Tuesday, January 25, 2011

C3 FORGIVENESS

C3 – FORGIVENESS

God is such a forgiving God.  Isa.43:25   We are to be imitators of God.  If we strive to be godly, then we, too, must be a forgiving person.  Eph.5:1   It is through the blood of Jesus Christ that we receive forgiveness of sins.  Acts 10:43   Jesus was our one sacrifice through which we could receive this forgiveness.  Heb.10:12   Jesus also had authority to forgive sins although that ability was questioned by the Pharisees.  Matt.9:2,6 

Just as we follow God as His imitators, we also follow Jesus.  Early in His ministry as Jesus was choosing His apostles, His invitation was, “Follow me!”  Matt.9:9   His invitation remains to day in Matt.10:38   Jesus used the example of sheep following their master.  Jhn.10:27   Since Christ is merciful and even suffered that we could have forgiveness, we should follow in His steps.  1 Pet.2:21

It seemed that forgiveness of one individual toward another was a new concept as Jesus began teaching.  The O.T. concept was an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  Ex.21:24   Jesus quoted this in Matt.5:38.  Jesus continues to change this concept in Matt.6:14,15.  Here forgiveness is stated very simply.  It would be difficult to miss the implications here.

Many levels of “hurts” can happen in our lifetime.  Someone may have done or said something that “hurt our feelings”.  Perhaps this is one of the more common ones.  How personally do we take these actions or remarks.  Of course, let’s remember that we never are guilty of the same.  We are all human and make mistakes.  We must not forget this.  We have not “walked a mile in their shoes”.  What prompted those actions or words?  Are we immediately in a huff or are we attempting to understand them?

Some truth may be contained in their hurtful words or actions.  We need to look within ourselves to see if they are seeing something we don’t see.  This takes a great deal of humility.  Ps.25:9;  Jam.4:6,10   Is our purpose to prove we are right or to strive to be a good example and follow our Lord?

The truth of the matter is that we are no longer living for self.  When we became a Christian, we died to self.  Self should not be hurt.  As Christians we are living for Christ with Christ in us.  Col.3:3   Everything we do and say is to be to the glory of Christ.  Col.3:17;  1 Cor.10:31

Jesus endured many hurts.  Many did not believe Him.  His hometown tried to kill Him by throwing Him over a cliff.  He was ridiculed.  He had no home—no place to lay his head.  People were hired to lie about Him in court.  He was slapped, beaten until nearly dead, and finally crucified.  All that was for us—and we get “hurt” if someone says or does something against us.  Think again and follow the Lord.  It’s not about us.

Perhaps circumstances have involved disloyalty, betrayal, and even brutality.  Having a forgiving heart does not mean we need to stay in those circumstances; however, we cannot hold bitterness that festers into hate.  Lk.6:22,23   We even pray for our enemies.  Matt.5:44   Sincerely praying for those that are unlovely to us should help melt away the feelings of unforgiveness.  As we feel our need of forgiveness from our Savior, let us remember that forgiveness if reciprocal.  As we forgive, so we will be forgiven.

What comes before forgiveness?  When we seek forgiveness, a deep need of repentance needs to be present.  Forgiveness cannot be expected if a sorrow isn’t present for what was done nor can forgiveness be expected if there is a continuance of the same wrong.  This is true as we ask forgiveness of our Lord.  2 Cor.7:10   It is also true as we ask forgiveness of someone else.  Lk.17:3   The Prodigal Son is always a good example of repentance accepted and forgiveness granted.  Lk.15:21,24

A forgiving spirit is essential for a Christian even if the offender has not repented.  Matt.18:35   In Mk.11:25 the forgiveness in our heart is what counts when we stand before God.  That does not release the offender from repenting but we can answer only for our heart—not theirs.  Matt.6:14,15

Even though we cannot answer for them, the need to bring them to repentance and to God remains very important.  Lk.17:3   One meaning of the Greek word used for rebuke is to admonish.  When someone admonishes they urge, warn, give earnest advice.  It must be done in a spirit described in Gal.6:1   Even though this is talking about a sin that a Christian has fallen into of which he was probably unaware and not planned, it could also be an offense against a brother in Christ.  It is with great humility and gentleness that such a situation should be approached.  A sincere look at our own life before approaching another would be in order. 

If nothing is accomplished by a one to one approach, then the outline of the next steps are outlined in Matt.18:15-17.  Prayer both before any approach as well as during the conversation would be of great value.  If this is something entirely personal, another approach could be taken.  1 Cor.6:7   Peace and unity within the brotherhood is an essential element of the church.  If that is destroyed because of our selfish whim, we are in the wrong.  Rom.12:18

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

B2 - FORGIVENESS

B2 – FORGIVENESS

How we need God’s forgiveness for we have all sinned (Rom.3:23) and that sin has separated us from God.  Isa. 59:2   We may sin against our fellowman but most of all we sin against our God.  Ps.51:4; Gen.39:9   When we are faced with temptation, this must be our thought – “How can I sin against my God?”. 

God is such a compassionate God, full of love and forgiveness.  Isa.1:18   Micah asks the question, “Who is a God like you?”.  Mic.7:18  God loves us and wants our fellowship.  The song says it well.  “He Was There All the Time”  God waits for us.  Isa.55:7  God has not moved.  We are the ones that have moved away from Him.  Jam.4:8

All of the sacrifices of animals in the O.T. were only reminders of sins year after year but could not fully take away sin.  Heb.10:3,4   Yet without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.  Heb.9:22   God was preparing a time that His forgiveness would be through one sacrifice alone – His Son.  This would be the epitome of His love for the world.  Jhn.3:16   God spoke of this through His prophets in the O.T.  Isa.9:6; Isa.53:12  

Finally the time was right for the Savior to arrive.  Matt.1:21; Lk.1:35   Never let us think that this was a baby in heaven that came down.  No, this was the Lord of Lords.  Rev.17:14   It was by Him we were created.  Col.1:16   Christ loved us enough that He was willing to let go of His heavenly crown to become a human being to show us the way and to make that one blood sacrifice for our sins.  Phil.2:6,7   When Jesus was brought to the temple, Simeon knew that this baby was the Lord’s Christ.  Lk.2:26-30   As a young boy Jesus associated Himself with God as His Father.  Lk.2:47,49  

John the Baptist was going before Jesus to tell about Jesus.  Mk.1:7   As John was preaching, Jesus came to be baptized.  God testified that Jesus was His Son and that He was well-pleased with Him.  Mk.1:11   Jesus had to go through temptation.  He understands us when we are tempted.  Heb.2:18; Heb.4:15   The time had come for Him to proceed with His purpose.  Lk.19:10   Jesus began to preach the gospel.  Mk.1:14,15

Many miraculous works were done by Jesus during His ministry.  He healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind, unstopped the ears of the deaf, healed the cripples, fed the multitude, and raised the dead.  These acts were not to gain acclaim for Himself as our tendency would be.  These works were to show that He was the Son of God.  This is how we must accept Him—not as a famous man that performed miraculous tricks but as our Savior.

The people of Samaria recognized Jesus as the Savior of the world.  Jhn.4:42   When Peter was asked who he thought Jesus was, he answered with the great confession that we, too, must believe.  Matt.16:16  No man that has lived or is living that could be crucified on a cross and through his shed blood bring salvation to mankind.  Only the Son of God as the man of perfection could become the Savior of the world.  The sacrifices in the O.T. were as near perfect as they could find.  No spots or blemishes could be found and it had to be the firstborn.  Jesus is the perfect one.  He is the One who brings salvation and deliverance from sin.  Salvation from our Savior demands forgiveness for our sin has separated us from God.

Christ’s blood is our saving sacrifice.  Eph.1:7   It is through Him that we receive the forgiveness of our sins.  Col.1:13,14   When Jesus established the Lord’s Supper, He explained the cup as representing His blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins.  Matt.26:28

Jesus is the source of eternal salvation to those who believe Him.  Heb.5:9   When we believe Christ, we obey Him.  Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30   Now, instead of sacrifices being offered over and over, Jesus made that one sacrifice forever that our sins might be forgiven.  Heb.10:11,12   Heb.9:26   It is an eternal sacrifice.

We were once alienated or separated from God, but now we can be in Christ.  Col.2:13;
2 Cor.5:17   It is only through Christ we can be saved.  Acts 4:12   The temple in the O.T. had a special recipe for a wonderful fragrance that could only be used in the temple.  Jesus is pictured as that fragrant aroma as He becomes our offering and sacrifice to God.  Eph.5:1,2

Out of love, God saw no other way than for His son to be sacrificed and Jesus was willing.  And so Jesus became the Savior of the world.  1 Jhn.4:14   Some of the last words of Jesus before He went back to heaven indicated that His name would be proclaimed in all nations.  Lk.24:47

As we were once alienated from God, through Christ and His grace we can look forward to eternal life.  We need to be ever grateful for the sacrifice of our Savior who brought us forgiveness.  Rom.5:21







Tuesday, January 4, 2011

A1 - FORGIVENESS

A1 – FORGIVENESS

Forgiveness!  How can we wrap our minds around such a great need.  This has been a need since Adam and Eve were separated from God by their sin for indeed, this is what sin does to man.  Isa.59:2   Dare we say that we do not sin—that we are good?  Rom.3:23   We will never understand forgiveness if we do not understand our sin and our great need of forgiveness.  It is well described in Isa.64:6.  Visualize a mechanic coming in from working all day.  His hands, his rags are black with soil.  We may not have murdered or robbed a bank, but what about our attitudes, our thoughts of others, our deceit, our pride.  If we are honest with ourselves, this does not describe our Lord.

We can have hope and this hope is in the forgiveness of God.  Isa.57:15-18   God is described as the high and exalted One who lives forever.  God loves us for He created us in His image.  Gen.1:27   Note that He dwells with the contrite and lowly of spirit.  The “contrite” is remorseful.  That man is full of regret for things he has done or attitudes he may have shown—maybe even words he has spoken.  With that kind of heart we become humble.  God knows we sin.  He knows what, when, and where.  For God to dwell with us, we have to realize our condition and acknowledge it.  In verse eighteen God promises healing and guidance.

Human language can never adequately explain the love of God.  God and love are synonymous for God is love.  1 Jhn.4:8,16   If we think we are “good” and do not sin, a study of 1 Cor.13:4-7 might be in order.  Could any of these requirements be found lacking in our association with the loved or unloved?  We might partially be able to accomplish this with those that love us but how far would we go with the unlovely and even our so-called enemies. 

God loves us long before we learned to love Him.  He longs for His love to be returned.  God in His compassion remembers that we are but flesh.  Ps.78:38,39   When we come to Him, God is so willing to forgive.  Think of the joy in heaven when just one soul is saved.  Lk.15:7   We are important to Him.

Numerous occasions in Scripture remind us of how willing God is to forgive us.  Have you ever thought you were in a pit of nothingness?  Even in this despair, Isaiah was given this message.  Isa.38:17   Another picture of God’s forgiveness is shown in Mic.7:19   God mentions for the sake of My name a number of times in the Scriptures.  Ps.79:9   In Isa.43:25 God states that He will not even remember our sins.  What could be farther than the east from the west.  Ps.103:12

Even though the above Scriptures indicate great forgiveness, in the O.T. the meaning of forgiveness was somewhat different than in the N.T. or the new law.  Much remained to be accomplished.  Sins were “set aside” or “bypassed” by the use of animal sacrifices.  Heb.10:3,4; Lev.16:21   Yet plenty of incidents show God’s goodness and compassion in the forgiveness of sin in the O.T.  Ps.51:1-4   David had come to grips with his sin and implored God to forgive.  Another example of God’s forgiveness in the O.T. was in the case of the Israelites who were God’s people.  They had committed such heinous sins that God allowed them to be taken into captivity.  Yet this is what God tells them through Jeremiah.  Jer.33:6-9

Blood has been an important part of sacrifices to God from the beginning.  Gen.4:4   Abel brought a sacrifice or offering from the firstlings of his flock.  A sacrifice is the giving up of something valued.  Great care was taken of the slaughter of an animal and the handling of the blood of sacrifices under the Mosaic law.  Lev.17:11   Our physical life is determined by our blood as to death or life.  Our spiritual life is also determined by the blood of Christ.  Life is truly in the blood.

It was by the blood that the Israelites were saved to be led in safety from the land of Egypt.  The book of Leviticus is full of laws concerning the blood of the sacrifices.  Heb.9:22   This explains that about everything was cleansed with blood and then a very important statement is made.  Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

The Law provided sacrifices to God and by these sacrifices, which continued year after year, the Israelites could experience some form of forgiveness.  This was only a shadow of things to come.  Heb.10:1   Through this shadow God was showing His love all the time.  His people would stray.  Then God would give opportunity for them to return.  This would involve sacrifice for their sin.  Being a shadow, it was the outline or pattern of much greater things.  Heb.9:9  

What a gracious, compassionate, and loving God we have.  We can rejoice with David.  Ps.103:1-4
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me,
Bless His holy name,
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit.
Who crowns you with loving kindness
and compassion.