Forgiveness
We are never more like Jesus Christ than when we forgive. We are never more like Satan than when we do not forgive. The essence of the life of Christ is to accomplish and provide forgiveness for sinners. It was determined before the foundation of the world in the divine decree that the Lamb of God would be slain (Rev. 13:8), it was prefigured throughout OT history in the sacrificial blood of goats, bulls, and sheep, and it was consummated on the cross of Calvary.You can sum up the ministry of Christ in one word FORGIVENESS!
When our precious Lord was suffering on the cross for our sins, He was also forgiving His enemies who put Him there. Remember His gracious words, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." This was no minor offense, no small infraction being dealt with. This was not granting forgiveness to a mere unkind or hurtful word. No, it was a pardon for the meanest, most cruel, most ungodly action against an innocent Person ever perpetrated in human history. It was the sin of cold-blooded murder, of killing the Son of God. Yet, see the heart of our Savior and how easily He forgave them.
When we are most filled with the grace of Christ, we will be most filled with a forgiving spirit. Hear the echo of the Saviors words in that godly young man Stephen as the stones were being hurled with deadly force against his body, "Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, Lord, do not hold this sin against them! Having said this, he fell asleep" (Acts 7:60). And listen also to the words of the apostle Paul when he was abandoned by all of his companions and none would support him or come to his defense, "May it not be counted against them" (2 Tim. 4:16). Brethren, there is no greater form of Christ-likeness than when we show a forgiving heart.
Forgiveness is an essential trademark of the new birth. You are not one of God’s children if you cannot forgive. "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions" (Mt.6:14 -15). Those who will not forgive his brother from his heart will be consigned over to the torturers until they should pay fully for their sins (Mt.18:34-35). How do we know that Christ Jesus dwells in the heart of man? You will see it most vividly in the area of forgiveness. Where Christ is, there also is a forgiving heart.
The devil knows nothing of this grace. He is full of angry hate and bitter resentment. He excels in being the "accuser of the brethren" (Rev. 12:10). He would rather count and expose your sins than forgive them and cover them up. And our sinful flesh follows his crooked lead. Instead of forgiving and loving, we "take into account a wrong suffered" and will not let it go. Instead of being meek and patient, we are easily provoked. Instead of "covering a multitude of transgressions" we want to broadcast them to everyone who will listen. An unforgiving spirit loves to hate. It delights in returning evil for evil, and it longs for an opportunity to take revenge. Such a spirit, unchecked by godly grace, will grow like a cancer in the heart. It will rot, defile, pollute and destroy. It will turn a lamb into a wolf, and a saint into a serpent. We are never more like Satan than when we refuse to forgive.
Brethren, let me apply this truth to your hearts. Are you harboring an unforgiving spirit towards another person? Is there someone you have refused to forgive? Delay no longer! Cast that Christ-less spirit from your heart. Repent of your hardness and extend the grace of forgiveness to everyone who has offended you in any way. Remember the words of Paul, "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Eph.4:32.). Beloved, forgive because you are forgiven. Remember the importance of "bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you" (Col. 3:13). Our heavenly Father wants this from all of His children, namely, that they extend the same grace to others that He has extended to us - forgiveness! Bless you on today? pray you have a powerful time on today as you are lost in
When our precious Lord was suffering on the cross for our sins, He was also forgiving His enemies who put Him there. Remember His gracious words, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." This was no minor offense, no small infraction being dealt with. This was not granting forgiveness to a mere unkind or hurtful word. No, it was a pardon for the meanest, most cruel, most ungodly action against an innocent Person ever perpetrated in human history. It was the sin of cold-blooded murder, of killing the Son of God. Yet, see the heart of our Savior and how easily He forgave them.
When we are most filled with the grace of Christ, we will be most filled with a forgiving spirit. Hear the echo of the Saviors words in that godly young man Stephen as the stones were being hurled with deadly force against his body, "Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, Lord, do not hold this sin against them! Having said this, he fell asleep" (Acts 7:60). And listen also to the words of the apostle Paul when he was abandoned by all of his companions and none would support him or come to his defense, "May it not be counted against them" (2 Tim. 4:16). Brethren, there is no greater form of Christ-likeness than when we show a forgiving heart.
Forgiveness is an essential trademark of the new birth. You are not one of God’s children if you cannot forgive. "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions" (Mt.6:14 -15). Those who will not forgive his brother from his heart will be consigned over to the torturers until they should pay fully for their sins (Mt.18:34-35). How do we know that Christ Jesus dwells in the heart of man? You will see it most vividly in the area of forgiveness. Where Christ is, there also is a forgiving heart.
The devil knows nothing of this grace. He is full of angry hate and bitter resentment. He excels in being the "accuser of the brethren" (Rev. 12:10). He would rather count and expose your sins than forgive them and cover them up. And our sinful flesh follows his crooked lead. Instead of forgiving and loving, we "take into account a wrong suffered" and will not let it go. Instead of being meek and patient, we are easily provoked. Instead of "covering a multitude of transgressions" we want to broadcast them to everyone who will listen. An unforgiving spirit loves to hate. It delights in returning evil for evil, and it longs for an opportunity to take revenge. Such a spirit, unchecked by godly grace, will grow like a cancer in the heart. It will rot, defile, pollute and destroy. It will turn a lamb into a wolf, and a saint into a serpent. We are never more like Satan than when we refuse to forgive.
Brethren, let me apply this truth to your hearts. Are you harboring an unforgiving spirit towards another person? Is there someone you have refused to forgive? Delay no longer! Cast that Christ-less spirit from your heart. Repent of your hardness and extend the grace of forgiveness to everyone who has offended you in any way. Remember the words of Paul, "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Eph.4:32.). Beloved, forgive because you are forgiven. Remember the importance of "bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you" (Col. 3:13). Our heavenly Father wants this from all of His children, namely, that they extend the same grace to others that He has extended to us - forgiveness! Bless you on today? pray you have a powerful time on today as you are lost in
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