many things at the hands of evil men and because of this sinful world system.  It was through this very process of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection that He obtained salvation for all humanity.

If Jesus’ life is being formed in us then we too will experience challenges of our own, so that we too may have opportunities to forgive the wrong that we have experienced. In this we willreveal, reflect and resemble the likeness of Christ in our homes, families and community. 

Revelation 1:9 I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus. NLT

1 Peter 4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

The world will tell us that we should expect to receive only the good from God and should feel deprived or mistreated when we go through challenges and difficulties.   When our faith or sonship as children of God is challenged, by Satan or this world, we are to stand firm in who we are in Christ. 

It is in these challenges of life that stretch us and grow us into the image of Christ. Though we enjoy and rejoice in God’s blessing and favor, we will learn patience and perseverance through the things we suffer and the challenges we experience.  

Paul was ready to put aside his comfort and to be broken bread and poured out wine for those around him that they might see God’s light in him and believe in the risen Christ through his life. 

2 Corinthians 4: 7-10 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.  We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

We are to be reminded of our God given goal, purpose and intent, which is to know who we are in Christ and to display His power, light and love in a dark and hopeless world. 

Self-pity is from the devil and we fall into his trap when we focus on ourselves and become disheartened because of the things we go through. 

We are to be God’s light and share His hope through the power of the Holy Spirit who encourages us and gives us the endurance we need. Then we can have the same attitude and mindset as Christ and we too can say, Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. 

2 Corinthians 4:11-12 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. NKJ

Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.

Again, we must change the way we think about the things we go through as an opportunity to show God’s love and the light of His glory in a dark and hopeless world.

Every act of kindness can have at least three touch points, the joy as the one who gives, the thankfulness as the one who receives and the pleasure of one who witnesses the mercy, grace and compassion of God.  When we are generous we show God’s love and others receives His love through our generosity, while others may also witness this love of God.

Romans 15:5-7 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. NKJ

 

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Success For a Christ Follower is to Look Like Christ. – repost

The world has taken on the definition of success as the attainment of wealth, position or honor, but followers of Christ must define success differently. Christ followers define their success as the achievement or attainment of one who is Christ like in their various endeavors, performances or just in their daily lives. When we live life like Christ and when we follow in His footsteps, then we will have obtained success in the eyes of God and His kingdom.

To be a follower of Christ or to be Christ like, we must change our view of what Christianity is. The word Christian was given to the early followers of Christ by the world who were nonbelievers. This was because the Christ follower behavior was so different from the world’s way, they actually saw them behaved and walked like Christ.

Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. NKJ

The world was living a life in fear of lack, in scarcity and in self-focus, while the followers of Christ were giving out of their poverty, sharing their resources and loving those that were unlike themselves. Christ is the One who gave Himself for others, the One who became poor that others may be rich, the One who died that others might have life and the One who forgave and loved those that abused and reviled Him.

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. NKJ

1 John2:2 And Christ himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven, and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone. GNT

1 Peter 2:23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. NIV

Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots. NKJ

Successful followers of Christ are defined as the ones who live their lives like Christ. It has been said if you want to find Christ, go low. He was born in a stall not a palace, He lived as a servant and not as a Pharisee, He washed the feet of His friends and even the one who would betray Him. If we want to be first in the kingdom of God, then we are to be last in the eyes of the world. If we want to be chief among the people in the kingdom of God, then we are to be a servant to the people. If we want to be exalted by God live simply in humility, respectfully toward all people, regardless of the origin or status because all humanity are image bearers of God.

John 13:5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. NKJ

Mark 9:3 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” NKJ

1 Peter 5:5-6 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but give grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, NKJ

The name Christian is a label the world gave to the followers of Christ in the early church but now the world has used this label to skew, twist or change the image of how the followers of Christ are viewed. Many people label themselves as Christians but choose to live like the world. They are self-centered, in fear of losing what they have, in fear of lack, or of not having enough, and their only concern is themselves, while refusing to help or assist others.

God has called us children born into the family of God, The Almighty God, El Shaddai, the Inexhaustible One who pours out and whose source is unlimited, boundless and everlasting. God gave us a position not a label. We are children of the Most-High King and we are in His family and we are to look like our Father. Though labels may change but God as our Father and us being born into His family will not change. Just as children in the natural take some resemblance or likeness of their parents, so do we as we grow more knowledgeable through the Spirit, into the image of Christ the Son of God.

Ephesian 2:19Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.NKJ

1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. NIV

Like the early church, our lives should so reflect the life of Christ that the world would notice a lifestyle different than their own. We as Christ followers should live from a place of grace and forgiveness, because the God we serve gives grace to us, therefore we give grace and forgiveness to others. We serve The Almighty God who is limitless and lives in abundance. He will supply all our needs according to His riches in Christ and not according to our self-importance or works. Therefore, we can give without fear of lack, we can love because He first loved us.

Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. NKJ

We can be generous because the God we serve is Yahweh “I am that I am,” He is Elohim the God who creates. Whatever the need, Yahweh is the fulfillment of that need, be it peace, joy, healing, protection, provision, The Great “I Am” is that, and all we will ever need.

Followers of Christ are most successful when they operate in love, humility and grace that Christ displayed while on earth and because our goal is to love God with all that we are and to love and serve others as Christ loved us. Christ followers’ success is not measured by the world’s standards of wealth, position or honor. We are to look like Christ, to operate in meekness and not be prideful; in gracious generous giving and not mean, tightfisted or grudgingly giving. Followers of Christ are to live in kindness, having compassion, sympathy and charity to all, even those who misuse and revile us.

Acts 2:44-47 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. NKJ

People of the world become mean and lack generosity because they operate in fear of never having enough and refusing to share. They will not give to the needs of others because they are afraid in the end there might not be enough for themselves.

Followers of Christ operate out of kindness, generosity and humility, because we know God is our endless, vast and everlasting source. We know we can rely on God, Yahweh, El Shaddai, the One who pours out of His abundance and we do not have to rely just on our limited resource, our job or our earthly means.

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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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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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