The Power &
Problem of
Forgiveness
Trevor Chandler
Sovereign World
Contents Introduction
5
Chapter 1
Foundation of Forgiveness
7
Chapter 2
What Happened in Old Testament?
36
Chapter 3
Forgiveness and Judgment
61
Chapter 4
Forgiveness in New Testament
93
Chapter 5
Sowing and Reaping
1 4
Chapter 6
What is Happening?
15
Chapter 7
How to Forgive
19 !
Dedication This boo" is dedi#a$ed $o all $hose who long $o be free from $he b%rden of %nforgiveness and al$ho%gh $he' $he' have have wres wres$l $led ed wi$h wi$h $he $he (rob (roble lem m have have been been %naable $o find a (ra#$i#al answer $o gen %n gen%inel' forgiving from $he hear$)
Trevor Chandler
Introduction * have alwa's been ama+ed and $hrilled b' $he gra#e of ,od -is mer#' forgiveness and (ardon) * have no$ f%ll' %nders$ood how ,od wo%ld be so benefi#en$ in s(i$e of man.s sin and #ons$an$ fail%re b%$ * have a##e($ed -is wonderf%l (rovisions wi$h a gra$ef%l hear$) Some (eo(le find i$ hard $o a##e($ $ha$ ,od #o%ld so freel' forgive sin and fail%re and so $he' remain wi$h a sense of g%il$ and #ondemna$ion) /r if $he' do a##e($ $ha$ ,od has forgiven $hem $he' find i$ hard $o forgive $hemselves) 0e#a%se of $his (eo(le live wi$ho%$ $he o' and (ea#e $ha$ $he' sho%ld have) /$hers live a life of self (leasing and ind%lgen#e wi$h $he idea $ha$ $he' need onl' as" ,od $o forgive $hem and -e will immedia$el' do so and $he #onse2%en#es of an' viola$ion or sin will be #an#elled) *$ has has been been m' #onv #onvi# i#$i $ion on for for seve severa rall 'ears ears $ha$ $ha$ man' of o%r beliefs and #on#e($s abo%$ forgiveness have been inade2%a$e and fa%l$' and $ha$ (eo(le have have $rea $rea$e $ed d $he $he ma$$ ma$$er er of forg forgiv iven enes esss ei$h ei$her er $oo $oo ligh$l h$l' or #on onssidered red $ha$ $he im(li#a$ #a$ions of forgiveness were be'ond $heir #a(a#i$' $o mee$) ' e(erien#e has has shown $ha$ ha$ $he maori$' of (eo(le #an a##e($ ,od.s forgiveness of $hem b%$ $he' $he' la#" $he $he "n "no owle wledg dgee and and %n %nde derrs$an s$andi ding ng $o gen%inel' forgive o$hers who have wronged or h%r$ $hem) The' "now $ha$ es%s said $ha$ if we do no$ forg forgiive o$he o$hers rs ,od ,od will will no no$$ forg forgiive %s %s b% b%$$ $hi $his
"nowledge ra$her $han solving in#reases $heir b%rden of g%il$)
$he (roblem
This boo" is an endeavor $o $hrow ligh$ %(on $he (roblems $ha$ man' (eo(le have wi$h %nders$anding and im(lemen$ing forgiveness) When we do %nders$and how $o forgive we will be in a (osi$ion $o re#eive $he (osi$ive benefi$s whi#h #ome as a res%l$ of forgiving o$hers as ,od has forgiven %s) Trevor Chandler
Chapter 1 The Foundation of Forgiveness We had $al"ed for abo%$ $wen$' min%$es) -er s$or' was one of hear$brea" and des(air a 'o%ng wife and mo$he mo $herr s% s%dd dden enl' l' dese deser$ r$ed ed b' her her h% h%sb sban and) d) Th Ther eree was a loo" of ho(elessness on her fa#e She said 8re 'o% $elling me $ha$ * m%s$ forgive a man who #hild and me $o be wi$h wi$h ano$her ano$her wal"ed o%$ on o%r #hild woman: -ow #an * do $ha$: ;o 'o% "now wha$ i$ means $o wa$#h $he las$ #en$ ever' wee" and #r' 'o%rself $o slee( be#a%se of loneliness:<
Why This Subject? This e(erien#e and man' o$hers whi#h have #ome from #o%nseling (eo(le over $he 'ears have made me aware of $he dee( (roblems in $he lives of so man' men and women whi#h demand $he eer#ise of forgiveness) There have been h%r$s and wo%nds so dee( $ha$ i$ seems seems almos$ almos$ im(ossible im(ossible for $hem $o forgive= b%$ * am also aware $ha$ $here is $hro%gh $he abili$' $o forgive forgive a $remendo%s $remendo%s benefi$ benefi$ for good in a (erson.s life) la#" of forgiveness however will bring m%#h $ha$ is harmf%l s(iri$%all' men$all' and (h'si#all') Peo(le have los$ $heir reali$' of ,od are emo$ionall' and men$all' in $%rmoil and (h'si#all' si#" be#a%se of bi$$erness $ha$ #omes as a res%l$ of %nforgiveness)
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There is, through the ability to forgive, a tremendous benefit for good in a person s life. life. ’
/%r lives are in$erwoven wi$h $hose of o$hers and we are involved in in$er(ers in$er(ersonal onal rela$ionshi(s rela$ionshi(s ever' da' and as a res%l$ man' si$%a$ions whi#h give rise $o mis%nders$anding or offen#e o##%r) *$ is essen$ial $ha$ we %nders$and f%ll' wha$ is involved in $he s%be#$ of forgiveness) This boo" has been $i$led The Power and Problem of Forgi orgivvene eness be#a%se $here is grea$ (ower for good in o%r lives if we #an gen%inel' forgive b%$ $here is a grea$ (roblem in being able $o do i$ *$ wo%ld be eas' $o give a lis$ of s#ri($%res based on wha$ wha$ $he $he 0ibl ible sa' sa's abo bo%$ %$ forg forgiv iveeness ness b% b%$$ $ha$ ha$ wo%ld no$ g%aran$ee an answer $o o%r (roblem) We #an "now wha$ is righ$ b%$ no$ "now how $o do i$) * wan$ $o %nfold $his s%be#$ s$e(>b'>s$e( $o $he (oin$ $ha$ we "now ea#$l' wha$ forgiveness is and also how $o forgive)
There is a great power for good in our lives if we can genuinely forgive, but there is a problem in being able to do it! ?e$ me refer $o $wo brief (assages of s#ri($%re) The firs$ is in $he /ld Tes$amen$ Seek the Lord Lord while while he may be found; call on him him while he is near. Let the wicked wicked forsake forsake his way and the evil evil man man his thoughts. @
Let him turn to to the Lord, and he will have have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. (Isaiah !"#$% The se#ond sa's &his, then, is how you should pray! 'ur 'ur a ath ther er in heav heaven en,, hall hallow owed ed be your your name name,, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. orgive orgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven forgiven our debtors. )nd lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. or if you forgive forgive men when they sin against against you, your heavenly ather will also forgive you. *ut if you do not forgive men their sins, your ather will not forgive your sins.+ (atthew "!-#% The la$$er (ar$ of $his s#ri($%re whi#h deals wi$h $he effe effe#$ #$ $ha$ $ha$ o% o%rr forg forgiv ivin ing g o$he o$hers rs has has %( %(on on ,od. ,od.ss forgiveness of %s is (ar$i#%larl' #hallenging and is an im(or$a r$an$ as(e#$ of o%r s$%dies) We will however deal wi$h $his in de$ail in a la$er #ha($er)
Three Vital Words We need $o la' a fo%nda$ion b' eamining $hree words $ha$ are essen$ial $o o%r %nders$anding of $his $o(i#) The words are
Mercy Forgiveness Pardon 9
es%s said 2%i$e #learl' $ha$ we were $o forgive one ano$her) -e did no$ 2%alif' $he (ar$i#%lar #a%se) -e did no$ sa' 8*f i$ is a small h%r$ $hen forgive)< -e did no$ sa' 8*f i$ is a large h%r$ i$ is differen$)< -e made a (lain s$a$emen$ and $old %s $o forgive one ano$her) A%o$ing s#ri($%re is no$ diffi#%l$= nei$her is giving li( servi#e $o a $r%$h) 0%$ when we have been h%r$ and wo%nded b' $he a#$ion a#$ion of ano$her ano$her we #an "now $ha$ we sho%ld forgive and 'e$ feel $o$all' %nable $o do i$) We all find $ha$ $he a#$ions of o$her (eo(le #rea$e some of $he grea$es$ diffi#%l$ies wi$h whi#h we have $o #on$end) Bo man lives %n$o himself Wha$ o$hers sa' and do has a bearing %(on o%r lives almos$ ever' da') *n $he #o%rse of o%r rela$ionshi(s wi$h (eo(le man' $hings ha((en $o %s a#$ions and words $ha$ are %n"ind in#onsidera$e and h%r$f%l) We ma' e( (eerie rien#e n#e lies $ol $old abo bo%$ %$ %s be$ be$ra' ra'al b' friends and o$her in%s$i#es) ea#$ions ma' o##%r and ill>will develo(s wi$hin %s)
When we have been hurt and wounded by the action of another, we can know that we should forgive, and yet feel totally unable to do it. ?e$ me as" a 2%es$ion no$ as a (rea#her or 0ible $ea#her b%$ as a man who "nows wha$ i$ is $o go $hro%gh $his "ind of e(erien#e) 8-ow #an a (erson gen%inel' and hones$l' forgive when #onfron$ed b' (roblems of $his "ind:< i$ is eas' $o sa' we sho%ld forgive b%$ i$ is no$ so eas' $o do i$ 1!
* was #ond%#$ing a series of s(e#ial mee$ings in Bew Dealand and one nigh$ was s(ea"ing abo%$ $he (roblem of inferiori$' and a nega$ive self>image) $ $he end of $he sermon * gave o((or$%ni$' for an' s%ffer s%ffering ing from s%#h (roble (roblems ms $o #ome #ome forwar forward d for (ra'er) n%mber of (eo(le res(onded and $he firs$ (erson $o whom * wen$ was a $een>age aori girl) * did no$ as" an' de$ails abo%$ her (roblem b%$ as * (la#ed m' hand on her head * fo%nd m'self (ra'ing in an %n%s%al wa') * said 8Eo% are a da%gh$er of ,od Eo% are a #hild of $he ing< * re(ea$ed $hese s$a$emen$s several $imes m%#h $o m' own ama+emen$ and $he $ears began $o $ri#"le down $he girl.s fa#e) *$ was obvio%s $ha$ $he -ol' S(iri$ was doing a wor" wi$hin her) * moved on (ra'ing for o$hers and soon $he mee$ing mee$ing #losed) Prior $o $he servi#e $he ne$ nigh$ $he 'o%ng woman #on#erned a((roa#hed me wi$h an ama+ing $es$imon' whi#h she la$er shared in (ar$ wi$h $he whole #ongrega$ion) This is wha$ she said When I was several years yonger! my older sister had been e"tremely #ealos and hatefl$ %n one o&&asion my sister said! 'I &annot bear yo to to&h me( )on*t ever pt yor hand hand on me$ me$ +ven +ven if I am dead! dead! do not to&h to&h me! or I will sit p and spit in yor fa&e(, -s a reslt of this e"perien&e I had a sense of worthlessness and a deep inner hrt$ .ater I &ommitted my life to Christ Christ and was bapti/e bapti/ed d with the 0oly pirit! bt the feelings of insign insignifi ifi&an& &an&ee and inferi inferiori ority ty remain remained$ ed$ .ast .ast
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night for the first first time in my life! life! I was able to re&ogni/e that I was important to od! and I really was his daghter$ I have been set free! and at last have been able able to forgi orgivve my sister$
*f we "now wha$ $he 0ible sa's sa's $hen $wo $hings are li"el' $o ha((en) The firs$ is $ha$ we #an be#ome ma"e>b "e>bel eliiever everss be# be#a%s %see we #ann nno$ o$ do wha$ ha$ $he $he 0ible sa's b%$ (re$end $o do i$) es%s said 8Forgive onee ano on no$$her)< We are h%r$ We are wo%nded 0e#a%se we are h%r$ i$ seems im(ossible $o forgive b%$ be#a%se $he 0ible sa's we sho%ld we (re$end $ha$ we have obe'ed $his #ommand b%$ bi$$erness remains wi$hin and we have be#ome ma"e> believers) The se#ond $hing $ha$ #an ha((en is $ha$ we #om omee %n %nde derr #on onde dem mna$i na$ion on be# be#a%se a%se we are $r'ing $o be hones$ and "now we sho%ld forgive 'e$ find o%rselves o%rselves failing failing $o do i$ and so have a sense sense of g%il$ as a res%l$) The s%be# e#$ of gen%in %ine forg orgiveness has man' sin#ere Chris$ians in #onf%sion) *n $he le$$er $o $he -ebrew Ch%r#h we read See to it that no one misses misses the grace grace of God and that that no bitter bitter root root grows grows up to cause cause troubl troublee and and defile many. (/ebrews 0!% an' an' (eo( (eo(le le are are s% s%ff ffer erin ing g be#a be#a%s %see of bi$$ bi$$er erne ness ss whi#h has en$ered $heir lives $hro%gh %nforgiveness) Forgiveness #an lif$ b%rdens and res$ore friendshi(s) *$ #an bring (ea#e and o' $o a (erson.s life whereas %nforgiveness #an #a%se bi$$erness ha$red dis#ord $%rmoil and si#"ness) The grea$es$ (er#en$age of $he 1
(roblems $ha$ we go $hro%gh are o%r own fa%l$ We are rea(ing wha$ we have sown)
The subect of genuine forgiveness has many sincere hristians in confusion. The (rin#i(le of sowing and rea(ing is rela$ed $o forgiveness and al$ho%gh we are eno'ing fellowshi( wi$h ,od we ma' s$ill be rea(ing from $he seeds of sin and disobedien#e we have sown) /ne of $he $r%$hs we will #over in some de$ail la$er is $ha$ i$ is (ossible $o be forgiven $o eno' fel fellows lowshi hi( ( wi$h wi$h ,od ,od and and 'e$ s$i s$ill be %n %nde derr $he $he dis dis#i(line of ,od od We need $o %nders$and $he s%be#$ of forgiveness in all i$s as(e#$s so $ha$ we ma' "now how $o gen%inel' obe' $he Word of ,od and find a (la#e of freedom as we live o%r dail' lives) Forgiveness is no$ a sim(le s%be#$ *$ has no$ been f%ll' %nders$ood b' man' (eo(le and onl' a gen%ine "nowledge of wha$ i$ is how i$ o(era$es and how ,od sees i$ will enable %s $o a((ro( o(rria$e $he benefi$s of $r%e forgiveness) Time m%s$ be $a"en $o la' so%nd fo%nda$ions $o bring %s $o a #lear %nd %n ders$anding of $he s%be# e#$ and $o allow $he (rin#i(les $o be absorbed and es$ablished in o%r lives)
The essential starting point is to understand the meaning of the three words which have been mentioned" mercy, forgiveness, and pardon. 13
These words are of$en $ho%gh$ of s'non'mo%sl' and and of #o% o%rrse $he' he' #an be rel rela$ed a$ed b% b%$$ $he $he' are are essen$ial essen$iall' l' differen$) differen$) *n #onsiderin #onsidering g $hese $hese $erms $erms in a s(iri$%al sense * wan$ $o define ea#h one) The esse The essen$ n$ia iall s$ar s$ar$i $ing ng (o (oin in$$ is $o %n %nde ders rs$a $and nd $he $he meaning of $he $hree words whi#h have been men$ioned= mer#' forgiveness and (ardon)
What Do They ean? er# er#' ' is $he $he eer eer#i #ise se of less less seve severi ri$' $' $han $han on onee deserves or i$ is $he gran$ing of "indness and favor be'ond wha$ one ma' righ$l' #laim) Forgiv Forgivene eness ss dismi dismisse ssess resen$ resen$me men$ n$ or dis(le dis(leas% as%re re from $he hear$ of $he one offended and in (ar$i#%lar (ar$i#%lar i$ has referen#e $o feelings and fellowshi() Pard Pardon on #om #om(le$ (le$el el' ' remi remi$s $s $he $he o% o%$w $war ard d (ena (enal$ l$' ' whi#h $he off offender deserves) *$ is $he a#$ of a s%(e s% (eri rior or $owa $oward rd an infe inferi rior or im(l' im(l'in ing g $he $he righ righ$$ $o (%nish) *$ deals wi$h $he #onse2%en#es of an a#$ion) Pardon is an ee#%$ive res(onsibili$' whi#h mos$ (eo(le do no$ have $he righ$ $o eer#ise) eer#ise) Thesee $hre Thes $hreee a$$r a$$rib ib%$ %$es es of mer#' mer#' forgi forgive vene ness ss and and (ardon are in#l%ded in $he #hara#$er of ,od) The 0ible sa's -e is a ,od who shows mer#' who forgives and who will ab%ndan$l' (ardon) ?e$ me #onfirm $his from s#ri($%re &he Lord, the compassionate (merciful% and grac gracio ious us God, God, slow slow to ange anger, r, abou abound ndin ingg in love love and faithfulness. (12odus 34!"%
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Let him turn to to the Lord, and he he will have have mercy on him, and to our God for he will freely pardon. (Isaiah !$% er#' forgiveness and (ardon are all (ar$ of $he na$ na$%re %re and a$$ri $$rib% b%$e $ess of ,od ,od b% b%$$ we m%s %s$$ also also %nde %n ders rs$a $and nd $ha$ $ha$ ,od. ,od.ss #har #hara# a#$e $err in#l in#l%d %des es righ righ$> $> eo%sness $r%$h and %s$i#e) Theree are #ond Ther #ondii$ion $ionss and res( res(on onse sess whi# whi#h h ,od ,od re2%ires when we are dealing wi$h $hese ma$$ers of mer#' forgiveness and (ardon) Perha(s i$ is #orre#$ $o sa' $ha$ $here is no$hing $ha$ we re#eive from ,od $ha$ $ha$ is %n %n#o #ond ndi$ i$io iona nall a(ar a(ar$$ from from -is -is gra# gra#e) e) ,od ,od showers -is gra#e %(on (eo(le b%$ from $ha$ (oin$ on all $he dealings of ,od $owards %s are in res(onse $o a#$ions or a$$i$%des $a"en or made b' %s) er#' and forgiveness on $heir own wi$ho%$ $he in#l%sion of (ardon do no$ a%$oma$i#all' remove all $he #onse2%en#es of sin and fail%re) * "now $ha$ some (eo(le reason li"e $his 8*f ,od has been mer#if%l $o me $he (roblem is over)< Tha$ is no$ #orre#$ The' $hin" 8*f ,od has forgiven me $hen $he re#ord is wi(ed #lean)< Tha$ is no$ #orre#$ There wo%ld have $o be $he in#l%sion of (ardon before a #om(le$e res%l$ was a#hieved so we #an have a gen%ine o(era$ion of mer#' and forgiveness and 'e$ no$ have $he removal of $he #onse2%en#es of #er$ain sins)
Mercy and forgiveness forgiveness on their own, without the inclusion of pardon, pardon, do not automatically remove remove all the conse#uences of sin and failure. 15
ll of $hese a$$rib%$es of ,od.s mer#' forgiveness and (ardon m%s$ be $a"en in$o #onsidera$ion no$ %s$ some of $hem) /%r a#$ions are going $o bring for$h #er$ain res%l$s so we need $o "now how ,od in -is $o$al #hara#$er will res(ond $o wha$ we have done and even $o o%r re2%es$ for forgiveness)
Why Should I !et "i# $ff? Perha(s we have been %nwilling $o be mer#if%l and forgiving be#a%se we $hin" $ha$ a serio%s re(ea$ed offender will be le$ off and so we will allow some in% in%s$ s$i# i#ee $o #on$ #on$in in%e %e if so som meone eone has has re(e re(ea$ a$ed edl' l' offended offended %s we migh$ $hin" $hin" $o o%rselves o%rselves if * do no$ $a"e $a"e som omee (o (osi si$i $ive ve a#$ion $ion aga agains ins$ him him b% b%$$ am mer#if%l and forgiving $hen he will go on doing $his) * #anno$ forgive him be#a%se $his wo%ld mean e#%sing his a#$ion) We m%s$ reali+e $ha$ $his is a wrong a$$i$%de be#a%se we do no$ have $he righ$ $o $a"e over $he ee# ee#%$ %$iive res( res(on onsi sibi billi$i i$ies $ha $ha$ go wi$h wi$h (ard (ardon on)) er#' and forgiveness do no$ a%$oma$i#all' in#l%de (ardon so i$ is no$ o%r res(onsibili$' $o $a"e (%ni$ive a#$ion agains$ an offender) Tha$ is ,od.s res( res(on onsi sibi bili li$' $' (ers (erson on #an #an re#e re#eiv ivee mer# mer#' ' and and forgiveness b' ,od b%$ s$ill s%ffer effe#$s in his life be#a%se he has no$ me$ $he re2%iremen$s for f%ll (ardon) /ne of $he vi$al re2%iremen$s $o re#eive forgiveness and (ardon from ,od is $ha$ we forgive $hose who have wrongf%ll' $rea$ed %s) *f we don.$ for forgive we #an #on$in%e $o s%ffer in o% o%rr own rela$ionshi( wi$h ,od)
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0e#a%se an %nders$anding of $hese (rin#i(les is a$ $he hear$ of $his boo" le$ me ma"e #lear $ha$ show sh owin ing g mer#' mer#' and and gran gran$i $ing ng forg forgiv iven enes esss are are o%r res( res(on onsi sibi bili li$i $ies es when hen (rob (roble lems ms aris arisee wi$h wi$h o$he o$herr (eo(le b%$ (ardoning is ,od.s res(onsibili$') res(onsibili$') 'o%ng man gave me $his $es$imon' -t the age of nine years I sat in the ba& of a bs waving goodbye to my mother and brother$ I loved my brother deeply! bt there was a deep hatred red within me toward ards my mother mother who had arranged arranged for me to live live with foster parents$ I de&ided as I sat in that bs that I wold never forgive forgive her! no matter matter what happened( -s I grew older my hatred grew( I did not have what the other boys arond me had$ I hate hated d my fost fosteer pare parent ntss be&a be&as see the they had had been party to my being separated from my brother$ I be&ame a rebel in so&iety$ I was taen taen to different different psy&hiatrists psy&hiatrists and they wold tal to me abot my attitde toward my mother$ I had no power to &hange my hatred and those interviews seemed to in&rease my bitter feelings$ When I was si"teen years of age my brother &ame to visit me$ From him I obtained my moth mother er*s *s addr addres esss and and wrot wrotee seve severa rall lett letter erss asing asing her to visit visit me$ I had a deep motive motive of hatred in writing to her$ When she &ame I said! 'I hate yo and will never forgive yo(,
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4ine years later I a&&epted ess Christ as my avior avior and was bapti/ed in water water and with the 0oly pirit$ It was a revoltionary e"perien&e! e"perien&e! bt bt my Chri Christ stiian life fl& l&tat tated ed and and there here were were days of #oy and vi&tory vi&tory!! bt also days of defeat and despair$ omething was wrong$ %ne %ne nigh nightt I list listen ened ed to a visi visiti ting ng prea& rea&he herr speaing on the sb#e&t of forgiveness$ 0e said! 'We mst pt away all hatred! we mst forgive or mother if ne&essary$, I new that the 0oly pirit pirit was speaing speaing to me( I felt that that the .ord was saying! saying! 'I will will not open yor life life &ompletely to me ntil yo learn to forgive$, I determined to pt things right and traveled over a thosand miles to the &ity where my mother mother lived to tell tell her that I forgave her her and love loved d her$ her$ I was was rele release ased d from from what what seeme seemed d lie &hains bindi nding me! and fond a new prpose and &onsisten&y in my Christian life$
Toda' $he man who gave $his $es$imon' is an elder in one of $he #h%r#hes belonging $o $he gro%( of #h%r#hes wi$h whi#h * am asso#ia$ed) *$ has been a blessing for me $o see $he #on$in%ed grow$h in his life his #heerf%l Chris$ian +eal and $o see $he wa' $ha$ he and his wife have es$ablished a fine famil')
$ne of the vital re#uirements to receive forgiveness and pardon from %od is that we forgive those who have wrongfully w rongfully treated us.
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Wha$ * am sa'ing in $his #ha($er ma' be a new #on#e($ $o some Chris$ians b%$ we m%s$ fa#e $he reali$' of $hese iss%es and e$end mer#' and forg forgiv iven enes esss $o o$he o$hers rs and and leav leavee $he $he (ard (ardon onin ing g $o ,od o$herwise $he dealings of ,od #an #on$in%e in a %dgmen$al wa' %(on o%r lives al$ho%gh ,od has been mer#if%l and has forgiven %s) *f we do no$ %nders$and wha$ ha((ens when ,od forgives %s $hen we will be #onf%sed) Peo(le have said $o me 8* "now m' hear$ is righ$ wi$h ,od) * have as"ed -im $o forgive me b%$ * do no$ %nders$and wh' $hese (roblems are #on$in%ing in m' life)< Problems #an arise for vario%s reasons) /ne of $he reasons is be#a%se we are s$ill rea(ing wha$ we have sown and ano$her is be#a%se ,od is allowing %s $o go $hro%gh -is dealings for $he develo(men$ of o%r lives) There are o$her reasons as well so we m%s$ learn $o de$ermine whe$her we are viola$ing some (rin#i(le of ,od or whe$her -e is dis#i(lining %s for o%r own good and develo(men$) *n a la$er #ha($er we will dis#over how we #an "now $he differen#e be$ween being %nder $he %dgmen$al hand of ,od al$ho%gh we have been forgiven and going $hro%gh $he dealings of ,od $o refine o%r #hara#$er for -is (%r(ose)
The dealings of %od can continue in a udgmental way upon our lives, although although %od has been merciful and has forgiven us.
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%nderstanding %nderstanding ercy * wan$ $o deal now wi$h $he s%be#$ of mer#' r#' be#a%se $ha$ is where $he fo%nda$ion of forgiveness begins) We need $o reali+e firs$ of all $ha$ ,od * s mer#' is s%be#$ $o #er$ain limi$a$ions) There is a general mer#' of ,od $ha$ a((lies $o all man"ind) The 0ible sa's /e causes /is sun to rise on the evil and and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. unrighteous. (atthew !4% -ave 'o% ever wondered wh' a godl' man and an %ngo %n godl dl' ' man bo bo$h $h have have $hei $heirr #ro( #ro(ss grow growin ing g and and (ros(ering in $he same wa': ,od de#lares $ha$ -e gives a general mer#' $o all -is #rea$ion) The s%n shines on $he righ$eo%s and also on $he %nrigh$eo%s) The rain falls on $he good and also on $he evil) Gver'bod' in $his world is in some meas%re %nder $he mer#if%l dealings of ,od) The (salmis$ sa's The ?ord is good $o all= he has #om(assion on all he has made) HPsalm 1459I The 0ible does no$ sa' $ha$ -e has #om(assion or mer#' on some of -is #rea$ion b%$ on all of i$) *rres(e#$ive of o%r si$%a$ion we are all re#eiving more mo re $han $han we %s$ %s$l' l' dese deserv rve) e) ,od ,od ho howe weve ver r has has s(e#ial blessings for $hose who are obedien$ $o wha$ -e sa's and -e (ros(ers $hose who give a##ording $o -is word) *n $he 0oo" of ala#hi ,od sa's $ha$ if we bring o%r $i$hes $i$hes in$o $he s$oreho%se s$oreho%se -e will o(en $he windows of heaven and (o%r o%$ s%#h a blessing $ha$ $here will no$ be room eno%gh $o re#eive i$)
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Theree are s(e#i Ther (e#iaal bles blessi sing ngs s b% b%$$ $here here are also lso general blessings and all (eo(le even $ho%gh $he' ma' be a$heis$i# or blas(heme $he Bame of ,od #ome %nder $he mer#if%l (rovisions of a loving ,od) * wan$ $o #all $his '$em(o $em(oral ral mer#' mer#',) Tem(or Tem(oral al means '$o be #onfined $o $his na$%ral life or $his ear$h, so $here is $he mer#' of ,od $ha$ a((lies $o %s while we are living in $his world) ,od bes$ows $his mer#' so $ha$ a (erson ma' res(ond $o -im) (erson #an loo" aro%nd and see $he bea%$' of $he world $he (rovisions $ha$ have been made and in so doing re#ogni+e $ha$ $he mer#' of ,od is e$ended $owards him b%$ $his mer#' does no$ e$end be'ond $he (erson* s ear$hl' life) We have a res(onsibili$' $o re#ogni+e ,od from his #rea$ion and -is gra#io%s> ness $o %s) The a(os$le Pa%l in wri$ing $o $he #h%r#h in ome said or since the creation creation of the world God5s God5s invisible invisible 6ualit 6ualities ies # his his eterna eternall power power and and divin divinee nature nature # have have been been clea clearl rlyy seen seen,, bein beingg unde unders rsto tood od from from what has has been made made,, so th that at men are are with thoout e2cuse. (7omans !08% We read of$en of $he mira#%lo%s wa's $ha$ ,od has in$ervened in$ervened $o save #ommi$$ed #ommi$$ed Chris$ian Chris$ianss from dea$h or in% in%r' r')) * have have hear heard d $es$ $es$im imon onie iess and and read read $he $he s$ories of men and women wonderf%ll' (ro$e#$ed in air #rashes road a##iden$s or shi(wre#"s e(e e(eri rien en##es $ha$ ha$ ob obvi vio% o%sl sl' ' were were d% d%ee $o divi divine ne (ro$e#$ion)
%od declares that &e gives a general mercy to all &is creation. 1
-ebrews #ha($er 11 $ells of $he men and women of fai$h who were mira#%lo%sl' hel(ed b' ,od b%$ i$ also $ells of o$hers who s%ffered $or$%re im(risonmen$ and dea$h) Ee$ $he s#ri($%re sa's $ha$ all all of $hes $hese e $hos $hosee who who e(e e(eri rien en#e #ed d mira mira#l #les es of deliveran#e and $hose who did no$ were #ommended for $heir fai$h ,od is mer#if%l b%$ -e has a (lan $ha$ -e is wor"ing o%$ for o%r lives and we #anno$ g%aran$ee $he degree of mer#' or deliveran#e $ha$ will be (rovided in an' si$%a$ion of life life)) Wha$ ha$ ,od ,od do doees %n %n##on ondi di$$iona ionall ll' ' (rom (romis isee however is $he gra#e $o #o(e wi$h wha$ever #ir#%ms$an#e ma' arise) * was in b%siness as an *ns%ran#e ?oss d%s$er d%s$er and ssessor a$ $he $ime of a disas$ro%s flood whi#h o## o##%rred in $he #i$' and s%rro% o%n nding areas of 0risbane in 1974) *$ wo%ld be wonderf%l $o re(or$ $ha$ no Chris$ians s%ffered in $ha$ #'#lone and flood b%$ $ha$ wo%ld no$ be b e a $r%e a##o%n$) *n $ha$ disas$er some b%ildings were #om(le$el' s%bmerged homes and b%siness (remises were des$ro'ed millions of dollars of damage was done and lives were los$) -omes and b%sinesses belonging $o bo$h Chris$ians and non>Chris$ians were affe#$ed) * saw Chris$ians wee( as $he' re(or$ed how $heir (re#io%s (ossessions were #arried o%$ of $heir homes a sodden mess b%$ * did no$ do%b$ ,od.s abili$' $o s%(erna$%rall' s%s$ain $hem in $heir sorrow and loss and la$er $o ma"e o$her (rovisions $o re>es$ablish $hem in life) We #anno$ however g%aran$ee $ha$ (ro$e#$ion and good will alwa's be $he lo$ of $he Chris$ian while $he non>Chris$ian s%ffers) We need $o %nders$and
$ha$ in addi$ion $o $he $em(oral mer#' of ,od $here is also an e$ernal mer#') G$ernal mer#' is s%be#$ $o righ$ res(onses on o%r (ar$ $o ,od) The Psalms re#ord $his s$a$emen$ 9*ut from everlastin everlastingg to everlasti everlasting ng the Lord5s Lord5s love is with those who fear fear him, and his righteousn righteousness ess with their children5s children5s children # with with those who keep his covenant covenant and remember remember to obey his precepts precepts.+ .+ (:salm 83!$#% There is a $em(oral mer#' of ,od available $o all b%$ $here is an everlas$ing mer#' as well) This everlas$ing mer#' is for those who fear him ))) who eep his &ovenant and remember to obey his pre&epts$ (erson ma' eno' $he mer#' of ,od in $his na$%ral life b%$ we #an also ma"e s%re $ha$ we eno' $he mer#' of ,od from everlasting to everlasting(
We cannot, however, guarantee that protection and good will always be the lot of the hristian, while the non'hristian suffers! emember ver' #aref%ll' $ha$ mer#' is no$ $he same as forgiveness) er#' is $he eer#ise of less severi$' $han a (erson deserves or i$ is $he gran$ing of a "ind "indne ness ss be' be'on ond d wha$ wha$ on onee ma' #lai #laim m) en en and and women are #ommanded $o be mer#if%l and $o be forgiving) The' are no$ #ommanded $o (ardon) *n a s(iri$%al sense and in mos$ of $he even$s of life we do no$ have $he righ$ or (rivilege $o (ardon) *$ is ,od no$ men and women who deals wi$h #onse2%en#es 3
*n $he differen$ so#ie$ies and na$ions in whi#h we live $here are laws) To some (eo(le $here ma' be give given n $he $he res( res(on onsi sibi bili li$' $' of eer eer#i #isi sing ng $hos $hosee laws laws wi$h som omee degree of dis#re$ion) 0' wa' of an eam(le if we brea" $he law and a (oli#eman sees %s he has no righ$ $o e#%se o%r offen#e) -is %s res(onsibili$' is $o enfor#e $he law of $he land) *f be#a%se of $ha$ offen#e we are la$er $a"en $o #o%r$ $he magis$ra$e or %dge ma' be able $o eer#ise an a%$hori$' $ha$ $he (oli#eman did no$ have and he migh$ sa' 8* have #onsidered all $he #ir#%ms$an#es and in $his ins$an#e * in$end $o (ardon 'o%)< /r i$ ma' be $ha$ $he righ$ of (ardon res$s onl' wi$h a (erson s%#h as a governor (residen$ "ing or 2%een) There are #er$ain ee#%$ive (osi$ions $ha$ #arr' wi$h $hem $he (ower and righ$ $o (ardon b%$ we as ordinar' (eo(le have been #ommanded b' ,od $o be mer#if%l and forgiving irres(e#$ive of wha$ ma' ha((en in regard $o (ardon) * wan$ $o em(hasi+e $ha$ being mer#if%l does no$ mean being sof$ or eas' going) *$ does no$ mean (re$ending $ha$ some$hing has no$ ha((ened) * "now "n ow $ha$ s%#h an a$$i$%de wo%ld s%i$ a world $ha$ wan$s $o des$ro' des$ro' absol%$es and be r%led b' si$%a$ion si$%a$ion e$hi#s) e$hi#s) *$ is eas' $o sa' 8*.m no$ h%r$ing o$hers so * #an (lease m'self< Peo(le sa' 8oral val%es are differen$ now) We don.$ have $o a##e($ $he s$andards of o%r (aren$s)< Someone else sa's 8*$.s a good #a%se so $he end %s$ifies $he means< The #on#e($ of si$%a$ion e$hi#s #an be s%mmed %( b' $he words of wha$ be#ame a (o(%lar song 8*$ #an.$ be wrong when i$ feels so righ$)< The iss%e of de fa#$o rela$ionshi(s is a #ase in (oin$) The 0ible 4
$ea# $ea#hi hing ng in bo bo$h $h /ld /ld and and Bew Bew Tes$ Tes$am ameen$s n$s ver' ver' #lea #learl rl' ' sh show owss $ha$ $ha$ s% s%#h #h rela rela$i $ion onsh shi( i(ss are are sinf sinf%l %l)) Those involved in $hese rela$ionshi(s however will alwa's be read' $o %s$if' $hem) 8* needed a roof oveer m' hea ov head< d< 8Th 8This was m' onl' #han#e for ha((iness< 8We love ea#h o$her< 8 (ie#e of (a(er does no$ ma"e o%r love an' more real)< The same reasoning #an be seen in $he arg%men$s for for abor$i r$ion) 8?e 8?e$ a woman have $he (ower $o de#ide wha$ $o do abo%$ her own bod'< $he feminis$s and $hose who demand freedom of #hoi#e #r' as $he' wave $heir banners) The 0ible $ells %s (lainl' $ha$ o%r bodies are no$ o%r own b%$ ,od.s and $he fo#%s is no$ $he woman.s own) /n $he gro% gro%nd ndss of nerv nervo% o%ss $ens $ensio ion n fina finan# n#ia iall s$re s$ress ss or sim(l' 8* don.$ wan$ $o have ano$her bab'< abor$ion is #ho hossen and $he serio%sness of $he des$r%#$ion of $he %nborn #hild is %s$ified b' $hese reasons) The o$her al$erna$ives s%#h as ado($ion or even be$$er $r%s$ing ,od are no$ serio%sl' #onsidered) * do no$ see" $o minimi+e $he (roblems $ha$ arise from %nwan$ed (regnan#ies b%$ we m%s$ learn $ha$ we #anno$ viola$e $he Word of ,od wi$ho%$ #onse2%en#es being involved) Si$ Si$%a$ %a$ion e$hi $hi#s are a(( ((llied in ever' ver'da da' ' life ife b' (eo(le who $a"e advan$age of a $ele(hone brea"down $o ma"e free long dis$an#e #alls who "ee( e$ra #hange given b' mis$a"e in some sho( who $a"e (en#ils erasers r%lers and s$a$ioner' from $heir (la#es of em(lo'men$) 8*$.s all righ$< $he' sa' 8$he 8$he $ele(h $ele(hone one #om(an' #om(an'J$h J$hee gov govern ernme men$J n$J$he $he bos bosss #an afford i$ and * #an.$)< #an.$)< ll of $hese $hese are eam(les 5
of flagran$ disregard for ,od.s law %s$ified albei$ (oorl' b' $he need of a (erson a$ $ha$ $ha$ $ime) e#en$l' * fo%nd amongs$ m' (a(ers a se$ of d%(li#a$ed no$es on $he s%be#$ 8 0asis for orali$')< The a%$hor is %n"nown so * am %nable $o give an a#"nowledgmen$ b%$ (ar$ of $he ar$i#le is relevan$ $o wha$ is (resen$ed here so * 2%o$e 1ven though all have not succumbed to the :ermi :ermissi ssive ve Societ Society, y, we must must all confess confess that we are surrounde surroundedd by it and sometimes, sometimes, perhaps, perhaps, we are are infl influe uenc nced ed by its its prag pragma matitism sm.. :rag :ragma matitism sm means broadl broadlyy 9if what I do makes me happy happy then it is right.+ In other words, morality is made subommandments. >ommandments. /ence the the final attack on on the absol absolute utess must must be on the *ibl *iblee itself itself.. &h &his is attack attack looked looked like being success successful ful up to midway midway into this cent centur ury. y. /owe /oweve ver, r, sinc sincee th that at time time a rema remark rkab able le event event has taken taken place place.. God God sent sent th thee >hari >harisma smatic tic 7ene 7enew wal whic which, h, as well ell as bein beingg a sub< sub
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odern odern society society may well yet turn to the >hurch for guidance guidance in moral matters matters when it finds that its idol of permissiveness is an idol with clay feet. ,od is mer#if%l b%$ mer#' does no$ mean a do#ile agreemen$ wi$h wha$ men and women wan$ $o do) er#' is no$ being sof$) Far from i$
ercy and Truth Truth When s$%d'ing $he s#ri($%res rela$ing $o mer#' * fo%nd $ha$ $he word mos$ asso#ia$ed wi$h mer#' was $r%$h) er#' and $r%$h We #anno$ have gen%ine mer#' wi$ho%$ $he o(era$ion of $r%$h The s#ri($%re ma"es $his de#lara$ion *y mercy mercy and and truth truth ini6u ini6uity ity is purge purged. d. (:rove (:roverbs rbs "!" @AB% *ni2%i$' is no$ (%rged b' mer#' alone= i$ is (%rged b' $he o(era$ion of bo$h mer#' and $r%$h $oge$her) We are mis$a"en if we $hin" of mer#' a$ $he e(ense of $r%$h or law) Tr%e mer#' however involves a sense of (i$' and #on#ern and an a#$ion $o relieve $he s%ffering) *f we merel' loo" wi$h s'm(a$h' a$ some si$%a$ion $hen $ha$ is no$ mer#') er#' m%s$ do some$hing in a (ra#$i#al and $angible wa' $o mee$ $he need) There have been o##asions when * have fel$ s'm(a$he$i# abo%$ a si$%a$ion b%$ * have done no$hing abo%$ i$) * have no$ shown mer#'= * have been s'm(a$he$i#) * have loo"ed a$ (i#$%res of s$arving #hildren and read a((eals for hel() * have read s$ories of disas$er and famine and fel$ a des(era$ion a$ $he (ligh$ of $he (eo(le) * have read abo%$ hardshi( (erse#%$ion and 7
im(risonmen$ of Chris$ians in Comm%nis$> domina$ed #o%n$ries) There was a gen%ine sense of s'm(a$h' b%$ onl' when * $oo" some a#$ion ei$her in givi giving ng or (ra' (ra'in ing g was was $here here an o( o(er eraa$ion $ion of mer#')
We are mistaken if we think of mercy at the e(pense of truth or law. #lear ill%s$ra$ion of mer#' is fo%nd in $he (arable whi#h es%s $old of $he ,ood Samari$an) ewish $raveler was a$$a#"ed b' $hieves and robbers and was lef$ l'ing on $he side of $he road bleeding and br%ised) Two (eo(le one a (ries$ and $he o$her a ?evi$e wen$ b' and (assed on) The' loo"ed a$ $he wo%nded and need' man b%$ $oo" no a#$ion) Then $he Samari$an #ame) The Samari$an did no$ have an' obliga$ion $o $he wo%nded ew) -e was of a differen$ ra#e of (eo(le) Samari$ans were des(ised b' $he ews b%$ $his Samari$an wen$ $o $he aid of $he in%red $raveler and began $o bind %( his wo%nds) -e hel(ed $he man and $oo" him $o an inn and (aid $he bill for $he in%red man.s a##o a##om mmo moda da$i $ion on)) Th Thee Sama Samari ri$a $an n said said $o $he $he inn> inn> "ee(er 8?oo" af$er him and if i$ #os$s an' more * will (a' i$ when * re$%rn< H?%"e 1!35I) The in%red man had no legal #laim on $he Samari$an) This ew had no righ$s $ha$ he #o%ld demand b%$ $he Samari$an o%$ of mer#' $owards him rea#hed o%$ and gave him some$hing $ha$ he #o%l #o%ld d no no$$ lega legalll' #lai #laim m) Tha$ ha$ is an eam am(le (le of gen%ine mer#' going be'ond wha$ a (erson has a @
legal righ$ $o e(e#$) ?e$ me give ano$her ill%s$ra$ion $his $ime from m' own e(erien#e) The girl was nei$her a$$ra#$ive nor (ar$i#%larl' li"e> able) She had been rebellio%s in her home and gone her own wa') wa') -er mo$her was a dedi#a$ed dedi#a$ed Chris$ian Chris$ian b%$ in s(i$e of a good famil' eam(le $he da%gh$er $%rned $o dr%gs al#ohol and $oba##o and finall' was admi$$ed $o a men$al hos(i$al for $rea$men$) /n her her dis# dis#ha harg rgee from from $he $he ho hos( s(i$ i$al al sh shee be#a be#ame me an infre2%en$ a$$endee a$ $he #h%r#h where * was $he (as$or b%$ $here was li$$le abo%$ $he girl $o evo"e s'm s' m(a$ (a$h' as her her sel selfish fish a$$i$ $i$%d %dee was was s$il s$illl ver' ver' eviden$) -er sis$er was $o be $he bridesmaid a$ a wedding and an invi$a$ion $o a$$end $he re#e($ion was given $o $he famil') The girl be#a%se of la#" of wor" had li$$le mon one' e' and $he mo$he o$herr live ived on a 8bre 8bread ad line line<< b%dge$) The wedding invi$a$ion (osed a (roblem as $he girl did no$ have s%i$able #lo$hing $o wear) /ne of $he women in $he #h%r#h $oo" $he girl in$o $he #i$' #i$' and (% (%r# r#ha hase sed d for for her her a #om #om(le (le$e o% o%$$fi$ fi$ of #lo$hing) *$ was a s(on$aneo%s a#$ of lov ovee and gene genero rosi si$' $' when when no d%$' d%$' or res( res(on onsi sibi bili li$' $' res$ res$ed ed %(on $he giver)
ercy and &udg#ent &udg#ent er#' does no$ however eradi#a$e all %dgmen$) no$her "e' (arable of es%s $ha$ rela$es $o $his $o(i# is fo%nd in a$$hew* s ,os(el) This s$or' is "nown as The Parable of $he Kn%s$ or Knmer#if%l Servan$) The (arable $ells of a servan$ who owed his mas$ mas$er er a larg largee amo% amo%n$ n$ of mon one' e')) -e was was #all #alled ed 9
before $he mas$er $o give an a##o%n$ of his deb$) The 0ible re#ord gives $his a##o%n$ Since Since he was was not able able to pay, the master master order ordered ed that he and his wife and his his children and all all that he had be sold to repay the debt. debt. &he servant servant fell on his his knee kneess befo before re him. him. 9*e 9*e pati patien entt with ith me,+ me,+ he begged, 9and I will will pay back back every thing.+ (atthew (atthew !0#0"% Will 'o% no$e $ha$ ha$ $he servan$ did no$ as" for forgiveness of $he deb$= he did no$ as" for (ardon from $he deb$= he as"ed for mer#' Wha$ he as"ed for was an e$ension of $ime $o mee$ $he amo%n$ $ha$ was owed) The mas$er wo%ld have been mer#if%l had he done %s$ $ha$) -e wo%ld have been going be'ond wha$ was his legal legal righ$ $o demand)
Mercy does not, however, eradicate all udgment. *n $his (ar$i#%lar (arable however $he mas$er did no$ s$o( wi$h an e(ression of mer#' b%$ he wen$ on $o forgive $he man and also $o (ardon him of $he $o$al deb$) We read &he servant servant5s 5s master master took took pity pity on him, cance cancelllled ed the debt and let him go. (atthew !0$% This (arable shows $he o(era$ion of mer#' forgiveness forgiveness and (ardon (ardon al$ho%gh al$ho%gh $he servan$ as"ed onl' for mer#') The serv The servaan$ who who had had re#e re#eiived ved $his his %n %nde dese serv rveed (rovision $hen wen$ o%$ and laid hold of a fellow servan$ who owed him a small deb$ and demanded 3!
immedia$e (a'men$) The 0ible $ells $ha$ $he se#ond servan$ as"ed for mer#' and said ',ive me $ime $o (a', Ha$$hew 1@9I) The firs$ servan$ denied $he re2% re2%es es$$ for for mer#' r#' $he ver' ver' $hing hing $ha$ ha$ had had bee been given $o him and he had $he se#ond servan$ $hrown in$o (rison) When $he mas$er was $old of wha$ had ha((ened he #alled $he firs$ servan$ and reb%"ed him and said 9I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged begged me to. Shouldn Shouldn5t5t you have have had mercy mercy on your fellow servant
)f we are going to understand how to forgive, we must first learn to be merciful. We m%s$ begin where ,od begins and $ha$ is a$ $he (la#e of mer#') Bone of %s has a righ$ $o demand his 8(o%nd of flesh<) Gver' one of %s is obliged b' ,od.s Word $o e$end some degree of mer#' a##ording $o $he si$%a$ion $ha$ migh$ a((l')
'o (etribution es%s in his $ea#hing #om(le$el' did awa' wi$h $he righ$ of e2%al re$rib%$ion) *$ is no$ a ma$$er of sa'ing 8Eo% did $ha$ $o me * will do $he same $o 'o%<) es%s said Cou have heard heard that it was said, said, 91ye for eye, and tooth tooth for tooth. tooth. *ut I tell tell you, do not resist resist an evil evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 9)nd 9)nd if someone someone wants wants to sue you and and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 9If someone someone forces forces you to go one mile, go with with him two miles.+ (atthew !3#4% The Chris$ian does no$ have $he righ$ $o demand ea#$ re$rib%$ion a$ $he level of wha$ he has re# re#eive eived) d) *f we are are $o ee eer#i r#ise mer#' r#' $he $hen we #anno$ demand an ea#$ legal (enal$' b%$ we m%s$ rea#h o%$ wi$h some %nders$anding and "indness) (ara(hrase of ames 31 #o%ld be e(ressed as be #are #aref% f%ll abo% abo%$$ be#o be#omi ming ng $ea# $ea#he hers rs or lead leader ers) s) Th Thee more 'o% "now of $he will and wa's of ,od $he gre grea$e a$er wil will be 'o% o%rr res( res(on onsi sibi billi$' $' *f 'o% are are a 3
Chris$ian and have "nown $he ?ord for sa' one wee" and #ommi$ a (ar$i#%lar sin and if some more ma$%re Chris$ian sho%ld #ommi$ $he same sin $he s$andard of ,od.s mer#' will be differen$) The new Chris$ian will re#eive a higher level of mer#' $han $he $he e(e e(eri rieen#ed n#ed Chris hris$i $iaan be# be#a%se a%se $he $he ma$%r a$%ree (erson has $he benefi$ of grea$er "nowledge b' whi#h he #o%ld %dge his own a#$ions) The Word of ,od ma"es #lear $ha$ $he more we "now "n ow $he $he grea grea$e $err is o% o%rr a##o a##o%n %n$a $abi bili li$' $' be#a be#a%s %see mer#' is no$ meas%red b' $he same 'ards$i#") i$ is meas meas%r %red ed b' $he $he #ir# #ir#%m %ms$ s$an an#e #es s o%r ba#" ba#"gr gro% o%nd nd and o%r %nders$anding) ?e$ me give a sim(le ill%s$ra$ion of how we migh$ a((l' mer#' in a (ra#$i#al (ra#$i#al wa') *f 'o% len$ someone someone L1!! on $he #ondi$ion $ha$ he wo%ld re(a' b' a (ar$i#%lar da$e and when $ha$ $ime #ame he was no$ in a (osi$ion $o (a' wha$ $hen wo%ld be a mer#if%l $hing $o do: To gen%inel' e$end mer#' all $ha$ 'o% wo%ld need $o do wo%ld be $o sa' 8* will give 'o% ano$her wee" $o (a')< *f 'o% gave even one e$ra da' 'o% wo%ld have been mer#if%l) *$ wo%ld have been $o a small degree b%$ $here wo%ld have been mer#' be#a%se $he deb$ was legall' d%e (rior $o $ha$ $ime) Gver' da' given be'ond $he d%e da$e wo%ld be an e$ension of mer#') To be mer#if%l does no$ demand $ha$ one forgoes or red%#es $he deb$) 0' $he mere (rovision of addi addi$i $ion onal al $im $ime on onee has has me$ me$ $he $he re2% re2%ir irem emen en$s $s of mer#') *f however 'o% said 8*ns$ead of L1!! (a' me L9!< 'o% wo%ld $hen have gone be'ond mer#' $o forgiveness forgiveness and a meas%re of (ardon) (ardon) *f 'o% said 33
8,od has blessed me so * wan$ $o #an#el $he deb$< 'o% wo%ld have been mer#i r#if%l forgiv giving ng and (ardoning)
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Mercy is not measured by the same yardstick. )t is measured by our circumstances, circumstances, our background, and understanding. understanding. “
”
?e$ ?e$ %s #lea #learl rl' ' %n %nde ders rs$a $and nd $he $he diff differ eren en#e #e in $hes $hesee $erms) *$ is so im(or$an$ $ha$ we re#ogni+e $hese as(e#$s be#a%se ,od.s mer#' does no$ ne#essaril' remove -is %dgmen$s) The dealings of ,od #an #on$in%e in o%r lives even when ,od has been mer#if%l b%$ be#a%se of -is #hara#$er -e alwa's red%#es $he severi$' of wha$ we sho%ld righ$f%ll' re#eive so $he mer#' of ,od is $he beginning of forgiveness) *$ ma' also be $he beginning of (ardon b%$ $he (rovisions of mer#' forgiveness and (ardon are se(ara$e s$e(s and ea#h one ma' re2%ire a differen$ res(onse from %s in order $o re#eive $hem) ,od does no$ re2%ire an' res(onse from %s before -e is mer#if%l) Whenever we #all on $he ?ord we #an e(e#$ -im $o be mer#i r#if%l f%l b% b%$$ before ore -e forgives and (ardons $here ma' be some res(onses $ha$ we have $o ma"e) We #an alwa's a((roa#h ,od and -e will deal wi$h %s wi$h less severi$' $han we dese deserv rve e and and $ha$ $ha$ is a marv marvel elo% o%ss $r%$ $r%$h h $o "n "now ow er# er#' ' ho howe weve ver r is alwa alwa's 's lin" lin"ed ed wi$h wi$h $r%$ $r%$h h and and righ$eo%sness) ,od will no$ viola$e -is Word b%$ will show #om(assion and we will alwa's ge$ more #ons #onsiidera dera$$ion from from -im $ha $han $ha $ha$ $o whi# whi#h h we sho%ld be en$i$led) 35
,od has been mer#if%l $o %s so le$ %s in $%rn be mer#i r#if%l $o o$hers) ;on.$ $r' $o giv give $he same $rea$men$ $ha$ 'o% have re#eived) *f we give $i$ for $a$ we have failed a$ $he firs$ s$e( whi#h is $o be mer#i mer#if%l f%l)) ;on. ;on.$$ dema demand nd e2%a e2%all sa$i sa$isf sfa# a#$i $ion on)) Th Tha$ a$ migh$ ma"e a (erson feel %s$ified b%$ i$ will %l$ima$el' des$ro' him)
The provisions of mercy, forgiveness, and pardon, are separate steps, steps, and each one may require a different response from us in order to receive them. We have no righ$ $o e2%al re$rib%$ion if we are going $o be mer#if%l be#a%se i$ is no$ o%r d%$' $o (%nish) *$ is ,od who %dges (%nishes and (ardons) 0eing mer#if%l is a firs$ s$e( $o sin#erel' forgiving from $he hear$)
36
Chapter ) What "appened in The $ld Testa#ent? ?e$ %s now eamine $he s%be#$ of forgiveness in $he /ld /ld Tes$ Tes$am amen en$$ be# be#a%s a%se we need need $o fol follow low $he whole (a$$ern of $he Word of ,od in order $o f%ll' %nders$and $his s%be#$)
Was It Cruel? There are (eo(le who #onsider $ha$ $he /ld Tes$amen$ reveals a ,od who is harsh and #r%el b%$ m%#h of $his $hin"ing is d%e $o mis%nders$anding) The s#ribes and Pharisees in $he $ime of es%s $a%gh$ 8Eo% shall love 'o%r neighbor and ha$e 'o%r enem'< b%$ we #o%ld sear#h $he (ages of $he /ld Tes$amen$ and no$ find s%#h a s$a$emen$ be#a%se $he /ld /ld Tes$a es$am men$ do does es no no$$ sa' sa' i$ i$ ,od has has alwa' wa's shown %s$i#e and righ$eo%sness) The s#ribes and Pharisees of$en (%$ in$er(re$a$ions on $he Word of ,od $o s%i$ $hemselves) The defini$e %dgmen$s $ha$ are se$ o%$ in $he 0oo" of God%s (ar$i#%larl' in #ha($er 1 (la#e a limi$ on revenge $ha$ was so #ommon a$ $ha$ $ime) The laws of ,od were no$ onl' $o (%nish for a delibera$e offen#e b%$ also $o limi$ revenge) The' were $o es$ablish mer#' and $r%e %s$i#e) *n (rimi$ive $imes an assa%l$ on one member of a (ar$i#%lar $ribe #o%ld #a%se a fe%d $o brea" o%$ and 37
man' (eo(le wo%ld die as a res%l$) The law of ,od laid down $ha$ onl' $he (erson who #ommi$$ed $he offen#e #o%ld be (%nished and his (%nishmen$ was $o be no more $han $he e2%ivalen$ of $he offen#e #omm #ommi$ i$$e $ed) d) Th Theere was a #lea #learr #om #ommand and in $his his regard *ut if there is serious serious in
The laws of %od were not only to punish for deliberate offence but also to limit revenge.
Who said 8 "ate your *ne#y? *ne#y?< ,od never said said 8-a$e 8-a$e 'o%r enem'< enem'< This s$a$emen$ s$a$emen$ is no$ (ar$ of ,od.s #ommand) es%s said Cou have have heard ard th that at it was said, aid, 9Lov Love you your neighbor and hate your enemy.+ *ut *ut I tell you! Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your ather in heaven... (atthew !43#44% 3@
es%s was no$ al$ering al$ering $he law b' $his s$a$emen$ s$a$emen$ b%$ #orre#$ing an error $ha$ had res%l$ed from $he $ea#hings of $he s#ribes and Pharisees) When $he s#ri s#ribe bess and and Phar Pharis isee eess %s %sed ed $he $he e(r e(res essi sion on 8The 8The ?aw< $he' #o%ld be referring $o one of fo%r $hings 1) The Commandmen$s ) The firs$ five boo"s of $he 0ible $he Pen$a$e%#h whi#h $o $he ews was $he mos$ im(or$an$ (ar$ of s#ri($%re) 3) The law and $he Pro(he$s) This e(ression in#l%ded $he whole of $he /ld Tes$amen$ 4) The /ral or S#ribal law) *$ was $he oral 8law< $ha$ es%s so of$en a$$a#"ed This was $he s%((osed law of ,od made %( from $he in$er(re$a$ions of $he s#ribes and Pharisees and was no$ (ar$ of ,od.s dire#$ #ommand) For $hese religio%s leaders ever'$hing had $o be defined) Ta"e for eam(le eam(le $he #omman #ommand d emember the sabbath day day by eepi eeping ng it holy holy HGod%s !@I) The s#ribes and Pharisees had made %( more $han 15!! reg%la$ions $o define $his #ommand This is wh' es%s said 9)nd 9)nd why do you you brea breakk th thee comm comman andd of God God fo forr the sake of your tradition= ... 9&hus 9&hus you nullif nullifyy the word of God for the sake of your tradition. Cou hypocritesE Isaiah was right when when he proph rophes esie iedd abou aboutt you, you, F& F&he hese se peop people le hono honorr me with with th thei eirr lips lips,, but but th thei eirr hear hearts ts are are fa farr from me. &hey worship worship me in vain; vain; their teachings teachings are rules taught by men.5+ (atthew !3, "#-% 39
*$ is also im(or$an $an$ $o reali+e as we s$%d' $he s%be#$ of forgiveness $ha$ ,od never made (rovision for a (riva$e individ%al $o demand his own re$rib%$ion) ,od did (rovide for wrong>doers $o be (%nished for ,od is %s$ b%$ $he %dgmen$ was never $o be made or $he (enal$' infli#$ed b' $he one who had been wronged) This is a ver' im(or$an$ (rin#i(le $o remember when we have been h%r$ b' $he a#$ions or words of ano$her (erson) Gver' one of %s has been h%r$ a$ some $ime b%$ $he (rin#i(le of ,od is $ha$ none of %s has $he righ$ $o si$ in %dgmen$ or infli#$ $he (%nishmen$ on $he one who has offended %s)
%od never made provision for a private individual to demand his own retribution. The vario%s (%nishmen$s (rovided b' $he law were no$ alwa's (erformed li$erall' b%$ $he in%r' was assessed a$ i$s mone$ar' val%e) *$ was based on $he (ain and s%ffering loss of $ime $he indigni$' $ha$ had been s%ffered and $hese fa#$ors are s$ill $he basis of $he law of damages and #om(ensa$ion in modern $imes) *f a (erson is in%red $oda' $hen $he law does no$ allow for $he same in%r' $o be infl infli# i#$e $ed d on $he $he assa assail ilan an$ $ b% b%$$ im(o im(ose sess a (ena (enal$ l$' ' e2%ivalen$ in val%e $o $he in%r' and $he amo%n$ is (aid $o $he one who has been h%r$) The /ld Tes$amen$ is a boo" of mer#') We read o not hate hate your your brot brothe herr in your your hear heart. t. 7ebu 7ebuke ke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt. 4!
o not seek revenge revenge or bear a grudge grudge against against one of your people, people, but love your neighbor neighbor as yourself. yourself. I am the Lord (Leviticus -!$#% *n $he 0oo" of Proverbs a s$a$emen$ is made $ha$ also #on$radi#$s wha$ $he s#ribes and Pharisees said If your enemy enemy is hungry, hungry, give him food food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him him water to drink. (:roverbs (:roverbs 0!0 % So of$en $he religio%s leaders did no$ sa' wha$ $he ?aw of ,od said) The' gave $heir own in$ in$er(r er(re$ e$aa$ion $ions) s) 0e#a% e#a%se se ,od ,od said said 8 .ove yor neighbor < H?evi$i#%s 191@I $he' inferred $ha$ $he o((osi$e was $o a((l' and so an enem' was $o be ha$ed) ,od does sa' $ha$ -e ha$es some (ar$i#%lar $hings and also $he a#$ions of some (eo(le b%$ -e does no$ sa' $ha$ we are $o ha$e o%r enemies) enemies) *$ is so eas' $o %m( $o #on#l%sions and $hen find $ha$ o%r ideas are no$ in line wi$h wha$ $he 0ible a#$%all' sa's) *n $he 0oo" of Proverbs we find a re#ord of seven $hings $ha$ ,od sa's -e ha$es &here are si2 things that the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him; haughty eyes, a lying tong to ngue ue,, hand handss th that at shed shed inno innoce cent nt bloo blood, d, a hear heartt that devises wicked wicked schemes, schemes, feet that are 6uick to rush rush into into evil evil,, a fa fals lsee witn witnes esss who who pour pourss out out lies lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.+ (:roverbs "!"#-% Bowhere does ,od sa' $ha$ we are $o ha$e (eo(le
ercy and &ustice &ustice Gamin Gam ina$ a$io ion n of $he $he vari vario% o%ss s#ri s#ri($ ($%re %ress in $he $he /ld /ld Tes$ Tes$am amen en$$ $ha$ ha$ dea deal wi$h wi$h forg forgiivene venesss no no$$ on onll' 41
reveal a ,od who is mer#if%l #om(assiona$e and forgiving b%$ also a ,od of %s$i#e and righ$eo%sness) Tr%e mer#' is based on %s$i#e We m%s$ m% s$ lear learn n $o bala balan# n#ee $hes $hesee diff differ eren en$$ a$$r a$$rib ib%$ %$es es)) Wher Wheree $her $heree has has been been an infr infrin inge geme men$ n$ ma"in a"ing g a (enal$' ne#essar' ,od does no$ (re$end $he offen#e did no$ ha((en for -e is a ,od of $r%$h and righ$eo%sness) When a wrong has been done $hen a %s$ (enal$' m%s$ be im(osed) im(osed) We do no$ have eno%gh de$ail in $he 0ible $o show %s wh' ,od #ommanded #er$ain severe (%nishmen$s $o be #arried o%$) For eam(le when $he (eo(le of *srael wen$ in$o $he land of Canaan ,od #ommanded $ha$ $he' were $o %$$erl' des$ro' all $he inha inhabi bi$$an$ an$s of $he land) and) * %n %nde ders rs$$and nd from from $he reading $ha$ * have done $ha$ $he evil in $he land of Canaan Canaan was grea$) There were h%man sa#rifi#e sa#rifi#ess and ever' "ind of immoral a#$ whi#h was a #om(le$e affron$ $o all of ,od.s s$andards) The 0ible de#lares $ha$ 8Will not the dge of all the earth do right7 < H,enesis 1@5I and we #an be s%re of $his $ha$ we #an $r%s$ -im) Gven when o%r na$%ral mind #anno$ %nders$and wh' a (ar$i#%lar (enal$' was im(osed we "now $ha$ we are dealing wi$h a %s$ ,od)
The $ld Testament reveals a %od who is merciful, compassionate, compassionate, and forgivi f orgiving, ng, but who is also a God God of justice and and righteousness.
4
+od,to,an Forgiveness os$ of $he /ld Tes$amen$ s#ri($%res $ha$ deal wi$h forgiveness are ei$her #alls b' individ%als $o ,od $o forgive $heir $res(asses and sins or $o $han" ,od for forgiving $hem) We find as we eamine $he s#ri($%res $ha$ i$ is generall' a man>$o>,od or a ,od>$o>man rela$ionshi( whi#h is involved) ,od.s forgiveness is no$ however %n#ondi$ional When hen (eo( (eo(le le #al #alled led %( %(on on ,od ,od for for forg forgiivene venesss al$ho%gh -e was willing $o forgive -e laid down #lea #learr #ond #ondi$ i$io ions ns)) Th Thes esee #ond #ondi$ i$io ions ns were were alwa alwa' 's #ons #onsis is$e $en$ n$ and and invo involv lved ed re(e re(en$ n$an an#e #e #onf #onfes essi sion on s%((li#a$ion and of$en in#l%ded ma"ing offerings or sa#rifi#es as an a$onemen$ for $he sin) This was a $'(e $'(e of wha$ was do don ne la$er b' $he ?ord es%s Chris$ when -e shed -is blood on $he #ross as an a$onemen$ for $he sin of all man"ind) es%s was $he ?amb of ,od who shed -is blood as an offering for sin) -owever %nder $he /ld Covenan$ ,od (rovided a wa' in whi#h sin #o%ld be deal$ wi$h %n$il %n$il -is -is fina finall (lan (lan for salv salva$ a$io ion n and and forg forgiv iven enes esss was was f%lf f%lfil ille led) d) So when when (eo( (eo(le le in /ld /ld Tes$ Tes$am amen en$$ $imes bro%gh$ an animal as a sa#rifi#e for $heir sin i$ was an e(ression e(ression of re(en$an# re(en$an#ee and #on$ri$eness #on$ri$eness of hear$) The dis(osi$ion of ,od is alwa's mer#if%l and forgiving) Forgiveness was readil' (rovided when $he righ$ #ondi$ions were me$ b' men and women in $he /ld Tes$amen$) * wan$ wan$ $o em(h em(has asi+ i+ee agai again n $ha$ $ha$ forg forgiv iven enes esss and and (ardon are no$ $he same) Forgiveness res$ores fellowshi( and righ$ rela$ionshi( wi$h ,od wi$ho%$ ne#essaril' removing $he $em(oral #onse2%en#es of 43
a (ar$i#%lar sin) We ma' be forgiven b' ,od res$ored $o fellowshi( wi$h -im and 'e$ for some $ime ma' #on$in%e $o s%ffer $he effe#$s of $he sin for whi#h we have been forgiven) This is be#a%se of $he (rin#i(le of sowing and rea(ing $ha$ we will deal wi$h in de$ail la$er) To e(lain $his i$ is im(or$an$ for %s $o no$e $ha$ wi$h ,od $here are $wo "inds of %dgmen$) There is $em(oral %dgmen$ whi#h (er$ains $o $he affairs of $his life) *$ is a %dgmen$ $ha$ a((lies $o %s while we are alive on $his ear$h) There is also e$ernal %dgmen$ whi#h will have an effe#$ %(on %s no$ onl' in $ime b%$ also $hro%gho%$ e$erni$')
Forgiveness Forgiveness restores fellowship and right relationship with %od, without necessarily removing the temporal consequences of a sin.
Continuing Conse-uences Conse-uences * have said $ha$ i$ is (ossible $o #on$in%e $o s%ffer $he #onse2%en#es of an a#$ion #ommi$$ed d%ring o%r life$ime al$ho%gh we have been forgiven b' ,od) This "ind of %dgmen$ wo%ld no$ a((l' in e$erni$') *$ is a $em(oral %dgmen$ a dealing b' ,od in $his life onll') We m%s$ also remember $ha$ al$ho%gh a on %dgmen$ ma' no$ #on$in%e on in$o e$erni$' $he s#ri($%res (lainl' show $ha$ b' o%r fail%re $o obe' ,od or $o ma"e righ$ res(onses in differen$ #ir#%ms$an#es we s%ffer loss and be#a%se of $his fail $o a$$ain $o $he f%llness of ,od.s (%r(ose for o%r lives) This does no$ mean $ha$ we lose o%r salva$ion 44
b%$ we ma' have los$ an o((or$%ni$' $o go on $o ,od.s highes$ (%r(ose for o%r lives) -ow of$en when fa#ed wi$h a #risis si$%a$ion have we blamed ,od: We have $ho%gh$ $ha$ ,od didn.$ #are or had forsa"en %s) We have as"ed $he 2%es$ion 8Wh' did $his ha((en $o me:< ,od is #on#erned as $o how we res(ond even when $he mos$ diffi#%l$ $hings ha((en $o %s) Several 'ears ago m' wife and * had driven from 0risbane $o S'dne' a dis$an#e of over 6!! miles $o #ond%#$ a series of mee$ings over a wee"end) * was s$il s$illl invo involv lved ed in b% b%si sine ness ss as well well as lead leadin ing g $he $he #h%r#h and i$ was im(or$an$ for me $o be ba#" in m' offi offi#e #e on $he $he o ond nda' a')) We eno eno' 'ed a wond wonder erf% f%ll wee" wee"en end d of mee$ mee$in ings gs wi$h wi$h ,od. ,od.ss bles blessi sing ng bein being g eviden$ and la$e on $he S%nda' evening se$ off $o drive home $hro%gh $he nigh$ ho%rs) * was (h'si#all' (h'si#all' $ired b%$ ehilara$e ehilara$ed d b' $he o'o%s o'o%s mee$ing ngss) The ho% o%rrs moved on as we $ravel veled homewards) 0' abo%$ 4 a)m) m' e'es were beginning $o droo( * was losing #on#en$ra$ion) ' wife had diligen$l' s$a'ed awa"e $al"ing $o me $o hel hel( me "ee "ee( ale aler$ whi while o% o%rr da%g da%gh$ h$eer and and $wo friends do+ed in $he ba#" sea$) We sho%ld have s$o((ed and res$ed) *$ was im(or$an$ $o me $ha$ * was ba#" in m' offi#e wi$ho%$ $oo $oo m%#h %#h del dela' a' so m' wife wife who who seem seemed ed wide wide awa"e gallan$l' offered $o $a"e over $he driving) We s$o((ed $he #ar and #hanged (la#es) * #ha$$ed $o her for a while b%$ * was $ired af$er $he b%s' wee"end) ' ' wife was driving well= * $ho%gh$ 45
$ha$ she #o%ld be $raveling a li$$le fas$er b%$ * fel$ safe and sli((ed in$o a (ar$ial slee() The s%dden #rash seemed %nreal * o(ened m' e'es) The #ar was s$o((ed and $he bonne$ was s$anding %( in fron$ of $he winds#reen) ' wife was in $ears) * was s%ddenl' awa"e and 2%i#"l' o%$ of $he #ar) The fron$ of $he #ar was smashed in $he bonne$ #a$#h had been dislodged and $wo large road mar"er (os$s were %nder $he vehi#le) We were on a bend in $he road and were now s$randed on $he grass' sho%lder a$ $he side) Bo one was in%red) We loo"ed a$ $he s#ene) * fel$ angr angr' ' We had had (ra' (ra'ed ed $og oge$ e$he herr befo before re leavi eaving ng S'dne' for a safe o%rne' and now $his * was no$ angr' wi$h m' wife) She was so %(se$ b%$ * was anno'ed $ha$ we sho%ld be involved in an a##iden$ and now wo%ld (ossibl' be s$randed for ho%rs)
God is concerned concerned as to how we we respond even when the most difficult things happen to us. * had been (rea#hing $he (rin#i(les of ,od.s Word and had been en#o%raging en#o%raging (eo(le in $he 0ible 0ible $r%$hs of (raise and worshi( b%$ a$ $ha$ momen$ * did no$ feel li"e (raising ,od for all $hings) *$ was m%#h la$er $ha$ * reali+ed o%r mira#%lo%s (reserva$ion) ' wife had beg%n $o reali+e $ha$ her e'es were dro((ing #losed b%$ was (ersevering for m' sa"e sa"e)) Kn#on n#onss#io% #io%ssl' sh shee was was dri driving ving more ore slowl' slowl' b%$ m%s$ have los$ momen$ar' awareness awareness as she en#o%n$ered $he bend in $he road and $he #ar had 46
#on$in%ed s$raigh$ ahead firs$ s$ri"ing one mar"er (os$ $hen ano$her) -ow eas' i$ wo%ld have been $o have veered in$o $he (a$h of vehi#les #oming in $he o((osi$e dire#$ion Two large inden$a$ions were in $he fron$ of $he #ar where ea#h mar"er (os$ had s$r%#") 0e#a%se of $he angle of $he bend one (os$ had s$r%#" $o $he lef$ of $he $he radi radia$ a$or or #r%s #r%shi hing ng $he $he b% b%m m(er (er bar bar gril grill l and and bonne$) The o$her (os$ had s$r%#" $o $he righ$ of $he radia$or radia$or doing almos$ almos$ iden$i#al iden$i#al damage) We loo"ed loo"ed in ama+emen$ a$ $he radia$or and engine %naffe#$ed b' $he im(a#$ Bo$ far ahead on $he same side of $he road was a s$ee( ban" and had $he #ar lef$ $he road $here we wo%ld %ndo%b$edl' have rolled over wi$h (ossible serio%s res%l$s) res%l$s) We managed $o (%ll $he mar"er (os$s from %nder $he #ar and drove off wi$h #onsiderable damage $o $he fron$ bod' b%$ $he engine never missed a bea$ as we #on$in%ed on o%r wa' home) * was s$ill anno'ed) * was no$ $hen $han"f%l for an ama+ing es#a(e b%$ was s$ill %(se$ a$ $he (roblem) * missed an o((or$%ni$' $o ma"e $he righ$ "ind of res(onse whi#h wo%ld have allowed ,od $o do a wor" of develo(men$ develo(men$ in m' #hara#$er) #hara#$er) Perha(s Perha(s la$er (roblems $ha$ * have en#o%n$ered were ne#essar' be#a%se * did no$ allow $ha$ e(erien#e $o b%ild m' $r%s$ and #onfiden#e in ,od a$ $ha$ $ime) ob in $he $ime of his #risis was %rged b' his wife $o #%rse ,od and die Hob 9I) Thro%gh ever' "ind of loss (ain and dis#o%ragemen$ he main$ained his #onfiden#e in ,od and %l$ima$el' re#eived blessings far grea$er $han he had (revio%sl') 47
The s#ri($%re ma"es #lear $ha$ Chris$ is o%r fo%nda$ion and we are $o b%ild on -im) *n 1 Cori Corin$ n$hi hian anss 311 311M1 M15 5 $he a(os a(os$$le Pa%l Pa%l s( s(ea ea"i "ing ng s'mboli#all' sa's $ha$ we ma' b%ild wi$h ma$erials of ha' wood and s$%bble b%$ when $he fire of ,od #ome #omess on $he $hem $he' $he' wil will be des$ des$ro ro' 'ed= ed= b% b%$$ $he s#ri($%re goes on $o sa' “he himself himself will will be saved, but but only as one escaping through the flames” flames” H1 Corin$hians 31 315I) Salva$ion was s$ill a reali$' for $he one #on#erned b%$ he had los$ wha$ had been b%il$ on $he fo%nda$ion) *f $o $he #on$rar' he had b%il$ on $he $he fo%n fo%nda da$i $ion on go gold ld silv silver er and and (re# (re#io io%s %s s$on s$ones es when $he fire of ,od #ame $hese ma$erials wo%ld no$ have been des$ro'ed and $he man wo%ld have had a las$ing s$r%#$%re of e$ernal val%e) l$ho%gh %dgmen$ ma' no$ go on in$o e$erni$' $here is a #on$in%ing loss we #an s%ffer if we do no$ b%ild o%r lives on ,od.s (a$$ern or ma"e res(onses #onsis$en$ wi$h -is Word)
an,to,an Forgiveness Forgiveness *$ is im(or$an$ $o reali+e $ha$ referen#es $o forgiveness in $he /ld Tes$amen$ in#l%de onl' $hree whi#h deal wi$h man>$o>man forgiveness) ll $he o$hers are ei$her ,od>$o>man or man>$o>,od) The /ld Tes$amen$ is a re#ord of (eo(le %nder $he law who were en$i$led $o $he (ro$e#$ion $ha$ $he law gave $hem) *n addi$ion $he' #o%ld demand $he (enal$' $he law (rovided if an offen#e was #ommi$$ed agains$ $hem or $heir (ro(er$') *f a (erson s%ffered a$ $he hands of ano$her he had a (erfe#$ righ$ $o sa' 80e#a%se of wha$ * have s%ffered * demand $ha$ %s$ (%nishmen$ be given $o $he offender)< Tha$ demand 4@
was %s$ and righ$ b%$ be#a%se $he offended man #o%ld demand $he (enal$' of $he law he was also obliged $o live wi$hin $he law) *f we wan$ (eo(le $o drive #aref%ll' on o%r roads obse ob serv rvee s( s(eeed limi$s i$s and and (ro$ (ro$e# e#$$ o% o%rr live ives and (ro(er$' $hen we m%s$ do $he same $hing for $hem) *$ is an a#$ of $o$al selfishness when one (erson drives on $he roads wi$h disregard $o $he law if he #om(la (lains when hen involved in an a##iden$ wi$h someone else who is also viola$ing $he law) When we are %n %nd der $he law we are (ro$e#$ed b' $he (rovisions of $he law b%$ if we demand $he righ$ of $he law $hen we are obliged $o obe' $he law o%rselves) This (rin#i(le is an eam(le of gen%ine %s$i#e) *n $he /ld Tes$amen$ ;avid #alled %(on ,od $o deal wi$h his enemies) Perha(s we have $ho%gh$ 8* wish * #o%ld do $ha$ Wh' #o%ld ;avid ge$ awa' wi$h #alling on ,od $o smi$e his enemies.: We $hin" 8Wh' sho%ld (eo(le be allowed $o #a%se me all $his $ro%ble:< * have #ome $o %nders$and however wh' ;avid #o%ld do $his) -e wro$e in one of his (salms 9In your unfailing unfailing love, silence silence my enemies; destroy destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.+ (:salm 43!0% ;avid was being $rea$ed %n%s$l' a$ $he $ime and %nder $he law was en$i$led $o #all $o ,od for %s$ and legal re$rib%$ion)
)f we demand the right of the law, then we we are obliged to obey the law ourselves. 49
+race (e-uires +race *n Chris$ however we are no$ %nder $he law b%$ %nder gra#e) We #anno$ #all as ;avid did for ,od $o smi$e o%r enem' be#a%se ;avid was %nder $he law and was en$i$led $o $he %s$i#e of $he law) We are no$ %nder $he law= we are %nder a (rovision $ha$ is grea$er and more mer#if%l $han $he law #o%ld ever be We are now $he re#i(ien$s of ,od.s gra#e) *n sim(le $erms $ha$ means $ha$ be#a%se of wha$ es%s Chris$ has done ,od sees %s $hro%gh $he redem($ive wor" of Chris$ and no$ as we a#$%all' are in o%rselves) ,ra#e is $he %nmeri$ed favor $ha$ ,od shows $owards %s al$ho%gh we have done no$hing $o deserve i$) 0e#a%se we are %nder gra#e we are re2%ired $o eer#ise gra#e in dealing wi$h o$hers) *f we wan$ $he (enal$' of $he law infli#$ed on o$hers $hen we o%rselves #ome %nder $he same #ondemna$ion of $he law) The dis(ensa$ion of gra#e $ha$ we eno' in Chris$ gives %s so m%#h more b%$ i$ re2%ires so m%#h more of %s in re$%rn) *f we are %nder gra#e we #anno$ ma"e $he "ind of (lea $ha$ ;avid made) There is a new law in o(era$ion and $ha$ is $he law of gra#e) *f * benefi$ from i$ $hen * am obliged $o res(ond %nder $hose same (rovisions) This is ver' im(or$an$ as man' of %s $oda' wan$ $he (rovisions of ,od.s law $o a((l' $o o$hers who have offended %s while we in $%rn wan$ $o re#eive $he benefi$s of gra#e) We wan$ ,od $o s$rongl' #ondemn and %dge $hose who have mis$rea$ed %s b%$ in $%rn we wan$ ,od $o $rea$ %s "indl' This is a #on$radi#$ #on$radi#$ion ion of $he law of gra#e) 5!
*ecause we are under grace, we are re#uired to exercise grace in dealing with others. Forgiveness on a (erson>$o>(erson basis in $he /ld Tes$amen$ was an ill%s$ra$ion of gra#e ra$her $han law) emember law was wha$ a (erson was re2 re2%ired $o "ee "ee( and $her herefore was en$i$led $o demand) demand) s * have men$ioned men$ioned earlier earlier $here are onl' $hree ill%s$ra$ions re#orded and ea#h one is im(or$an$ be#a%se %s%all' i$ was a man who #alled on ,od for for forgiveness) *n $he /ld Tes$ame amen$ ill%s$ra$ions gra#e was en#o%raged b' ,od al$ho%gh -e allowed $he %s$ (rovisions of $he law) These eam(les $ha$ are given in $he 0ible (oin$ed $owa $oward rd $he $he high higher er go godl dli" i"ee rela rela$i $ion onsh shi( i( be$w be$wee een n (eo(le whi#h was $o be bro%gh$ in $hro%gh es%s Chris$) new s$andard of rela$ionshi( be$ween men and women was $o #ome in$o o(era$ion wi$h $he Bew Covenan$ $ha$ is $he new wa' $ha$ ,od was (re(ared $o deal wi$h men and women be#a%se of wha$ es%s had done) ?e$ %s eamine $he $hree eam(les we find in $he /ld Tes$amen$ regarding (erson>$o>(erson forgiveness) The firs$ eam(le is fo%nd in ,enesis #ha($er 58$ We find $ha$ a#ob $he fa$her of ose(h as"ed ose(h s(e#ifi#all' $o forgive his bro$hers for $he wrong $he' had done $o him) The message $ha$ $he bro$hers bro%gh$ $o ose(h was a dire#$ re2%es$ from $heir fa$her) The bro$hers said 2%o$ing $heir fa$her I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and wron wrongs gs th they ey comm commititte tedd in trea treatiting ng you you so badl badly. y. 51
How please please forgive forgive the sins of the servants servants of the God of your father. (Genesis 8!$% -ere was a re2%es$ for forgiveness) ose(h.s re(l' was ver' signifi#an$) -e said on5t be afraid. afraid. )m I in the place place of God= (Genesis (Genesis 8!-% ose(h reali+ed +ed $ha$ al$ho%g %gh h he was no no$$ in a (osi$ion ei$her $o %dge or (ardon be was being given $he (rivilege of forgiving) n' %dgmen$ for $he %n%s$ $rea$men$ b' his bro$hers was a ma$$er $ha$ #on#erned ,od no$ ose(h Bo$i#e $ha$ $he bro$hers f%lfilled $he $wo vi$al #ondi$ions for gen%ine forgiveness= $he' a#"nowledged $heir sin b' #onfession and re(en$ed of $he wrong $he' had done) /n $hose #ondi$ions ose(h forgave $hem) -e de#lared $ha$ al$ho%gh his bro$hers had h ad mean$ harm agains$ him ,od had %sed $he even$s for good and as a res%l$ an en$ire na$ion had been saved) ose(h forgave b%$ $he righ$ #ondi$ions had been me$) *$ is signifi#an$ $ha$ ose(h said 8m * in $he (la#e of ,od:. for he reali+ed $ha$ i$ was no$ his (reroga$ive $o %dge or (ardon) Wha$ ,od ma' have done in %dging his bro$hers $he 0ible does no$ $ell %s)) 0%$ ose(h however had eer#ised gra#e %s $owards $hem no$ $he (rovisions of $he law)
Joseph realized that although he was not in a position either to udge or pardon, he was being given the privilege of forgiving.
5
The se#ond eam(le is fo%nd in $he 0ible s$or' of $he $he deli delive vera ran#e n#e of $he $he *s *sra rael eli$ i$es es from from Gg Gg'( '($) $) We read $hese words of Pharoah I have sinned against the Lord your God and agai agains nstt you. you. How How fo forg rgiv ivee my sin sin once once more more and and pray to the Lord your God to take this deadly plague away from me. (12odus 8!"#$% 8!"#$% Pharoah was %l$ima$el' no$ sin#ere in $ha$ s$a$emen$ b%$ i$ did involve $he essen$ial elemen$s of a#"nowledgmen$ and re(en$an#e) We have a man as"ing for forgiveness b%$ be#a%se he wen$ ba#" on his word %dgmen$ #ame %(on him) The $hird eam(le a ver' signifi#an$ one is fo%nd in 1 Sam%el 25$ We need $o refer $o some verses in (ar$i#%lar b%$ a brief o%$line of $he s$or' will hel( %s as $his his$ori#al even$ is im(or$an$ in seeing ,od. ,od.ss a#$i #$ion eve even when hen on onee man has has forg forgiv iveen ano$ ano$he her) r) This his in#i n#iden$ den$ dea deals wi$h wi$h $he iss% iss%es es of forgiveness and (ardon and $he #on$in%ing %dgmen$ when forgiveness has been gran$ed) There are $hree maor #hara#$ers in $he s$or' a man #alled Babal who was a weal$h' farmer $he owner of $hree $ho% $ho%sa sand nd sh shee ee( ( and and a $ho% $ho%sa sand nd go goa$ a$s s a woma woman n bigail Babal.s wife and ;avid who was $hen a f%gi$ive from ing Sa%l) The 0ible re#ord $ells %s $ha$ ;avid.s 'o%ng men had res(e#$ed and (ro$e#$ed Babal.s (ro(er$' b%$ $here #ame a $ime when ;avid sen$ $en of his men $o as" for food) This seems $o have been a reasonable re2%es$ in ligh$ of $he obvio%s (ro$e#$ion $ha$ ;avid and his men had given $o Babal) Babal ref%sed $he re2%es$ and when $he message #ame ba#" $o ;avid 53
he was angr' and se$ o%$ $o $a"e revenge) When bigail heard wha$ her h%sband had done she wen$ o%$ on a mission $o in$er#ede for Babal) The s$or' $ells how she rode o%$ $o mee$ ;avid who was #oming wi$h $he in$en$ion of #om(le$el' des$ro'ing all $he male members of Babal.s ho%sehold) She s$o((ed ;avid a(ologi+ed and as"ed for forgiveness) She had a((aren$l' no$ #ons%l$ed wi$h her h%sband b%$ wen$ on an errand $o see" mer#') This is wha$ bigail said 9:lease 9:lease forgive forgive your servant5s servant5s offence, for the Lord will certainly certainly make a lasting dynasty dynasty for my master, because because he fights fights the Lord5s battles. battles. Let no wrong doi doing be fo fouund in you as long ong as you live.+ ve.+ ( Samuel 0!0% ;avid was angr' and obvio%sl' fel$ $ha$ he had #a%se for his anger b%$ #learl' $his was a serio%s over>rea#$ion b' ;avid in wan$ing $o $a"e $he lives of Babal.s men) -e a##eded $o $he re2%es$ for mer#' and forgiveness $ha$ bigail made) -e a#"nowledged $ha$ ,od had dire#$ed bigail in her a#$ion and so was in$ervening $o (reven$ him from $a"ing an a#$ion $ha$ he had no righ$ $o $a"e M $o see" (ersonal revenge) ;avid said $o bigail 9:raise 9:raise be to the Lord, the the God of Israel, Israel, who has sent you today today to meet me. me. ay you be blessed for your good
54
;avid reali+ed $ha$ $he a#$ion $a"en b' bigail was reall' $he in$erven$ion of ,od s$o((ing him from doing some$hing $ha$ wo%ld have viola$ed $he law of ,od) ;avid ma' have $ried $o %s$if' $he a#$ion he in$ended b%$ he was reall' see"ing $o $a"e (ersonal revenge and also $o infli#$ a (%nishmen$ whi#h was far above $he re$rib%$ion allowed b' $he law of ,od) ;avi ;avid d ob obvi vio%s o%sl' l' real reali+ i+ed ed $ha$ $ha$ his his in$e in$end nded ed a#$i a#$ion on wo%l wo%ld d have have #on on$r $raavene vened d $he (rin (rin##i(l i(les of ,od ,od whi#h he relied %(on for his own (ro$e#$ion)
%od was intervening to prevent him from taking an action that he had no right to take + to seek personal personal revenge. revenge. The s$or' ends in a drama$i# wa') bigail re$%rned home and $he ne$ da' she $old her h%sband wha$ had ha((ened) We read &hen &hen in the mornin morning, g, when Habal Habal was sober, sober, his his wife wife to told ld him him all these these things things,, and his heart heart faile failedd him and he became became like like a stone. stone. )bout )bout ten days later, the Lord struck struck Habal and and he died. ( Samuel Samuel 0!3$#3 % ;avi ;avid d had had e$e e$ende nded d bo bo$h $h mer#' mer#' and and forg forgiv iven enes esss $owards Babal b%$ $he %dgmen$ of ,od on Babal #on$in%ed Babal had wronged ;avid) ;avid se$ o%$ $o ea#$ re$rib%$ion $o whi#h he was no$ en$i$led b%$ ,od gra#io%sl' in$ervened $hro%gh bigail) ;avid saw $he error of his in$ended a#$ion and $ho%gh he gran gran$e $ed d $he $he mer#' er#' and and forg forgiv iven enes esss re2% re2%es es$e $ed d b' big bigai ail l ;avi ;avid d did did no no$$ have have $o a#$ a#$ in %dg %dgm men$ en$ be#a%se i$ was ,od who did $ha$ ,od moved agains$ $he %ngra$ef%l man Babal and he died) 55
;avid "e($ his rela$ionshi( wi$h ,od in harmon' be#a%se of $he mer#' and forgiveness $ha$ he had e$ended) *f ;avid had no$ forgiven and had ins$ead ea#$ed $he vengean#e he in$ended he ma' have had an e(erien#e similar $o $ha$ of a la$er o##asion when he $oo" ano$her man.s wife and ,od.s %dgmen$ #ame %(on him) We need $o re#ogni+e $ha$ $he forgiveness gran$ed b' ;avid did no$ remove ,od.s righ$ $o infli#$ %dgmen$ and (%nishmen$ on $he offender)
avid kept his fellowship with %od in harmony because of the mercy and forgiveness that he had e(tended.
Choosing !a. or +race The /ld Tes$amen$ reveals a ,od of mer#' forg forgiivene venesss and (ard (ardon on)) *$ deal dealss wi$h wi$h a (eo( (eo(lle %nder $he law who were obliged $o obe' $he law) *$ limi$ed (ersonal revenge b%$ allowed %s$ re$ re$rib%$ion) *$ allowed a man $he (riv rivilege of forgiving b%$ did no$ demand i$ from him) *$ merel' demanded %s$ $rea$men$) The /ld Tes$amen$ #learl' gave $he righ$ $o forgive $o $he individ%al b%$ a$ $he same $ime showed $ha$ ,od.s %dgmen$ #o%ld s$ill a((l' $o $he offender even when forgiveness had been gran$ed) The (rin#i(le we m%s$ %nders$and is $ha$ if we live %nder law $hen we re#eive i$s (ro$e#$ion b%$ we also re#eive i$s %s$ (enal$') *$ is s$range $ha$ born> again believers who are re#eiving $he benefi$s of ,od.s gra#e of$en wan$ $o im(ose $he (enal$ies of 56
$he law agains$ $hose who have offended $hem and $he' $hen wonder a$ $he res%l$s $ha$ follow in $heir own lives) an' sin#ere Chris$ians are de$erm rmiined $ha$ believers in Chris$ sho%ld be %nder a Sabba$h ?aw) *$ is righ$ $o "ee( a da' for ,od b%$ if we demand one (ar$ of $he law we are obliga$ed $o all $he law) -ow ama+ing $ha$ now $ha$ we are %nder gra#e we sho%ld wan$ $o be %nder law) ,od has se$ %s free $hro%gh fai$h in $he ?ord es%s Chris$ b%$ if we live %nder gra#e $hen we m%s$ also give i$s (rovisions $o o$hers whom we mee$ da'>b'>da') ,ra#e demands a higher res(onse b%$ i$ gives grea$er benefi$s) We are %nder gra#e= we are no$ %nder $he law ,od remains %s$ righ$eo%s mer#if%l forgiving and (ardoning b%$ -e re2%ires $ha$ $he righ$ #ondi$ions be me$ if we are $o re#eive -is gra#e wi$h all i$s benefi$s)
&ow ama-ing that now we are under grace, we should want to be under law. *$ is eas' $o be %dgmen$al of o$hers and den' $hem gra gra#io%s hel( or res$ora$ion b%$ we #an (la#e o%rselves in danger b' s%#h an a$$i$%de) *mmora *mm orali$' li$' is a $ra $raged' ged' and a snare nare wi$h wi$hiin $he $he #h%r#h and es(e#iall' amongs$ $hose in minis$r' or leadershi() * "now of a (ar$i#%lar in#iden$ where $he moral fail%re had been a serio%s one) The s$ri#$es$ dis#i(line was needed and was eer#ised) Several 'ears (assed before $ha$ man was allowed $o again $a"e a (la#e on a #h%r#h (la$form and (rea#h) The $ime of dis#i(line had been mar"ed b' a #om(le$e 57
fami famil' l' re# re#on on#i #ili liaa$ion $ion a will illingn ingnes esss $o fa# fa#e $he $he (roblem and a s(iri$%al #onsis$en#') #onsis$en#') When $he man #on#erned was res$ored $o minis$r' a fel fellow low mini miniss$er $er said said 8 man wi$h wi$h $ha $ha$ "ind "ind of (roblem sho%ld never be allowed ba#" in $he minis$r'< Wi$hin a shor$ $ime $he minis$er who had made $his %dgmen$al s$a$emen$ was himself e(osed for ad%l$er' This man wo%ld no$ $hen fa#e %( $o $he dis#i(line he had demanded for o$hers) /ne of $he o$her errors in$o whi#h we #an fall is $o forgi forgive ve o% o%rs rsel elve vess when when forgi forgive vene ness ss m% m%s$ s$ firs firs$$ be so%gh$ from $hose whom we have offended) Perha(s in an endeavor $o save (eo(le from self> #ondemna$ion we have s$ressed $he need $o forgive o%rselves b%$ $his #an onl' (ro(erl' be done af$er we have as"ed o$hers $o forgive %s for o%r fail%re) This means $ha$ we have a res(onsibili$' $o (%$ righ$ an' wrongs $ha$ we ma' have #ommi$$ed agains$ ano$her and no$ %s$ (re$end $ha$ $he offen#e did no$ o##%r) *f we have fai$hf%ll' done o%r (ar$ in (%$$ing righ$ $ha$ whi#h was wrong $hen we have f%lfilled o%r (ar$ even if $he o$her (erson ref%ses $o a##e($ o%r re2%es$ for forgiveness) s an eam(le * read of a (rea#her who was s#hed%led $o #ond%#$ a series of mee$ings in a $own b%$ s%ddenl' $he organi+ers of $he mee$ings dis#overed dis#overed his involvemen involvemen$$ in a re(ea$ed re(ea$ed ad%l$ero%s ad%l$ero%s si$%a$ion) When #onfron$ed wi$h $he allega$ion $he man o(enl' #onfessed his g%il$ offered $o #onfess $o his wife and said 8Bow le$ %s ge$ on wi$h $he mee$ings)<
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This man had ins$an$l' forgiven himself elf The organi+ers #an#elled $he mee$ings)
$ne of the other errors into which we can fall is to forgive ourselves when forgiveness must first come from those whom we have offended. *$ is no$ o%r righ$ $o forgive o%rselves b%$ we m%s$ firs$ see" forgiveness from $hose we have offended) We are no$ onl' res(onsible $o ,od b%$ also $o $he whole 80od' of Chris$.) When a((ro(ria$e dis#i(line has been a((lied and $he offender has h%mbled himself b' re(en$an#e $hen res$ora$ion #an be se$ in mo$ion) We have no righ$ $o forgive o%rs o% rsel elve ves s %n %n$i $ill $hos $hosee we have have fail failed ed offe offerr $hei $heirr forgiveness $o %s or we f%lfill $he #ondi$ions $ha$ %s$if' s%#h forgiveness) Then we #an and sho%ld forgive o%rselves) ?e$ me ill%s$ra$e $his from a $'(i#al #h%r#h si$%a$ion) The 'o%$h gro%( had (lanned an o%$ing and #ars had been arranged $o $rans(or$ all $hose a$$ending) $ $he de(ar$%re $ime one #ar owner had no$ arri arrive ved) d) Th Thee gro%( gro%( s$oo s$ood d aro% aro%nd nd wai$ wai$in ing g a li$$ li$$le le fr%s fr%s$$ra$e ra$ed d and and grow growin ing g an niio% o%ss as $he min%$ in%$es es (assed b') Thir$' min%$es la$er $he missing #ar wi$h i$s i$s driv driver er s#re s#ree# e#he hed d $o a hal$ hal$ besi beside de $he $he wai$ wai$in ing g gro%( a smiling driver leaning his elbow a%n$il' on $he o(en window frame) 8Where have 'o% been:< sho% sh o%$$ed a do do++en vo voi# i#es es)) Th Thee 'o% o%ng ng man.s n.s gri grin broadened 80e$$er la$e $han never< he re(lied self> #onfiden$l') 59
This 'o%ng man had forgiven himself) -is righ$f%l a$$i$%de sho% o%lld hav have been on onee of a(olog' and e(l e(lan ana$ a$io ion) n) *$ was was $he $he (riv (rivil ileg egee of $he $he wai$ wai$in ing g gro%( $o forgive him for his la$e arrival and no do%b$ $he' wo%ld have done so had his a$$i$%de been righ$) 0%$ he $oo" i$ as his righ$ $o forgive himself) Forgiveness is no$ ob$ained in $his wa') The o( The o((o (osi si$$e a$$i$% $i$%de de is $o dem demand and a lega legallis$i# s$i# a((roa#h) The osai# law is a grea$ g%ide $o $he wa's and $r%$h of ,od b%$ if we demand i$s (rovisions be (re(ared $o re#eive $hem in re$%rn) *f we wan$ $o #all ,od.s %dgmen$ down on an offender offender be (re(ared (re(ared for ,od $o bring his %dgmen$ %dgmen$ down on %s) When we a((re#ia$e $he gra#e whi#h has been given $o %s we will in $%rn le$ $he gra#e of ,od flow o%$ from %s so $ha$ in o%r dealings wi$h ea#h o$her we will be mer#if%l and forgiving wi$h wi$ho% o%$$ viol viola$ a$in ing g $he $he (rin (rin#i #i(l (lee $ha$ $ha$ o$he o$hers rs m%s %s$$ forg forgiive %s %s)) /r we m%s %s$$ mee$ mee$ $he $he #ond #ondi$ i$iion onss for for forgiveness before we #an forgive o%rselves) Some (eo(le will hold an a$$i$%de of %nforgiveness even when a (erson has a(ologi+ed and as"ed $o be forgiven so $heir wrong res(onse #anno$ be allowed $o be a barrier $o o%r forgiving o%rselves) *f we follow $his #o%rse o%r fellowshi( wi$h ,od will be %naffe#$ed and we ma' be s%re $ha$ a migh$' ,od who "nows all $hings is s$ill a$ wor" $o deal wi$h %nrigh$eo%sness wherever i$ migh$ be fo%nd) ,od does no$ $%rn 8a blind e'e< $o $he failings disobedien#e and wrongs of Chris$ians b%$ if $he' #all %(on -im in sin#eri$' -e will hear and res$ore $hem $o righ$ rela$ionshi( wi$h -im) This does no$ howev however er g% g%ar aran an$e $eee $ha$ $ha$ ,od.s ,od.s $em( $em(ora orall hand hand of 6!
%dgmen$ will no$ remain %(on $hem) There #an be #onse2%en#es $ha$ follow sin even when forgiveness has been given)
%od does not turn a blind eye to the failings, disobedience, and wrongs of hristians, but if they call on &im in sincerity &e will hear and restore them. “
”
?e$ %s be s%re $o show mer#' and forgiveness in o%r rela$ionshi(s wi$h one ano$her) ,od #an $a"e #are of $he offender) *$ is no$ o%r (roblem b%$ -is We are $o re#ogni+e $he gra#e $ha$ we have re#eived $hro%gh fai$h in es%s Chris$ live wi$hin $he (rovisions of $ha$ gra#e and in re$%rn for wha$ we have re#eived $rea$ o$hers wi$h gra#e)
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Chapter / Forgiveness and &udg#ent *n see" see"in ing g $o %n %nde ders rs$a $and nd $he $he (ro( (ro(er er mean meanin ing g of forgiveness i$ is essen$ial in order $o avoid mis% mis%nd nder ers$ s$an andi ding ng $o real reali+ i+ee wha$ wha$ ha((e ha((ens ns when when forgiveness is given) *$ is #lear from s#ri($%re $ha$ $he eer#ise of mer#' whi# whi#h h ,od alwa' wa's gra gran$s n$s and $he (rov (roviision sion of for forgiveness do no no$$ a%$om omaa$i#al #all' remove all %dgmen$ for $he offense $ha$ has been #ommi$$ed) We need $o #onsider $his ver' #aref%ll' as $here are im(li im(li#a #a$i $ion onss invo involv lved ed wi$h wi$h forg forgiv iven enes esss $ha$ $ha$ ma' ma' have been overloo"ed) ?e$ me s%gges$ $hree as(e#$s of forgiveness)
Co#plete Forgiveness The $erm 8#om(le$e 8#om(le$e forgiveness< forgiveness< is %sed $o indi#a$e indi#a$e $he $he $o$a o$al forg forgiivene veness ss of $he offe offend ndeer in#l n#l%d %diing #om( #om(le le$e $e (ard (ardon on whi#h whi#h remo remove vess an' an' #on$ #on$in in%i %ing ng %dgmen$ for $he offense) We read $hese words in $he (salms )s far as the east is from the west, so far has he rem remove oved our tran transg sgrressi ssions ons from from us. us. (:s (:salm alm 83!0% es%s made $his s$a$emen$ &his &his is what is writt written! en! 9&he >hrist >hrist will suffer suffer and and rise from the dead on the third day, and 6
repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Aerusalem.+ (Luke (Luke 04!4"#4$% *n Pa%l* s le$$er $o $he oman #h%r#h he sa's 9*lessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.+ (7omans 4!$% Wha$ marvelo%s (romises $hese are *$ is ver' (lain $ha$ $here is a forgiveness b' ,od $ha$ #om(le$el' eradi#a$es $he (enal$' of (as$ sin) ,od #an blo$ o%$ $he re#ord of sin so $ha$ no #onse2%en#es remain) This "ind of forgiveness forgiveness res$ores res$ores a (erson (erson $o (erfe#$ (erfe#$ fellowshi( wi$h ,od so $ha$ $he former sinner who was aliena$e a$ed from ,od and wi$ho%$ ho(e is a##e($ed a##e($ed in Chris$ Chris$ %s$ as if he had never #ommi$$ed #ommi$$ed a sin) There is a #ommon mis#on#e($ion $ha$ ,od forge$s o%r sins) Peo(le sa' 8,od has #as$ o%r sins in$o $he dee(es$ sea of -is forge$f%lness never $o be remembered agains$ %s an' more)< This s$a$emen$ is no$ in $he 0ible al$ho%gh some (eo(le ma' have $ho%gh$ $ha$ i$ was an a#$%al s#ri($%re verse -ow #o%ld an omni(o$en$ omni(resen$ and omnis#ien$ ,od forg orge$: When $he 0ible ble refers $o ,od no$ remem rememberi bering ng sins sins and ini2%i ini2%i$ie $iess it means $ha$ ,od will no$ a#$ %dgmen$all' agains$ a (erson or na$ion as $o (enal$' or #onse2%en#es ra$her $han a li$eral forg forge$ e$$i $ing ng $ha$ $ha$ $he $he in#i in#ide den$ n$ had had $a"e $a"en n (la# (la#e) e) n eam(le is as follows or I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. (/ebrews !0%
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,od was no$ going $o hold $heir sin agains$ $hem b%$ -e had no$ forgo$$en $ha$ $he' had sinned *$ is eas' $o %se $he $ho%gh$ $ha$ 8,od forge$s< as an e#%se for no$ dealing wi$h a (roblem or no$ (%$$ing righ$ a wrong) When we a#$ in a##ordan#e wi$h ,od.s Word $hen -e (%$s awa' $he $ho%gh$ of o%r fail%re so $ha$ i$ is no$ a barrier $o o%r rela$ionshi( wi$h -im) ,od has $he abili$' no$ $o allow an' sin we have #ommi$$ed and $hen #onfessed $o affe#$ o%r fellowshi( wi$h -im)
There is a forgiveness by %od that completely eradicates the penalty of past sin. This hel(f%l $es$imon' was given $o me b' a friend Garl' one S%nda' morning * fo%nd i$ ne#essar' $o #orre#$ one of m' $eenage da%gh$ers be#a%se of her behavior) -er res(onse was one of $o$al ree#$ion of wha$ * had said and * was $a"en b' s%r(rise and offended b' her angr' rea#$ion) * did no$ res(ond al$ho%gh * fel$ ver' anno'ed b%$ wen$ in$o m' room $o (ra') * had been #hallenged %s$ (revio%sl' b' $he verse in ar" 114 Th Ther eref efor oree I te tellll you, you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. This s#ri($%re was so #lear and here was a need in o%r home $ha$ re2%ired ,od.s hel( so * as" s"ed ed -im -im $o #ha #hang ngee m' da%g da%gh$ h$er er.s .s
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a$$i$%de and give $o her $he gra#e of obedien#e) * as"ed $he ?ord $o do i$ $ha$ da' The ho%rs of $he da' wen$ (as$ wi$h no res( res(on onse se from from m' da%g da%gh$ h$er er)) $ 9)3! 9)3! ()m) ()m) $ha$ evening * dro((ed on m' "nees beside m' bed and feeling bi$$erl' disa((oin$ed * #ried #ried o%$ $o ,od and as"ed -im wh' -e had no$ answered m' (ra'er) * was #er$ain $ha$ * had had $he fai$h $o re#eive $ha$ (romise) The ne$ verse in ar" 11 $hen #ame $o m' mind) And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. * s%ddenl' reali+ed $ha$ * was $rea$ing forgiveness as forge$$ing) * had been misled b' $he #li#hN 8,od forgives and forge$s)< * had (%$ m' da%gh$er.s remar"s and an$agonism o%$ of m' mind and $ho%gh$ $ha$ $his #ons$i$%$ed #ons$i$%$ed forgiveness) forgiveness) ' a$$i$%de a$$i$%de had been (assive %s$ (re$ending $ha$ $he in#iden$ hadn.$ $a"en (la#e and * was wai$ wai$in ing g for for ,od ,od $o so solv lvee $he $he (rob (roble lem m) *n doing $his * had lef$ m' da%gh$er on an island of isola$ion) ' hear$ warmed wi$hin me and * go$ %( from m' "nees $o go $o her room and e(ress m' love for her b%$ ,od had bea$en me $o i$) ' da%gh$er and * me$ in $he (assage ea#h on $he wa' $o (%$ $hings righ$ wi$h $he o$her)
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* had had $ho% $ho%gh gh$$ $ha$ $ha$ $r' $r'ing ing $o forg forge$ e$ wo%l wo%ld d solv so lvee $he $he (rob (roble lem m b% b%$$ * lear learne ned d $ha$ $ha$ da' da' wha$ a vi$al (ar$ forg orgiveness has in $he s(iri$%al rea realm) s soon as * gen%inel' forgave from m' hear$ ,od moved in her life and m' (ra'er was answered)
)t is easy to use the thought that %od forgets as an e(cuse for not dealing with a problem or not putting right a wrong. “
”
*n a (revio%s #ha($er we saw $he differen#e be$ween $em $em(o (ora rall forg forgiv iveeness ness and and e$er e$erna nall forg forgiv iveeness ness)) Tem(oral forgiveness is rela$ed $o $his life whereas e$er e$erna nall forg forgiivene venesss go goes es on in$o n$o e$er e$erni ni$' $')) Wi$h #om( #om(le le$e $e forg forgiv iven enes ess s whi# whi#h h we are are #ons #onsid ider erin ing g now ,od also gives $o$al (ardon) This means $ha$ bo$h in $his (resen$ life and also e$ernall' e$ernall' $he re#ord is made #lear and $here are no f%r$her (enal$ies for o%r sins and fail%res) -ow devoid of a((re#ia$ion we wo%ld be if we did no$ reoi#e in a (rovision s%#h as $his ll $he g%il$ and b%rden of sin are gone) Se$ free This is $he mos$ #ommon %nders$anding of forgiveness and i$ is wonderf%l $o reali+e $ha$ ,od forgives in s%#h a #om(le$e wa')
Temporal forgiveness forgiveness is related to this life, whereas eternal forgiveness goes on into eternity.
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Conditional Forgiveness We #ann #anno$ o$ ho howe weve ver r a%$o a%$om ma$i# a$i#al all' l' ass% ass%m me $ha$ $ha$ #om #om(le (le$e forg forgiivene veness ss is alwa alwa' 's give given n b' ,od ,od be#a%se $here is a se#ond as(e#$ whi#h * will #all 8#ondi$ional forgiveness.) This is where a (erson ma' sin and #on$in%e $o re(ea$ $he offen#e) ,od alwa's forgives when $he righ$ #ondi$ions are me$ so i$ does no$ ma$$er how serio%s $he fail%re ma' be if $he (erson gen%inel' re(en$s and #onfesses $hen fellowshi( wi$h ,od is res$ored) ;efini$e #ondi$ions are re2%ired) ,od sa's 8*f 'o% re(en$ and #onfess * will res$ore 'o% $o fellowshi( wi$h me)< We live in a na$%ral world and are s%be#$ed $o man' (ress%res and $em($a$ions and we "now $ha$ 'ielding $o $em($a$ion is no$ alwa's a delibera$e or willf%l a#$) There are for#es $ha$ #an gain hold in o%r live livess a$ diff diffeeren$ ren$ $im $imes es and and al$ho l$ho%g %gh h we have have des(ised o%rselves when $hese sins have o##%rred we have failed and re(ea$ed a viola$ion of ,od.s Word) *$ is (ossible $o be en$angled b' some bese$$ing sin and man' sin#ere (eo(le gra((le wi$h $his "ind of (roblem) When $his ha((ens in o%r life ,od #anno$ ignore i$) ,od ma' have $o deal wi$h %s and (la#e #er$ain res$ri#$ions on %s as a (roba$ion a (roving (eriod $o es$ablish dis#i(line and vi#$or' in areas of fail%re) *n $hese #ir#%ms$an#es we have $he benefi$ of $he -ol' S(iri$.s minis$r' of #onvi#$ing %s of sin) es%s said $ha$ $he -ol' S(iri$ wo%ld #onvi#$ %s of sin righ$eo%sness and %dgmen$ Hohn 16@I) We m%s$ alwa's be sensi$ive $o $his #onvi#$ion and res(ond $o i$ if we wan$ $he #on$in%ed blessing of
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$he ?ord and also $o be free of $he #onse2%en#es $ha$ #an #ome from delibera$e sin)
%od always forgives forgives when the right conditions are met. $ $he #lose of $he boo" of osh%a we read how osh%a warned $he (eo(le $ha$ al$ho%gh ,od had been wi$h $hem and had given $hem vi#$or' $he ?ord wo%ld %dge $hem if $he' disobe'ed -is Word or served o$her gods) These words are re#orded *e very strong; strong; be careful to obey all that is written written in the *ook of th thee Law of oses, oses, without without turnin turningg aside to the right or to the left. o not not asso associ ciat atee with with th thes esee nati nation onss th that at rema remain in among among you; do not invoke invoke the names of their their gods or swear by them. them. Cou must not not serve them or bow down to them. *ut you are to hold hold fast to the Lord your God, God, as you have until now. &he Lord Lord has driv riven out out befo beforre you great reat and and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. 'ne 'ne of you you rout routss a th thou ousa sand nd,, beca becaus usee th thee Lord Lord your God fights for for you,
Instead Instead they will become become snares and traps for you, whips whips on your backs and thorns thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this this good land, which which the Lord your your God has given you. How I am about about to go the way of all the earth. earth. Cou know with with all your your heart and soul soul that not one of all thee good th good prom promis ises es th thee Lord Lord your your God God gave gave you you has has fa faililed ed.. 1ver 1veryy prom promis isee has has been been fu fulflfilille led; d; not not one has failed. (Aoshua 03!"#4% If you forsake forsake the Lord and serve foreign foreign gods, gods, he will will turn and brin bringg disa disast ster er on you you and and make make an end of you after after he has been good good to you. (Aoshua (Aoshua 04!08%
%od may have to deal with us and place certain restrictions restrictions on us as a probation, a proving period to establish discipline and victory in areas of failure. ,od was warning $hese (eo(le agains$ $he #onse2%en#es of disobedien#e even af$er $he' had eno'ed -is s%(erna$%ral hel( and blessing) * wonder whe$her we $a"e in$o a##o%n$ $he #ons #onse2 e2%e %en# n#es es of diso disobe bedi dien en#e #e in o% o%rr rela rela$i $ions onshi hi( ( wi$h ,od) *$ was no$ $ha$ ha$ $he' he' #o% o%lld never be res$ res$or ored ed agai again n be#a be#a%s %see ,od ,od did did res$ res$or oree $hem $hem on man' o##asions af$er $he' viola$ed $ha$ (ar$i#%lar #ommand b%$ ,od warned $hem of $he #onse2%en#es if $he' did no$ do wha$ -e said) ,od was #lear -e said $ha$ if $he' did no$ obe' -im and #on$in%e in -is wa' and also #om(le$el' drive o%$ $he enem' even $ho%gh -e had done so m%#h for 69
$hem $he Canaani$es wo%ld re#a($%re $he land from $hem) nd i$ ha((ened We #o%ld ill%s$ra$e $his from a famil' si$%a$ion) *$ is eas' $o %nders$and $he wa's of ,od if we %se $he na$%ral famil' as an eam(le) Thin" of a #hild of s#hool age $o whom $he mo$her mo$her sa's 8* wan$ 'o% $o #ome home immedia$el' af$er s#hool)< The #hild #omes home la$e and is ver' a(ologe$i#) The mo$her sa's 8ll righ$ dear $ha$.s fine b%$ do no$ le$ i$ ha((en again)< ll is well in $he famil' $he #hild is forgiven and $he home is in harmon') Be$ af$ernoon $he same $hing ha((ens $he #hild is la$e o$h o $her er sa' sa's 80%$ 80%$ * $old $old 'o% 'es$e es$erd rda' a' $o #om #ome s$raigh$ s$raigh$ home)< There are $ears more a(ologies a(ologies b%$ re(en$an#e res$ores $he ha((iness of $he home) *f however $ha$ #ond%#$ #on$in%es da' af$er da' $hen i$ is inevi$able $ha$ $he mo$her will (la#e #er$ain res$ri#$ions on $he #hild be#a%se of $he #on$in%ed disobedien#e) The re(en$an#e and #onfession of $he #hild res$ored fel fellows lowshi hi( ( b% b%$$ $he #on$ #on$in in%a %a$$ion of $he $he offe offen# n#ee res%l$ed in dis#i(line being a((lied) (roving $ime wo%ld be re2%ired $o wor" o%$ $he f%ll a((li#a$ion of forgi forgive vene ness ss and and agai again n es$a es$abl blis ish h a basi basiss for $r%s $r%s$) $) This is how $he -ol' S(iri$ wor"s) /%r 'o%nger da%gh$er had loo"ed forward eagerl' $o oin oinin ing g her her olde olderr bro$ bro$he herr and and sis$ sis$er er a$ s#ho s#hool ol)) When she rea#hed $he longed>for age of five 'ears i$ was an e#i$ed li$$le girl who se$ off for her firs$ da' a$ s#hool) She was #heerf%l and warm hear$ed and 2%i#"l' made friends) Ga#h af$ernoon she was a li$$le la$er in #oming home from s#hool) The 7!
$em($a$ion $o s(end more $ime (la'ing wi$h her new friends friends af$er s#hool or $o s$o( a$ a girlfriend.s girlfriend.s ho%se on $he wa' home was (roving $oo m%#h for her) ' wife $old her re(ea$edl' 8Come home imme immedi dia$ a$el el' ' af$e af$err s#ho s#hool ol)< )< Th Thee li$$ li$$le le girl girl.s .s fa#e fa#e wo%ld loo" sad and re(en$an$) *$ was hard for m' wife $o resis$ wha$ $o %s was a #%$e li$$le blonde whose loo" #o%ld mel$ $he hardes$ hear$ b%$ finall' $he %l$ima$%m was made 8Eo% #ome home immedia$el' af$er s#hool or else< 0%$ she was la$e again 8Where have 'o% been:< demanded m' wife) The li$$le head dro((ed e'es loo"ed $o $he gro%nd and she said 8* was wal"ing wi$h m' head down and * los$ m' wa')< ' wife had $o $%rn awa' $o hide her la%gh$er a$ $he novel e#%se from a five 'ear old b%$ needless $o sa' for $he ne$ few da's mo$her was wai$ing a$ $he s#hool ga$e $o (i#" %( a li$$le girl who had $o learn $ha$ 8Come s$raigh$ home< reall' mean$ $ha$ ;id we love her less: Perha(s we even loved her more be#a%se of her love of friendshi( b%$ dis#i(line had $o be $a%gh$) This is $he same in o%r dealings wi$h ,od) *$ is (erfe#$l' reasonable $ha$ o%r heavenl' Fa$her will $a"e res$ri#$ive a#$ion if we #on$in%e $o ignore wha$ -e sa's) We e(e#$ $his $o ha((en in o%r famil') We wo%ld no$ allow a #hild $o go on disobe'ing b%$ we wo%ld %ld no$ #as$ o%$ o%r #hil hild from $he home or remain wi$h a s%llen angr' a$$i$%de $owards him) *f we are ma$%re (aren$s we wo%ld wan$ o%r 71
rela$ionshi( wi$h o%r #hild res$ored b%$ if $he #hild was #ons$an$l' disobedien$ we wo%ld be for#ed $o $a"e dis#i(linar' a#$ion) ,od does $his ,od some$imes (%$s res$ri#$ions on %s -is #hildren and (la#es %s on (roba$ion) -e (%$s %s $hro%gh a (roving $ime $o es$ablish $ha$ -e #an reall' $r%s$ %s) * am s%re $ha$ all of %s wan$ ,od no$ onl' $o love %s b%$ also $o $r%s$ %s) *$ is $r%e $ha$ o%r h%man na$%re of$en #a%ses %s $o fall shor$ of $he high s$andard of $r%s$wor$hiness $ha$ ,od.s word (or$ra's b%$ ,od is s$ill e(e#$ing %s $o be obedien$ #hildren) Tr'ing $o de#e de#eiv ivee ,od ,od is $o$a $o$all ll' ' %n %ns% s%## ##es essf sf%l %l be#a be#a%s %see -e "nows bo$h o%r a#$ions and mo$ives) /%r #hildren ma' s%##eed wi$h de#e($ion or disobedien#e for a $ime b%$ wi$h ,od no$hing is hidden) We need a rela$ionshi( wi$h $he ?ord where $here is no$ onl' gen%ine fellowshi( $hro%gh mer#' and forgiveness b%$ also where we are no$ res$ri#$ed be#a%se -e #anno$ $r%s$ %s) -ave 'o% ever #onsidered $ha$ a$ a h%man level $here #an be gen%ine love and fellowshi( wi$ho%$ $r%s$: *n fa#$ $he 0ible $ells %s $ha$ we #anno$ reall' $r%s$ (eo(le even $hose who are #loses$ $o %s) The in$en$ions of (eo(le ma' be wor$h' b%$ of$en $he' fail $o live %( $o $hose in$en$ions) /%r res(onsibili$' is $o love one ano$her b%$ $o $r%s$ onl' ,od) When we (%$ o%r $r%s$ in (eo(le i$ is inevi$able $ha$ a$ some s$age a (erson will fail $ha$ $r%s$ b%$ $ha$ does no$ ha((en wi$h ,od) This idea ma' a$ firs$ seem $o be #on$radi#$or' b%$ #aref%l #onsidera$ion will show $ha$ we #an love o%r 7
#hildren ver' dearl' and have gen%ine fellowshi( wi$h $hem b%$ no$ $r%s$ $heir abili$' $o ma"e righ$ res(onses in differen$ si$%a$ions) 0e#a%se of $his we (ro$e#$ $hem b' dis#i(line and res$ri#$ion) We do no$ a((l' $his dis#i(line $o harm $hem b%$ $o save $hem)
Trying to deceive %od is totally unsuccessful, because &e knows knows both our actions and our motives. *f we rem remembe emberr $hi $his (ri (rin#i n#i(le (le in rega regard rd $o o% o%rr rela$ionshi( wi$h ,od i$ will hel( $o give %s be$$er %nders$anding) /%r heavenl' Fa$her does wha$ we wo%ld do wi$h o%r #hildren b%$ wi$h m%#h grea$er %nders$anding #om(assion and love $han we #o%ld show) There is a #ondi$ional forgiveness as well as a #om( #om(le le$e $e forg forgiv iven enes ess) s) Cond Condi$ i$io iona nall forgi forgive vene ness ss is where ,od forgives %s of $he (enal$' of $he sin b%$ we are %nder der -is res$ri#$ive wa$#h) Com om( (le$e e$e forgiveness is where we are $o$all' res$ored $o ,od and ever' sin is wi(ed o%$ never $o be held agains$ %s again) We s$and before ,od #leansed from sin and and g% g%il il$$ and and wi$h wi$ho% o%$$ res$ res$ri ri#$ #$io ion n be#a be#a%s %see of $he $he blood of es%s Chris$) *f however we do no$ live in obedien#e b%$ go agains$ $he Word of ,od and (lease o%rselves ,od will res$ore %s $o fellowshi( wi$h -im if we re(en$ and #onfess b%$ $he forgiveness ma' be #ondi$ional) Theree are Ther are man' (eo( (eo(lle $od oda' a' who who wond wondeer wh' #er$ #er$ai ain n (robl (roblem emss and and diff diffi# i#%l %l$i $ies es ha((e ha((en n in $hei $heirr lives) /ne of $he s%be#$s we will deal wi$h is $i$led 8Wha 8Wha$$ is -a(( -a((en enin ing: g:< < be#a be#a%s %see * have have had had $ha$ $ha$ 2%es$ion as"ed so of$en d%ring #o%nseling) Peo(le 73
do no$ %nders$and wha$ is ha((ening in $heir lives b%$ if $he' will a##e($ some of $he (rin#i(les $ha$ we are are eam eamin inin ing g $he' $he' will will begi begin n $o %n %nde ders rs$a $and nd $he $he #a%se of man' of $heir (roblems) ,od.s res$ri#$ive dis#i(linar' hand #an be in o(era$ion in a (erson.s life and ins$ead of eno'ing #om(le$e forgiveness he is e(erien#ing #ondi$ional forgiveness
%od will restore us to fellowship if we repent and confess, but the forgiveness may be conditional.
&udicial Forgiveness Forgiveness * have #alled $he $hird as(e#$ of forgiveness 8%di#ial Forgiveness<) The laws of $he "ingdom of ,od are absol%$es) absol%$es) The' #anno$ be bro"en bro"en We ma' a((ear $o brea" $hem b%$ we do no$ as in reali$' we brea" o%rselves on ,od.s laws) *f we viola$e $hese laws $hen $here is some defini$e effe#$ %(on %s) lwa's remember $ha$ ,od is mer#if%l b%$ mer#' $a"es in$o #onsidera$ion "nowledge and e(erien#e so as we have seen (revio%sl' $he degree of mer#' $ha$ is e$ended varies a##ording $o $he "nowledge and %nd ndeers$anding $ha$ a (erson has) *f a new new Chris$ian #ommi$s a sin $hen ,od.s mer#' $oward him ma' be m%#h grea$er $han if an e(erien#ed Chris$ian #ommi$$ed $he same sin) er#' is $he lessening of $he severi$' of $he (enal$' whi#h is deserved) We read in ames. le$$er ear brothers, don5t don5t be too eager to tell others their faults faults,, for we all all make make many many mistakes mistakes;; and and when when we teachers teachers,, who who should should know better, better, do wrong, wrong, 74
our punishme punishment nt will be greater greater than it would be for others. (Aames 3! &he Living *ible% This $r%$h of re(en$an#e and %di#ial forgiveness is #learl' ill%s$ra$ed in $wo eam(les from $he life of ing ;avid) * wan$ $o eamine $hese be#a%se $he' are ver' im(or$an$ in giving %s #lari$' in all as(e#$s of forgiveness) The s#ri($%re s$a$es So the king said to Aoab and the army commanders with with him, 9Go throughout the tribes of Israel from rom an to *eersheba and enroll the fighti fighting ng men, so that I may know know how many there there are.+ *ut *ut Aoab Aoab repli replied ed to th thee king king,, 9ay 9ay the Lord Lord your your God multiply multiply the troops a hundred hundred times over, and may may th thee eyes eyes of my lord lord th thee king king see it. *ut why does my lord the king want to do such a thing=+ &he king5s king5s word, however, however, overruled overruled Aoab and the army commanders; commanders; so they left the the presence of the the king to enroll enroll the fighting fighting men of Israel. (0 Samuel Samuel 04!0#4% The s$or' #on$in%es in $he same #ha($er ;avid was #ons#ien#e>s >s$$ri#"en af$er he had #o%n %n$$ed $he figh$ing men and he said $o $he ?ord 9I have sinned sinned greatly greatly in what what I have done. How How 8 Lord, I beg you, take away away the guilt guilt of your servant. servant. I have done a very foolish thing.+ (0 Samuel 04!8% This was a #lear s$a$emen$ of re(en$an#e and #onfession b' ;avid) ,od od ho how wever sen$ $he (ro(he$ ,ad ;avid.s seer $o ;avid) This is wha$ $he 0ible re#ords 75
Go and tell avid, 9&his 9&his is what the Lord Lord says! I am givin givingg you three three option options. s. >hoos >hoosee one one of them for me to carry out against you+ So Gad went to avid avid and said said to him, 9Shall there there come upon you you three years of famine famine in your your land= 'r three months of fleeing fleeing from your enemies enemies while they they pursu pursuee you= you= 'r three three days days of plague plague in your your land land== How How th then en,, th thin inkk it over over and and deci decide de how how I should answer the one who sent me.+ avid avid said said to Gad, Gad, 9I am in deep distre distress. ss. Let us fallll int fa ntoo th thee hand handss of th thee Lord Lord,, fo forr his merc mercyy is great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.+ So th thee Lord Lord sent ent a plag lague on Isra Israel el from from th that at morni morning ng until until the end end of the time time desig designat nated, ed, and seventy thousand of the people from an to *eersheba died. (0 Samuel 04! 0# %
ome offences in the sight of %od are so serious that although %od will forgive if there is repentance and confession, there is a continuing udicial result. ;avid had re(en$ed and #onfessed his sin b%$ ,od s$ill sen$ %dgmen$ The f%ll im(li#a$ions of ;avid.s a#$ion in n%mbering $he (eo(le is no$ #lear in $he s#ri s#ri($ ($%r %ree) There here is a (rov (roviision sion made ade in $he /ld /ld Tes$amen$ for n%mbering $he (eo(le b%$ i$ wo%ld seem be#a%se of $he (enal$' whi#h ,od im(osed $ha$ behind ;avid.s a#$ion in n%mbering $he (eo(le was (ride in wha$ he had a#hieved) *$ wo%ld a((ear $ha$ ;avid m%s$ have had self>sa$isfa#$ion be#a%se of $he n%mber of (eo(le he had ga$hered aro%nd 76
him) ;avid had failed $o a#"nowledge $ha$ i$ was ,od who had given him (ower and vi#$or') ;avid.s generals oab and o$hers had (leaded wi$h him no$ $o n%mber $he (eo(le b%$ he had gone ahead willf%ll') Bow reali+ing $he enormi$' of his a#$ion he #ried o%$ $o ,od in re(en$an#e) 0%$ i$ was $oo la$e ;avid was res$ored $o fellowshi( wi$h ,od as a res%l$ of his re(en$an#e b%$ (ardon for $he #onse2%en#es of his sin was no$ gran$ed) 0e#a%se of ;avid.s a#$ion %dgmen$ fell on $he whole na$ion) There was a #on$in%ing #on$in%ing %di#ial res%l$ from ;avid.s fail%re) Perha(s $his sho%ld be a sal%$ar' lesson for some Chris$ian leaders $oda' who (%$ grea$ s$ress on $he n%mbers of (eo(le who a$$end $heir mee$ings) We need $o #ons$an$l' remember $ha$ an' s%##ess $ha$ we eno' is be#a%se of ,od.s gra#e and -is S(iri$ ra$her $han on o%r own energies or abili$ies) more serio%s ill%s$ra$ion is $he one dealing wi$h ;avid.s ad%l$er' wi$h 0a$hsbeba and $he arranged dea$ dea$h h of her her h%s h%sba band nd Kria Kriah) h) Th Thes esee %n %ndo do%b$ %b$ed edl' l' were $he dar"es$ even$s in ;avid.s life) The s$or' is re#orded in Sam%el 11) ?a$er ;avid was #onfron$ed wi$h $hese $wo sins his ad%l$er' and $he m%rder of one of $he men who had $r%s$ed him) Some #ommen$a$ors sa' $ha$ i$ ma' have been %( $o fo%r fo%r 'ears ears befo before re ;avi ;avid d gen% gen%in inel el' ' re(e re(en$ n$ed ed and and as"e as"ed d ,od. ,od.ss forg forgiv iven enes esss even even $ho% $ho%gh gh ;avi ;avid d did did immedia$el' re#ogni+e wha$ he had done b%$ was %nwilling $o fa#e %( $o his a#$ions) We #an a##e($ 77
$ha$ we have done wrong b%$ no$ gen%inel' re(en$) ;avid ins$an$l' ins$an$l' a#"nowledged a#"nowledged his sin b%$ #o%ld no$ have been gen%inel' re(en$an$ be#a%se he was no$ immedia$el' res$ored $o fellowshi( wi$h ,od HPsalm 33>4I) *f we wan$ $o %nders$and $he inner ba$$le $ha$ ;avid e(erien#ed in see"ing $o be res$ored in his rela$ionshi( wi$h $he ?ord we #an read his own a##o%n$ in Psalm 3) This (salm reveals a (eriod of grea$ grea$ (ers (erson onal al s$r%g s$r%ggl glee befor beforee ;avi ;avid d fina finall ll' ' and and sin#erel' #onfessed and re(en$ed of $he enormi$' of his sin) The living 0ible (ara(hrases $he e(erien#e of ;avid in $his gra(hi# manner ?hat happ ?hat happin ines esss fo forr th thos osee whos whosee guil guiltt has has been been forgivenE ?hat
We can recogni-e that we have done wrong but not genuinely repent. Wha$ a drama$i# drama$i# a##o%n$ of an inner #onfli#$) #onfli#$) ;avid fina finall ll' ' rea# rea#he hed d $he $he (la# (la#ee of gen% gen%in inee so sorr rrow ow)) -e 7@
re(en$ed and #onfessed and ,od res$ored him $o fellowshi( wi$h -im) /ne #anno$ read Psalm 3 wi$ho%$ sensing $he grea$ weigh$ $ha$ had been lif$ed from ;avid and $he o' $ha$ was now wi$hin him even even $ho% $ho%gh gh dis# dis#ii(li (line and %dg %dgm men$ en$ were were no no$$ rem remov oved ed)) Th This is is #onf #onfir irm med as we read read ;avi ;avid. d.ss words in Psalm 51) ;avid was obvio%sl' aware of $he #on$in%ing effe#$ his sin had on ,od.s highes$ (%r(ose for his life) *$ is sobering $o read $he verses of $his (salm again in $he ligh$ of wha$ has been (resen$ed in $his s$%d' /ave /ave merc mercyy upon upon me, me, 8 God, God, acco accord rdin ingg to your your unfailing unfailing love; love; accordin accordingg to your great compassio compassionn blot out my transgression. ?ash away all all my ini6uity ini6uity and cleanse me from from my sin. or I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. )gainst you, you only, have I sinned and done what what is evil in your your sigh sight, t, so th that at you you are are prov proved ed right when you speak speak and rea >reate te in me a pure pure hear heart, t, 8 God, God, and rene renew w a steadfast spirit within me. o not cast cast me from from your prese presenc ncee or ta take ke your your /oly Spirit from me. 7esto 7estore re to me the
&hen I will &hen ill te teac achh tran transg sgre ress ssor orss your your ways ways,, and and sinners will turn back to you. (:salm !-# 3% Cou Cou do not delight delight in sacrific sacrifice, e, or I would would bring bring it; you do not take pleasure pleasure in burnt offerings. offerings. &he sacrifice sacrificess of God are a broken spirit; spirit; a broken and and cont contri rite te hear heart, t, 8 God God you you will ill not not desp despis ise. e. (:salm ! "#
%$Continuing &udg#ent an' Chris$ians have been %nwilling $o fa#e $he fa#$ fa#$ $ha$ $ha$ $her $heree #an #an be #on$ #on$in in%i %ing ng %dg %dgme men$ n$ af$e af$err forgiveness has been given) *$ is eas' $o sa' 8 -s far as the east is from the west! west! so far has 0e removed removed or transgressions from s< HPsalm 1!31I) We #an $a"e $ha$ $o mean $ha$ o%r sin is blo$$ed o%$ and finished wi$h in ever' wa' b%$ $ha$ ma' no$ be #orre#$) * have heard (eo(le sa' when $he' s(ea" abo%$ $he mer#' and forgiveness of ,od 8Well love #overs a m%l$i$%de of sins ,od is a loving ,od and will no$ hold o%r fail%re agains$ %s)<
Many hristians have have been unwilling to face the fact that there can be continuing udgment after forgiveness forgiveness has been been given. *f we are see"ing $o grow s(iri$%all' we need $o $a"e $his as(e#$ $o hear$) *n ;avid.s #ase ,od.s forgiveness did no$ elimina$e $he #onse2%en#es of an a#$ion) Bo$ onl' did $he #hild $ha$ was born $o 0a$ 0a$hs hshe heba ba die die b% b%$$ ,od infl nfli#$e #$ed a #on on$i $in% n%in ing g $em(oral %dgmen$ on ;avid) -e was $old b' $he (ro(he$ Ba$han @!
How, How, therefore, therefore, the sword sword shall never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of riah the /ittite to be your own. (0 Samuel 0!8% These words were s(o"en $o ;avid who was des#ribed as 8a man af$er ,od.s own hear$< ;avid had been #hosen b' ,od and ordained $o be "ing of *srael) -e loved $o (raise and worshi( $he ?ord and $o have fellowshi( wi$h -im) ;avid however was a man who had be#ome #a($%red b' l%s$ for 0a$hsheba) -e finall' re(en$ed b%$ al$ho%gh ,od forgave him for $he sins he had #ommi$$ed dea$h and $ro%ble #on$in%ed $o infli#$ his famil') There were #on$in%ed $em(oral #onse2%en#es of his sin) ;isas$ers and hear$a#he followed ;avid.s famil') mmon ;avid.s son ra(ed his own sis$er and la$er (aid $he (enal$' wi$h his life) bsalom (lo$$ed agains$ his fa$her $o $a"e $he $hrone and won $he hea hear$s of $he (eo(le (le b' de#ei$) ;avid vid s%ffered be$ra'al b' bsalom and la$er bsalom died violen violen$l' $l')) *n s(i$e s(i$e of bsalo bsalom.s m.s de#e($ de#e($ion ion ;avid ;avid was in grea$ dis$ress when $old of his son.s dea$h) We read in $he s#ri($%re re#ord &he king was shaken. /e went up up to the room over over the gateway gateway and wept. wept. )s he went went he said, 9' my son )bsalomE y son, my son )bsalomE If only I had died died instead instead of you # ' )bsalom )bsalom,, my son, my sonE+ (0 Samuel !33% We wo%ld have hard hear$s if we did no$ feel some$hing of $his fa$her.s ang%ish) Gven $he grea$ and wise Solomon who s%##eeded his fa$her ;avid as "ing of *srael ended his da's in selfish (leas%re @1
his hear$ $%rned awa' from ,od) ;avid.s ;avid.s ho%sehold did s%ffer be#a%se of his sins) We live $oda' in a (ermissive so#ie$' where ad%l$er' and forni#a$ion have be#ome #ommon(la#e) * $hin" i$ is sobering $o remember $ha$ %nder $he law of oses ad%l$er' re#eived $he (enal$' of dea$h b' s$oning) ,od (ar$i#%larl' said $o ;avid 9Cou are not going to die+ (0 Samuel 0!3%. ;avid sho%ld have died %nder $he $erms of $he law b%$ ,od however showed mer#' %(on him and did no$ demand $he f%ll (enal$' of $he law) -owever $he #onse2%en#es of ;avid.s sin #on$in%ed $o affe#$ him and his famil')
!a. or 0rinciple? 0rinciple? * s%((ose some (eo(le wo%ld sa' 8*sn.$ $ha$ onl' /ld Tes$amen$ (%nishmen$:< This wo%ld leave %s wi$h $he 2%es$ion $o answer as $o whe$her we are dea dealing wi$h an /ld Tes$ame amen$ s$or' or' or wi$h a (rin#i(le of ,od) *f i$ is a (rin#i(le of ,od $hen i$ does no$ #hange) *n 1 ohn 5916 $he a(os$le ohn wri$es abo%$ a sin $ha$ is no$ %n$o dea$h and a sin $ha$ is %n$o dea$h) *n a$$hew -enr'.s 0ible Commen$ar' on $his (ar$i#%lar verse he sa's sa's &he gospel gospel does does not posit positive ively ly threat threaten en death death for the more visible visible sins sins of the members of >hrist, >hrist, but only only some some chas chastitise seme ment nt.. &h &her eree is room room left left fo forr divine wisdom or goodness or even severity, to @
determine how how far the chastisement chastisement or the the scourge shall proceed.
The conse#uences of avid s sin continued to affect him and his family. ’
There is also a Bew Tes$amen$ (a$$ern for $he #on$ #on$in in%i %ing ng deal dealin ings gs of ,od ,od as $o #ons #onse2 e2%e %en# n#es es even even when when fell fellow owsh shi( i( has has been been res$ res$or ored ed $o ,od ,od $hro%gh mer#' and forgiveness) n eam(le of a $em( $em(or oral al or ear$ ear$hl hl' ' %dg %dgm men$ en$ (ro# (ro#ee eedi ding ng even even $ho%gh $here has been (rior forgiveness is fo%nd in -ebrews 6$ This #ha($er begins wi$h s$a$emen$s of $he $he grea grea$$ fo%n fo%nda da$i $ion onal al do do#$ #$ri rine ness of o% o%rr fai$ fai$h h and and goes on $o ma"e $his de#lara$ion It is impo imposs ssib ible le fo forr th thos osee who have have once once been een enli enligh ghte tene ned, d, who who have have ta tast sted ed th thee heav heaven enly ly gift gift,, who have shared in the /oly Spirit, who have tast ta sted ed th thee good goodne ness ss of th thee word word of God God and and th thee powers of the coming age, if they shall fall away, away, to be broug brought ht back back to repent repentanc ance, e, becaus becausee to their their loss loss th they ey are cruc crucififyi ying ng th thee Son Son of God God all all over over aga again and and sub< ub
awa' from $heir fai$h $he s#ri($%re is ver' final= i$ is im(ossible $o bring $hem ba#" $o re(en$an#e ;oes $his mean a loss of salva$ion: Salva$ion is no$ los$ be#a%se of some fail%re or indis#re$ion al$ho%gh i$ is (ossible for one $o lose his salva$ion) G$ernal se#%ri$' #omes from a #on$in%ing rela$ionshi( wi$h es%s Chris$ so we need $o be #aref%l in see"ing $o %nders$and $his (ar$i#%lar (ar$ of ,od.s Word) Perha(s when ,od has blessed %s wi$h -is goodness has filled %s wi$h $he -ol' S(iri$ and has given gif$s of $he S(iri$ and we re(%dia$e $hese b' word or a#$ion i$ be#omes im(ossible $o bring %s ba#" $o $he same (la#e of rela$ionshi( wi$h $he ?ord) * have seen $his ha((en $o (eo(le The' have never been res$ored $o a vi$al (la#e in ,od af$er den'ing or $rea$ing ligh$l' a (owerf%l e(erien#e of ,od.s gra#e and (ower) There are however $hose who wo%ld (la#e a m%#h s$ri#$er in$er(re$a$ion on $hese verses) The' wo%ld see $hese s#ri($%res s#ri($%res as referring $o a (erson (erson who has had a dee( (ersonal e(erien#e of ,od and $hen delibera$el' and #om(le$el' $%rns his ba#" on $he ?ord and $he $r%$h of $he 0ible) This wo%ld be in$er(re$ed as a 8sin %n$o dea$h< from whi#h $here is no (la#e of res$ora$ion) Bo do%b$ $his #an ha((en b%$ in general $his s#ri($%re (ossibl' refers $o a #on$ #on$in in%i %ing ng $em( $em(or oral al %dg %dgme men$ n$ ra$h ra$her er $han $han loss loss of salva$ion) There are dealings of ,od $ha$ begin in $his (resen$ life and even if $here is gen%ine #onfession and re(e re(en$ n$an an##e $here here is no wa' wa' $ha$ ha$ we are are able ble $o es#a(e $he %di#ial hand of ,od) @4
The s$or The s$or' ' of Gs Gsa% a% is ano no$$her her ea eam(le) (le) *$ wo% o%lld seem $ha$ when he sold his bir$hrigh$ $o his bro$her a#ob for $he (ri#e of a meal $ha$ he did so wi$ho%$ #onsidering all $he im(li#a$ions of his a#$ion) The wri$er $o $he -ebrews refers $o $his in#iden$ and sa's See that noDone is se2ually se2ually immoral, immoral, or is godless godless like 1sau, who for a single meal sold his inheritan inheritance ce rights as the oldest oldest son. )fterwards, )fterwards, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was re
/ven if there is genuine confession and repentance, there is no way that we are able to escape the udicial hand of %od.
Facing Failure Wha$ is $he answer $o a si$%a$ion s%#h as $his: There is onl' one remed') *f we have gone agains$ $he Word of ,od $o $he e$en$ $ha$ $he %di#ial hand of ,od ,od rem remains on %s %s af$er f$er we have have re(e re(en$ n$ed ed and and as"ed $o be forgiven $hen $he onl' answer is $o h%mble o%rselves before $he ?ord) Fa#e $he (roblem) ;on.$ e#%se i$) ##e($ i$) ?oo" i$ s$raigh$ @5
in $he fa#e and sa' a' 8:es! i$ ha((ened and * am res(onsible)< *n h%mbling o%rselves before $he ?ord we m%s$ admi admi$$ wha wha$ we have have do done ne)) We m%s %s$$ $hen hen allow llow ,od.s a#$ions in o%r lives wi$ho%$ resis$an#e) The more we resis$ if we are %nder $he %di#ial dealings of ,od $he longer we will remain $here) *$ is onl' when we sa' 8?ord * am des(era$el' in need of 'o%r mer#' forgiveness and (ardon< $ha$ we o(en $he wa' for ,od $o lif$ his %dgmen$ and dis#i(line) ?i"e ;avid of old we m%s$ sa' 8* will $hrow m'self %(on $he mer#' of ,od)< Then s$a' #lose $o $he ?ord) *$ is hard $o fa#e fail%re or a#"nowledge $ha$ we ma' have been wrong) Oer' few (eo(le ever have $he $he #o%r #o%rag agee $o re$r re$ra# a#ee $hei $heirr s$e( s$e(s) s) * have have "n "now own n man' (eo(le who have for vario%s reasons been %(se$ over some as(e#$ of #h%r#h life or em(hasis and have lef$ $he #h%r#h %s%all' wi$h $he #ommen$ $ha$ $he ?ord had dire#$ed $hem in $heir a#$ion) an' of $hese (eo(le have s%bse2%en$l' be#ome s(iri$%al wanderers and $heir Chris$ian grow$h has be#ome s$%n$ed #learl' indi#a$ing b' $he fr%i$ of $heir lives $ha$ $heir original de#ision $o leave $he #h%r#h was no$ a$ ,od.s dire#$ion) * well remember a 'o%ng man who infl%en#ed a gro%( of 'o%ng (eo(le $o be#ome dis#on$en$ed and #ri$i#al and leave $he #h%r#h where * (as$ored) The a##%sa$ion leveled a$ $he minis$r' was $ha$ $here was a la#" of fai$h (rea#hing) This 'o%ng man de#lared $ha $ha$ if on onee had had s% s%ff ffi# i#ie ien$ n$ fai fai$h $h on onee #o%l #o%ld d have have an'$hing one wan$ed) The 'o%ng man #on#erned lef$ @6
$he $he Tea# Tea#he hers rs Coll Colleg egee wher wheree he was was $rai $raini ning ng and and de#lared $ha$ $he ?ord had $old him $o read $he 0ible and wai$ on -im) For some wee"s $he friends of $he 'o%ng man rallied aro%nd him (a'ing $he ren$ of his a(ar$men$ and (roviding mone' for his food %n$il $he' be#ame disill%sioned b' $he even$s) Kl$ima$el' $he 'o%ng man a((lied $o go ba#" $o Kniversi$' and as far as * "now his s(iri$%al involvemen$ in a#$ive #h%r#h life #ame $o a s$ands$ill) -e never #ame ba#" $o a(ologi+e for his a##%sa$ions or $he %(se$ #a%sed in man' o$her lives) *$ is hard $o be h%mble eno%gh $o as" for forgiveness when we have $ho%gh$ $ha$ we were righ$ b%$ fo%nd $ha$ we were wrong) os$ (eo(le %s$ $r' $o forge$ abo%$ i$ or (re$end $ha$ no$hing serio%s ha((ened) ha((ened) *$ is $r%e $ha$ man' of o%r errors begin o%$ of sin#eri$' b%$ $he minis$r' of $he -ol' S(iri$ is $o g%ide %s in$o $r%$h so if we will "ee( a $ea#hable s(iri$ we will soon #ome %nder #onvi#$ion) The sad (ar$ is $ha$ so man' (eo(le will no$ $a"e s$e(s $o (%$ righ$ wha$ is wrong) Sin does no$ have $o be some serio%s immoral a#$ion as an' "ind of disobedien#e or self>will #an ma"e i$ ne#essar' for %s $o h%mble o%rselves in order $o be res$ored $o $he righ$ (la#e of fellowshi( $ha$ ,od wan$s %s $o have wi$h -im) *$ is signifi#an$ $ha$ when #han disobe'ed ,od.s #ommand and $he na$ion of *srael s%ffered defea$ a$ $he #i$' of i $he (eo(le had $o go ba#" $o $he (la#e of defea$ and #on2%er $ha$ #i$' before $he' #o%ld (ro#eed an' f%r$her in $heir #on2%es$ of $he @7
Promised ?and of Canaan) This is a good ill%s$ra$ion of how we m%s$ go ba#" $o $he (la#e of defea$ and deal wi$h $he fail%re if we are $o grow in o%r s(iri$%al lives)
)t is hard to be humble enough to ask for forgiveness when we have have thought that we were right but found that we were wrong.
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Three inds of &udg#ent %dgm %dg men$ en$ #an #an be a (ar$ (ar$ of gen% gen%in inee forg forgiv iven enes ess s There are $hree "inds of %dgmen$ $ha$ a((l' 1) Self>%dgmen$ &heref &her efor oree let let us stop stop pass passin ingg ori >orint nthi hian anss !0% The ?ord re2%ires a gen%ine hones$ self> eami amina$i a$ion) To 2%o$e o$e f%r$ %r$her from $he same #ha($er of Pa%l.s le$$er *ut *ut if we orinthians !3# 30% This $ea#hing is #lear= if we are willing $o %dge o%rselves $hen ,od.s %dgmen$ does no$ #ome on %s b%$ if we do no$ %dge o%rselves $hen ,od will %dge %s and bring on %s wha$ever dis#i(line is needed) @9
) %dgmen$ b' $he Ch%r#h This migh$ be a new as(e#$ $o some be#a%se we seldom do $his in (ra#$i#e) es%s was however ver' #lear abo%$ i$ and gave s(e#ifi# ins$r%#$ions abo%$ $he $he (ro# (ro#eed% d%re re $o be foll follow oweed when when $he $here was was a dis(%$e be$ween believers If your brother brother sins agains againstt you, you, go and show him his fault, fault,
has said, 9>retans are always liars, evil brutes, laJy laJy glut glutto tons ns.+ .+ &h &his is te test stim imon onyy is true true.. &h &her eref efor oree rebuke rebuke them sharply, sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith. (&itus !8#3% The reb%"e and (enal$' are no$ for $he (%r(ose of ridd riddin ing g $he $he #h%r #h%r#h #h of %n %nde desi sira rabl blee (eo( (eo(le le b% b%$$ $o dis#i(line $hem in $he Chris$ian fai$h) The #h%r#h has a (owerf%l %di#ial a%$hori$' %nder ,od) ,enerall' s(ea"ing we have failed $o eer#ise $his res(onsibili$' b%$ i$ is (rovided for in s#ri($%re) 3) The %dgmen$ of ,od -imself We have seen b' $he ill%s$ra$ions $ha$ have been given $ha$ ,od.s dealings #an #on$in%e even af$er for forgiveness has has been gran$ed) We read $his in -ebrews or we know him him who said, said, 9It is mine to avenge; avenge; I will will repa repay, y,++ and and agai again, n, 9&he 9&he Lord Lord will ill
The church has a powerful udicial authority authority under %od. 91
Wha$ has been said in $he (re#eding (aragra(h m%s$ be em(hasi+ed be#a%se i$ is alwa's ,od.s desire $o res$ore res$ore (eo(le (eo(le $o righ$ rela$ions rela$ionshi( hi( wi$h one ano$her and also wi$h -im) The a(os$le Pa%l $a%gh$ #learl' $ha$ $here was $o be res$ora$ion af$er %dgmen$) * am glad we have a ,od li"e $his be#a%se who of %s wo%ld wan$ $o (%nish o%r #hild wee" af$er wee" or mon$h af$er mon$h: P%nishmen$ of a #hild ma' be ne#essar' be#a%se of a rebellio%s a$$i$%de disobedien#e or #arelessness b%$ * am s%re $ha$ loving (eo(le wo%ld wan$ res$ora$ion) ,od does no$ wan$ $o be alwa's infli#$ing dis#i(line) ,od does no$ wan$ $o have -is famil' %nder a heav' hand of %dgmen$ -is desire is $ha$ we sho%ld wal" in o'o%s fellowshi( wi$h -im) We #an do $ha$ b' living in $he ligh$ of ,od.s Word)
(estoration after &udg#ent Consider $wo (assages in $he le$$er $o $he Corin$hians It is actually reported that there is se2ual immorali immorality ty among you, you, and of a kind that does does not occur occur even among pagans! pagans! ) man has his father5s father5s wife. )nd you are proudE proudE Shouldn5t you you rather have been filled filled with grief grief and have put out of your fellowsh fellowship ip the man who did this= 1ven though though I am not physical physically ly present, present, I am with you in spirit. )nd I have already passed
?hen you you are assembled assembled in the name of our Lord Aesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Lord Aesus Aesus is presen present, t, hand this man over to Satan, Satan, so that the sinful sinful nature may be destroyed destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. ( >orinthians !#% This s#ri($%re s#ri($%re $ells $ells of $he dis#i(lin dis#i(linar' ar' a#$ion a#$ion agains$ agains$ a man who was immoral b%$ a member ber of $he #h%r#h) The ins$r%#$ion was $o deliver him $o Sa$an for $he des$r%#$ion of his flesh) When we #ome $o Pa%l Pa%l.s .s se#o se#ond nd le$$ le$$er er $o $he $he Cori Corin$ n$hi hian an #h%r# #h%r#h h we find however $ha$ Pa%l is %rging res$ora$ion for $his man &he punishme punishment nt inflicted inflicted on him by the maorinthians 0!"#% We now see $he #h%r#h members being en#o%raged $o res$ore $he one who had sinned and $o #omfor$ and love him) There is a need for %s $o be $o$all' hones$ in a((l'ing $he (rin#i(les of ,od.s Word) *f we wan$ wan$ gen% gen%in inee forg forgiv iven enes ess s le$ le$ %s real reali+ i+ee $ha$ $ha$ m%#h more is involved $han %s$ ignoring $he sin $ha$ has been #ommi$$ed) The #h%r#h r#h has has a re(%$a$ion for "illing off i$s wo%n wo%nde ded d /ne /ne of $he $he grea grea$e $es$ s$ bles blessi sing ngss we #an #an re#eive is $o see a (erson who has failed being f%ll' res$ored) * remember hearing $his 2%o$e 8We are no$ fail%res be#a%se we fail= we are onl' fail%res when we s$o( $r'ing)< 93
The 0ible is a boo" of res$ora$ion) * "now man' (eo(le who have failed badl' in $heir (ersonal ( ersonal lives b%$ * have also seen some of $hem h%mble $hemse $hemselve lves s $a"e $a"e $he a((ro(r a((ro(ria$ ia$ee dis#i( dis#i(li line ne whi#h whi#h was given main$ain a h%mble and re(en$an$ a$$i$%de de and be f%ll' res$ore ored $o (osi$ions of res(onsibili$' and blessing)
)f we want genuine forgiveness, let us reali-e that more is involved than ignoring the sin that has been committed. ,od is mer#if%l and forgiving b%$ i$ is (ossible $o remain %nder -is %dgmen$ al$ho%gh o%r rela rela$i $ion onsh shi( i( wi$h wi$h -im -im has has been been res$ res$or ored ed)) ,od. ,od.ss desire however is no$ onl' $o res$ore %s $o fellowshi( wi$h -im b%$ also $ha$ we migh$ eno' $he benefi$s benefi$s of f%ll (ardon $hro%gh $he dis#i(line dis#i(line we re#eive) When sin is a#"nowledged and dis#i(line a##e($ed $hen $he #ondi$ions have been es$ablished for f%ll res$ora$ion $o $a"e (la#e) %dgmen %dgm en$$ and and dis# dis#i( i(li line ne are are esse essen$ n$ia iall #ondi #ondi$i $ion onss before $he f%ll (rovisions of forgiveness and (ardon are are eno' no'eed b' $he $he Chri hris$ia s$ian n who has has will willf% f%ll ll' ' sinned)
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Chapter 2 Forgiveness in 'e. Testa#ent We #ome now $o $he words of $he as$er Tea#her -imself $he ?ord es%s Chris$)
Forgiven 3s We Forgive? Wha$ es%s $a%gh$ is fo%nd in $he Sermon on $he o%n o %n$$ a$$ a$$he hew w 5M 5M7 7 and and also also in $he $he diff diffeeren$ ren$ (arables -e $old) We have shown in $he #o%rse of $his s$%d' $ha$ ,od is forgiving) There is no 2%es$ion abo%$ $ha$ We do have a wonderf%l ,od who forgives b%$ i$ is (ossible for #er$ain #onse2%en#es $o #on$in%e even af$er we have been forgiven) The wa' $o deal wi$h $hese #onse2%en#es is b' h%mbling o%rselves %dging o%rselves allowing $he %dgmen$ of $he #h%r#h as (rovided for in s#ri($%re if $ha$ is ne#essar' and re#ogni+ing ,od.s righ$ $o %dge and dis# dis#i( i(lline %s $hro% hro%gh gh $he $he dire dire#$ #$iion of $he -ol -ol' S(ir S(iri$ i$)) Some Some #ons #onse2 e2%e %en# n#es es ma' ma' #on$ #on$in in%e %e b% b%$$ b' mee$ing $he bibli#al re2%iremen$s we #an lessen $he (enal$ies whi#h o$herwise migh$ migh$ a((l') /%r -eavenl' Fa$her has a righ gh$$ $o eer#ise a dis# dis#i( i(li lina nar' r' hand hand %( %(on on $hos $hosee who who belo belong ng $o -is -is famil' so even af$er ,od has res$ored %s $o fel fellows lowshi hi( ( wi$ wi$h -im -im -e ma' ma' #on on$$in% n%ee $o $a"e res$ri#$ive a#$ion agains$ %s %n$il s%#h $ime as we have (roved o%rselves b' obedien#e $o -is Word)
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,od alone is $he %dge of $his so we m%s$ main$ain a s%bmissive a$$i$%de a$ all $imes) Perha(s $he mos$ #hallenging as(e#$ of $his s%be#$ is $he a((li#a$ion of forgiveness be$ween indi indivi vid% d%al als) s) s Chri Chris$ s$ia ians ns we are are #all #alled ed %( %(on on $o forgive forgive o$hers o$hers so $he 2%es$ion 2%es$ion arises arises #on#erning #on#erning $he effe#$ $ha$ o%r forgiving or fail%re $o forgive has %(on ,od.s forgiveness of %s) *n o$her words $o wha$ e$en$ does o%r res(onse $o $he #ommand $o forgive o$hers refle#$ on $he forgiveness we re#eive from ,od: Theree are Ther are so some me im(o im(or$a r$an$ n$ #om( #om(ar ara$ a$iv ivee s#ri s#ri($ ($%re %ress $ha$ need $o be eamined) The firs$ is fo%nd in $he Sermon on $he o%n$ where es%s said 9or if you forgive forgive men when they sin against against you, your heavenly ather ather will also also forgive you. 9*u 9*ut if you you do not fo forg rgiive men their eir sins, ins, your our ather will not forgive your sins.+ (atthew "!4# % This is a ver' s$rong s$a$emen$ b' es%s and we need $o %nders$and $he f%ll im(li#a$ion of $hese words) The se#ond referen#e is fo%nd in ar".s gos(el )nd when you stand praying, if you hold anything against against anyone, anyone, forgive forgive him, so that your ather ather in heaven may forgive you your sins. (ark !0# 0"% The $hird referen#e is fo%nd in ?%"e* s gos(el orgi orgive ve us our sins, sins, for we also forgive forgive everyone everyone who sins against us. )nd lead us not into temptation. (Luke !4% 96
There are man' (eo(le who mis%nders$and $hese s#ri($%res and read in$o $hem an obliga$ion $ha$ $he' of$e of$en n find find im(o im(oss ssib ible le $o f%lf f%lfil ill) l) Th This is lead leadss $hem $hem ei$h ei$her er in$o in$o #ond #ondem emna$ na$io ion n or (re$ (re$en en#e #e)) Th Ther eree is a de($ de($h h of meani eaning ng in $hese hese vers verses es $ha$ ha$ we m%s %s$$ %nders$and in order $o find a #lear answer) #as%al rea reading ding of $he $hese (ass (assaages ges #o% o%lld leave ave a (ers (erson on $hin"ing $ha$ he wo%ld be forgiven b' ,od onl' $o $he e$en$ $ha$ he was willing or able $o forgive ano$her) Tha$ is $r%e in a #er$ain as(e#$ b%$ i$ m%s$ be 2%alified) Theree are Ther are also also $ho hosse (eo( (eo(lle who gai gain a #er$ #er$aain s(iri$%al sa$isfa#$ion from forgiving o$hers for $heir fail%res b%$ never loo" a$ $heir own bad behavior or reali+e $ha$ mos$ of $he diffi#%l$ies begin wi$h $hem and no$ wi$h $hose $he' are anio%s $o forgive This will be dis#%ssed in $he ne$ #ha($er)
+race or Wor4s? *f o%r #on#e($ of forgiveness in#l%des $he (rovision of (ard (ardon on $hen $hen $he $he 2%es$ 2%es$io ion n wo%l wo%ld d imme immedia dia$e $el' l' arise as $o who wo%ld be saved if o%r salva$ion de(ended %(on $he e$en$ $o whi#h we from $he hear$ forgave o$hers: Was es%s dealing wi$h $he 2%es$ion of $he forgiveness $ha$ rela$es $o salva$ion and whi#h in#l%des (ardon or some o$her as(e#$ of forgiveness: /ver man' 'ears of #o%nseling * have fo%nd $ha$ (eo(le have dee( h%r$s and (roblems in $heir lives rela$ed $o $he iss%es of forgiveness and %nforgiveness) os$ of $hem have been #ommi$$ed Chris$ians and man' were ba($i+ed wi$h $he -ol' 97
S(iri$ and were a#$ive in #h%r#h life) The' loved ,od and 'e$ $he' made s%#h s$a$emen$s as $his= 8* have been so h%r$ and wo%nded emo$ionall' and men$all' $ha$ * find i$ im(ossible $o forgive)< The h%r$ ma' have been #a%sed b' a (aren$ or someone else #lose $o $hem and $he' were %nable $o forgive $ha$ (erson)
Who would be saved !f our salvation depended upon the e(tent to which we from the heart forgave others0 Was * dealing wi$h a (erson who was o%$side of $he salva$ion of Chris$ be#a%se es%s said $ha$ if we do no$ forgive one ano$her $hen o%r -eavenl' Fa$her will no$ forgive %s: ?e$ me in#l%de ano$her ill%s$ra$ion from m' (ersonal e(erien#e) 0efo 0efore re be#o be#omi ming ng Chri Chris$ s$ia ians ns a h% h%sb sban and d and and wife wife had had e(e e(eri rieen#e n#ed a s$or s$orm m' and and large rgel' %n %nha ha(( ((' ' marria marriage) ge) There There were were #ons$a #ons$an$ n$ #onfro #onfron$a n$a$io $ions ns and angr' words $ha$ had lef$ bi$$er h%r$s) When $he' a##e a##e($ ($eed Chri hris$ s$ a new new love love and and %n %nde ders rs$$and ndiing develo(ed b%$ (roblems remained over ma$$ers of mone' and o$her fr%s$ra$ions $ha$ had also arisen in $heir rela$ionshi() * s(en$ man' ho%rs wi$h $hem in #o%nseling and advi#e on b% b%d dge$ing and in o$her her areas where diff diffi# i#%l %l$i $ies es o##% o##%rr rred ed and and al$h al$ho% o%gh gh $hes $hesee ma$$ ma$$er erss see seemed med $o be# be#om omee reso resollved ved i$ was was neve neverr lon ong g before ano$her #risis arose) There are alwa's $wo sides $o an' s$or' b%$ * had no do%b$ $ha$ $he maor (roblems o##%rred be#a%se of $he h%sband.s dema demand ndin ing g and and ob obs$ s$in ina$ a$ee a$$i a$$i$% $%de de)) -e deve develo lo(e (ed d 9@
some devian$ wa's whi#h added $o $he (ress%res in $he home and in des(era$ion $he wife lef$ $he ho%se in $he ho(e $ha$ a $rial se(ara$ion migh$ hel( solve $he (roblems) We #on$in%ed $he #o%nseling and * a((oin$ed o$hers $o $a"e a more de$ailed oversigh$ b%$ al$ho%gh $he h%sband showed re(en$an#e i$ was no$ long before his old wa's and a$$i$%des re$%rned) Se(ara$ion and re#o re#on# n#il ilia ia$i $ion on o##% o##%rr rred ed agai again n and and agai again n wi$h wi$h $he $he wife wan$ing $o do $he righ$ $hing b%$ finding $ha$ #ondi$ #ondi$ion ionss alwa' alwa'ss be#ame be#ame in$ole in$olerab rable) le) Finall Finall' ' sh shee #o%ld $a"e no more Some serio%s even$s had $a"en (la#e in $he h%sband.s #ond%#$ $ha$ made i$ im(o im(oss ssib ible le for for me $o insi insis$ s$ $ha$ $ha$ $he $he wife wife sh sho% o%ld ld re$%rn $o her h%sband and as she had $ried so of$en before she had now rea#hed $he end of her abili$' $o forgive and be re#on#iled) The h%s h%sban band d #on$in #on$in%ed %ed $o demand demand re#on# re#on#il ilia$ ia$ion ion b%$ $he wife #o%ld no$ fa#e $he (ros(e#$ of again going $hro%gh $he emo$ionall' des$ro'ing e(erien#es $ha$ she had s%ffered so of$en before) Thee h% Th h%sb sban and d s% s%ed ed for for divo divor# r#e) e) Some Some Chri Chris$ s$ia ians ns wo%ld as" whe$her $he woman had endangered her salva$ion: The answer $o $his 2%es$ion is no) The woman.s ref%sal $o re$%rn $o her h%sband did no$ endanger her salva$ion b%$ her ref%sal $o forgive her h%sband #o%ld lead $o o$her (roblems whi#h wo%ld red%#e her s(iri$%al effe#$iveness) an' (eo(le live wi$h g%il$ and are %nder #ond #ondem emna na$i $ion on be#a be#a%s %see $he' $he' #ann #anno$ o$ forg forgiv ive) e) Th Thee h%r$ h% r$ss $he' $he' have have s% s%ff ffer ered ed are are gen% gen%in ine) e) Th The' e' ma' have been grea$l' wronged= (erha(s someone had 99
$a"en advan$age of $hem when $he' were #hildren) Serio%s #ases of #hild ab%se are now reg%larl' being e(o e(ose sed) d) arr arriiages ages ma' have have bro" bro"en en do down wn or friends ma' have be$ra'ed $he $r%s$ (%$ in $hem) Peo(le have been in a (osi$ion emo$ionall' where $he' have been so h%r$ $ha$ $he' did no$ "now how $o forgive) s a res%l$ $he' have been %nder a grea$ sense of g%il$ and fear) Wi$h man' s%#h (eo(le $here is also a dee( inner bi$$erness) The 0ible warns $ha$ we m%s$ be #aref%l les$ a roo$ of bi$$erness s(rings %( and defiles %s and %nforgiveness is $he #a%se of $his roo$ of bi$$erness) *$ #an #an #lo% #lo%d d real reali$ i$' ' dis$ dis$or or$$ $hin $hin"i "ing ng and and lead lead $o seve severe re emo$ emo$io iona nall ins$ ins$ab abil ili$ i$' ') ;ee( ;ee( wi$h wi$hin in $hes $hesee (eo(le who wan$ed $o love and serve ,od were h%r$s $ha$ #rea$ed anger fear resen$men$ and g%il$) Knre Knreso sollved ved (ai (ain and and %n %nfo forg rgiv iveeness ness #an lead $o do%b$s as $o whe$her $he' were in righ$ rela$ionshi( wi$h ,od in regard $o $heir salva$ion)
Many people live with guilt and under condemnation condemnation because they cannot forgive. Prior $o $he divor# or#e (ro (ro#eedings of $he afore> men$ioned #o%(le man' vindi#$ive a#$ions had been $a"en b' $he h%sband $owards his es$ranged wife) Fa#$s were dis$or$ed and informa$ion was given $o o$her (eo(le who sho%ld no$ have been involved) The wife was dee(l' h%r$ and * #an %nders$and how hard i$ m%s$ have been for her $o fa#e false a##%sa$ions) *$ is eas' $o si$ in an *vor' Tower and demand wha$ sho%ld be done in (ar$i#%lar #ir#%ms$an#es b%$ when one is in $he mids$ of a 1!!
(roblem li"e $his i$ is e$remel' diffi#%l$ $o gen%inel' forgive) The home life was r%ined ll $his $ime $he woman had main$aine main$ained d her #h%r#h fellowshi( and * have no do%b$ $ha$ her e$ernal salva$ion was se#%re in s(i$e of $he $remendo%s inner ba$$le she was end%ring) * now 2%o$e from a wri$$en $es$imon' whi#h she gave $o me Forgive 'o%r h%sband)< The words seemed so #lear al$ho%gh $here was no a%dible voi#e) *$ was a $ime when * was see"ing $he ?ord for an ans nswe werr $o fal false a##%sa #%sa$i $ion onss bei being made agains$ me) * had los$ some of m' o' and (ea#e b%$ did no$ $hin" $ha$ * had been harboring %nforgiveness in m' hear$ $owards m' former h%sband) The words rang $hro%gh m' mind and * fel$ an inner sho#") * s%ddenl' reali+ed $ha$ * had been sinning agains$ ,od and * as"ed for -is forgiveness) Then * said $o $he ?ord $ha$ * wo%ld sin#erel' forgive m' h%sband b%$ * "new $ha$ * wo%ld also need $o go and see him and (%$ ma$$ers righ$) * a#$ed 2%i#"l' and wen$ $o see him) Bo$ onl' did he re#eive m' #onfession and e(ression of forgivenes ness b% b%$$ we e#hanged m%$%al forgiveness and love and (ea#e $owards ea#h o$her whi#h onl' $he -ol' S(iri$ #o%ld have made (ossible) * ins$an$l' fo%nd a new sense of ,od.s love and -is o' and (ea#e)
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* wo%ld have li"ed $o have been able $o sa' $ha$ $his marriage was saved and res$ored b%$ $ha$ did no$ o##% o##%r) r) The se#o se#ond nd bes$ bes$ $oo oo" " (la (la#e and $he $wo $wo (eo(le fo%nd a (la#e of sin#ere forgiveness of ea#h o$her al$ho%gh $he' #o%ld no$ fa#e $he (ros(e#$ of #on$in%ing wi$h $heir marriage) ,od ha$es divor#e b%$ some$imes ever' effor$ seems $o fail in ge$$ing diverse (eo(le $o live in harmon' and we have $o a##e($ a##e($ $he reali$' reali$' of se(ara$ion) se(ara$ion) * do no$ believe believe $ha$ $his fail%re is d%e $o $he la#" of (ower $ha$ $he ?ord (rovides b%$ is d%e $o o%r h%man inabili$' $o a((ro(ria$e a((ro(ria$e $he f%llness of wha$ is (rovided $hro%gh $he -ol' S(iri$) *n #o%nseling wi$h (eo(le who have gone $hro%gh marri rriage (rob (roble lem ms sim similar ilar $o $his his * agre agreee $ha $ha$ si$%a$ions #an be#ome so %gl' when one (ar$' does no$$ wan$ no an$ $o #ha #hang ngee $ha$ ha$ $he o$he o$herr (ar$ (ar$' ' has has no o($ion b%$ $o finall' ge$ o%$ of $he marriage for his or her own sani$' and heal$h) There are $imes when $he $he s#ri s#ri($ ($%r %ree $ell $ellss %s $o hake the dust off your feet !"at !"atth thew ew #$%# #$%#&' &'.. We m%s$ however gen%inel' $r' and $r' hard before we resor$ $o an a#$ion $ha$ is essen$iall' agains$ $ha$ whi#h ,od desires) * am no$ (re(ared $o sa' $ha$ a (roblem is ho(eless) * believe in $he (ower of ho(e and #onsider $ha$ we sho%ld hold $o o%r ho(es even in $he mos$ diffi#%l$ #ir#%ms$an#es %n$il we are absol%$el' s%re $ha$ $he door $o a (ar$i#%lar ho(e has been finall' #losed) Then we m%s$ allow $he -ol' S(iri$ $o (%$ new ho(e ba#" in$o o%r hear$s and minds and (ress forward in o%r lives and in $he f%lfillmen$ of ,od.s (lan for %s)
1!
The diffi#%l$' in gen%inel' forgiving is a ver' real dilemma $ha$ is fa#ed b' man' (eo(le and $he' have been afraid $o s(ea" abo%$ i$) * have dis#overed $ha$ man' (eo(le go $hro%gh serio%s #rises in $heir s(iri$%al lives b%$ are afraid $o $al" abo%$ (roblems as $he' feel $he' are $he onl' ones wi$h $he (ar$i#%lar (roblem) 0' sharing $heir diffi#%l$' wi$h someone else $he' feel inferior as Chris$ians and Sa$an deligh$s in de#eiving sin#ere believers in s%#h a manner) We all fa#e $hese #hallenges and need $o %nders$and how $he' #an be #omba$ed and over#ome) To do $his we m%s$ %nders$and $he real meaning of forgiveness and wha$ is involved when we forgive) ?e$ %s #onsider $hese (oin$s) *f o%r salva$ion is de(enden$ %(on o%r abili$' $o #om(le$el' forgive o$hers from $he hear$ $hen $he sal salva$ va$ion of man' man' bo born rn aga again and S(i S(iri$ ri$>fil >fillled Chris$ians wo%ld be in do%b$ be#a%se %nforgiveness is wi$ho%$ 2%es$ion a (roblem in $he #h%r#h) *f o%r salva$ion de(ends on o%r abili$' $o #om(le$el' forgive o$hers from $he hear$ $hen where does $he 0ible $r%$h of %s$ifi#a$ion b' fai$h s$and: re re we %s$ %s$iifie fied b' o% o%rr fai$ fai$h h in Chri hris$ (l%s (l%s o% o%rr abili$' $o forgive ano$her (erson or are we %s$ified before a hol' ,od be#a%se of $he (rovisions of Calvar' and $he blood of es%s Chris$ alone: The Word of ,od $ells %s $ha$ we are saved b' gra#e $hro%gh fai$h an a#$ of re(en$an#e and #onfession of o%r sin no$ be#a%se of an abili$' $o forgive ano$her who ma' have serio%sl' wronged %s)
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The 'eed to Forgive *n sa'ing $hese $hings we are no$ for one momen$ minimi+ing $he need $o forgive one ano$her b%$ we are (%$$ing $he 0ible $ea#hing #on#erning forgiveness in$o a righ$ (ers(e#$ive) *$ needs $o be s$rongl' em(hasi+ed $ha$ we are now referring $o $he 2%es$ion of forgiving one ano$her onl' in regard $o how i$ affe#$s o%r salva$ion) Salva$ion is an a#$ of mer#' b' a loving ,od whi#h in#o in#or( r(or ora$ a$es es -is -is mer# mer#' ' forgi forgive vene ness ss and and (ardo (ardon) n) The benefi$s of salva$ion are bes$owed %(on %s as a res% res%l$ l$ of gra# gra#e e and and gra# gra#ee alon alone) e) /%r /%r salv salva$ a$io ion n $he $herefo refore re is no no$$ de(e de(end ndeen$ %( %(on on o% o%rr abi abili$' i$' $o forgive ano$her (erson who has wronged %s b%$ is de(e de(end ndeen$ en$ en$ire irel' on $he gra gra#e of ,od ,od and and $he $he res(onse of o%r hear$s in re(en$an#e and #onfession)
We are saved by grace through faith, by an act of repentance and confession of our sin, not because of an ability to forgive another who may have seriously wronged us. * am no$ #ondoning %nforgiveness es%s $a%gh$ $ha$ we m% m%s$ s$ forg forgiv ivee on onee ano$ ano$he her) r) Th Ther eree is a des(era$e need for individ%al Chris$ians $o learn $o forgive one ano$her) an' (eo(le are in serio%s $%rmoil s(iri$ s(iri$%al %all' l' men$a men$all' ll' emo$i emo$ional onall' l' and (h' (h'si# si#all all' ' be#a%se $he' have been %nwilling $o forgive) The h%r$s $he' have s%ffered have been so dee( $ha$ $he' sa' $he' are %nable $o forgive) forgive) os$l' $his inabili$' is d%e $o %nwillingness $o forgive b%$ o$her $imes i$ is d%e $o no$ "nowing how $o begin $o forgive) The 1!4
$as" is $oo grea$ for $hem and $he' do no$ "now $ha$ showing mer#' is $he firs$ s$e( $o forgiveness) Perha(s Perha(s be#a%se of %nforgivenes %nforgiveness s a demoni# demoni# s(iri$ s(iri$ has gained a hold so $ha$ $he (erson finds he is (owerless in $he ba$$le $o be#ome willing $o forgive) -is will $o gen%inel' forgive has be#ome so gri((ed b' Sa$an.s (ower $ha$ he fails $o do wha$ he h e "nows sho%ld be done) (erson in $his #ondi$ion ma' need s(e#ial (ra'er for deliveran#e)
We are not condoning unforgiveness! 1esus taught that we must forgive one another. ,enerall' s(ea"ing however all %nforgiveness is d%e a$ leas$ in $he firs$ ins$an#e $o an %nwillingness or ignoran#e of how $o forgive) Bone of %s #an sa' $ha$ we are %nable $o forgive be#a%se $he Word of ,od $ells %s $ha$ we are $o forgive) *$ wo%ld be a #on$radi#$ion in $erms $o sa' $ha$ $he 0ible $ells %s $o forgive b%$ $ha$ reall' i$ is im(ossible $o do so) *f $he 0ible de#lares $ha$ we are $o forgive one ano$her $hen obvio%sl' $his is wha$ we sho%ld do and wha$ we are able $o do if we "now $he s$e(s) Forgiveness has $o do wi$h hear$ a$$i$%de) We have alread' said $ha$ forgiveness involves $he dismissal of resen$men$ or dis(leas%re) * was given $his (ersonal $es$imon' ' #hildhood was mainl' %nha((' be#a%se of $he $he #on onss$an$ $an$ arg%i rg%ing ng of m' fa$ fa$her her and mo$her) mo$her) *$ was no$ %n$il m' earl' $eens $ha$ * began $o reali+e $he grea$ (ress%re $ha$ m' mo$her s%ffered be#a%se of $he heav' 1!5
drin"ing habi$s of m' fa$her and his infi nfidel deli$' i$' wi$ wi$h o$he o$herr wom omeen) * lov oveed m' fa$h fa$her er and and $her $heree were were so som me ha(( ha((' ' fam famil' il' $imes b%$ $he' were shor$>lived) *n m' mid> $eens m' fa$her lef$ home $o live wi$h ano$her woman and an added finan#ial s$rain was (la#ed %(on o%r famil') s * grew older and married * %s$ wan$ed $o (%$ m' fa$her o%$ of m' mind al$oge$her and * had no desire $o see him again) * $ho%gh$ $ha$ 8forge$$ing< 8forge$$ing< wo%ld solve $he (roblem of $he dee( h%r$ * had s%ffered be#a%se of a bro"en home) The 'ears (assed b' b%$ * did no$ reali+e $ha$ ha$ $here was reall' a dee( %nfor %n forgi give vene ness ss and and bi$$ bi$$er erne ness ss s$il s$illl eis eis$i $ing ng wi$hin me $owards m' fa$her) ;%ring $his $ime ,od was blessing o%r lives and m' h%sband and * had #ome in$o new e(erien#es of ,od.s (rovision and em(owering) $ele(hon onee #all sha$ ha$$ered m' life ' bro$her whom * loved dearl' had been "illed in an a##iden$) ' h%sband and * flew $he long dis$an#e ba#" $o m' home>#i$' for $he f%neral) s * s$e((ed from $he air#raf$ $he firs$ (erson * saw was m' fa$her) ' emo$ions were in $%rmoil b%$ we embra#ed and som ome$ e$hi hing ng ha(( ha((eened ned ins nsiide me) ' fa$her was a bro"en man M devas$a$ed b' $he dea$h of $he son he had mainl' negle#$ed M and * fel$ #om(assion and forgiveness welling %( wi$hin me) 1!6
We were able $o visi$ him la$er and * fo%nd all m' old h%r$s and dis(leas%re were gone) Sorrow and disa((oin$men$ remained b%$ * fo%nd a new (ea#e and #on$en$men$) * dis# dis#ov over ered ed $ha$ $ha$ $r' $r'ing ing $o forg forge$ e$ was ver' ver' differen$ $han forgiving)
Do We Deserve Deserve Forgiveness? There are (ra#$i#al wa's $o over#ome $he (roblem of forgiving o$hers) We m%s$ fa#e %( $o $he fa#$ $ha$ we did no$ deserve an'$hing from ,od o%rselves e#e($ %dgmen$ b%$ -e forgave %s) -e also wen$ be'ond forgiveness and (ardoned %s as well) -e $oo" awa' $he g%il$ and (enal$' of o%r sins so we are deb$ors $o $he mer#' and gra#e of ,od) Gver'one who has made a #ommi$men$ of his life $o es%s Chris$ is a deb$or $o $he gra#e mer#' and forgiveness of ,od) *f ,od forgave %s a deb$ be'ond o%r abili$' $o (a' $hen i$ is a #om(ara$ivel' small $hing for %s $o forgive ano$her some $res(ass agains$ %s be#a%se an' wrong $ha$ is done $o %s #o%ld never #om(are wi$h $he wrong $ha$ we have done $o ,od) Tha$ ma' be hard for a (erson $o a##e($ when $he' are h%r$ing We feel o%r own h%r$s ver' dee(l' and o%r h%man minds #an be ver' self>#en$ered) This is wh' $he 0ible s$resses $he need for $he mind $o be renewed and (ro$e#$ed o$herwise o%r feelings will dis$or$ o%r abili$' $o obe#$ivel' a##e($ $he $r%$h of wha$ $he 0ible sa's) *$ was was o% o%rr sin sin $ha $ha$ made ade $he sa#ri #rifi# fi#e of Chri Chris$ s$ ne#essar') *$ was $he sin of man"ind and $he sin $ha$ we have have #om #ommi$$ mi$$eed $ha$ ha$ made i$ ne# ne#essa essar' r' for for 1!7
Chris$ $o be se(ara$ed from -is Fa$her and s%ffer and die) The h%r$s $ha$ we have s%ffered from o$hers are so small #om(ared $o $he enormi$' of o%r sin agains$ ,od) When we $hin" abo%$ $his obe#$ivel' we "now i$ is $r%e b%$ i$ is hard $o view o%r #ir#%ms$an#es obe#$ivel' when we are in dis$ress) *$ is onl' af$er we have beg%n $o heal and ge$ hold of life again $ha$ we reali+e $he enormi$' of o%r sin agains$ ,od o$hers and o%rselves) We sin agains$ o%rselves when we revel in (ain and we sin agains$ o%r Crea$or when we do no$ allow -im $o heal %s and and g% g%id idee %s in$o in$o whol wholen enes esss in s( s(ir iri$ i$ so so%l %l and and bod') We need $o #ome $o a (ra#$i#al reali+a$ion of $he effe#$s of o%r sins $oward o$hers and $oward ,od be#a%se i$ will hel( %s $o forgive $he $ransgressions of o$hers agains$ %s) *n $he (arable of $he Knmer#if%l Servan$ whi#h we have alread' referred $o and whi#h is fo%nd in a$$hew 1@ $his (rin#i(le is ver' #learl' shown) The $r%$hs #on$ained in $his s$or' are so im(or$an$) The firs$ servan$ was forgiven a grea$ deb$ b%$ he in $%rn ref%sed $o show an' mer#' $o a fellow>servan$ who who owe owed him him a ver' ver' sm smal alll amo% amo%n$ n$)) When hen $he $he mas$er of bo$h of $hose servan$s dis#overed wha$ had been done he revo"ed $he mer#' forgiveness and (ardon $ha$ he had shown $o $he firs$ servan$)
There are practical ways to overcome overcome the problem of forgiving others. When we fail $o res(ond wi$h $he same "ind of %nders$anding $ha$ has been given $o %s we are in 1!@
danger of losing wha$ we o%rselves have re#eived) Bo one #o%ld do%b$ $he %s$i#e of $ha$ *$ is no$ s$range $ha$ if ,od has forgiven %s a grea$ deb$ $hen -e wo%ld e(e#$ %s $o forgive o$hers a ver' m%#h smaller deb$ irres(e#$ive of how serio%s we ma' #onsider i$ $o be) *n #om(arison wi$h wha$ ,od has forgiven %s and $he (enal$' $ha$ o%r fail%re righ$l' deserves an' forgiveness e(e#$ed from %s wo%ld have $o be insignifi#an$)
Delivered to the Tor#entors5 Tor#entors5 The ing ames Oersion of $he 0ible %ses gra(hi# lang%age in des#ribing $he a#$ion of $he mas$er in deal dealiing wi$h wi$h $he %n %nm mer#i r#if%l f%l serv servan an$$) *$ sa's a's (e delivered him to the tormentors) The BW sa's In anger his master turned him over to the *ailers until he should pay back all he owed. !"atthew #+%&'. The ne$ verse ma"es ma"es $his $his %ne2%i %ne2%ivo# vo#al al s$a$e s$a$eme men$ n$%% This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart. !"atthew #+%-' Tha$ sho%ld be eno%gh $o (%$ $he fear of ,od in$o o%r hear$s * $hin" i$ wo%ld be sobering for %s $o remember $he words of $he O as $he (hrase 8 the tormentors e(resses wha$ so of$en ha((ens $o $hose who ref%se $o forgive) The (arable of $he Knmer#if%l Servan$ #anno$ be in$er(re$ed $o mean a loss loss of salv salva$ a$io ion n $o $he $he firs firs$$ serv servan an$) $) Th Thee %n %n% %s$ s$ servan$ was delivered $o $he $ormen$ors he was no$ delivered $o $he ee#%$ioners *$ is no$ ne#essar' $o $r' $o e(lain wh' $his $ransla$ion was given in $he O b%$ $he word 8$ormen$< #an refer $o men$al ang%ish ang%ish agon' agon' $or$%re $or$%re or in$ense in$ense bodil' (ain) This was $he %l$ima$e res%l$ for $he %nmer#if%l servan$) 1!9
We migh$ add $ha$ he deserved i$ be#a%se of his gross grossl' l' self selfis ish h and and %n#ar %n#arin ing g a$$i a$$i$% $%de) de) 0%$ 0%$ are are we also g%il$' of s%#h #ond%#$: friend who had s%ffered for 'ears be#a%se of $he s$r% s$r%gg ggle le $o forg forgiive wro$ wro$ee $hi $his #om omm men$ $o me 8Wh 8When we do no$ or #anno no$$ forgive we s%ff %ffer men$a men$all ang%is ang%ish h som some$i e$ime mess (h' (h'si# si#al al ang%is ang%ish h and even$%al s(iri$%al de#a')<
%od in hrist not only forgave but pardoned us. )n comparison to this, how small are the wrongs that we have suffered. ' e(erien#e in dealing wi$h (eo(le #onfirm $ha$ man' are li$erall' in $ormen$ be#a%se $he' will no$ forgive) The' wonder abo%$ $he origin of man' of $heir (roblems b%$ so of$en i$ is be#a%se $he' will no$ forgive) The' are s$ill saved b' $he gra#e of ,od and #leansed of $heir sin b' $he blood of Chris$ b%$ $he' are in $he hands of $he $ormen$ors $ormen$ors be#a%se be#a%se $he' will no$ forgive ano$her as ,od has forgiven $hem) ?e$ me give $his ill%s$ra$ion) * do no$ $hin" $ha$ * #an reme rememb mber er a (ers (erson on mo more re fear fearf%l f%l $orm $ormen en$e $ed d and and erra$i# in her Chris$ian life as $his (ar$i#%lar woman) There were o##asions when she seemed $o radia$e Chris$ M da's when she was e%beran$ and o'o%s M $hen $he #rash wo%ld #ome She be#ame mood' s%s(i#io%s nega$ive and even vindi#$ive) She was a woman woman wi$h abili$' and a good ob and a$ $imes her s(iri$%al life wo%ld rea#h a (ea" of vi#$or' b%$ more of$en she wo%ld be in ho(eless des(air)
11!
Theree were Ther were $im $imes when when we wond wonder ered ed abo% abo%$$ her her men$al s$abili$' b%$ $ha$ was no$ $he (roblem= she sim( sim(l' l' ref%s ref%sed ed $o forg forgiv ive) e) Th Thee slig sligh$ h$es es$$ in#i in#ide den$ n$ wo%ld be in$er(re$ed as a maor sligh$) The a#$ions of friends wo%ld be $rea$ed as (ersonal ins%l$s if $he' did no$ mee$ wi$h her (leas%re) She hel held gr%d gr%dge ges s disl disli" i"es es and and rese resen$ n$m men$ en$ and and a$ $im $imes wo%l wo%ld d #om( #om(le le$e $el' l' igno ignore re her her frie friend ndss if she was was %(se$ b' some in#iden$) * never heard her a(ologi+e= she %s$ (re$ended no$hing had ha((ened af$er her bla#" mood had (assed) * believe she reall' loved ,od b%$ she was never reall' willing $o forgive) -er Chris$ian life #on$in%ed in $his wa' %n$il * finall' los$ #on$a#$ wi$h her when she lef$ $he #h%r#h) 0' #ons$an$ viola$ion of $he $he #om #ommand mand of es% es%ss $o forg forgiv ivee o$he o$hers rs $his $his woman was in reg%lar men$al and emo$ional $ormen$) When we forgiv give o$hers we re#eive a (os osii$ive benefi$ o%rselves) When we hold %nforgiveness $oward o$hers we be#ome $heir slave as $he wrong $he' have done $o %s is #ons$an$l' on o%r mind) Forgiving ano$her (erson is a libera$ing e(erien#e for %s) 0%$ we find i$ hard $o forgive be#a%se we don.$ %nders$and ,od.s role wi$h regard $o (ardon) /%r res(onsibili$' is $o be mer#if%l $oward $he one who has wronged %s and $o be willing $o dismiss from o%r hear$ $he resen$men$ we feel) We #an do $his b' (ra'ing in a (osi$ive wa' for $he (erson who has offended %s) es%s $old %s $o love o%r enemies and $o (ra' for $hose who (erse#%$e %s Ha$$hew 59;; 59;;<$ <$ ;o no$ %nderes$ima$e $he wor" of $he -ol' 111
S(iri$ as we $a"e s$e(s $o a#$ in obedien#e $o ,od.s Word) /%r firs$ s$e(s ma' be rel%#$an$ and feeble b%$ $he -ol' S(iri$ res(onds b' hel(ing %s) The a(os$le Pa%l said we do no$ even "now how we o%gh$ $o (ra' b%$ $he -ol' S(iri$ himself in$er#edes for %s Homans @6I)
My e(perience in dealing with people confirms that many are literally in torment because they will not forgive. Wha$ ,od e$ends $o %s -e e(e#$s %s $o e$end wi$h wi$hin in $he $he s#o(e #o(e of o% o%rr a%$h a%$hor ori$ i$' ' $o o$he o$hers rs)) Th Thee e$en$ of o%r a%$hori$' and $he #ommand $o %s from $he ?ord is $o be mer#if%l and forgiving a$ all $imes) *$ is no$ o%r righ$ or (reroga$ive $o (ardon) This righ$ belongs $o ,od
Forgiveness 6 Conditional or %nconditional? There is ano$her maor as(e#$) *$ is $ha$ ,od im(oses #ond #ondi$ i$iion onss befo before re forg forgiv iveeness ness #an #an be re#e re#eiived) ved) These #ondi$ions are 2%i$e #lear) The firs$ is re(en$an#e and $he se#ond is #onfession) ,od onl' forgives on $he basis of $hese $wo #ondi$ions) *f we re( re(en$ and #onfess $hen hen -e will forgive) /%r #on$in%ing fellowshi( wi$h ,od is adversel' affe#$ed b' an' sin an' falling shor$ of or missing $he mar" $ha$ ,od re2%ires for o%r lives) -olding bi$$erness or resen$men$ is a #lear viola$ion of ,od.s Word) *f $hese are in o%r hear$s $oward o$her (eo(le $hen o%r fellowshi fellowshi( ( wi$h ,od is in$err%($e in$err%($ed) d) We are 11
no longer wal"ing in $he ligh$ in regard $o o%r fellowshi( wi$h ,od) *$ is in$eres$ing $o no$e $ha$ in $he m(lified Oersion of a$$hew 614M15 rela$ing $o forg orgiving on onee ano$her $he words 8giving %( resen$men$< are %sed) This is $he snare $ha$ believers in Chris$ #ons$an$l' fa#e) We are %nwilling $o or do no$ "now how $o give %( resen$men$ b%$ we do no$ reali+e $ha$ we are (la#ing o%rselves in $he hands of $he 8$ormen$ors<) /%r salva$ion $hro%gh es%s is s$ill a reali$' b%$ we lose $he sense of $he nearness of $he ?ord) This leads %s $o a ver' im(or$an$ $r%$h) ,od.s hear$ is alwa' wa's o( o(een $o forg forgiv ivee so ,od ,od re2% re2%ir irees an' believer $o have a similar hear$ a$$i$%de of will willin ingn gnes esss $o forg forgiv ivee o$he o$hers rs irre irres( s(e# e#$i $ive ve of wha$ wha$ has been done $o him) There are no e#e($ions we m%s$ have a hear$ a$$i$%de $ha$ is o(en $o forgiveness and believe $ha$ ,od will im(ar$ $he needed gra#e $o do so)
)t is not our right or prerogative prerogative to pardon. This right belongs to %od. ?e$ ?e$ me #onf #onfir irm m $ha$ $ha$ ,od. ,od.ss forg forgiv iven enes esss re2% re2%ir ires es #onfession b' $he one who has sinned If we confes confesss our our sins, sins, he is faithfu faithfull and and
sin# sin#er eree so sorr rro ow for for $he fail fail%r %re e so $his his s#ri s#ri($ ($%r %ree (res%((oses $ha$ $here has been $r%e re(en$an#e before $he #onfession is made) These are $he %n#hanging gro%nds for forgiveness $o be #om(le$ed) S%rel' ,od does no$ re2%ire a believer $o o(era$e on a higher s$andard $han -e does: ;o 'o% $hin" $ha$ ,od wo%ld e(e#$ %s $o have a higher level of #ond%#$ $han -imself:
We are unwilling to give up resentment, but we do not reali-e that we are placing ourselves ourselves in the hands of the tormentors . “
”
*f ,od.s forgiveness of %s is no$ %n#ondi$ional $hen is o% o%rr forg forgiv iven enes esss of one ano$ ano$he herr %n %n#o #ond ndi$ i$io iona nal: l: The wa' we of$en a#$ wo%ld ma"e i$ seem $ha$ $his was so We wan$ o$hers $o forgive and forge$ $ha$ we have done wrong $o $hem b' o%r a#$ing as if no$hing had ha((ened) This does no$ wor" and i$ does no$ (rod%#e gen%ine forgiveness as far as ,od is #on#erned) * need $o again 2%o$e $he signifi#an$ $ea#hing b' es%s $ha$ we have #onsidered in an earlier #ha($er as $his $his is vi$a vi$all in %n %nde ders rs$a $and ndin ing g $ha$ $ha$ forg forgiv iven enes esss be$ween one ano$her is no$ %n#ondi$ional %n#ondi$ional If your brother brother sins agains againstt you, you, go and show him his his fa faul ult, t,
wi$h whom we have $he fa%l$) es%s made i$ (lain $ha$ $he righ$ #o%rse was $o go dire#$ $o $he (erson #on#erned and in doing $his we ma' win o%r bro$her and $he ma$$er ma' be resolved) resolved) *f having having done $his he will no$ hear %s $hen we are $o $a"e one or $wo o$hers and go $o him $o #onfirm wha$ is being said if $hen even wi$h $he wi$nesses $o $he (roblem $he bro$her is s$ill %nwilling $o lis$en $he iss%e is $o go before $he #h%r#h) Seld Seldom om ho howe weve ver r do we find find $ha$ $ha$ $he $he #h%r #h%r#h #h is willing $o be involved in s%#h (ersonal ma$$ers b%$ es%s has inves$ed a%$hori$' in $he #h%r#h and $he #h%r #h%r#h #h has has a vi$ vi$al (ar$ (ar$ $o (la' (la' in re# re#on on#i #illia$i ia$ion on be$ween #onfli#$ing members) *$ is eas' $o reason $ha$ i$ is be$$er $o le$ an iss%e dro( ra$her $han bea$ a dead horse b%$ so of$en $he %nres %nresol olve ved d (robl (roblem em rema remain inss li"e li"e a #an# #an#er er $ha$ $ha$ is slowl' ea$ing awa' $he bod') Knresolved (roblems have a habi$ of e(loding wi$h a m%#h more devas$a$ing res%l$ $han $he (ain #a%sed in $r'ing $o deal wi$h $hem a$ $he $ime $he' arise) Following $his $ea#hing wi$h $he $hree #lear s$e(s for forgiveness Pe$er #ame $o es%s and as"ed him a s(e#ifi# 2%es$ion Lord Lord,, how how many many time timess shal shalll I fo forg rgiv ivee my brot brothe herr when when he sins sins agai agains nstt me= me= p to seve sevenn time times= s= (atthew !0% * am s%re $ha$ Pe$er $ho%g %gh h$ $ha$ he was being es(e#iall' gra#io%s and s(iri$%al as he as"ed $ha$ 2%es$ion) K( $o seven $imes seemed a maor #on#ession be#a%se $he oral law of $he s#ribes and 115
Pharisees (rovided $ha$ forgiveness be given onl' $hree $imes) To forgive $hree $imes was no$ (ar$ of $he law of oses b%$ i$ was (ar$ of $he $radi$ion $ha$ had been added $o $he law) *$ was a big s$e( for Pe$er $o be willing $o forgive seven $imes -e m%s$ have been ama+ed b' $he re(l' given b' es%s I te tellll you, you, not not seve sevenn time times, s, but seve sevent ntyD yDse seve venn times. (atthew !00% *$ is in$eres$ing $o no$e $ha$ in $he O es%s is s$a$ s$a$ed ed as sa' sa'ing ing $o forg forgiv ivee seve seven$ n$' ' $im $imes seve seven n Wha$ever $ransla$ion is a##e($ed i$ seems obvio%s $ha$ es%s was $elling Pe$er $ha$ $here is no limi$ $o how of$en one sho%ld sho%ld forgive) forgive) -owever in $he ligh$ of wha$ es%s had been sa'ing in $he (re (revio%s verses $he (erson a$ fa%l$ was re2%ired $o a#"nowledge his fail%re) *f $ha$ was no$ done af$er $he $hree (ro#ed%res had been followed $hen $he (enal$' is 2%i$e #lear If he refuses refuses to listen even even to the church, treat treat him as you would a pagan or a ta2 collector. collector. D(atthew D(atthew !
%$%od says that if we repent and confess, &e will restore us to fellowship with &imself /n man' o##asions * have had $o deal wi$h men and wom women who hose se a$$i$ $i$%d %dees and #on ond% d%##$ have have been been wron ong g) Some$imes imes $hese (eo( o(lle have been in (osi$ions of leadershi( and res(onsibili$') *ndivid%al #o%nseling was %ns%##essf%l) Times of dis#%ssion wi$h one or $wo o$hers or even wi$h an Gldershi( failed $o gain a righ$ res(onse) Wha$ sho%ld have 116
ha((ened $hen: ##ording $o $he $ea#hing of es%s $he ma$$er sho%ld $hen have been $a"en before $he whole #h%r#h Seldom does $he #h%r#h ma"e (rovision for s%#h an a#$ion) Perha(s we have been afraid $o air dir$' linen in fron$ of $he #ongrega$ion and so have allowed a (erson $o sli( o%$ of #h%r#h life of$en leaving $he im(ression $ha$ $he leadershi( and no$ $he (erson was a$ fa%l$ The ne$ news we have is $ha$ $he (erson #on#erned #on#erned has has been given a (osi$ion of res(o (on nsibili$' in ano$her #h%r#h and his wrong a#$ion or a$$i$%de has no$ been deal$ wi$h) * have "nown men $o go from a (osi$ion of a%$hori$' in one #h%r#h $o a leadershi( (osi$ion in ano$her #h%r#h or Chris$ian a#$ivi$' a#$ivi$' leaving behind a $o$al viola$ion of $hese (rin#i(les) *$ is $r%e $ha$ es%s said we were $o forgive one ano$her b%$ -e laid down #lear r%les as $o wha$ was $o be done if a fa%l$ arose be$ween bre$hren and how $he' were $o res(ond) nd if $he' did no$ do so $hen $he' were $o be ree#$ed from fellowshi( wi$h o$her believers no$ given a leadershi( role in some o$her s(here) We have have alre lread' seen seen $ha $ha$ es es%s $old old Pe$e Pe$err $ha$ ha$ for forgiveness was no$ $o be limi$ed $o a #er$ain n%mber of $imes) *$ wo%ld also hel( %s $o #om(are wha$ es%s said $o Pe$er wi$h $he words of $he ?ord re#orded in ?%"e.s gos(el If your brother brother sins, rebuke rebuke him, and if he repents, repents, forgive forgive him. If he sins against against you seven times in a day, and seven seven times comes back back to you and says, 9I repent, forgive him.+ (Luke $!3#4% 117
This is a signifi#an$ addi$ion $o wha$ we have in a$$hew.s gos(el) When (eo(le sin agains$ %s we don.$ %s$ be#ome a door ma$ and allow o%rselves $o be wal"ed on es%s in#l%ded $he ver' im(or$an$ s$a$ s$a$em emen en$$ %s$ %s$ men$ men$io ione ned d 8 If yor brother sins! rebe him! and if he repents! forgive him$ < There are $wo vi$al a#$ions= reb%"e $he one who has sinned and forgive him if he re(en$s *$ was as a res%l$ of $hese words of es%s $ha$ $he in&rea ease se or or fait faith h< dis#i(les said $o $he ?ord 8in&r H?%"e 1=95<$ The in#rease of fai$h was no$ for (erforming mira#les b%$ for $he abili$' $o re(ea$edl' forgive) * am s%re $ha$ we wo%ld feel $he same ?e$ me s%mmari+e $he si$%a$ion $he bro$her who has sinned is firs$ $o #ome and re(en$) *f $here is re(en$an#e $hen $here are no gro%nds on whi#h a Chris$ian #an hold an' h%r$ or resen$men$) e(en$an#e m%s$ bring for$h $he res(onse of forgiveness) There m%s$ alwa's be however even before re(en$an#e is e(ressed a willingness $o forgi forgive ve b% b%$$ $he $he forgi forgive vene ness ss #anno #anno$$ be #om( #om(le le$e $ed d %nlless $here is re(en %n (en$an#e b' $he one who has #a%sed $he offen#e) -ere we have $he same #onsis$en$ gro%nds for $he #om(le$ion of gen%ine forgiveness re(en$an#e and #onfession) There are $wo im(or$an$ im(or$an$ #a$egorie #a$egoriess $o #onsider) #onsider) The firs$ one is $hose who are Chris$ians and where one has has offe offend nded ed agai agains ns$$ ano$ ano$he herr b% b%$$ re(e re(en$ n$ed ed)) Th This is si$%a$ion of$en arises in #h%r#h life) Someone has grieved ano$her b%$ #omes and a#"nowledges $he fa%l$ and re(en$s) Forgiveness in s%#h #ir#%ms$an#es is $o be %n#ondi$ion onaal) We have no s#ri($%ra %ral 11@
gro%nds for re$aining an' wrong a$$i$%de or ill>will $owa $oward rdss a (ers (erson on who who has has re(e re(en$ n$ed ed)) Gv Gven en if $he $he offe offen# n#ee is re(e re(ea$ a$ed ed and $he $he (ers (erson on on on##e more ore re(en$s $hen es%s said $ha$ he m%s$ be forgiven) Ther Th eree is no lim limi$ $o forg forgiv iven enes esss if re(e re(en$ n$an an#e #e is shown no ma$$er how of$en one (erson fails ano$her)
The increase of faith was not for performing miracles but for the ability to repeatedly forgive.
Forgiveness and Trust es%s did no$ sa' $ha$ we were $o have $he same #onfiden#e or $r%s$ in $he (erson b%$ -e did sa' $ha$ we m%s$ forgive) We have seen (revio%sl' $ha$ i$ is (ossible $o have fellowshi( res$ored and $o forgive a (erson from $he hear$ h ear$ and 'e$ s$ill no$ have $he same $o$al $r%s$ or #onfiden#e in him be#a%se #redibili$' has $o be res$ored) This is a differen$ ma$$er al$oge$her $han holding %nforgiveness) The se#o The se#ond nd #a$ #a$egor egor' ' is when when a (ers (erson on who who has has sinned agains$ ano no$$her does oes no$ re(en (en$) Wha$ ha((ens in $his #ase: The (roblem is $ha$ no$ man' (eo(le #ome and sa' $ha$ $he' are sorr' when an offen offen#e #e has has been been #omm #ommi$ i$$e $ed) d) Some Some (eo( (eo(le le $r' $r' $o (re$end $ha$ no$hing has ha((ened) The' %s$ wan$ $o forge$ abo%$ i$) The' $r' $o renew $he rela$ionshi( rela$ionshi( from where $he (roblem o##%rred be#a%se $he' will no$ h%mble $hemselves and a(ologi+e) So wha$ do we do: This is a (roblem $ha$ alwa's seems $o be wi$h %s) We #an onl' a((eal $o $he firs$ 119
se$ of s#ri($%res $ha$ give a general #ommand $o forgive) /%r a$$i$%de m%s$ alwa's be one of willingness $o forgive whe$her a (erson re(en$s or no$$) We have no have $he $he res res(o (ons nsiibil bili$' $o dism dismiiss an' an' bi$$erness or resen$men$ $ha$ we ma' feel irres(e#$ive of how $he offender s%bse2%en$l' a#$s) *f $he (erson does no$ re(en$ $hen forgiveness has no$ been #om(le$ed as far as i$ rela$es $o him) -e is in $ro%ble no$ wi$h %s b%$ wi$h ,od) These are no$ o%r r%les $he' are ,od.s
We have no scriptural grounds for retaining any wrong attitude or ill'will towards a person who has repented. When a (erson does no$ $a"e $he ini$ia$ive $o (%$ righ$ a wrong he remains %nder $he 8$ormen$ors.) The (erson who s%ffers is no$ $he one offended agains$ b%$ $he one who has offended be#a%se he remains %nder ,od.s %dgmen$) This will #on$in%e %n$il he has h%mbled h%mbled himself and #om(lied wi$h $he obliga$ion $o re(en$ and #onfess) Bone of %s is ever free of $his obliga$ion) *$ a((lies $o o%r rela$ionshi( wi$h ,od and i$ a((lies $o o%r rela$ionshi( wi$h one ano$her) *f we have sinned a s(e#ifi# s(e#ifi# #onfession #onfession is re2%ired) re2%ired) *$ is no$ s%ffi#ien$ s%ffi#ien$ a$ $he end of a da' $o (ra' a general (ra'er as"ing for forgiveness) *$ is no$ as eas' as $ha$ We need $o fa#e $he reali$' of $he (rin#i(les wi$h whi#h we are dealing) When we "now $ha$ we have delibera$el' disobe'ed ,od.s Word we need $o fa#e %( $o i$ and #onfess i$ b' name) ,od #an $hen #leanse %s and res$ore %s $o fellowshi() *$ is $he 1!
same wi$h one ano$her) *$ ma' firs$ be ne#essar' $o (%$ some$hing righ$ wi$h ano$her (erson or ma"e res$i$%$ion b%$ we m%s$ $a"e $he s$e( $o e(ose $he (roblem and deal wi$h i$) Forgiveness whi#h m%s$ be offered a$ all $imes is onl' on l' #ons #ons%m %mma ma$e $ed d M bro% bro%gh gh$$ $o #om #om(le$ (le$io ion n and and (erfe#$ion M when $he offender re(en$s and #onfesses)
2ot many people come and say they are sorry when an offence has been committed. committed. /%r danger is $ha$ as $he offended (ar$' we #an be so #on#erned wi$h o%r bro$her.s $res(ass agains$ %s $ha$ we fall in$o $he sin of being %nmer#if%l %nmer#if%l $owards $owards him) We fail $o remember $he mer#' of ,od $ha$ has firs$ been re#eived b' %s) es%s said $ha$ $hose who had had been forgiv given m%#h wo%ld love m%#h) *n ?%"e.s gos(el we have $hese words $o Simon Pe$er Aesus answered him, 9Simon, I have something to tell you.+ 9&ell me teacher,+ he said. 9&wo men owed money money to a certain moneyle moneylender. nder. 'ne owed him five hundred hundred denarii, denarii, and the other fifty. Heither of them had the money to pay him back so he cancelled cancelled the debts of both. both. How which which of them will love him more=+ Simo Simonn repl replie ied, d, 9I supp suppos osee th thee one one who who had had th thee bigger debt cancelled.+ cancelled.+ 9Cou 9Cou have have
When we have been forgiven m%#h $hen we in $%rn sho%ld be (re(ared $o forgive m%#h)
+enuine Forgiveness * wan$ $o give $wo eam(les from $he 0ible $ha$ ill%s$ra$e $he hear$ a$$i$%de of forgiveness) The firs$ #on#erns $he #r%#ifiion of es%s ?hen th ?hen they ey came came to th thee plac placee call called ed &h &hee Sku Skull, ll, there they crucifie crucifiedd him, along with the criminals criminals # one on his right, the other on his left. Aesus said, 9ather, forgive them, for they do not know know what they are doing. doing. 9 )nd )nd they they divid divided ed up his clothes by casting lots. (Luke 03!33#34% es%s had been %n%s$l' $ried $or$%red and now was d'iing) ?e$ me as" a 2%es$ion) Were all $hose d' asso asso#i #ia$ a$ed ed wi$h wi$h $he $he #r%# #r%#if ifi iio ion n forg forgiv iven en:: When When es% es%ss said said Father forgive them! did $his mean $ha$ all $he oman soldiers $he #hief (ries$ Pila$e and $he o$her (er(e$ra$ors of $his #rime were ins$an$l' forg forgiiven: ven: Bo Bo es% s%ss was was dem demon onss$ra $ra$ing $ing a hear hear$$ a$$i$%de of willingness $o forgive $owards $hose who had had fals falsel el' ' a##%s ##%sed ed -im -im and and nail naileed -im -im $o $he $he Cross) *n doing $his es%s "e($ -is fellowshi( wi$h ,od ,od in (erf (erfe# e#$$ harm harmon on' ') Prob Probab abl' l' $hos $hosee (eo( (eo(le le #on#erned wo%ld no$ have been forgiven b' ,od %n$il ea#h one (ersonall' re(en$ed and #onfessed $he sin of whi#h he was g%il$')
When we have been forgiven much, then we in turn should be prepared to forgive much.
1
The se#ond eam(le #on#erns #on#erns S$e(hen S$e(hen who was $he firs$ man $o die be#a%se of o f his fai$h in es%s Chris$ ?hilee th ?hil they ey were were ston stonin ingg him, him, Step Stephe henn pray prayed ed,, 9Lord Aesus, receive my spirit.+ &hen &hen he fell fell on his his knees knees and cried cried out, 9Lord 9Lord do not hold this sin against against them.+ them.+ ?hen he had said this, he fell asleep. ()cts $!-#"8% We need $o as" $he same 2%es$ion) Were all $hose who were s$oning S$e(hen $o dea$h forgiven: Were $he' %dged no$ g%il$' b' ,od be#a%se of S$e(hen.s (ra'er: Bo 0%$ S$e(hen was demons$ra$ing a hear$ a$$i a$$i$% $%de de of will willin ingn gnes esss $o forg forgiv ive e even even $owa $oward rdss $hos $hosee who were ere m%rde %rderi ring ng him him) 0' $hi $his (ra' (ra'er er S$e(hen.s fellowshi( wi$h ,od was %nim(aired) ll of $hos $hosee invo involv lved ed in "ill "illin ing g S$e( S$e(he hen n wo%l wo%ld d have have needed $o (ersonall' re(en$ and #onfess in order $o be forgiven %s$ as Sa%l $he man who la$er be#ame b e#ame $he a(os$le Pa%l did) es%s of$en deno%n#ed deno%n#ed $he s#ribes and Pharisees Pharisees 'e$ as -e #ame near $o $he end of -is ear$hl' minis$r' -e s$ood loo"ing down on er%salem and said ' Aerusalem, Aerusalem, you who who kill the prophets prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed longed to gathe gatherr your your child children ren togethe together, r, as a hen hen gathers gathers her chicks under under her wings, but you were not willing. (atthew 03!3$% /n#e again we see from es%s a hear$ a$$i$%de of a willingness $o forgive in s(i$e of $he ree#$ion -e had had re#e re#eiv ived ed b% b%$$ for for $ha$ $ha$ forg forgiv iven enes esss $o have have a (ra#$i#al a((li#a$ion in $he lives of $hose #on#erned ea#h wo%ld have $o ma"e a (ersonal res(onse) 13
Gven %das $he dis#i(le who was wi$h es%s for more $han $hree 'ears and $hen be$ra'ed -im did no$$ re#e no re#eiv ivee #ond #ondem emna na$i $ion on from from $he $he ?o ?ord rd)) es% es%ss main$ained an a$$i$%de of willingness $o forgive a$ all $imes) n a$$i$%de li"e $his g%aran$ees #on$in%ing fellowshi( wi$h ,od)
tephen was demonstrating a heart attitude of willingness to forgive, even towards those who were w ere murdering him. *n s%mmar' la#" of re(en$an#e and la#" of forgiveness be$ween believers does no$ nega$e $heir salva$ion b%$ i$ (%$s $hem in $he (osi$ion where ,od is dealing %dgmen$all' wi$h $hem) This #an res%l$ in loss loss of (ea# (ea#ee and and ass ss%r %ran an##e in $hei heir salv salvaa$ion $ion)) Forgiveness Forgiveness does no$ mean (ardon) Pardon is ,od.s res(onsibili$') *f someone has wronged %s and he or she as"s $o be forgiven $hen we m%s$ forgive him or her wi$ho%$ reserva$ion) *f $here is an' #on$in%ing %di#ial dealing of ,od a((l'ing $o $ha$ (erson $hen $ha$ $ha$ is ,od.s ,od.s res(on res(onsib sibili ili$' $' no$ o%rs) o%rs) e(en e(en$an $an#e #e and #onfession are alwa's essen$ial elemen$s in $r%e forg forgiv iven enes ess s b% b%$$ ,od ,od re2% re2%ir ires es a forg forgiv ivin ing g hear hear$$ a$$i$%de from %s a$ all $imes) We are $o love one ano$her) We have been forgiven m%#h= we have re#eived $he mer#' and (ardon of ,od and we sho%ld be deligh$ed $o e$end $he same gra#e $o o$hers) *n a h'mn wri$$en b' Wm ) Bewell $he #hor%s sa's er#' $here was grea$ and gra#e was free Pardon $here was m%l$i(lied $o me 14
There m' b%rdened so%l fo%nd liber$' $ Calvar' *f we have e(erien#ed forgiveness li"e $his $hen we m%s$ be willing $o forgive ano$her (erson who has wronged %s) Gven if $he o$her (erson is $o$all' a$ fa%l fa%l$ $ o% o%rr hear hear$$ a$$i a$$i$% $%de de m% m%s$ s$ s$il s$illl be $o forg forgiv ive) e) Ther Th eree are %s% s%al all' l' $wo $wo side sidess $o eve ever' dis( dis(%$ %$ee or differen#e of o(inion b%$ even if we are l!! righ$ and $he o$her (erson is 1!! wrong we m%s$ be willing $o forgive $ha$ (erson wi$ho%$ an' rese resen$ n$m men$ en$ rem remaini aining ng)) Forg Forgiivene veness ss means ans 8$o e#%se.) We m%s$ e#%se or dismiss $he #om(lain$ whi#h we have) ,od.s a#$ions a((l' in $wo wa's) *f we are in $he righ$ b%$ are no$ willing $o forgive we #ome %nder ,od.s dis#i(line) *f we are in $he wrong b%$ will no$ re(e re(en$ n$ and #onf #onfes esss we also also #om #ome %n %nde derr ,od. ,od.ss dis#i(line) We #an have $he si$%a$ion where bo$h $he one who is righ$ and $he one who is wrong are %nder ,od.s %dgmen$ be#a%se $he' will no$ have $he righ$ a$$i$%de or will no$ $a"e $he righ$ a#$ion) *n o$her words bo$h $he %nforgiving and $he %nre(en$an$ s%ffer $he #onse2%en#es of $heir own disobedien#e $o $he (rin#i(les of ,od.s Word)
15
Chapter 7 So.ing and (eaping /%r s$%dies so far have made #lear from s#ri($%re $ha $ha$ al$ho l$ho%g %gh h mer#' er#' and forg forgiivene veness ss and som omee degree of (ardon have been e$ended b' ,od $ha$ i$ is (ossible $o #on$in%e $o s%ffer $he #onse2%en#es of sin and fail%re) This was ill%s$ra$ed in a (revio%s #ha($er from $he life of ing ;avid who al$ho%gh sin#erel' and gen%inel' re(en$ing of $he sin he had #ommi$$ed and who was forgiven and res$ored $o fell fellow owsh shi( i( wi$h wi$h ,od ,od rema remain ined ed %n %nde derr a $em( $em(ora orall %dgmen$ of ,od) ;avid wro$e af$er he had re(en$ed of $he blessing for $he man whose $ransgressions were forgiven and whose sin $he ?ord did no$ #o%n$ agains$ him HPsalm 31MI 'e$ ,od had de#lared $ha$ $he 8 sword wold never depart from his hose< H Sam%el 11!I) *$ is im(or$an$ as we #on$in%e $o s$%d' $he s%be#$ of bibli#al forgiveness $ha$ we remember $his (rin#i(le)
3 Creative 0rinciple *$ is ne#essar' $o elabora$e on $his as(e#$) ,od has b%il$ in$o life a #rea$ive (rin#i(le $ha$ is "nown as 8sowing and rea(ing<) *n a na$%ral wa' i$ a((lies $o #ro(s and $he (lan$s $ha$ we grow) We m%s$ firs$ sow before we #an rea() We will never ob$ain a harves$ of whea$ or an' o$her grain or (lan$ if we do no$ firs$ sow $he seed) We will no$ ge$ $he vege$ables we eno' and need for good heal$h if $he 16
seeds are no$ (lan$ed) This is $r%e in a na$%ral wa' and i$ is also $r%e s(iri$%all' wi$h regard $o o%r dail' a#$ions) ea( ea(in ing g wha$ ha$ we have have so sown wn #an #an #on$ #on$in in%e %e even even af$er forgiveness has been re#eived from ,od or even when i$ has been re#eived from man) * wan$ $o refer $o some im(or$an$ s#ri($%res )s I have observed, those who plough evil and those who sow trouble reap it. (Aob 4!% &he wick &he wicked ed man man earn earnss dece decept ptiv ivee wages ages,, but but he who who sows sows righ righte teou ousn snes esss reap reapss a sure sure rewa reward rd.. (:roverbs !% /e who sows sows wicke wickedne dness ss reaps reaps troubl trouble, e, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. (:roverbs 00!% ll of $hese s#ri($%res are im(or$an$ in re#ogni+ing $ha$ we will rea( wha$ever we sow) *n $he (ro(he#' of -osea we read &hey sow &hey sow th thee wind wind and and reap reap th thee whir whirlw lwin ind. d. &h &hee stalk stalk has no head; it will produce produce no flour. ?ere it to yield grai grain, n, fo fore reig igne ners rs would swallow llow it up. (/osea !$% *n $he same boo" of $he 0ible we find $his s$a$emen$ Sow for yourselves yourselves righteous righteousness, ness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time time to seek seek the Lord, Lord, until he comes comes and showers righteousness on you. *ut you have planted wickedness, you have reaped reaped evil, you have eaten eaten the fruit of deceptio deception. n. 17
*ecause you have have depended depended on your own strength strength and on your many warriors. (/osea 8! 0#3%
3eaping what we have sown can continue, even after forgiveness has been received received from %od, or even when it has been received from man. ll of $hese s#ri($%res $ell %s $ha$ wha$ever we are (lowing and sowing will #ome ba#" $o %s) *f i$ is evil and ini2%i$' or selfishness and (ride $he same will re$%rn $o %s) There is no es#a(e from $he divine (rin#i(le of rea(ing wha$ we sow whe$her i$ be in a na$%ral or s(iri$%al sense *n Pa%l* s le$$ le$$er er $o $he $he ,ala ,ala$i $ian anss $his $his (rin (rin#i #i(l (lee is again #onfirmed) The relevan$ (assage begins wi$h $he words 9o not be deceived+ !alatians /%0') /%0') There are man' (eo(le $oda' who are de#eived and $he' are willing $o be de#eived be#a%se $he' will no$ a##e($ $his #lear $r%$h from ,od * s Word) Some$imes i$ seems $ha$ ,od is slow in a#$ing on wha$ -e has said) This is be#a%se of -is mer#' and -is willingness $o allow $ime for for re( re(en$an#e b% b%$$ inevi$abl' ,od will a#$ on wha$ -e has said) The verse sa's o not not be dece deceiv ived ed;; God God cann cannot ot be mock mocked ed.. ) man reaps what he sows. &he one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will will reap destruction; destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, Spirit, from the Spirit, will will reap eternal life. (Galatians "!$D%
1@
' fa$her is now de#eased b%$ was eigh$'>seven 'ears of age when he died) s a 'o%ng married man in his mid>$hir$ies he had a (ersonal e(erien#e of re#eiving Chris$ as his Savior and ?ord b%$ (rior $o $hi $his he had had no (ar$ (ar$ii#%l #%lar invo involv lveemen$ men$ wi$h wi$h $he #h%r#h nor did he have e$ensive s(iri$%al "nowledge) -e wor"ed in a hard environmen$ where drin"ing and swearing were a normal (ar$ of life) * am $he 'o%nges$ 'o%nges$ member of a large famil' famil' and m' oldes$ sis$er as a small girl wal"ed from o%r home $o a nearb' nearb' 0a($is$ #h%r#h one S%nda' morning and sa$ on $he s$e(s and lis$ened $o $he #ongrega$ion sing singiing ng)) She #ame ame ho hom me and said $o m' fa$ fa$her her 8;add' will 'o% $a"e me $o #h%r#h:< To h%mor $he li$$le girl he said 8Ees dear dear *.ll do i$ ne$ wee")< *$ was %s$ an eas' re(l' for him and no$ for one momen$ did he $hin" $ha$ m' sis$er wo%ld rem remember ber $he (rom omiise b%$ she did When $he S%nda' #ame she reminded him and he rel%#$an$l' hon ho nored $he (romise and $oo" m' sis$er $o $he #h%r#h) -e was dee(l' moved b' $he servi#e and re$%rned $o $he #h%r#h $ha$ evening wi$h m' mo$her and a$ $he #lose of $he mee$ing #ommi$$ed his life $o Chris$) -e remembered onl' one (ar$ of $he sermon $he $e$ fro from whi#h $he minis$er (rea#hed od is not mo&ed! mo&ed! for whatsoever whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap$ ' fa$her re#eived es%s Chris$ in$o his life be#a%se of $he #onvi#$ion $ha$ #ame $hro%gh $ha$ verse of s#ri($%re) -e reali+ed $ha$ he was sowing a life of self>(leasing and sin and was s%ddenl' fa#ed wi$h $he fa#$ $ha$ he wo%ld %l$ima$el' %l$ima$el' rea( $he same same 19
res res%l$ if his life did no$ #hange) -is s(iri$%al awa"ening and obedien#e $o $he #onvi#$ion of $he -ol' S(iri$ $ha$ nigh$ #hanged $he des$in' of o%r famil' and %l$ima$el' all $he famil' members #ame $o "now $he ?ord in a (ersonal wa')
4 man reaps what he sow s. ’
'egative and 0ositive 0ositive *n all $he s#ri($%res $ha$ have been 2%o$ed $here is a nega$ive and (osi$ive as(e#$) This is eviden$ $hro $hro%g %gho ho%$ %$ $he Word ord of ,od od)) *n $he $he vers verses es %s %s$$ 2%o$ed $he nega$ive res%l$s are M (lo%gh evil and rea( evil) Sow $ro%ble and rea( $ro%ble) Sow $o $he wind and rea( $he whirlwind) Plan$ wi#"edness and rea( evil) ll of $hese are nega$ive res%l$s $ha$ arise o%$ of o%r own a#$ions) * wan$ $o in#l%d %dee ano$her (ersonal e(erien#e #on#erning a man whom * me$ on several o##asions) -e was (ar$ of ano$her #h%r#h #ongrega$ion b%$ from $ime>$o>$ime * visi$ed $ha$ #h%r#h and also had #on$a#$ wi$h o$her members of his famil') -e was diffi#%l$ and rigid and seldom smiled al$ho%gh if som so me$hi $hing (le (leased sed him him he #o% o%ld ld be warm warm and #om(limen$ar') *$ wasn.$ a #omfor$ing sigh$ $o see him si$$ing in $he #ongrega$ion as he lis$ened wi$h a fied loo" on his fa#e) Was he a((roving or disa disa(( ((ro rovi ving ng:: -e was was even ven wil willing ing $o (% (%bl blii#l' #l' 2%es$ion a novi#e (rea#her in $he mids$ of a sermon if he disagreed wi$h some s$a$emen$) There were $imes when he #o%ld be genero%s b%$ he was was fear feareed more ore $han han he was li"ed) "ed) -ow -ow m%#h %#h 13!
ha((ier life #o%ld have been for him b%$ his nega$ive and of$en #ri$i#al a$$i$%de #a%sed him $o see $he wors$ ra$her $han $he bes$ in mos$ as(e#$s of life) #h%r#h f%n#$ion was (lanned and e#i$emen$ and generosi$' were $he order of $he da') This man grew in his garden a (ar$i#%lar vege$able $ha$ was re2%ired and a re2%es$ was made #o%ld he s%((l' $he 2%an$i$' needed: The need was no$ large and his s%((l' was 2%i$e ab%ndan$ b%$ when $he bo of (rod%#e was handed over $he demand was made 8Tha$ will be L1!< -e died a ra$her lonel' man devoid of m%#h friendshi( $ha$ #o%ld have been his) The word of ,od was a s%be#$ of dee( in$eres$ $o him b%$ wha$ is $he val%e of "nowledge if we #anno$ im(lemen$ i$: /ne #an "now $he words b%$ no$ "now wha$ $he' mean The small gif$ of vege$ables wo%ld have been a minor #on$rib%$ion $o $ha$ whi#h o$hers of far less means gladl' made b%$ $he in#iden$ mar"ed him as a man la#"ing in generosi$') G$ra mone' ma' have been his b%$ he los$ love friendshi( and res(e#$ as a res%l$ of his miserl' s(iri$) ;o we rea( wha$ we sow: /f $his fa#$ * have no do%b$ There is however $he (osi$ive res%l$ as well) The 0ible alwa's has a (osi$ive (rovision $ha$ releases a (erson from a nega$ive (enal$' in$o a (osi$ive benefi$ so we also have $hese $hese (romises &he wick &he wicked ed man man earn earnss dece decept ptiv ivee wages ages,, but but he who who sows sows righ righte teou ousn snes esss reap reapss a sure sure rewa reward rd.. (:roverbs !% 131
Sow for yourselves yourselves righteous righteousness, ness, reap the fruit of unfailing love. (/osea 8!0% &he one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will will reap destruction; destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit will will reap eternal life. (Galatian (Galatianss "!% These are $he #hoi#es $ha$ are laid before %s) Wha$ever we do in life from all o%r a$$i$%des and a#$ion a#$ions s will will #ome #ome for$h for$h a defini defini$e $e res%l$ res%l$ ei$her ei$her for good go od or ill ill) There here is no es#a(ing from $his) From ever'$hing we sow we will rea( so we have $he #hoi#e of whe$her we wan$ benefi#ial or harmf%l #onse2%en#es as we (ro#eed $hro%gh life)
The Word of the 5ord always has a positive provision that releases one from a negative negative penalty into a positive benefit. -ere is an o((osi$e eam(le from $he s$ing' man %s$ men$ioned) *$ wo%ld be hard $o imagine a more genero%s (erson $han a woman * "new) Bo$hing was a $ro%ble and no sa#rifi#e was $oo grea$) *n fa#$ * am s%re she never $ho%gh$ of giving as a sa#rifi#e b%$ as a (rivilege) *f someone was si#"= dishes of food wo%ld be (re(ared wi$ho%$ an' as"ing) b%s' mo$her $r'ing $o #o(e wi$h $he washing ironing and #oo"ing for a famil' of si livel' h%ngr' #hildren wo%ld s%ddenl' hear a "no#" a$ $he door and $here she wo%ld be read' $o do a s$in$ of $wo ho%rs a$ $he ho$ ironing board) -er #om(an' was a o' o' -er ver' (resen#e radia$ed radia$ed warm$h and res$ored s$reng$h $o $hose she hel(ed) 13
She never did manage $o a##%m%la$e m%#h mone' in $he ban" b%$ if weal$h was meas%red in a((re#ia$ion love and admira$ion she was a millionaire This (rin This (rin#i #i(l (lee of so sowi wing ng and and rea( rea(in ing g #on$ #on$in in%e %ess $hro%gho%$ $hro%gho%$ s#ri($%re s#ri($%re bo$h in $he /ld Tes$amen Tes$amen$$ and in $he $he Bew Bew Tes$a es$ame men$ n$)) The word wordss 8sow 8sowiing and rea(ing< ma' no$ alwa's be %sed b%$ $he o%$#ome is $he same) Thin" for a momen$ of $he 0ab'lonian "ing Beb%#hadne++ar) The 0ible $ells how $his man was filled wi$h (ride and self ad%la$ion be#a%se of his #on2%es$s and (ower) -e #onsidered himself above ,od) There is an in#iden$ re#orded in $he 0oo" of ;aniel where be#a%se of Beb%#hadne++ar.s (ride $he %dgmen$ of ,od #ame %(on him) These words are re#orded Immediately what had been said about HebuchadneJJar HebuchadneJJar was fulfilled. fulfilled. /e was driven away from people and and ate grass like like cattle. /is body was dre drenche nchedd with ith th thee dew dew of heav heaven en unti untill his his hair hair grew like like the feathers feathers of an eagle eagle and his nails like like the claws of a bird. (aniel 4!33% This (o Thi (ow werf% erf%ll "ing "ing who had had enslav slaveed so man' (eo(les and na$ions s%ddenl' began $o rea( ,od.s %dgmen$ and (%nishmen$ be#a%se of $he (ride $ha$ was in his hear$) ,od is no$ mo#"ed and an' (erson will %l$ima$el' and #er$ainl' rea( wha$ he has sown) *n $he ne$ #ha($er of $he 0oo" of ;aniel we read of 0elsha++ar) The o(ening verses of #ha($er 5 sa'
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@ing *elshaJJar gave a great ban6uet for a thousand thousand of his nobles and drank drank wine with them. ?hile ?hile *elsha *elshaJJ JJar ar was drinkin drinkingg his wine, wine, he gave gave orders orders to bring bring in the gold and silver silver goblets goblets that Hebu Hebuch chad adne neJJ JJar ar his fa fath ther er had had ta take kenn from from th thee temp te mplle in Aeru Aerusa sale lem, m, so th that at th thee king ing and and his nobles nobles,, his wives wives and and his concubi concubines nes might might drink drink from them. So they brought brought in the gold goblets goblets that had been take ta kenn from from th thee te temp mple le of God God in Aeru Aerusa sale lem, m, and and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. )s they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold gold and and silve silver, r, of bronJe, bronJe, iron, iron, wood wood and and stone stone.. (aniel !#4% This man was sowing -e was sowing $he seeds of blas(hem' and disregard for $he sa#red vessels from $he $em(le of $he ?ord) s we read $hro%gh $he #ha($er we find $he %dgmen$ of ,od being (rono%n#ed on him and in $he final (ar$ of $he #ha($er we read &hat very night *elshaJJar, king of the *abyloni *abylonians, ans, was slain, slain, and arius arius the ede took over the kingdom... (aniel !38#3% 0elsha++ar $ho%gh$ $ha$ he #o%ld blas(heme ,od b%$ he rea(ed %dgmen$) *n $he Bew Tes$amen$ we read of ing -erod) This man* s evi evil a#$ a#$ions ions are re# re#orde orded d in man' (la (la#es #es $hro%gho%$ $he s#ri($%re) 0r%$ali$' and m%rder were b%$ some of $he #rimes of whi#h he was g%il$') The 134
(rin#i(le of sowing and rea(ing as i$ a((lied $o -erod* s life is re#orded in #$s 1 'n th thee appo appoin inte tedd day day /ero /erod, d, wear wearin ingg his his roya royall robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. &hey shout &hey shouted ed,, 9&hi 9&hiss is the voice voice of a god, god, not a man. man.++ Imme Immedi diat atel ely, y, beca becaus usee /erod erod did did not not give give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, down, and he was eaten eaten by worms and died. died. ()cts ()cts 0!0#03% This was ano$her o(era$ion of $he %n#hanging $r%$h of sowing and rea(ing) -erod rea(ed from wha$ he had sown) *$ wo%ld be (ossible $o give man' o$her ins$an#es from $he 0ible where individ%als or na$ions re#eived a dire#$ (enal$' as a res%l$ of $heir a#$ions) /ne eam(le wo%ld be $he #hildren of *srael who were $a"en in$o slaver' be#a%se of disobedien#e) So of$en we read of individ%als na$ions "ings or servan$s who who were were affli ffli##$ed $ed dise diseas aseed or s% s%ff ffer ereed o$he o$herr dis$ressing #ir#%ms$an#es as a dire#$ res%l$ of $heir own evil a#$ions)
So.ing and the Increase Increase *$ is im(or$an$ $ha$ we remember $ha$ rea(ing is norm no rmal all' l' in gre grea$er a$er meas meas%r %ree $ha $han $ha$ ha$ whi# hi#h is sown) The 0ible s(ea"s of a seed whi#h brings for$h $hir$' or si$' or a h%ndredfold) Seldom do we (lan$ one seed or one flower and ge$ onl' one ba#" again) There is a m%l$i(li#a$ion whi#h $a"es (la#e be#a%se of $he sowing) n a#$ion for good or ill whi#h ma' 135
seem $o be minor ma' have far>rea#hing and devas$a$ing res%l$s in a (erson.s life) We ma' sa' 8Tha$ wasn.$ an'$hing ver' serio%s ,od wo%ldn.$ be #on#erned abo%$ $ha$) /ne small seed however #an (rod%#e a large res%l$) *$ was man' 'ears ago $ha$ $he following even$s $oo" (la#e b%$ * vividl' remember $hem) * a((roa#hed $he ho%se wi$h a feeling of $re(ida$ion 'e$ e#i$emen$ be#a%se * was a 'o%ng and ine(erien#ed (as$or) The name of $he o##%(an$ of $he ho%se had been sen$ $o me b' $he #o%nseling #ommi$$ee of $he 0ill' ,raham #r%sade m' ver' firs$ #on$a#$ Wha$ "ind of a res(onse wo%ld * ge$: ' "no#" on $he door was a li$$le %n#er$ain b%$ was lo%d eno%gh $o bring a res(onse and $he do doo or o(ened) -e s$ood framed in $he doorwa' a big man wi$h a hard fa#e and * fel$ li"e a ;avid #onfron$ing his ,olia$h ' words of in$rod%#$ion $%mbled o%$ and * re#e re#eiv ived ed a warm warm wel# wel#om ome e and and was was so soon on sea$ sea$ed ed wi$h him in $he living living room) *$ was $he beginning beginning of a mi$%re of e(erien#es) *n $he 'ears $ha$ la' ahead * was $o re#eive from $his man warm friendshi( s%(( s% ((or or$$ %n %nre relliabi iabilli$' $' dis disho hone nes$ s$' ' re(e re(en$ n$an an##e ego$ ego$is is$i $i#a #all beha behavi vior or dr%n" dr%n"en enne ness ss s( s(ir iri$ i$%a %all affi affir> r> ma$ions of desire $o live a #onsis$en$ Chris$ian life and $hen wa$#h him fa#e ban"r%($#' and $he %l$ima$e brea"down of his marriage) man wi$h so m%#h m% #h (o (o$e $en$ n$ia iall who who %l$i %l$ima ma$e $el' l' rea( rea(ed ed from from $he $he seed seedss of self selfis ishn hnes esss and and sin sin $ha$ $ha$ he #on$ #on$in in%e %ed d $o sow)
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There is a multiplication which takes place through sowing. -e wan$ed ,od in his life b%$ he also wan$ed his own wa') The war 'ears had made him $o%gh and somewha$ r%$hless) Commando $raining had b%il$ a violen#e $ha$ wo%ld of$en rise %( wi$hin him b%$ he was li"eable and eas' $o forgive) ' new #h%r#h needed all $he man(ower (ossible and he began $o hel( wi$h $he 'o% o%$$h wor" b%$ al#o al#oho holl was was an o##a o##asi sion onal al (rob (roble lem m al$h al$ho% o%gh gh he wo%ld den' i$) We hel(ed him s$ar$ in b%siness b%$ he mis%sed o((or$%ni$ies and s(en$ mone' needed $o (a' s%b>#on$ra#$ors for his own (leas%re and for "ee(ing %( a (re$en#e $ha$ he was a weal$h' b%sinessman) * #o%ld no$ #o%n$ $he ho%rs $ha$ o$hers and * s(en$ wi$h him) We (ra'ed (leaded and even we($ b%$ ever' a#$ of re(en$an#e b' him was followed b' an a#$ of selfishness or foolishness) The seed was small when i$ was firs$ sown b%$ i$ bro%gh$ for$h a harves$ of des(air and des$r%#$ion) * wo%ld li"e $o wri$e of a ha((' ending b%$ i$ didn.$ ha((en) f$er * lef$ $he area and $hen moved $o ano$her #o%n$r' * heard of his ban"r%($#' ad%l$er' and divor#e) The 'ears The ears (ass (assed ed wi$h wi$ho% o%$$ hear hearin ing g an'$hi an'$hing ng abo% abo%$$ him $hen no$ long ago he a$$ended a mee$ing whi#h * was #ond%#$ing in $he #i$' where he was living) -e had seen m' name adver$ised and had #ome $o $he mee$ing ng)) -e was in $he las$ s$ages of $erminal #an#er b%$ * had $he o((or$%ni$' $o (ra' wi$h him and $hen wri$e $o him before he died) * believe $ha$ 137
he had made his (ea#e wi$h ,od b%$ * s$ill mo%rn when * $hin" of $he was$ed (ossibili$ies of his life) * have alread' 2%o$ed $he s#ri($%re 8ow the wind and reap the whirlwind < H-osea @7I) os$ da's $he wind is blowing) Gven if $he wind be#omes s$rong i$ is normall' no$ a (roblem) The e(ression 8 sow to the wind < is ill%s$ra$ing a na$%ral #lima$i# o(era$ion of $he wind *f however however a whirlwind whirlwind o##%rs $ha$ is en$irel' differen$) *f 'o% have e(erien#ed a whirlwind or a $ornado or #'#lone 'o% will "now $ha$ i$ is ver' differen$ from $he wind $ha$ blows da'>b'>da') We e(erien#e e(erien#e #'#lones #'#lones in $he (ar$ of $he world where * live and * have e(erien#ed man' severe s$orms and #'#lones over $he 'ears and have seen $heir devas$a$ing effe#$) *n $he se#%lar o##%(a$ion whi#h * was engaged in for man' 'ears as an inde(enden$ ?oss d%s$er bo$h in Bew Dealand and %s$ralia * was involved in $he assessmen$ of damage #a%sed b' mos$ of $he s$orms $ha$ o##%rred in $hose 'ears) * have seen $he effe#$s of a whirlwind * have seen roofs ri((ed from ho%ses and s$rongl' #ons$r%#$ed b%ildings des$ro'ed li"e ma$#hwood) * have seen r%in lef$ in $he (a$h of #'#lones) Ee$ da' af$er da' $he wind had blown over $hose ho%ses and b%ildings and no damage o##%rred b%$ s%ddenl' be#a%se of $he whirlwind $here was des$r%#$ion)
ow the wind and reap the whirlwind. /n $he 1!$h (ril 196@ a devas$a$ing s$orm s$r%#" $he #i$' of Welling$on in Bew Dealand and * was an 13@
e'e wi$ness $o (erha(s $he wors$ s$orm ever $o s$ri"e $ha$ (ar$ of $he world) The so%$herl' wind lashed a$ $he ho%ses and #ommer#ial b%ildings near $o $he #oas$ and on $he e(osed hillsides) 0%ildings designed $o resis$ $he mos$ severe winds #o%ld no$ wi$hs$and $he violen#e of $he s$orm and were wre#"ed) The large in$er> island mo$o o$or vessel Wahine was #a%gh gh$$ b' $he violen#e of $he s$orm as $he shi( a$$em($ed $o en$er $he Welling$on -arbor and was #arried on $o a reef and wre#"ed) ira#%lo%sl' $he maori$' of (assengers and #rew were saved al$ho%gh over fif$' (eo(le were drowned) Who #o%ld imagine a s#ene li"e $his: For mon$hs m' offi offi#e #e was was in%n in%nda da$e $ed d wi$h wi$h $he $he asse assess ssm men$ en$ of $ho%sands of #laims for damage) We em(lo'ed e$ra men and women $o hel( %s #o(e wi$h $he sheer vol%me of wor" as a res%l$ of $he devas$a$ion) For over fo%r mon$hs * wor"ed from 7 a)m) $o 1! ()m) ever' da' and mos$ wee"s $his in#l%ded S%nda') * "now wha$ a s$orm #an do *$ #an #hange a s#ene of bea bea%$' %$' and $ran2%il %ili$' i$' $o on onee of horror and des$r%#$ion) * have a dee( a((re#ia$ion of wha$ $he 0ible means when i$ de#lares 8ow the wind and reap the whirlwind(< When $he s#ri($%re sa's $ha$ we are no longer deal dealiing wi$ wi$h $he $he wind wind b% b%$$ wi$h wi$h a whirl hirlwi wind nd i$ gra(h gra(hi# i#al all' l' ill% ill%s$ s$ra ra$e $ess $he $he in#r in#rea ease se $ha$ $ha$ #an #an #ome #ome from wha$ we sow b' o%r a#$ions) The seed $ha$ is (lan$ed seems small b%$ $he res%l$s whi#h s%ddenl' #onfron on$$ %s are devas$a$ing) We need $o $hin" serio%sl' abo%$ $his analog' %sed in ,od.s Word) 139
?e$ me now deal wi$h $he (osi$ive benefi$s of sowing and rea(ing) We #an sow $ha$ whi#h ,od a((roves and blesses and in $%rn rea( $hir$' si$' and a h%ndred $imes of $he blessings of ,od) es%s said 9?ell done, done, my good servantE+ servantE+ his master replied, replied, 9*ecause you have been trustworthy in a very smal smalll matt matter er,, ta take ke char charge ge of te tenn citi cities es.+ .+ (Luk (Lukee -!$% *n $his (arable a small amo%n$ of fai$hf%lness rea(ed a large reward) The good $ha$ we sow is magnified as is $he evil $ha$ we sow) Wha$ever we sow will be gre grea$e a$er in $he $he rea( rea(iing $han han in $he $he sowi owing ng)) -ow -ow foolish $hen $ha$ we sho%ld sow $o $he nega$ive when we have been $old #learl' $ha$ we will rea( a far grea$er nega$ive res%l$ when we #an ins$ead sow $o $he (osi$ive and re#eive ab%ndan$ blessings and (rovision)
The seed that is planted seems small but the results which w hich suddenly confront us are devastating. We need $o live $o (lease (lease ,od and no$ %s$ $o (lease o%rselves) We of$en loo" a$ even$s from a shor$ $erm (oin$ of view b%$ ,od is loo"ing a$ $hem in $he long>$erm) When we (lan$ seeds in a garden we do no$ e(e#$ $o see $he harves$ s(ring %( immedia$el') There is a $ime la(se) We ma' sow disobedien#e and evil and for a $ime see no$hing adverse b%$ $he (rin#i(le is in o(era$ion and an inevi$able res%l$ will follow) 14!
There is an in#iden$ in $he life of es%s when a oman #en$%rion a((ealed $o es%s $o heal a servan$ who was si#") When es%s offered $o go $o $he #en$%rion.s ho%se $he man re(lied Lord, Lord, I do not deserve deserve to have you come come under my roof. *ut
The good that we sow is magnified, as is the evil that we sow. Whatever we sow will be greater in the reaping than in the sowing.
So.ing by the %nbeliever %nbeliever The (rin#i(le of sowing and rea(ing as i$ a((lies $o (eo(le in $hree differen$ #a$egories #a$egories are as follows Q The %nbeliever) 141
Q The (erson who is #onver$ed $o Chris$) Q The Chris$ian in his s(iri$%al life) The 2%es$ion we need $o answer is $his wha$ does forgi forgive vene ness ss (rovi (rovide de for for $he $he (ers (erson on in $hes $hesee $hre $hreee differen$ #a$egories and how does $he (rin#i(le of sowing and rea(ing a((l' $o him:
The %nbeliever The 0ibl The 0iblee sa' sa's “&he wages of sin is death” death” !1omans /%2'. *$ /%2'. *$ also sa's “&he soul who sins is the one who who will die” die” !34ekiel #+%2$I) #+%2$I) The (erson who does no$ a##e($ b' fai$h $he salva$ion $ha$ is offered $hro%gh es%s Chris$ is %nder sen$en#e of e$ernal se(ara$ion from ,od ,od be#a be#a%s %see $he $he 0ibl 0iblee also also sa's sa's “ )ll )ll have sinned ” Homans 33I) Bone of %s is righ$eo%s The bes$ of o%r a#$ions fail $o #ome %( $o $he s$andard re2%ired b' a hol' ,od) The %nbeliever ma' #on$i n$in%e $o eno' #er$ain $em(oral benefi$s and blessings $ha$ #ome from $he general mer#' of ,od) We have seen before how ,od gives $he benefi$s of $he differen$ seasons $o bo$h $he %s$ and $he %n%s$ ali"e) ,od is no$ res$ri#$e res$ri#$ed d $o a((l'ing a((l'ing $he law of sowing sowing and rea(ing rea(ing in $his life alone) ,od.s wa's are e$ernal so $he $r%$h of sowing and rea(ing will #on$in%e $o a((l') The %nbeliever goes on re#eiving a meas%re of $he mer#' and $he goodness of ,od and ma' (ros(er in a ma$erial wa') Some %nbelievers ma' #on$in%e $o (ros(er all $heir lives even $ho%gh $he' have a#$ed %n%s$l')
14
We need $o reali+e $ha$ $he e$ernal #onse2%en#es of rea(ing wha$ we have sown are far more dras$i# and im(or$an$ $han $he $em(oral as(e#$) * wo%ld ra$her rea( $he blessings of ,od e$ernall' $han now if * had $o ma"e a #hoi#e) This life is des#ribed in $he s#ri($%re as 8a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes< Hames Hames 414I) ,od has (romised (romised %s onl' a limi$ed life s(an a$ $he bes$ b%$ e$erni$' is %nen %n endi ding ng)) Th This is life life is ,od. ,od.ss $rai $raini ning ng gro% gro%nd nd for for wha$ lies ahead of %s in e$erni$') We find find ho howe weve ver r $ha$ ha$ so som me (eo( (eo(lle rea rea( ver' ver' 2%i#"l' $he res%l$s of $heir wa' of life and s%#h #ases are no$ isola$ed) There are (eo(le in $he world who who have have rea( rea(eed 2% 2%ii#"l' #"l' from from wha$ wha$ $he' he' have have sown so wn)) We #o% o%ld ld $hin" hin" of so som me weal eal$h' $h' (eo( (eo(le le whos whosee wa' wa's of b% b%si sine ness ss have have been been %ns %ns#r #r%( %(%l %lo% o%ss and dishones$) The' have b%il$ finan#ial em(ires b%$ onl' $o see wha$ $he' have b%il$ #olla(se aro%nd $hem) There are man' s%#h #ases a$ $he (resen$ $ime and some of $hose involved have ended in ban"r%($#' and even (rison) We #o%ld $hin" of $he famo%s who have rea#hed a (la#e of (rominen#e $hro%gh de#ei$ or selfishness and $hen s%ddenl' had $heir a#$ions e(osed and $heir re(%$a$ions r%ined)
The eternal conse#uences of reaping what we have sown are far more drastic and important than the temporal aspect. We do no$ have $o go ba#" far in #on$em(orar' his$or' $o re#all leaders of na$ions who were s%ddenl' disgra#ed be#a%se $he' were sowing seeds 143
of dishones$' and s%ddenl' $hese s(rang %( in$o sigh$ and were e(osed) The same is $r%e of some religio%s and #h%r#h leaders) The' rea(ed wha$ $he' had sown We of$en read of men and women in $he en$er$ainmen$ ind%s$r' who died some a$ a 'o%ng age be#a%se of wha$ $he' had sown in $heir own lives) The' rea(ed 2%i#"l' The' had sown $o $he wind and $r%l' rea(ed a whirlwind) /f$en i$ had been a whirlwind of disease or men$al disorder) Some have sown seeds of #orr%($ion b' dr%g ab%se and ever' "in "ind of e#ess and (erversion on and s%ddenl' $he whirlwind #ame) ,od allows some $o rea( 2%i#"l' from $heir sin and o$he o$hers rs $o a((e a((eaar $o #on$ #on$in in%e %e $o (ros (ros(e (er r b% b%$$ $he o(ening verses of Psalm 37 are a((ro(ria$e for %s $o remember o not fret becaus becausee of evil evil men or be envio envious us of thos th osee who who do wron wrong; g; fo forr like like the gras grasss th they ey will will soon soon with wither er,, like like gree greenn plan plants ts th they ey will will soon soon die die away. &rus &rustt in the Lord Lord and do good; good; dwell dwell in th thee land land and en
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/ne $hing is s%re $he %nbeliever will %l$ima$el' rea( from his sin) -e will rea( from i$ e$ernal %dgmen$ and se(ara$ion from ,od a(ar$ from an' $em(oral %dgmen$ $ha$ his sin ma' invo"e)
What "appens at Conversion? The 0erson Who is Converted to Christ We #ome now $o $he se#ond #a$egor') -ow does $he law of sowing and rea(ing a((l' in $his (erson.s life life:: Th Thee 0ibl 0iblee de#l de#lar ares es $ha$ $ha$ $he $he bloo blood d of es% es%ss Chris$ ,od.s Son #leanses %s from all sin) Pa%l wri$ing $o $he Corin$hian #h%r#h said &here herefo fore re,, if anyo nyone is in >hrist rist,, he is a new creati creation on;; th thee old has gone, gone, the new has comeE comeE (0 >orinthians !$% &he Livi &he Living ng *ibl *iblee para paraph phra rase se of th this is vers versee says says!! ?hen someone someone becomes becomes a >hristia >hristian, n, he becomes becomes a brand new person person inside. /e /e is not the same any more. ) new life has begun. This is a #lear s$a$emen$ b%$ of$en i$ does no$ seem $o ha((en Peo(le re#eive Chris$ and i$ does no$ seem $ha$ $he old $hings (ass awa') There are h%r$s wo%nds and disa((oin$men$s $ha$ remain allowing nega$ive a$$i$%des $o domina$e $hem)
$ne thing is sure + the unbeliever will ultimately reap from his sin. * wan$ $o give $he ill%s$ra$ion of a 'o%ng man * "new) -e had a grea$ s$ar$ $o his Chris$ian life) -is 145
bro$her was a fine Chris$ian 'o%ng man and we had (ra'ed for $he salva$ion of his bro$her for some $ime before be finall' #ame $o #h%r#h) The $wo bro$hers #ame $o o%r home for a sna#" a$ $he #lose of $ha$ S%nda' nigh$ servi#e and we $al"ed abo%$ $he need $o re#eive Chris$ in a (ersonal wa') wa ') * e(lained $he wa' of salva$ion and as"ed if he wo%ld li"e $o re#eive Chris$ in$o his life) -e re(lied in $he affirma$ive and * began $o lead him in a (ra'er of re(en$an#e and a##e($an#e of es%s) Bo words #ame from his mo%$h * re(ea$ed $he sim(le (ra'er b%$ s$ill no words #ame) s we loo"ed a$ him his mo%$h seemed $o be lo#"ed and $r' as he wo%ld no words wo%ld #ome We dis#erned $ha$ he was bo%nd b' some demoni# s(iri$ and we began $o s(ea" agains$ i$ in $he Bame of es%s) S%ddenl' he was free The (ra'er flowed from his li(s and $he o'o%s #hange in his whole a((earan#e was ama+ing) ?a$er $ha$ nigh$ he and his bro$her were (h'si#all' a$$a#"ed b' demoni# for#es $o $he e$en$ $ha$ $he older bro$her fell $o $he floor a((a a((are ren$ n$l' l' %n %n#o #ons ns#i #io% o%s) s) gai gain n we #lai #laime med d $he $he a%$hori$' in $he Bame of es%s and saw #om(le$e deliveran#e) ?e$ me ass%re 'o% $ha$ $his is no$ an ill%s$ra$ion of some e$reme a$$i$%de $o deliveran#e) Bever before or sin# sin#ee have have * had had a sim similar ilar e(e e(eri rien en#e #e)) ,od. ,od.ss (ower was marvelo%sl' (rovided for $he release of $his 'o%ng man and for $he (ro$e#$ion of his older bro$her) We saw $he 'o%nger bro$her (ress on in $he Chris$ian life for some mon$hs b%$ $hen he began $o 146
do%b$ and allowed old nega$ive fears and a$$i$%des $ha$ had (revio%sl' (lag%ed his life $o re$%rn) -is Chris$ian life be#ame in#onsis$en$) moodiness $ha$ had been a (roblem and whi#h had vanished wi$h his his #onver version re$%rn %rned and his s(ir (iri$%al life be#ame wea" and indifferen$) * am glad $o sa' $ha$ in la$er 'ears he re#a($%red $he blessing and (ea#e of ,od and $oda' he is involved wi$h a livel vel' effe#$ive #h%r#h b%$ he s(en$ some 'ears in s$r%ggling $o over#ome his wea"nesses) Sho%ld o%r s(iri$%al e(erien#e be li"e $his or do we of$e of$en n fail fail $o a((r a((ro( o(ri ria$ a$ee all all $ha$ $ha$ is avai availa labl blee $hro%gh o%r fai$h in Chris$: There #an be a big ga( in $he lives of (eo( o(lle be$ween wha$ ha$ $he' have 8(ossessionall'< $ha$ is wha$ $he' a#$%all' e(erien#e in $heir lives and wha$ $he' have 8(osi$ionall'< $ha$ is $he f%llness of wha$ ,od has (rovided in es%s Chris$) * am s%re $ha$ man' of $he (roblems $ha$ Chris$ians fa#e $oda' are be#a%se $he' have no$ dis#overed how $o re#eive wha$ es%s has a#$%all' (rovided for $hem) *$ is o%r a((ro(ria$ion $ha$ is defe#$ive and no$ $he (rovisions of $he Word of ,od or $he (ower of $he -ol' S(iri$) an is a $ri(ar$i$e $ri(ar$i$e being #om(rising #om(rising s(iri$ s(iri$ so%l so%l and bod') There is a $o$al (rovision in all of $hese areas $hro%gh $he sa#rifi#e of Chris$ on $he Cross) There is healing for o%r s(iri$ from $he effe#$ of sin and also fro from a wo%nded s(iri$) The s(iri$ is $he inner s(iri$%al (ar$ of a (erson $he (ar$ $ha$ has an affini$' wi$h ,od) There is healing for $he so%l) The so%l is $he area of $he na$%ral man involving mind emo$ions and will) -ealing was (rovided for $hese fa#%l$ies when es%s $oo" o%r griefs and sorrows 147
%(on -im %(on -imself self)) Th Thee dea$ dea$h h of es% es%ss also also (rov (rovid ided ed a##ess a##ess $o (h's (h'si#al i#al healing for o%r bodies) The dea$h dea$h of es%s Chris$ on $he Cross was a #om(le$e defea$ of Sa$an and a #om(le$e vi#$or' for es%s) 0' -is dea$h and $hen -is res%rre#$ion (rovision was made for all o%r needs) We reali+e however $ha$ ,od is wor"ing a sovereign (lan and we #anno$ demand $ha$ all o%r needs be immedia$el' me$ be#a%se -is $iming is no$ o%r $iming) We are #hallenged b' $he Word of ,od $o be 8over#omers< $o #ome $hro%gh ever' $es$ and $rial as winners and no$ losers $o s$and firm and $r%s $r%s$$ ,od wha wha$eve $everr ma' be ha(( ha((eening ning)) We are are re2%ired $o live o%r lives in ho(e wi$h an eager and #onf #onfid iden en$$ e(e e(e#$ #$a$ a$io ion n of go good od rega regard rdle less ss of o% o%rr #ir#%ms$an#es and we need $o learn how $o a((ro(ria$e all $ha$ Chris$ has (rovided for %s ra$her $han allow o%r (as$ (roblems $o domina$e %s)
)t is our appropriation that is defective and not the provisions of the Word of %od. When a (erson a##e($s Chris$ as Savior $he (rin#i(le of sowing and rea(ing from an e$ernal (ers(e#$ive is lif$ed) ,od no longer infli#$s $he (enal$ies whi#h wo%l wo%ld d o$he o$herw rwiise be a((l a((li# i#ab ablle be#a be#a%s %see of sin sins #ommi$$ed b' $he (erson (rior $o his salva$ion) The sla$e sla$e is wi(ed #lean #lean from $he (enal$' and g%il$ of all (as$ sin) Wha$ a fan$as$i# (rovision (rovision $ha$ is Salva$ion does no$ however save a (erson from $he $em(oral #onse2%en#es of a #rime of whi#h he or she ma' be g%il$') ,od has #leared $he re#ord and $here will be 14@
no e$ernal (enal nal$' $' b%$ $he (erson ma' s$ill be a##o%n$able $o $he #ivil a%$hori$ies) *$ is a $raged' however $ha$ so man' Chris$ians $hro%gh %nwillingness $o a##e($ $ha$ ,od has reall' forg forgiiven ven $hem hem and $hro $hro%g %gh h %n %nbe beli lief ef fea fear and do%b$ allow old a$$i$%des $o #on$in%e and so bring abo%$ a nega$ive rea(ing in $heir lives) *n doing $his $he (erson red%#es in his own life some of $he wonderf%l (rovisions of $he Cross) The new #onver$ and also $he e(erien#ed Chris$ian m%s$ #ons$an$l' allow his mind $o be renewed his emo$ions $o be (%rified and his will $o be se$ free so as $o a##e($ $he forgiveness $ha$ ,od has given and $o harmoni+e wi$h ,od.s will for his life) Knfor$%na$el' we find in e(erien#e $ha$ born again Chris$ians are s$ill rea(ing in a s(iri$%al sense from even$s $ha$ ha((ened before $he' were saved) This sho%ld no$ be When one re#eives Chris$ 8 the old is gone! the new has &ome< H Corin$hians 517I) This is $he (romise b%$ we are $hen fa#ed wi$h $he #hallenge of ma"ing $his real in o%r dail' e(erien#e)
Many hristians through unbelief unbelief and fear, allow old attitudes to continue, and so bring about a negative reaping in their lives.
$ur 'e. !ife in Christ The Christian in "is Spiritual !ife This is $he $hird #a$egor')
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The 8new bir$h< (rovides a fresh s$ar$ from ,od.s (oin$ of view b%$ from $hen on we again be#ome a##o%n$able for o%r a#$ions) The law of sowing and rea(ing on#e more be#omes (ar$ of o%r life as i$ was before #onversion) er#' and forgiveness are alwa's available b%$ #onse2%en#es are a reali$' $o be fa#ed) *n ohn.s firs$ le$$er we read r ead &his is the messag messagee we have heard heard from him and and declare to you! God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship fellowship with with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. *ut if we walk walk in the light, light, as he is in the light, light, we have fellows fellowship hip with with one another, and the blood blood of Aesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. ( Aohn !#$% This is $he (romise of ,od) -e #leanses %s and res$ores %s $o fellowshi( wi$h him b%$ $he (romise is for forgivenes forgivenesss and fellowshi( fellowshi( no$ (ardon) (ardon) There are fail%res $ha$ have $o be deal$ wi$h) We ma' have $ho%gh$ $ha$ all was well) /ne migh$ sa' $o himself 8Ees * did $rea$ $ha$ (erson badl' b%$ i$ ha((ened a long $ime ago and (erha(s i$ is now forgo$$en)< 8* wo%ld be $oo embarrassed $o go ba#" now and a(ologi+e)< 8Ees * did le$ $hem down) * $old lies abo%$ $hem)< Kn$il wrongs are (%$ righ$ we #an go on s%ffering $he #onse2%en#es of wha$ we have h ave sown We #anno$ (%$ ba#" $he #lo#" $o $he da' when we were firs$ saved when if onl' we had %nders$ood 15!
$hes $hesee (rin# (rin#i( i(le les s how diff differ eren en$$ o% o%rr Chri Chris$ s$ia ian n life life migh$ have been) We #an however avail o%rselves now no w of ,od. ,od.ss gra# gra#ee and and h% h%m mble ble o% o%rs rsel elve vess bo bo$h $h before ,od and o%r bro$her if ne#essar' in order $o brea" $he #'#le of rea(ing wha$ we we have sown) *$ is vi$al $o em(hasi+e a $r%$h $ha$ has (revio%sl' been men$ioned) We #an be wi$ho%$ fa%l$ in a dis( dis(%$ %$e e b% b%$$ be#a be#a%s %see we are are %n %nfo forg rgiv ivin ing g ,od. ,od.ss %dgmen$ s$ill res$s %(on %s be#a%se we will will rea( $he (enal$' of %nforgiveness) The g%il$' (ar$' also is no$ e#%sed as even if he is forgiven ,od.s dealings ma' #on$in%e %n$il $he righ$ res(onses are made) We do no$ need $o be bo%nd b' $he fail%res of $he (as$) We #an s$ar$ rea(ing $he fr%i$ of righ$eo%sness and no$ $he fr%i$ of %nrigh$eo%sness) We do no$ need $o rea( a whirlwind b%$ we #an rea( $he blessings and rewards of ,od) s we a##e($ $he (rovisions of $he $he Cros ross f%l f%lfil fill ,od od.s .s #ond #ondi$ i$iion onss and and wal wal" in obedien#e $o -im $his #an be o%r e(erien#e) 'o%ng married man in a leadershi( (osi$ion in a #h%r#h gave me $his $es$imon' * had $he (rivilege (rivilege of a fine s$able s$able home life and a$ $he age of $hir$een 'ears was #onsidered a de#en$ "id) * had a$$ended a deno denomi mina na$i $ion onal al #h%r #h%r#h #h b% b%$$ "n "neew no no$h $hin ing g abo bo%$ %$ a (ers (erson onal al e( (eerien rien##e of "n "no owing ing es%s Chris$ as Savior and ?ord) $ $his age * began $o desire a##e($an#e from o$hers of m' own age gro%( man' of whom were involved in immorali$' and drin"ing) 151
This desire in#reased as * (rogressed $hro%gh high s#hool and $o gain $he es$eem of $he o$her bo's * began $o #rea$e a web of lies abo%$ m'self and m' a#$ivi$ies) These lies in#reased $o s%#h an e$en$ $ha$ b' m' earl' $wen$ies $he real me was a s$ranger $o m'self) ' $een 'ears gave me $he o((or$%ni$' $o develo( a life s$'le in whi#h * do%b$ed $he eis$en#e of ,od and #onsidered Chris$iani$' a middle #lass so#ial #l%b) 0' $he $ime * rea#hed $wen$'>one 'ears * was a heav' drin"er and was involved in ever' "ind of #ond%#$ #on$rar' $o m' earl' %(bringing) %(bringing) ' life was a mess of falsehood falsehood as * $ried $o "ee( %( wi$h $he image * had #rea$ed for m'self b%$ dee( wi$hin $here was inse#%ri$' de(ression and self>(i$') * wore a "nife s$ra((ed $o m' leg and on o##asions #arried a sho$g%n in $he ba#" of m' #ar in order $o feed m' ego as a 8$o%gh man. *n $his si$%a$ion a des(air began $o gri( m' fian#Ne and me and * began $o sear#h for some s(iri$%al answer) We $ried s(iri$%alism eas$ern m's$i#ism and (hiloso(h' b%$ $hese merel' made %s #ri$i#al of eis$ing religions and so#ial (a$$erns) ' fian#Ne and * married and de#ided $o s(end some $ime fr%i$ (i#"ing) The or#hard owners were evangeli#al Chris$ians and we were dee(l' #hallenged b' $he message of 15
$he ,os( ,os(eel b% b%$$ see seemed %n %naable ble $o rea# rea#h h a (la#e of $o$al a##e($an#e a##e($an#e of Chris$.s wa') We moved from Bew Dealand $o S'dne' %s$ralia and again be#ame asso#ia$ed wi$h Chris$ians and were in#reasingl' #onvi#$ed of $he degree of falsehood $ha$ was in bo$h of o%r lives) The -ol' S(iri$ was dealing wi$h %s and old fears and (re%di#es were beginning $o #r%mble) /ne Sa$%rda' nigh$ we a$$ended a film servi#e in a lo#al Pen$ Pen$ee#os$ #os$aal Ch% h%r# r#h) h) 0o$h o$h m' wife ife and * res(onded $o $he invi$a$ion $o re#eive Chris$ as Savior and one wee" la$er were ba($i+ed in wa$er) Wi$hin a shor$ $ime we were bo$h ba($i+ed wi$h $he -ol' S(iri$) S(iri$) Wha$ a #hange ll $hose 'ears of (re$ending $o be some$hing $ha$ * wasn.$ and $r'ing $r'ing $o find find a sa$i sa$isf sfa# a#$i $ion on $ha$ $ha$ rema remain ined ed be'ond m' gras() Bow i$ was over ,od had man' $hings $o do in m' life) -e deal$ wi$h (ride %nwillingness $o be s%bmissive and self effor$ b%$ we had fo%nd some$hing real and meaningf%l in o%r lives) * (raise ,od for -is gra#e and (ower) When * f%ll' reali+ed $ha$ * was in a ra#e of life and ,od.s wa' was $he onl' wa' and $here was no wa' ba#" * almos$ (ani#"ed wondering if * #o%ld ma"e i$ Then * reali+ed $ha$ $he s$reng$h and abili$' were -is no$ mine) ' wife and * now desire $o be $o$all' #ommi$$ed $o $he ?ord es%s Chris$ and $o
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live ,od.s wa' b' $he (ower of $he -ol' S(iri$) Tr%l' old $hings are (assed awa')
We do not need to be bound by the things of the past. We can start reaping the fruit of righteousness and not the fruit of unrighteousness.
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Chapter 8 What is "appening? n %n%s%al $i$le has been #hosen for $his #ha($er be#a%se of wha$ (eo(le have said $o me) /n man' o##asions * have $al"ed wi$h men and women who were were e(e e(eri rien en#i #ing ng (rob (roble lems ms and and diff diffi# i#%l %l$i $ies es and and $he' have said 8Wha$ is ha(( ((eening: * do no$ %nders$and wha$ is $a"ing (la#e in m' life< * wan$ $o refer $o $hree differen$ (assages of s#ri($%re and $he' need $o be read so $ha$ $he #om(arison #an be #learl' seen) The firs$ fo%nd in omans @@M39 has been se$ o%$ on $he fea$%re (age of $his #ha($er) The se#ond s#ri($%re is fo% o%n nd in The 0oo" of %dges &he angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to *okbim, and said! 9I led you up from 1gypt and brought brought you to the land land that I swore to give give to your forefather forefathers. s. I said, 9I will never break break my covenant covenant with you, you, and you shall not make make a covenant covenant with the people people of this this land, land, but you shall shall break break down down their altars. Cet you you have disobeyed disobeyed me. ?hy have have you done this= How How th ther eref efor oree I te tellll you th that at I will will not driv drivee th them em out out befo before re you; you; th they ey will will be thorns thorns in your your side sidess and their gods will be a snare to you. (Audges 0!# 3% 155
The $hi The $hird s#ri s#ri($ ($%r %ree is fo%n fo%nd d in $he $he le$$e e$$err $o $he -ebrew #h%r#h )nd you have forgotten that word encouragement encouragement that addresses you as sons!
of
9y son, do not make light of the Lord5s discipli discipline, ne, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, becaus becausee the Lord disc discipl ipline iness those those he loves loves,, and and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.+ 91ndure hardship hardship as discipline; discipline; God is treating you you as sons sons.. o orr what what son son is not not disc discip ipliline nedd by his his father= 9If you are not disciplined (and everyone unde underg rgoe oess disc discip ipliline ne%, %, th then en you you are are ille illegi gititima mate te children and not true sons. 9oreover, we have all had human fathers who discip disciplilined ned us and and we respect respected ed them them for it. /ow /ow much much more more should should we submit submit to the ather ather of our spirits and liveE 9'ur fathers fathers discipline disciplinedd us for a little while while as they thought thought best; but God disciplin disciplines es us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.+ (/ebrews 0!# 8%
Three 3lternatives We have 2% 2%o o$ed $hes hese s#ri($%res in f%l f%ll for an im(or$an$ reason) *n $hese (assages we have $hree vas$ vas$l' l' #on$ #on$ra ras$ s$in ing g as(e as(e#$ #$s) s) Th Thee vers verses es in oma omans ns @@M39 s(ea" of $he (romises and (rovisions of ,od so $ha$ in s(i$e of ever' "ind of diffi#%l$' and $es$ing we #an be #onfiden$ $ha$ ,od is s$ill wi$h %s 156
and we #an live $ri%m(han$l') Promises of s$reng$hening and hel( are given so $ha$ $hose who love ,od and are #alled b' -im will s$and firm and no$ be sha"en in $heir fai$h and ho(e regardless of $heir #ir#%ms$an#es) The se#o The se#ond nd s#ri s#ri($ ($%r %ree H H%d %dge gess 1M 1M3I 3I refe refers rs $o a (eo(le #hosen b' ,od who %nder -is dire#$ion wen$ in $o (ossess $he land of Canaan $ha$ had been (romised $o $hem) The enem' was #onfron$ed and $he land #on2%ered of$en in mira#%lo%s wa's) 0%$ la$e la$err $he $he (eo( (eo(le le of *s *sra rael el be#a be#ame me diso disobe bedi dien en$$ $o ,od ,od and and be#a be#a%s %see of $hei $heirr diso disobe bedi dien en#e #e s% s%ff ffer ered ed o((osi$ion and a$$a#" from $he original o##%(an$s of $he land) ,od de#lared $ha$ $he Canaani$es wo%ld now be#ome 8$horns in $he sides of $he *sraeli$es and $he gods of $he land of Canaan wo%ld be#ome a snare $o $hem< H%dges 3I) The *sraeli$es were a (rivileged (eo(le and ,od had been wi$h $hem b%$ now $he' were reb%"ed and %dged) The $hir The $hird d s#ri s#ri($ ($%r %ree H-eb H-ebre rews ws 1 15 5M1 M1!I !I $ell $ellss of a loving heavenl' Fa$her dis#i(lining -is #hildren o%$ of #on#ern and #are be#a%se -e loves $hem and wan$s $o see $hem grow and develo( in$o $he li"eness of Chris$) Peo(le have s(o"en $o me of (roblems and diffi#%l$ies in home life (ersonal rela$ionshi(s or in $heir wor" and al$ho%gh $he' had $a"en a((aren$ s$e(s of $r%s$ in ,od $heir effor$s had ended in a blind alle' *n #onf%sion and no$ "nowing where $he' were going in life $he' had #ome for #o%nsel (o%ring o%$ a s$or' of des(air and had said 8Wha$ is ha((ening:< 157
Cause and *ffect From wha$ has been said in $he las$ #ha($er dealing wi$h rea(ing and sowing $here are some as(e#$s $ha$ m%s$ now be #larified) The 2%es$ion $ha$ #onfron$s %s is wha$ are $he rea reasons for $he #hallenges ges (roblems and diffi#%l$ies $ha$ o##%r in o%r dail' lives: The' #an be s%mmari+ed %nder $hree headings 1) -ave we failed $o a((ro(ria$e $he $o$al (rovisions of $he Cross: We have have alre alread ad' ' deal deal$$ wi$h wi$h $he $he $o$a $o$all rede redem( m($i $ive ve wor" of $he Cross and have seen how es%s gave -imself as a sa#rifi#e in bod' so%l and s(iri$) -e made i$ (ossible for o%r s(iri$ $o be born anew and indwel$ b' $he S(ir (iri$ of ,od so $ha$ we migh$ be#ome (ar$ of a new #rea$ion) -e (o%red o%$ his so%l $o dea$h and bore o%r griefs and sorrows and deal$ wi$h ever' infl%en#e $ha$ $o%#hes o%r mind emo$ions and will) Some 0ible $ea#hers have em(hasi+ed $he s%be#$ of inner healing and healing of memories b%$ es%s made (rovision for $his on $he Cros osss when -e s%ffered in $he realm of $he so%l) There ma' be lingering lingering res%l$s from some of o%r (as$ e(erien#es e(erien#es b%$ we sho%ld no$ need $o re#eive (ro$ra#$ed minis$r' or (ra'er for s%#h (roblems) The (ro(he$ *saiah de#lared 8 >y his wonds wo nds we are heated < H*sa H*saia iah h 5395 5395<<$ (rovision has been made for for (h (h' 'si#a si#all hea healing ling $hro% hro%gh gh $he s%ffe %fferi ring ng and and sa#rifi#e of Chris$ on Calvar')
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*f we have %ne(lainable (roblems $he firs$ 2%es$ion we m%s$ as" o%rselves is are we a((ro(ria$ing $he f%ll benefi$s of wha$ Chris$ has alread' done for %s: ) re we rea(ing wha$ we have sown: Gver' a#$ion has a res%l$ There is no$hing $ha$ we do $ha$ is isola$ed b%$ as we have deal$ wi$h $his s%be#$ in de$ail i$ is no$ ne#essar' $o elabora$e) ?e$ %s however no$e #aref%ll' $ha$ ever' a#$ion we $a"e will have a res%l$ for good or ill so when we are fa#ed wi$h #onf%sion or diffi#%l$' we need $o ma"e an hones$ eval%a$ion as $o whe$her we are rea(ing a nega$ive res%l$ from wha$ we have sown) 3) *s ,od ,od $hro% $hro%gh gh $hes $hesee diffi diffi#% #%l$ l$ #ir# #ir#%m %ms$ s$an an#e #es s dis#i(lini dis#i(lining ng %s and (r%ning (r%ning o%r lives lives be#a%se be#a%se of -is love and #are: The s#ri($%re sa's ...because the Lord discipline discipliness those he loves, loves, and he punishes everyo ryone he accepts as a son. (/ebrews 0!"% es%s gave $ea#hing $ha$ is similar $o $his 9I am the true vine and and my ather ather is the gardener. gardener. /e cuts off every every branch branch in me that bears no fruit, fruit, whil whilee every every branch branch that does bear fruit fruit he prunes prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.+ (Aohn !#0%
/very action we take will have a result for good or ill.
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*n $imes of diffi#%l$' %n#er$ain$' or $es$ing we are fa#ed wi$h $hese $hree al$erna$ives) Whi#h of $hese $hree reasons a((l': We m%s$ "now so $ha$ we #an find (ea#e or if $here is a wrong $o be (%$ righ$ $a"e a#$ion $o bring abo%$ a sol%$ion) The (roblem we all have is $o be gen%inel' obe#$ive when we $r' $o eval%a$e wha$ is ha((ening $o %s) We all see $hings from o%r own (oin$ of view) os$ Chris$ians are sin#ere in $heir desire $o serve ,od b%$ we all loo" a$ even$s from o%r own (ers(e#$ive) *$ is ver' na$%ral $o sa' 80e reasonable reasonable do i$ m' wa'< We are %s%all' #onvin#ed $ha$ o%r wa' is righ$ so i$ is hard $o loo" a$ $he (roblem from all angles and (ar$i#%larl' $o re#ogni+e $ha$ we all have some blind s(o$s) We do no$ see i$ be#a%se we reall' are blind $o i$ The onl' (erson who #an hel( %s $o see a blind s(o$ is someone else) wife #an be good a$ seeing a blind s(o$ her h%sband has and a h%sband #an do $he same wi$h his wife b%$ of$en nei$her are a##%ra$e be#a%se i$ %s%all' $a"es some disasso#ia$ed (erson $o gen%inel' see wha$ $he (erson #on#erned #anno$ or will no$ see) see) We are (rone $o be s%be#$ive and $oo #lose $o o%r own (roblems $o see a #a%se) * wo%ld be deligh$ed $o give a sim(le sim(le form%la $o $his (roblem b%$ $here is no eas' answer) There are however (rin#i(les $ha$ we #an learn and a((l') an' adverse e(erien#es in life are %n2%es$ionabl' allowed b' ,od when $here has been no (ersonal fail%re on o%r (ar$) We read in $he s#ri($%res how es%s and -is dis#i(les were wal"ing (as$ a man
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who was blind from bir$h) The dis#i(les as"ed es%s $his 2%es$ion 97abb 97abbi,i, who sinned sinned,, this this man or his his paren parents, ts, that he was born blind=+ 9Heither this man nor his parents sinned,+ said Aesus, 9but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.+ (Aohn -!0#3% The na$%ral $enden#' of $he dis#i(les was $o find a #a%se for $he blindness and $heir immedia$e rea#$ion was $o $hin" $ha$ $here had been some fail%re ei$her b' $he man or his (aren$s) Tha$ was ver' m%#h in line wi$h $he ewish $hin"ing of $hose $imes) es%s however #om(le$el' s2%ashed s%#h a (ro(osi$ion and in fa#$ was em(ha$i# $ha$ nei$her $he man nor his (aren$s were a$ fa%l$ b%$ ,od had allowed $his man $o go $hro%gh 'ears of blindness so $ha$ $he wor" of ,od migh$ be dis(la'ed in his life)
)t is hard to be obective regarding ourselves ourselves and difficult to reali-e that we we all have some blind spots . “
’
The 0oo" of ob gives %s a similar si$%a$ion) We read in $he o(ening #ha($er of $his boo" &hen the Lord said said to Satan, 9/ave you considered considered my servant Aob= &here is no no one on earth like like him; he is blameless blameless and upright, upright, a man who fears God God and shuns evil.+ 9oes Aob fear God for nothing=+ Satan replied. 9/av 9/avee you you not not put put a hedg hedgee arou arounnd him and and his his hous houseehold hold and and ever everyyth thiing he has= as= Cou Cou hav have 161
bles blesse sedd th thee work work of his his hand hands, s, so th that at his his floc flocks ks and herds are spread throughout the land 9*ut stretch stretch out your hand and strike strike everything everything he has, and he will curse you to your face.+ &he Lord said to Satan, 9Bery well, then, everythin everythingg he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.+ (Aob !#0% ?a$er ,od allowed Sa$an $o a$$a#" ob.s bod' and he was #overed wi$h (ainf%l sores b%$ in all of $his ob did no$ sin in wha$ he said) ob had done no$hing wrong when ,od allowed $his des$r%#$ion and loss of famil' (ossessions and heal$h $o be infli#$ed %(on him) ,od allowed a grea$ $es$ $o #ome on ob b%$ in la$er 'ears ,od res$ored $o ob do%ble of wha$ he had had before $hese disas$ers #ame) ,od was allowing $hese e$reme eme $es$s $o (rov ovee $he #hara#$er of his servan$ ob)
Many adverse e(periences of life are un#uestionably allowed by %od when there has been no personal failure on our part.
The Trial of Faith * wan$ $o remind 'o% of $he s%ffering $es$ing and $rials of $he a(os$le Pa%l) When wri$ing $o $he Corin$hian #h%r#h he re#o%n$ed wha$ he had end%red )re they servants of >hrist= (I am out of my mind to ta talk lk like like th this is.% .% I am more more.. I have have worke workedd much much har harder, der, been een in pris prisoon mor more fre fre6ue 6uent ntlly, been een flogged more severely, severely, and been e2posed e2posed to death 16
agai againn and and agai again, n, i ive ve time timess I rece receiv ived ed from from th thee Aews the forty lashes lashes minus one. &hreee time &hre timess I was was beat beaten en with ith rods rods,, once once I was was stoned stoned,, three three times I was shipwr shipwreck ecked, ed, I spent spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been cons consta tant ntly ly on th thee move move.. I have have been een in dang danger er from rivers, rivers, in danger from bandits, bandits, in danger from my own own count countrym rymen, en, in dang danger er from from Genti Gentile les; s; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without without sleep; sleep; I have known known hunger and thirst and have often gone without without food; I have been been cold and naked. *esides *esides everythin everythingg else, I face daily daily the pressure pressure of my concern for all the churches. churches. (0 >orinthia >orinthians ns !03#0% Were Were $hes $hesee e(e e(eri rien en#e #ess be#a be#a%s %see Pa%l Pa%l $he $he grea grea$$ a(os$le did no$ "now how $o a((ro(ria$e $he benefi$s of wha$ Chris$ had (rovided $hro%gh $he Cross: ;id $his man $o whom es%s gave $he revela$ion of $he #h%r#h M a m's$er' $ha$ had been hidden down $hro%gh $he ages M no$ "now how $o re#eive $he f%llness of wha$ es%s had a##om a##om(li (lish shed ed:: S%#h S%#h a (o (oss ssib ibil ili$ i$' ' is %n %n$h $hin in"a "abl ble e al$ho%gh some s%((osed fai$h $ea#hers $oda' wo%ld $r' $o have %s believe $ha$ if Pa%l "new as m%#h as $he' do $oda' or had $he fai$h $ha$ $he' #laim $o have he wo%ld no$ have needed $o fa#e s%#h hardshi(s
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Was Pa%l s%ffering be#a%se he had sown nega$ivel' in his life: We are aware $ha$ Pa%l bef before his #onversion was a (erse#%$or of $he #h%r#h and a wi$ness wi$ness $o $he dea$h of S$e(hen S$e(hen $he firs$ mar$'r mar$'r b%$ in re# re#eivi iving Chri hris$ he wo% o%ld ld have have been been $o$a o$all' ll' forgi forgive ven) n) Th Thes esee s% s%ff ffer erin ings gs $ha$ $ha$ Pa%l Pa%l e(e e(eri rien en#e #ed d #o%ld no$ have been a res%l$ of rea(ing nega$ivel' from sowing disobedien#e Pa%l was $o$all' #ommi$$ed $o $he gos(el of es%s Chris$) -e #hallenged $he Chris$ians of his da' $o imi$a$e him Bo$ man' of %s wo%ld dare $o ma"e ma"e s%#h a #laim) The onl' o$her e(lana$ion e(lana$ion is $ha$ ,od was molding a man.s life and #hara#$er for $he (%r(ose $ha$ -e re2%ired) ,od was $a"ing a life $ha$ -e had #hosen and allowing him $o go $hro%gh $he mos$ harrowing e(e e(eri rien en##es so $ha$ ha$ Pa%l Pa%l wo%l wo%ld d be e2% 2%i( i((e (ed d $o a##om(lish all $ha$ $he ?ord wan$ed from his life) We don.$ %s%all' learn m%#h from $he eas' even$s of life) We learn when $he (ress%res #ome and we have o%r ba#"s $o $he wall and have $o $r%s$ es%s when we #an.$ see $he final res%l$ and when a((aren$ disas$er s$ares %s in $he fa#e $ Pa%l.s own ferven$ (ra'er was $his *ut whatever whatever was was to my profit I now consider consider loss forr th fo thee sake sake of >hris hrist. t. ?h ?hat at is more more,, I cons consid ider er ever everyt ythi hing ng a loss oss comp compar ared ed to th thee surp surpas assi sing ng grea greatn tnes esss of know knowin ingg >hri >hrist st Aesu Aesuss my Lord Lord,, fo forr whose whose sake I have lost all things. things. I consider consider them rubbish, that I may may gain >hrist >hrist and be found in in him, not not hav having ing a righ rightteou eousnes snesss of my own own which ich comes comes from the law, but that which which is through faith faith in >hrist # that that righteousness righteousness that comes from God God and is by faith. 164
I want to know >hrist and the power of resu resurr rrec ectition on and and th thee fe fellllow owsh ship ip of shar sharin ingg in sufferings sufferings,, becoming becoming like him in his death, death, and somehow, to attain to the resurrection from dead.
his his his so, the
Hot Hot that that I have have alrea already dy obtaine obtainedd all all this, this, or have have alread alreadyy been been made made perfect, perfect, but I press press on to take hold of that for which which >hrist >hrist Aesus took hold hold of me. (:hilippians 3!$#0%
%od was molding a man s life and character for the purpose that &e re#uired. ’
*$ is #lear from $he le$$ers $ha$ Pa%l wro$e $o $he differen$ #h%r#hes $ha$ he had man' de$ra#$ors in his da') *$ wo%ld be reasonable $o ass%me $ha$ $here were man' in $he #h%r#h a$ $ha$ $ime who wo%ld have in$er(re$ed Pa%l.s $rials and s%fferings $o be $he res%l$ of some (ersonal disobedien#e or fail%re) Pa%l had had man' an' ene enemies mies wi$hi i$hin n $he #h% h%r# r#h h and of$ of$en fo%nd i$ ne#essar' $o defend his a(os$leshi() Those who were agains$ him no do%b$ wo%ld have been (leased $o (oin$ $he finger of a##%sa$ion a$ him be#a%se of his $rials and hardshi(s) hardshi(s) s we loo" ba#" over $he re#ord of Pa%l.s life and his his effe#$iven veness fr%i r%i$f%ln %lness s$eadfas$ness dedi#a$ion and $he revela$ions he had re#eived from $he ?ord we see a man who ma' no$ have been (erfe#$ in ever'$hing he did b%$ one who was was $o$all' #omm #ommi$ i$$e $ed d $o $he ?ord ord es% es%ss Chri Chris$ s$ and and who hose se minis$r' eviden#ed signs wonders and $he (ower of ,od) We see a man who be#a%se of $he $es$ings and $rials of life be#ame so s$rong $ha$ no$hing #o%ld 165
move him) Pa%l made $hese $wo differen$ affirma$ions in $wo se(ara$e le$$ers $ha$ he wro$e $o $he #h%r#hes or our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fi2 our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. unseen. or what is seen is temporary, temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (0 >orinthians 4!$# % Hot Hot only only so, but we also also re
al$erna$ives $ha$ #o%ld a((l' and we m%s$ be ver' hones$ as we #ome $o dis#ern $he #a%se of differen$ (roblems) The a(os$le Pa%l was e(erien#ing an affli#$ion a$ onee $im on $ime d% d%ri ring ng his his minis inis$r $r' ' and and he (ra' (ra'ed ed and and as"ed $he ?ord $o remove i$) The re(l' he re#eived was no$ wha$ he wo%ld have e(e#$ed and he wro$e abo%$ i$ in $his wa' &o keep me from becoming becoming conceited conceited because because of thes th esee surp surpas assi sing ngly ly grea greatt reve revela latition ons, s, th ther eree was was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. &hree times I pleaded pleaded with the Lord to take it away away from me. *ut he said to me, me, 9y grace grace is suffic sufficien ientt for you, you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.+ &herefore &herefore I will boast boast all the more gladly about about my weaknesses, so that >hrist5s power may rest on me. &hat is why, for >hrist5s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, persecutions, in difficulties. or when I am weak, then I am strong. (0 >orinthians 0!$#8% 0!$#8%
We see a man who, because of the testings and trials of life, became so strong that nothing could move him. There is no eviden#e in $he 0ible $o s%gges$ $ha$ Pa%l was referring $o a (h'si#al si#"ness when he wro$e of $his 8thorn in the flesh$ < Pa%l ma' have 167
been referring $o $he (erse#%$ion o((osi$ion and har hardshi( $ha$ he #ons$an$l' fa#ed) *$ wo% o%lld be na$%ral for Pa%l $o (ra' earnes$l' for $he ?ord $o deliver deliver him o%$ of s%#h #ir#%ms$a #ir#%ms$an#es n#es)) /n $he o$her hand $here is no eviden#e $o show $ha$ he was no$ s%ffering from a (h'si#al #ondi$ion $ha$ ma' have made his his miss ssio iona nar' r' wor" or" more ore diff diffi# i#%l %l$$) n' #omm #ommen$ en$ as $o $he mean meanin ing g of Pa%l Pa%l.s .s thorn in the flesh is s(e#%la$ion) The hear$ of $he meaning of $his (assage of s#ri($%re has $o do wi$h $he res(onse $ha$ Pa%l made $o $he ?ord.s re(l' $o $he (ra'er) Pa%l a##e($ed $ha$ $he ?ord was no$ going $o remove $he (roblem a$ $ha$ (oin$ in $ime) When Chris$ said ?y gra&e is sffi&ient for yo! for my power is made perfe&t in weaness! Pa%l Pa%l a##e a##e($ ($ed ed $ha$ $ha$ answ answer er wi$ho%$ f%r$her 2%es$ion) Pa%l #o%ld have given %( his missionar' wor" -e #o%ld have be#ome offended wi$h es%s be#a%se he didn.$ ge$ wha$ he wo%ld have li"ed -e #o%ld have los$ #onfiden#e in $he #all $ha$ was on his life -e did no$ do an' of $hese $hings -e (ressed on wi$h his wor" "nowing $ha$ $he ?ord wo%ld give him $he s$reng$h and (ower $ha$ he needed) This is $he a#id $es$ $o de$ermine if ,od is allowing a (roblem for o%r grow$h and develo(men$ and no$ be#a%se of some (ersonal fail%re) Can we sa' in $he mids$ of $he diffi#%l$' $ha$ -is gra#e is s%ffi#ien$ for %s and $ha$ -is (ower is made (erfe#$ in o%r $ime of wea"ness:
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Trusting 9ut 'ot 9eing Delivered ?ife has i$s %(s and downs and (roblems) * read $his s$a$emen$ 8Pain is inevi$able b%$ miser' is o($ional< Hohnson 0arbara) Pain is Inevitable bt ?isery is %ptional$ Word P%blishing Gng) 1991I) *f we are in $he mids$ of $ro%ble #an we hones$l' sa' $ha$ $he ?ord.s gra#e is s%ffi#ien$ for %s or are we so in des(air $ha$ we are read' $o give %(: /bvio%sl' $he a(os$le Pa%l was was des( des(er eraa$e when when he (ra' (ra'ed ed $o $he $he ?o ?ord rd and al$ho%gh $his a$$a#" of Sa$an was no$ immedia$el' rem remov oveed $he (rom (romis isee of $he ?o ?ord rd.s .s hel( hel( in $he (roblem was eno%gh for Pa%l $o (ress on wi$ho%$ wavering) *n -ebrews 11 we read of $he grea$ heroes of fai$h) ma+ m a+in ing g #on2 #on2%e %es$ s$ss $hro $hro%g %gh h fai$ fai$h h mira# ira#le les s and and vi# vi#$ori $ories es are are re#o re#ord rdeed) We rea read of men s%#h %#h as Gno#h Boah oah braham am *saa# a#ob osh%a ,ide ,ideon on Sams Samson on ;avi ;avid d and and o$he o$hers rs who who $hro% $hro%gh gh fai$ fai$h h #on2% #on2%er ered ed "ing "ingdo doms ms admi admini nis$ s$ere ered d %s$ %s$i# i#e e gained wha$ had been (romised sh%$ $he mo%$hs of lions 2%en#hed $he f%r' of $he flames and es#a(ed $he edge of $he sword) The s#ri($%re sa's 8Whose wea"ness was $%rned $o s$reng$h< H-ebrews 113M 34I) 0%$ as we read on in $his #ha($er we #ome $o an en$irel' differen$ s$or' ... 'thers were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some Some faced faced
&hey &hey were were stoned stoned,, they they were were sawed sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. &hey went went about in sheep sheepDsk Dskins ins and goatsk goatskins ins,, desti destitut tute, e, persec persecute utedd and illDtreated # the world was not worthy of them. &hey &hey wander wandered ed in deser deserts ts and and mount mountain ains, s, and and in caves and holes in the ground. (/ebrews !3# 3% Wha$ ha((ened $o $hese (eo(le: Were $he' disobedien$ or %nable $o rea#h ,od in (ra'er: Were $he' rea(ing wha$ $he' had sown: ;o we have in -ebrews 11 a lis$ of s%##esses who "new how $o eer#ise fai$h and (ra' $hro%gh $o a (la#e of vi#$or' in $heir #ir#%ms$an#es and also a gro%( of fail%res who who were were diso disobe bedi dien en$$ and and who hose se (ra' (ra'er erss were were %nheard: Oerse 39 in $his #ha($er gives a ver' #lear answer &hese were were all commended commended for their faith, yet yet none of them received what had been promised. (/ebrews !3-% These were all #ommended for $heir fai$h as well as $hose who had had mira#%lo%s deliveran#es) The' were no$ s%ffering be#a%se of $heir inabili$' $o $r%s$ ,od nor were $he' rea(ing nega$ivel' from wha$ $he' had sown b%$ ,od had allowed $hem $o s%ffer and even die Bo one is able $o e(lain $he wa's of ,od) Wh' ,od allows differen$ even$s $o $a"e (la#e even $o $hose who love and serve -im wi$h $o$al $r%s$ is "nown onl' $o ,od -imself) 0%$ we #an be ass%red $ha$ ever' e(erien#e of life is allowed b' $he ?ord so $ha$ ha$ if we ma"e righ$ res(onses we will be 17!
(re(ared no$ onl' for ,od.s bes$ in $his life b%$ also in e$erni$')
an we say in the midst of the difficulty that &is grace is sufficient for us and that &is strength is being revealed in our time of weakness0
$pportunity !ost 0' wa' of #on$ras$ le$ %s #onsider ing -erod who was $he onl' man in $he 0ible $o whom es%s ref%sed $o s(ea") Wha$ a dis$in#$ion There is no re#o re#ord rd of es% es%ss bein being g %n %nwi will llin ing g $o s( s(ea ea" " $o an' an' o$her (erson in#l%ding (ros$i$%$es (%bli#ans le(ers s#ribes or Pharisees) Some$imes es%s s(o"e s$ernl' and wi$h reb%"e b%$ -is words alwa's #on$ained ho(e and o((or$%ni$' for re#on#ilia$ion wi$h ,od) To -erod however es%s wo%ld no$ s(ea") ?%"e re#ords $his in#iden$ in his gos(el ?hen /erod saw Aesus, Aesus, he was greatly greatly pleased, pleased, beca becaus usee fo forr a long long time time he had had been been want wantin ingg to see him. rom what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle. (Luke 03!% We #o%ld well $hin" $his wo%ld have been a grea$ o((or$%ni$' for es%s $o #onvin#e ing -erod a (rominen$ na$ional leader $ha$ -e had s%(erna$%ral (ower and was $he Son of ,od b%$ $he s#ri($%re sa's /e plied him with with many 6uestions, 6uestions, but Aesus gave gave him no answer. (Luke 03!-% 171
es% es%ss ref% ref%se sed d $o s( s(ea ea" " $o -ero -erod) d) Th Ther eree were were no words of #om(assion or ho(e for $his evil "ing and la$er -erod rea(ed wha$ he had sown as a res%l$ of a life life of self selfis ishn hnes ess s br%$ br%$al ali$ i$' ' and and m% m%rd rder er)) ,od. ,od.ss $em( $em(or oral al %dg %dgme men$ n$ %( %(on on -ero -erod d was was re#o re#ord rded ed in #ha($er five of $his boo") no$ no$he herr ill% ill%s$ s$ra ra$i $ion on #on# #on#er erns ns % %da das s on onee of $he $he $welve dis#i(le (les a man who was wond ndeerf%ll' favored b' ,od and given $he (rivilege of being wi$h es%s for more $han $hree 'ears and 'e$ for his own selfish reasons a##e($ed $hir$' (ie#es of silver $o be$ra' es%s) ?a$er %das filled filled wi$h des(air des(air and #ond #ondem emna na$i $ion on hang hanged ed him himself self)) -ere -ere was was a man man wi$h one of $he grea$es$ o((or$%ni$ies of all his$or' b%$ be#a%se of his greed and self>desire he had rea(ed wha$ he had sown)
/very e(perience of life is allowed by %od so that, if we will make the right responses, we will be prepared not only for %od s best in time, but also in eternity. ’
Dictator or Directed? Directed? We are s$ill eamining how we #an de$ermine wha$ is ha((ening when $here are (roblems and diff diffii#%l #%l$ies $ies in o% o%rr lives) ves) *$ is hard hard whe when we are (ersonall' involved and are #a%gh$ in des(air) The 0ible ma"es $wo s(e#ial (rovisions $o hel( %s o%$ of $he dilemma in whi#h we ma' find o%rselves) The s#ri s#ri($ ($%r %res es (rov (rovid idee for for $he $he o( o(er era$ a$io ion n of s( s(ir iri$ i$%a %all a%$hori$' and also for $he (l%rali$' of leadershi()
17
The 0ible $ells %s $o s%bmi$ $o $hose who are over %s 'bey 'bey your your lead leader erss and and subm submitit to th thei eirr auth author oritity. y. &hey keep keep watch over you as men who who must give an account. account. 'bey them so that that their work will will be a hrist. >hrist. (1phesians !0 % S%bmission is a s%be#$ $ha$ has been mis%sed and mis%nders$ood) S%bmission is an a$$i$%de ra$her $han an a#$ion) The Bew Tes$amen$ does no$ (rovide $ha$ an' (erson sho%ld %ld be %n %nd der $he domina$ion of ano$her as o%r life rela$ionshi( is essen$iall' wi$h $he ?ord es%s Chris$) 0%$ ,od has (rovided a wa' of (ro$e#$ion b' o%r being s%bmi$$ed $o s(iri$%al leaders and also $o one ano$her) S%bmission is no$ $o #r%sh a (erson.s life or $o $a"e awa' in#en$ive b%$ $ha$ o$hers wo%ld be able $o give %s obe#$ive dis#ernmen$ and #o%nsel when we are #onfron$ed wi$h $he (roblems of life) This is also $he reason for (l%rali$' of leadershi( so $ha$ no one man #an $a"e a di#$a$orial oversigh$) ,od gives ves s(iri$%al %al (ro$e#$ion when we obe' s(iri$%al (rin#i(les) We migh$ wonder if an eldershi( overseer or (as$or wo%ld alwa's have $he righ$ answer for o%r lives and of #o%rse ea#h (erson has a righ$ $o e(ress his own view (oin$ or leading in an' si$%a$ion) 0%$ if we will obe' be' s(iri$%al (rin#i(les $hen in $he even$ of an overseer being 173
wron wrong g in his his dire dire#$ #$io ion n ,od ,od will will s$il s$illl ho hono norr -is -is (rin#i(les and (ro$e#$ %s even when we don.$ %nders$and how -e will do i$) * do no$ s%gges$ $ha$ an' (erson sho%ld viola$e his own #ons#ien#e or a#$ #on$rar' $o a gen%ine #onv #onvi# i#$i $ion on in orde orderr $o obe' obe' a s( s(ir iri$ i$%a %all a%$h a%$hori ori$' $')) ,enerall' s(ea"ing we are safer obe'ing s(iri$%al overseers even if we $hin" $he' are wrong $han doing wha$ we wan$ $o do even if we $hin" $ha$ we are righ$) A%i$e of$en righ$ and wrong #anno$ be de$ermined a$ $he $ime an even$ is $a"ing (la#e and onl' $ime shows wha$ was $he #orre#$ #o%rse of a#$ion) Bever overloo" ,od.s abili$' $o in$ervene on behalf of $he (erson who is a#$ing wi$h a sin#ere hea hear$) These #ommen$s n$s are made in regard $o g%iidan# g% dan#ee or (rob (robllems ems $ha$ ha$ are are bei being fa# fa#ed and where i$ wo%ld be wise and benefi# fi#ial $o see" #onfirma$ion or #o%nsel from an e(erien#ed leader or ano$ ano$he herr ma$% ma$%re re Chri Chris$ s$ia ian n befo before re $a"i $a"ing ng som omee %nila$eral a#$ion)
%od has provided a way of protection by our being submitted to spiritual authority and to one another. When $here is a di#$a$orial leader $here is none $o whom he is a##o%n$able= $here is none $o give him #orr #orre# e#$i $ion on so $he $he Bew Bew Tes$ Tes$am amen en$$ (a$$ (a$$er ern n is ver' ver' #learl' $ha$ of elders (l%ral) Perha(s 'o% believe $his and wo%ld sa' 8Ees * believe $ha$ $he Bew Tes$amen$ (a$$ern for #h%r#h gove go vern rnm men$ en$ is (l%r (l%ral ali$ i$' ' of lead leadeers rshi hi( ( and $ha$ ha$ eldershi( is ,od.s (a$$ern) There sho%ld no$ be one 174
man wi$h wi$h all all $he sa' sa' do dom mina ina$ing $ing $he life life of $he #h%r#h or a (ar$i#%lar (ar$ of Chris$.s 0od')< ;o we reali+e however $ha$ while we ma' agree wi$h $his (rin#i(le $ha$ i$ is eas' $o ma"e o%rselves a di#$a$orial a%$hori$' over o%r own life: We sa' 8Bo one $ells me wha$ $o do) * #an go s$raigh$ $o es%s) * don.$ need a she(herd) *.m #om(le$e in Chris$ and don.$ need an'bod' else< There is a degree of $r%$h in $hose s$a$emen$s b%$ we #an ma"e o%rselves a di#$a$or over o%r own life b' $his a$$i$%de) We m%s$ balan#e $he ama+ing ama+ing (rovision of (ersonal (ersonal rela$ionshi( wi$h Chris$ wi$h $he #ommand $ha$ we are $o s%bmi$ $o $hose having a%$hori$' over %s and also $o one ano$her) 0' s%bmission we allow ,od $o (ro$e#$ %s b' $he #on#ern and #o%nsel of leadershi( and also b' o%r bro$hers and sis$ers in Chris$) The' #an hel( %s $o eval%a$e $he #ir#%ms$an#es in whi#h we find o%rselves) We #an be sin#ere 0ible>believing Chris$ians and 'e$ s$ill need hel( when i$ #omes $o reall' dis#erning wha$ is ha((ening a$ an' s$age of o%r life)
We are safer obeying spiritual oversight even if we think they are wrong, than doing what we want even if we think we are right. We need $o %nders$and $he wa' $ha$ ,od.s (rin#i(les wor") $ #rea$ion ,od demanded obedien#e from dam and (la#ed dam in a%$hori$' over Gve) The (%r(ose of ,od was $ha$ $he' sho%ld m%l$i(l' and re(lenish $he ear$h and r%le over i$) Gve failed in her s%bmission $o dam and dam failed in his obedien#e $o ,od and $he' los$ $he 175
o((or$%ni$' o((or$%ni$' $o f%lfill f%lfill ,od.s (%r(ose) -ad ea#h done wha$ had been re2%ired of $hem $he' wo%ld have shared $he righ$s $ha$ ,od had (romised) es%s #ame as $he las$ dam and #om om( (le$e e$el' f%lfilled -is $as" b' obedien#e $o $he Fa$her) Gve was a bride M a $'(e of $he #h%r#h M so $he #h%r#h is $o be in s%bmission $o her heavenl' 0ridegroom es%s) When $he #h%r#h is s%bmi$$ed $o Chris$ $he -ead $hen -e brings -is 0ride $o a (la#e of e2%ali$' so she r%les and reigns wi$h -im on $he $hrone) The 0ible sa's $ha$ $he h%sband is $he head of $he wife and $ha$ $he wife is $o s%bmi$ $o her h%sband) Chris$ is of #o%rse $he head of $he h%sband and $he h%sband m%s$ obe' $he ?ord) *f $he h%sband obe's Chris$ and $he wife s%bmi$s $o her h%sband $hen ,od.s divine order is #om(le$e and $he' $oge$her h%sband and wife en$er in$o e2%al righ$s in ,od and r%le over $he famil') S%bmission does no$ ma"e one less $han ano$her) S%bmission in divine order #om(le$es ,od.s (lan of a%$hori$' and allows e2%ali$' in sharing $he righ$s and (rivileges as #o>heirs wi$h Chris$) The fa#$ $ha$ some leaders have mis%sed $he (rin#i(le of s%bmission and have bro%gh$ (eo(le in$o bondage and and de(e de(end nden en#e #e on $hem $hem do does es no no$$ inva invali lida da$e $e $he $he $r%$h of gen%ine 0ible s%bmission) ;o no$ be afraid of bibli#al s%bmission as i$ #an be $he means of rel releasi easing ng a (ers (erson on in$o n$o libe iber$' r$' and and also a righ righ$$ %nders$anding of ,od.s will for his life)
176
$ $he $ime of wri$ing $his boo" one 'o%ng woman in $he $he #h% h%r# r#h h where here * was was (as$ (as$or or gave gave me $hi $his %nsoli#i$ed $es$imon' n in#iden$ o##%rred in m' life some 'ears ago d%ring a $ime of ra$her bi$$er disill%sionmen$ and * had made a de#ision $o leave $he #h%r#h) * $ho%gh$ $o m'self 8*.ll s$ill believe in ,od b%$ * won.$ go $o #h%r#h an' n'm more ore)< When S%n %nd da' #ame ame a small voi#e wi$hin me seemed $o sa' 8The (as$or has been good $o 'o%) $ leas$ 'o% #an have $he #o%r$es' $o $ell him $ha$ 'o% are going $o leave)< * $ho%gh$ abo%$ i$ and de#ided $ha$ * wo%ld do $ha$ so * dressed for #h%r# %r#h arrived la$e and sa$ in $he ba#" and no$ near $he fron fron$$ wher wheree * no norm rmal all' l' sa$ sa$) ,od ,od was mer#if%l $o me and * sensed -is (resen#e and and s% s%dd dden enl' l' $ho% $ho%gh gh$ $ 8* do don. n.$$ #are #are wha$ wha$ (eo(le have done $o me or wha$ $he' migh$ do in $he f%$%re or even wha$ * have done m'self * love ,od and * am going $o follow -im)< Some$hing ha((ened inside me Con$in%ing her $es$imon' $he 'o%ng woman said $ha$ a$ $he #lose of $he servi#e * had #ome $o her and said 8Where have 'o% been:< l$ho%gh she had been absen$ for seven wee"s she said 8/h *.ve %s$ been $hin"ing< and * said $o her 8Can.$ 'o% do $ha$ a$ #h%r#h:< She said 8Bo $his (la#e affe#$s m' $hin"ing $oo m%#h< and * re(lied 8Eo% have been $a"ing a wrong #o%rse of a#$ion< She #on$in%ed wi$h #on$in%ed wi$h her s$or'
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This was $he end of a #risis for me) * never s$a'ed awa' from #h%r#h af$er $ha$ and when * $ho%gh$ abo%$ $he in#iden$ i$ frigh$ened me how #losel' * had #ome $o reall' missing o%$ in m' wal" wi$h ,od) *f * had no$ obe'ed $ha$ li$$le voi#e wi$hin me $ha$ sen$ me ba#" $o $ell wha$ * had in$ended doing * wo%ld have lef$ $he #h%r#h and * do no$ "now wha$ $he #onse2%en#es wo%ld have been) $ $he $ime ime * did did no no$$ see see an' an' s(iri (iri$% $%aal (ri (rin#i n#i(le (le behind wha$ had ha((ened and $ho%gh$ $o m'self m's elf 8-ow #o%ld ,od le$ m' life hang on wha$ seemed s%#h a sim(le iss%e:< *$ was no$ however a sim(le iss%e= i$ was one $ha$ #o%ld have serio%sl' affe#$ed m' whole life) * now %nders$and $ha$ ,od was (ro$e#$ing me and bringing me ba#" %nder a s(iri$%al overseer)
ubmission, ubmission, in divine order, completes %od s plan of authority, and allows e#uality, in sharing the rights and privileges as co' heirs with hrist. ’
;o no$ %nderes$ima$e $he #a(a#i$' of a believer in Chris$ $o re#eive #lear individ%al g%idan#e b' $he -ol' S(iri$ or $o be led b' $he Word of ,od and (ra'er b%$ * wan$ $o s$ress $ha$ i$ is no$ alwa's eas' $o gen%inel' hear from ,od in o%r S(iri$) We need $o learn $o dis#ern $he voi#e of $he -ol' S(iri$ as dis$in#$ from o%r own s(iri$ and g%idan#e and hel( from $hose who #are for %s is vi$al as we are develo(ing in $his abili$') 17@
The words 8,od has $old me< do no$ valida$e $he a#$ions of a (erson So of$en a (erson has said $o me 8,od has $old me< b%$ $he o%$#ome has dis( dis(ro rove ved d $he $he word words s as $he $he a#$i a#$ion on $a"e $a"en n b' $he $he (erson has res%l$ed in #onf%sion disorder and some$imes disas$er) The mere e(ression 8,od has $old me< is no$ a divine seal on a #o%rse of a#$ion) Time has of$en (roven $ha$ wha$ was done b' a (erson was his own desire and no$ g%idan#e b' $he -ol' S(iri$) ;on.$ be#ome a di#$a$or over 'o%r own life ,od wan$s %s in#reasingl' $o learn how $o dis#ern -is voi#e b%$ man' fa#$ors are involved) /%r #ons#ien#e m%s$ be #leansed and "e($ sensi$ive) We m%s$ develo( an in$%i$ive abili$' $o hear $he inner voi#e of $he S(iri$ of ,od and b%ild o%rselves %( in $he Word and in (ra'er) ll of $his #an $a"e $ime and e(erien#e so "ee( a s%bmissive a$$i$%de $owards $hose who are in (osi$ions ( osi$ions of delega$ed a%$hori$') * had been a Chris$ian for more $han $hir$' 'ears before * reall' dis#overed $he im(or$an#e of #ons#ien#e in hearing $he voi#e of ,od) * do no$ re#all having heard a sermon or being given $ea#hing on $his s%be#$ in all $ha$ $ime) /f$en $he #ommen$ had been (assed 8;o no$ $r%s$ 'o%r #ons#ien#e= i$ is %nreliable< From a #aref%l s$%d' of s#ri($%re * #ame $o see $ha$ o%r #ons#ien#e was a vi$al fa#%l$' of $he h%man s(iri$ b' whi#h we #o%ld dis#ern righ$ or wrong and $r%$ $r%$h h or erro error) r) *n addi addi$i $ion on o% o%rr #ons #ons#i #ien en#e #e is $he $he ,od>ordained (rovision $o enable %s $o dis#ern $he law of ,od whi#h is a#$%all' wri$$en in o%r hear$s) 179
The words, %od has told me, do not validate the actions of a person. “
”
This s%be#$ is a ma$$er for se(ara$e s$%d' b%$ le$ me sa' $ha$ be#a%se of sin and disobedien#e man.s #ons#ien#e has been #orr%($ed and #allo%sed so as $o grea$l' red%#e i$s sensi$ivi$') This however #an be #hanged The blood of es%s Chris$ no$ onl' #leanses %s from sin b%$ also #leanses o%r #ons#ien#e from a#$s $ha$ lead $o dea$h H-ebrews 914I) When o%r #ons#ien#e is s(iri$%all' #leansed as a res%l$ of $he new bir$h and "e($ sensi$ive b' obedien#e $o i$s (rom($ings $hen i$ be#omes a vi$al fa#$or $o enable %s $o #learl' hear $he voi#e of ,od) So man' Chris$ians fail a$ $he basi# level vels of obedien#e (ar$i#%larl' in regard $o reading of $he 0ible (ra'er and "ee(ing a #lear #ons#ien#e) * have nev never in all m' 'ears ars of minis$r' deal$ wi$h a ba#"slider who #o%ld hones$l' sa' 8* have diligen$l' read $he 0ible and (ra'ed)< /%r #omm%nion wi$h ,od is so vi$al $o b%ilding and main$aining an abili$' $o "now #learl' $he dire#$ion of ,od) Peo(le #an so glibl' sa' $ha$ ,od has led $hem in a (ar$i#%lar dire#$ion b%$ $he eviden#e of $heir lives is one of self>(leasing and disorder) n' sin#ere (erson who #onsiders $ha$ $he -ol' S(iri$ has has give given n g% g%id idan an#e #e in so some me im(o im(or$ r$an an$$ ma$$ ma$$er er or dire#$ion sho%ld be willing $o s%bmi$ $ha$ g%idan#e $o $r%s$ed s(iri$%al leaders for #onfirma$ion) /ver $he 'ears * have been glad $o wor" wi$h $eams of men wi$h whom * have been able $o s%bmi$ wha$ 1@!
* believed ,od was sa'ing $o $he #h%r#h $o $he wider fellowshi( of #h%r#hes or $o m' life a$ a (ersonal level) We #an easil' develo( (ersonal desires and #onvi#$ions $ha$ ma' no$ be $he will of ,od and $o have $hose who love and #are for %s sa' 8We do no$ believe $ha$ $his is $he righ$ a#$ion< is a val%able (ro$e#$ion)
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) came to see that our conscience was a vital faculty of the human spirit by which we could discern right and wrong, w rong, and truth and error.
3 ind ade %p5 The maori$' of (eo(le who have #ome $o me for g%idan#e over man' 'ears (ar$i#%larl' in ma$$ers of im(or$an#e im(or$an#e have generall' generall' s(ea"ing s(ea"ing alread' alread' made %( $heir own minds before #oming) The' have #ome $o me for a 8r%bber ber s$am(< endorsemen$ The momen$ * have beg%n $o 2%es$ion $hem or raised do%b$s as $o $heir a#$ion $here has been a rea#$ion and of$en $he' have been offended) Some$imes $hese (eo(le have $hen lef$ $he #h%r#h *$ is eas' $o sa' s(iri$%al words b%$ when we are #onfron$ed wi$h $he 2%es$ion of wha$ is ha((ening in life we need $o reali+e $ha$ we are of$en $he a%$hor of o%r own misfor$%ne be#a%se we will no$ a#$ in a##ordan#e wi$h ,od.s wa') Tragi# res%l$s ba#"sliding #onf%sion and resen$men$ have followed $hose who have de$ermined $o go $heir own wa') * $hin" wi$h sadness of a gro%( of (eo(le in one of $he home mee$ings in m' own #h%r#h who lef$ $he #h%r#h wi$h a wrong a$$i$%de and wi$ho%$ e(l e(lan ana$ a$io ion) n) Wi$h Wi$hin in a #om( #om(ar ara$ a$iv ivel el' ' sho hor$ r$ $im $ime hardl' an' were #on$in%ing #on$in%ing as a#$ive a#$ive Chris$ian Chris$ians s 'e$ all of $hem obvio%sl' $ho%gh$ $ha$ $he' were $a"ing $he righ$ a#$ion in leaving $he #h%r#h) Time (roved 1@
$ha$ $he s$e(s $a"en were of $heir own ini$ia$ive and no$ of ,od.s leading) There is a #on$in%al hear$a#he $o (as$ors and loss $o $he ingdom of ,od be#a%se men and women have made %( $heir own mind and are de$ermined $o $a"e a#$ion %nder $he g%ise of ,od.s will)
Tragic results, backsliding, confusion and resentment have followed those who have determined to go their own way. /n one o## o##asion * lis$ened $o an in$erna$ional nal s(ea"er $ea#hing abo%$ $he (rin#i(le of release) -e said $ha$ when we viola$e ,od.s Word or wa' $here is a bondage $ha$ #an remain in o%r lives) -e s(o"e (ar$i#%larl' in regard $o (eo(le leaving a #h%r#h wi$ho%$ ma"ing an e(lana$ion or wi$h h%r$ feelings and a #ri$i#al s(iri$) The fa#$ $ha$ $he' had been (ar$ of $he $he lo# lo#al bo bod' d' for for severa verall 'ears ears was was $o$a o$all' ll' imma$erial $o $hem b%$ be#a%se of some disagreemen$ $he' fo%nd i$ #onvenien$ $o sa' $ha$ $he ?ord had $old $hem $o go) This in$e This in$ern rna$ a$io iona nall s( s(ea ea"e "err #onf #onfid ided ed $ha$ $ha$ on on onee o##asion he had lef$ $he #h%r#h where he had been $he (as$or be#a%se a se$ of h%r$f%l #ir#%ms$an#es and ill>will and bi$$erness had been involved) Kl$ima$el' Kl$ima$el' he re$% re$%rn rneed $o $ha $ha$ #h%r #h%r#h #h and and s$ood $ood befo before re $he #ongrega$ion and as"ed $hem $o release him be#a%se he had fo%nd $ha$ in $he manner of his leaving $he #h%r#h he had bro%gh$ res$ri#$ion %(on his own life and minis$r') -e had been %nable $o find freedom and (ea#e in ,od be#a%se he had viola$ed ,od.s wa' of being g%ided b' $he -ol' S(iri$ and 1@3
#onfirma$ion from o$hers) *n#iden$s similar $o $his b' ei$her leadershi( or la' (eo(le arise so of$en in #h%r#h life $ha$ we need $o fa#e $he $r%$h $ha$ ha$ #onf%sion and (roblems will follow %s if we a#$ in selfishness and has$e) ?e$ %s be ver' #lear abo%$ $wo ma$$ers 1) *f we do no$ a((ro(ria$e wha$ Chris$ has (rovided for %s we are #ommi$$ing sin 0' #on$in%ing wi$h old a$$i$%des of mind emo$ion and will we red%#e $he (ower of Chris$.s dea$h and res%rre#$ion $o bring %s in$o #om(le$e liber$' and vi#$or') There are several differen$ ,ree" words $ha$ are $ransla$ed b' $he Gnglish word 8sin.) /ne of $hese words is hamartia whi#h means to fall short of the mar or target ) This is $he word %sed b' $he wri$er $o $he -ebrew #h%r#h where he sa's &heref &her efor ore, e, sinc sincee we are are surr surrou ound nded ed by such such a great cloud of witnesses, witnesses, let us throw off everything that that hinde hinders rs and the sin sin that that so easil easilyy entang entangle les, s, and let us run with persever perseverance ance the race marked marked out for us. (/ebrews 0!% The sin $ha$ easil' en$angles %s is $he sin $o fail $o be all $ha$ we #o%ld be and no$ $o a##e($ a##e($ all $ha$ Chris$ has (rovided) *$ is eas' $o be sa$isfied wi$h $he medio#re and fail $o a$$ain $he f%ll (%r(ose of ,od for o%r lives) *f we live o%r own wa' doing $hose $hings we did before #oming $o Chris$ and #on$in%e wi$ wi$h old old habi habi$$s $hen hen we are #om omm mi$$in $$ing g sin sin b' failing $o 8hi$ $he $arge$< ,od has se$ for %s)
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We need to consider not only violations of %od s Word but also failure to press on to %od s will for our lives. ’
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) *f we sow an' form of %nrigh$eo%sness or disobedien#e as Chris$ians i$ is sin We $han" ,od for -is willingness $o forgive b%$ if we disobe' -is Word i$ is sin) So we be#ome a##o%n$able and $he res%l$ will be $he rea(ing of a nega$ive harves$) emember $ha$ a harves$ is alwa's grea$er in (ro(or$ion $han $ha$ whi#h is sown) /ne seed seldom brings for$h one= i$ brings for$h man') We need $o #onsider no$ onl' viola$ions of ,od.s Word b%$ also fail%re $o (ress on $o f%lfill ,od.s will for o%r lives) 0o$h of $hese as(e#$s are vi$al if we are $o avoid ,od.s %di#ial dealings)
Signs and Sy#pto#s Sy#pto#s -ow #an we "now $he #a%se of $he (roblem or diff diffi# i#%l %l$' $' $hro $hro%g %gh h whi# whi#h h we are are (ass (assin ing: g: *n $he $he medi# di#al (rof rofession do#$ors loo" for signs and s'm($oms $o hel( $heir diagnosis) *$ is (ossible $o ma"e a s(iri$%al diagnosis) Wha$ are $he signs and s'm($oms if o%r diffi#%l$' is d%e $o fail%re $o a((ro(ria$e all $he (rovisions of $he Cross or if we are rea(ing nega$ive res%l$s in o%r lives from sin or disobedien#e: *f we are rea(ing adverse res%l$s be#a%se we have sown nega$ivel' $hen $here will be in o%r lives a sense of des(air do%b$ #onf%sion and fear) There will be $imes of %nbel belief and a sense of grea$ 1@5
(ress%re) There will be a heaviness %(on o%r lives and a la#" of s$reng$h) Bo$ all of $hese will be (resen$ $oge$her b%$ b %$ we will e(erien#e some if no$ all of $hese %n$il $he righ$ a#$ion is $a"en $o bring fre freedom edom and rel release ase) *n Psa Psalm 33 33 ing ing ;avi ;avid d wri$ing of his e(erien#e following his sin made $he s$a$emen$ $ha$ is re#orded in The ?iving 0ible in $his manner *ut my dishonesty dishonesty made me miserable, miserable, and filled my days with frustration. )ll day day and all night. night. Cour hand hand was was heavy heavy on me. y streng strength th evapor evaporate atedd like water on a sunny day. (:salm 30!3#4% ;avid was rea(ing rea(ing from wha$ he had sown and $his was eviden$ b' $he signs and s'm($oms $ha$ were affe#$ing his life) We have loo"ed a$ $he $wo nega$ive as(e#$s M failing $o a((ro(ria$e or rea(ing wha$ we have sown M so i$ is now essen$ial $ha$ we learn $o #learl' %nders$and if o%r diffi#%l$ies are being allowed b' ,od for o%r grow$h and develo(men$) Wha$ are $he signs and s'm($oms if we are being dis# dis#i( i(li line ned d or prned b' ,od so $ha$ we will be $r%e Sons and da%gh$ers and be able $o bring for$h more fr%i$: We will have a grea$ sense of #onfiden#e in ,od and a re#ogni$ion of $he s%ffi# fi#ien#' of -is gra gra#e) Gven in $he mids$ of $%rmoil $here will be inner (ea#e and o') We will have a #lear #ons#ien#e and be free of inner g%il$ be#a%se of wha$ we were on#e $r'ing $o hide) There will be an a##e($an#e a##e($an#e $ha$ ,od is wor"ing wor"ing all $hings $oge$her for good) We will no$ have $o $al" o%rselves in$o believing $his b%$ we will "now i$ dee( in o%r 1@6
s(iri$ s(iri$ss and will have #onfiden #onfiden#e #e $ha$ $ha$ in s(i$e s(i$e of all $ha$ is $a"ing (la#e ,od is s$ill in #on$rol and has no$ forsa"en %s) We will "now wha$ i$ means $o be an over#omer and so rise above $he #ir#%ms$an#es $ha$ #onfron$ %s and no$$ on no onl' l' win win vi#$ vi#$or or' ' ov over er $hem $hem b% b%$$ #on$ #on$in in%e %e $o #on2%er $hem %n$il $he' have no a#$ive (ower $o rise %( again and bring des(air $o %s) This is wha$ $he 0ible means when i$ s(ea"s abo%$ o%r being 8 more than &on@erors< Homans @37I) Bo$ onl' have we #on2%ered b%$ we have also s%bd%ed $he enem' or area of fail%re and i$ has no (ower $o affe#$ %s again)
/ven in the midst of turmoil, there will be an inner peace and oy. The inner wi$ness of $he -ol' S(ir (iri$ is a grea$ #onfiden#e b%$ we need $o have $his #onfirmed b' o%r bro$hers and sis$ers in Chris$) *$ is (ossible $o #onvin#e o%rselves $ha$ we have (ea#e even when we are are wron wrong) g) Th Ther eree is a sign signif ifi# i#an an$$ (ass (assag agee of s#ri s#ri($ ($%r %ree fo%n fo%nd d in ;e%$ ;e%$eerono ronom m' foll follow owiing $he $he (romises of blessings or #%rses $ha$ are given for obedien#e or disobedien#e ?hen such such a person person hears the words words of this oath, he invo invoke kess a bles blessi sing ng on hims himsel elff and and th ther eref efor oree thinks, 9I will will be safe, even though I persist persist in going my own way.+ &his will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry. &he Lord &he Lord will will neve neverr be will willin ingg to fo forg rgiv ivee him; him; his his wrath wrath and Jeal Jeal will will burn agains againstt th that at man. man. )ll the 1@7
curse written in in this book will will fall upon him, him, and the Lord will blot out his name from under heaven. (euteronomy 0-!-#08% This is a ver' solemn (assage $ha$ s(ea"s of a man who is viola$ing $he Word of ,od and 'e$ blesses himself in his hear$ and sa's $ha$ he will have (ea#e) Peo(le have some$imes said $o me '* have a (erfe#$ (ea#e abo%$ wha$ * am doing , b%$ la$er even$s have (roven be'ond do%b$ $ha$ $heir a#$ion was wrong) Thee ?iving Th ving 0ible ble (erh (erha( a(ss give givess even ven a #leare earerr %nders$anding of $he verses $o whi#h we have %s$ referred Let no one blithely think, when he hears the warnings warnings of this curse, I shall prosper prosper even though I walk walk in my own own stubbo stubborn rn wayE or the Lord will will not not pard pardon onEE /is ange angerr and and
not bring bring this disast disaster er in his day, day, but I will will bring it on his house in in the days of his son. ( @ings 0!0-% 0e#a%se hab h%mbled himself ,od removed $he immedia$e %dgmen$ from him b%$ la$er allowed $he (enal$' $o #ome on hab.s ho%sehold) ,od e$ended mer#' $o hab b%$ no$ removal of $he #onse2%en#es) We read *eca ecause use your your heart eart was respo espons nsiive and you humbled humbled yourself yourself before before the Lord when when you heard heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they would become accursed and laid waste, waste, and because because you tore your robes and wept in my pres presen ence ce,, I have have hear heardd you, you, decl declar ares es th thee Lord. (0 @ings 00!-% This is an in#iden$ in $he life of ing osiah when ,od s(ared him be#a%se of his 'o%$h b%$ la$er $he na$ion s%ffered be#a%se of his sin)
)t is possible to convince ourselves that we have peace, have peace, even when when we are in in the wrong. ?hen the Lord Lord saw that they humbled themselves, themselves, this th is word word of th thee Lord Lord came came to Shem Shemai aiah ah!! 9Sin 9Since ce they they have have humbl humbled ed themse themselve lves, s, I will will not destroy destroy them but will soon soon give them deliverance. deliverance. y wrath will not be poured out on Aerusalem through Shishak. 9&hey will, however, however, become subhronicles >hronicles 0!$#% 1@9
This (assage s(ea"s of ing ehoboam who re(en$ed of $he sin he had #ommi$$ed b%$ $he 0ible sa's $ha$ al$ho%gh he re#eived mer#' from ,od and deliveran#e in his immedia$e si$%a$ion he wen$ on rea(ing some of $he #onse2%en#es of his foll') &hen &hen /eJek /eJekiah iah repente repentedd of the pride pride of his heart, heart, as did th thee peop eople of Aerus erusal alem em;; th theerefo reforre th thee Lord Lord5s 5s wrat wrathh did did not not come come upon upon th them em duri during ng th thee days of /eJekiah. (0 >hronicles 30!0"% -e+e -e+e"i "iah ah af$e af$err his his fail fail%r %re e h%m h%mble bled d hims himsel elff and and ,od removed $he (%nishmen$ $ha$ had been $hrea$ened b%$ la$er $he na$ion s%ffered) Some$imes we #an es#a(e $he #onse2%en#es of o%r a#$ions a#$ions b%$ leave a nega$ive nega$ive heri$age for o$hers) The 0ible sa's $ha$ $he sins of $he fa$hers #an be visi$ed %(on $he #hildren $o $he $hird and fo%r$h genera$ions HGod%s !5I) When ,od is allowing $es$ing for o%r develo(men$ however we will no$ be li"e $hese /ld Tes$amen$ fig% fig%re ress who who will willf% f%ll ll' ' diso disobe' be'ed ed and and $hen $hen so so%gh %gh$$ ,od* s mer#' b%$ we will have an a$$i$%de of s%bmission and h%mili$') We will no$ be arrogan$ and self>willed de$ermined $o do wha$ we $hin" is righ$ regardless of $he o(inions of o$hers who are #on# #on#er erne ned d for for o% o%rr welf welfar are) e) o ore re $rag $raged edie iess have have #ome from s%#h an a$$i$%de $han from an' o$her sing singlle #a%s #a%see in $he $he life ife of $he $he #h% h%r# r#h) h) Eears ears of #onf%sion have of$en followed $hose who have a#$ed in $his wa') es%s made $his s$a$emen$ &he greates greatestt among among you you will will be your your servan servant. t. o orr whoev oever e2al e2alts ts hims himsel elff will be humb umbled, led, and and 19!
whoever humbles humbles himself will will be e2alted. e2alted. (atthew 03!#0% ,od as"s for h%mili$' from %s $hen when we a#$ $his wa' he gives %s honor and re#ogni$ion) ames sa's $his /umble /umble yourselve yourselvess before the Lord, and /e will lift you up. (Aames 4!8% 4!8% The a(os$le Pe$er #on$in%es wi$h $he same $heme 9Coung men, in the same way be submissive to those those who who are older. older. )ll of you, you, cloth clothee yourse yourselve lvess with with humili humility ty toward toward one one anoth another, er, becau because, se, God God opposes opposes the proud but gives gives grace to the humble. humble. /umble /umble yourselves, yourselves, therefore, therefore, under God5s God5s mighty mighty hand, hand, that /e may lift you up in due time.+ time.+ ( :eter !K"% ,od wan$s $o honor %s if we will be h%mble and s%bmissive) When we main$ain $his a$$i$%de $hen even $ho%gh we (ass $hro%gh $imes $ha$ ma' seem diffi#%l$ ,od will %se $he #ir#%ms$an#es $o refine o%r #hara#$er and #a%se %s $o grow more li"e Chris$) This is of #o%rse ,od.s %l$ima$e (%r(ose)
ometimes we can escape the conse#uences of our action, but leave a negative heritage for others. We #an live in gen%ine freedom and have vi#$or' over $he adverse #ir#%ms$an#es whi#h #onfron$ %s) We #an eno' ,od.s fellowshi( and (ea#e $hro%gh -is forgiveness) We #an have $he #onfiden#e $ha$ be#a%se of ,od.s (ardon we are no$ s%ffering $he 191
#onse2%en#es of sin) This is wha$ ,od wan$s) -e does no$ wan$ (eo(le %nder #ondemna$ion and fear b%$ (eo(le who are filled wi$h o' and (ea#e and who are overflowing wi$h ho(e "nowing $ha$ in ever' $es$ $he gra#e of ,od will be s%ffi#ien$ for $hem) There are $imes when we all fee feel a meas eas%re of des(air) * have of$en fel$ li"e giving %( $he res( res(on onsi sibi bili li$' $' of #h%r #h%r#h #h lead leader ersh shi( i()) * have have neve neverr wan$ed $o give %( m' fai$h in $he ?ord) * have never wan$ed $o be a ba#"slider) There have been however $imes of dee( disa((oin$men$ when * have been dis#o%raged and la$er fo%nd i$ ne#essar' $o #onfess $o $he ?ord $ha$ * had no$ been loo"ing $o -im b%$ $o $he (roblem) Some$imes * have had $o rea( wha$ * have sown and go $hro%gh $he dealings of ,od in a %dgmen$al wa' be#a%se of m' own fear fear diso disobe bedi dien en#e #e or %n %nwi will llin ingn gnes esss $o $r%s $r%s$$ -im -im when * was %nder (ress%re) We all have $he same h%man $enden#ies $ha$ #a%se %s $o feel $he im(a#$ of o((osi$ion or h%r$s b%$ $he ?ord wan$s $o $ea#h %s $o s$and fas$ and a##e($ $ha$ all of $hese even$s will %l$ima$el' be for o%r good) When #ond%#$ing a series of s$%dies on $he Sermon on $he o%n$ * was im(ressed b' $he words in $he ?ord ?o rd.s .s Pra' Pra'er er whi# whi#h h ma"e ma"e $his $his sim( sim(le le s$a$ s$a$em emen en$ $ 8ive s today or daily bread < Ha$$hew 611I) Wha$ grea$ fai$h i$ re2%ires $o be able $o (ra' $hose words and as" for a s%((l' s%ffi#ien$ for onl' one da' Bo$ man' of %s wo%ld li"e $o be in $he (osi$ion of having food for onl' one da' in o%r ho%se
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We can live in genuine freedom and have victory over the adverse circumstances which confront us. Wha$ $r%s$ in ,od had $o be shown b' $he (eo(le of *srael when wandering in $he wilderness $o ga$her onll' eno on no% %gh manna for on onee da' Wha$ na$%ral do%b$s wo%ld have been in $heir minds wondering whe$ whe$he herr $he $he s% s%((l ((l' ' wo%l wo%ld d agai again n be avai availa labl blee $he $he ne$ da') We ma' be fa#ed wi$h $imes when we will need an absol%$e ass%ran#e $ha$ ,od is wi$h %s in s(i$e of o((osi$ion or hardshi( so we need $o "now how $o dis#ern wha$ is ha((ening in o%r lives) *f we a((l' $he (rin#i(les se$ o%$ in $his #ha($er we will 2%i#"l' learn whe$her we are s%ffering be#a%se of o%r own fail%re or are being $rained as $r%e sons and da%gh$ers of ,od)
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Chapter : "o. to Forgive We have eamined man' differen$ as(e#$s as we have s$%died $he bibli#al basis of forgiveness and * now wan$ $o give some (ra#$i#al wa's b' whi#h we #an a#hieve $he obe#$ of "nowing how $o gen%inel' forgive)
"earing or Doing? Doing? *$ is no$ diffi#%l$ $o se$ o%$ (rin#i(les and #ommands $ha$ we dis#over in $he 0ible b%$ $o (%$ $hem in$o (ra#$i#e is as all of %s have dis#overed an en$irel' differen$ ma$$er) We #an "now wha$ $he 0ible sa's we #an agree wi$h i$ b%$ when i$ #omes $o doing i$ $he #hallenge #an be $oo hard for %s) es%s "new $ha$ men and women were be$$er hearers $han doers and $he 0ible has m%#h $o sa' abo%$ $he differen#e differen#e be$ween hearing and doing) *n (ar$i#%la (ar$i#%lar r es%s s(o"e s$rongl' s$rongl' on $he s%be#$ when -e said $o $he #rowd who had ga$hered 8 )o yo have eyes bt fail to see! and ears bt fail to hear7 < Har" @1@I) These (eo(le were wa$#hing -im and lis$ening $o -im b%$ obvio%sl' were no$ (%$$ing in$o (ra#$i#e wha$ was being said) *n a$$hew 7 a$ $he #lose of $he #ha($er #on#l%ding $he Sermon on $he o%n$ $he ?ord em(hasi+ed wi$h a (owerf%l (arable $he differen#e be$ween hearing and doing) * have alwa's
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been #hallenged b' $his (arable of $he $wo ho%ses one b%il$ on $he sand and $he o$her on $he ro#") *$ is eas' $o $ell (eo(le $o be doers of $he Word and no$ hearers onl') This living o%$ $he Word of ,od m%s$ be#ome real in o%r e(erien#e) e(erien#e) We #anno$ %s$ give li( servi#e $o wha$ $he 0ible sa's= $here m%s$ be a defini$e im(lemen$a$ion of $he s#ri($%re) We read ?e know that that God God does does not listen listen to sinne sinners. rs. /e listen listenss to the godly godly man who does does his will will.. (Aohn (Aohn -!3% *$ is no$ merel' o%r worshi((ing $ha$ #a%ses ,od $o hear %s b%$ i$ is a worshi((er who does -is will $ha$ $he ?ord hears) The $heme of being a doer and no$ a hearer onl' is re(ea$ed in man' (ar$s of s#ri($%re) We read $his in $he le$$er wri$$en b' ames )nyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is is like a man who who looks at his face face in a mirror mirror and, after looking looking at himself goes goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. *ut the man who looks looks intently intently into the perfect perfect law that that gives gives freedom freedom,, and and contin continue uess to do this, this, not forgetting forgetting what what he has heard, heard, but doing it # he will be blessed in what he does. (Aames !03#0%
The difference between building building upon a rock and building upon sand is not how much we know, or how much we believe, but how much we do.
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The em(hasis is %(on $he need $o (%$ in$o (ra#$i#e wha$ we hear) ames #on$in%es his le$$er wi$h $his s$a$emen$ )nyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn5t do it, sins. (Aames 4!$% *f we are aware of $r%$h and do no$ do wha$ is #ommanded we are g%il$' no$ merel' of an omission b%$ of sin There are a#$s of #ommission where we delibera$el' viola$e ,od.s Word b%$ $here are also a#$s of omission where we "now $o do wha$ ,od #ommands b%$ we fail $o do i$) 0o$h are sins as far as ,od is #on#erned)
3 (oot Cause The (ra# The (ra#$i $i#a #all a((l a((li# i#a$ a$io ion n of o% o%rr fai$ fai$h h ver' ver' of$e of$en n seems $oo diffi#%l$) We #an be e$remel' $han"f%l $ha$ ,od forgives %s b%$ we also need $o be aware of o%r res(onsibili$ res(onsibili$' ' $o forgive one ano$her) ano$her) We #an also also a#"n a#"now owle ledg dgee $ha$ $ha$ fail fail%re %re $o forg forgiv ivee ano$ ano$he herr (erson will im(air o%r fellowshi( wi$h ,od) We #an a##e($ $he 0ible s$a$emen$ $ha$ %nforgiveness #an #a%se a roo$ of bi$$erness whi#h #an defile o%rselves and man' o$hers 'e$ in s(i$e of $his "nowledge we ma' have been so dee(l' h%r$ b' $he even$s of life $ha$ i$ seems im(ossible $o forgive) We m%s$ find a (ra#$i#al answer) -ow #an we forgive when $he h%r$s have been so dee( and $he wo%nds have done so m%#h damage $o o%r (ersonali$' $ha$ we #anno$ (%$ o%r "nowledge in$o (ra#$i#e:
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*n $he las$ #ha($er $i$led 8Wha$ is -a((ening:< we eamined vario%s #a%ses of (roblems and $%rmoil $ha$ o##%r in (eo(les. lives) Were $hose diffi#%l$ies a res%l$ of rea(ing wha$ had been sown: Were $he' be#a%se of a fail%re $o a((ro(ria$e $he (rovisions of $he Cross: /r was ,od allowing %s $o be $es$ed $o b%ild o%r #hara#$er: The roo$ (roblem $he ver' #en$er of $he s%be#$ we are s$%d'ing is o%r fail%re $o forgive o$hers 0e#a%se we have no$ forgiven some o$her (erson we are livin ving wi$h a maor (roblem) Knforgiveness ea$s awa' a$ all areas of o%r lives men$all' emo$ionall' and s(iri$%all' and is of$en $he (rimar' reason for o%r being miserable) ?e$ me re(ea$ wha$ es%s said or if you forgive forgive men when they sin against against you, your heavenly ather will also forgive you. *ut if you do not forgive men their sins, your ather will not forgive your sins. (atthew "!4#% * said in $he $hird #ha($er $ha$ $his s$a$emen$ b' es%s #o%ld no$ (ossibl' a((l' $o $he forgiveness $ha$ has $o do wi$h o%r e$ernal salva$ion o$herwise salva$ion wo%ld be in some meas%re of wor"s and $he gra#e of ,od wo%ld be %ndermined) es%s was no$ s(ea"ing abo%$ salva$ion when -e made $ha$ de#lara$ion) /n one o##asion a (rominen$ b%sinessman s(o"e $o me abo%$ $he 2%es$ion of forgiveness and when * $old him abo%$ m' s$%dies on $he s%be#$ he said 8For some $ime * have been ver' #on#erned abo%$ $he s$a$emen$ in $he ?ord.s Pra'er where i$ sa's Forgive s or debts! as we also a lso have forgiven or R Forgive debtors$* < Ha$$ a$$he hew w 61 61I) I) Th This is man a$$e a$$end nded ed a 197
$radi$ional #h%r#h where i$ was $he #%s$om for $he #ongrega$ion $o re(ea$ $he ?ord.s Pra'er $oge$her) -e #on$in%ed 8For some $ime now * have been %nable $o sa' $hose words as * have be#ome so #on#erned abo%$ $he im(li#a$ions of as"ing ,od $o forgive me in (ro(or$ion $o how * forgive o$hers)< This man "new $ha$ his abili$' $o forgive o$hers did no$ ma$#h $he forgiveness $ha$ he needed from ,od and so he was in #onf%sion) * was able $o $ell him $ha$ * did no$ believe $ha$ $he forgivenes forgivenesss referred $o had $o do wi$h o%r e$ernal salva$ion b%$ wi$h o%r fellowshi( wi$h ,od and was $herefore s$ill a vi$al fa#$or for o%r inner (ea#e emo$ional s$abili$' and Chris$ian grow$h) *f we do no$ forgive ano$her (erson we do no$ lose o%r salv salva$ a$io ion n b%$ i$ affe affe#$ #$ss o%r rela rela$i $ion onsh shi( i( wi$h wi$h ,od ,od and in $%rn %rn $his his #an #an bri bring nega nega$i $ive ve res% res%l$ l$ss (h'si#all' men$all' and emo$ionall' in o%r own lives) nd i$ ha((ens
&ow can we forgive when the hurts have been so deep and the wounds have done so much damage to our personality that we cannot put our knowledge into practice0 We m%s$ learn $o forgive or we will #ons$an$l' be a$ odd od ds wi$h ,od and o%rselves) /%r #on$in%ing in$ima$e fellowshi( wi$h ,od and $he eno'men$ of -is -is dail dail' ' (res (resen en#e #e is enda endang nger ered ed if we will will no no$$ for forgive o$h o$hers) We ma' be saved b%$ we will #er$ainl' no$ eno' $he blessing o' heal$h s$reng$h and 2%i#"ening of $he -ol' S(iri$ be#a%se we have 19@
bro%gh$ o%rselves %nder ,od.s %dgmen$al dealings b' viola$ing one of -is grea$ (rin#i(les) (rin#i(les) We m%s$ remember $ha$ forgiveness b' %s does no$ #ond #ondon onee $he $he a#$i a#$ion onss or word wordss of ano$ ano$he herr (ers (erson on)) /ne /ne of $he rea reaso sons ns wh' (eo( (eo(lle are are rel rel%#$ %#$an$ $o forgive is $ha$ $he' $hin" $ha$ b' forgiving $he' are endorsing a (erson.s a#$ion) This is no$ so Wha$ we are doing is leaving $he %dgmen$ and $he #onse2%en#es of $he o$her (erson.s a#$ions in $he hands of an all>seeing and all>"nowing ,od) We #an have have #om( #om(le le$e $e #onf #onfid iden en#e #e $ha$ $ha$ when when we forgi forgive ve ,od goes on dealing wi$h $he (roblem and i$ is now -is res(onsibili$' no$ o%rs) Theree are Ther are man' an' hidd hidden en #a%s #a%ses es and and reas reason onss wh' wh' (eo(le offend agains$ o$hers) * have $ried $o loo" obe#$ivel' a$ differen$ si$%a$ions $ha$ have o##%rred in m' own e(erien#e b%$ $o "now $he hear$ of ano$her (erson is im(ossible) Ga#h of %s $a"es a #er$ain a#$ion be#a%se we $hin" we have a valid #a%se and o$hers ma' no$ %nders$and wh' we have done i$) The hear$ of a man or a woman is "nown onl' $o ,od) We will generall' generall' see even$s from o%r own (oin$ of view so if * am involved in a si$%a$ion where * have been h%r$ or offended * will have a na$%ral bias in m' own favor) The onl' sensible a#$ion $ha$ we #an $a"e is $o leave $he ma$$er $o ,od who "nows $he hear$ of $he o$her (erson and no$ %s$ $he o%$ward #ir#%ms$an#es $ha$ we see) 0' doing $his we "ee( o%rse o%rselv lves es free free from from ,od. ,od.ss %dg %dgme men$ n$ be#a be#a%s %see we have gen%inel' forgiven $he one who has offended
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%s) /%r fellowshi( wi$h ,od is "e($ in harmon' and $he ?ord $a"es #are of $he (roblem)
We must learn to forgive or we will constantly be at odds with %od and ourselves.
9enefits to (eceive There are (ra#$i#al (ra#$i#al s$e(s $ha$ we #an $a"e so $ha$ we will no$ be #a%gh$ in $he snare of %nforgiveness) * s%((ose $ha$ hardl' a wee" goes b' wi$ho%$ o%r being offended or h%r$ in some wa' ei$her a$ wor" a$ home or in #h%r#h life) Bearl' all of %s are sensi$ive $o wha$ o$hers sa' or do) Some (re$end $o be indifferen$ $o h%r$f%l si$%a$ions b%$ of$en %ndernea$h $he' are dee(l' wo%nded b%$ are $oo (ro%d $o a#"nowledge i$) *$ is na$%ral $o be h%r$ or offe offend nded ed when when we are are wron wrongl gl' ' $rea $rea$e $ed) d) Wha$ Wha$ is %nna$%ral is no$ $o #are or $o $r' and ignore i$ and $ha$ #an res%l$ in a (erson be#oming #allo%sed and bi$$er) We have $o wor" hard a$ im(lemen$ing $he #lear (rin#i(les whi#h we find in $he 0ible b%$ if we don.$ we will find o%rselves holding %nforgiveness and will s%ffer $he #onse2%en#es) ?e$ me give some defini$e s$e(s $ha$ we #an $a"e
emind 'o%rse o%rself lf of $he $he bene benefi fi$s $s 'o 'o% % will will re#e re#eiv ivee s(iri$%all' men$all' emo$ionall' and (h'si#all' b' gen%inel' forgiving o$hers) This is $he firs$ s$e()
We are no$ selfish in doing $his) Ta"e in$o a##o%n$ $he benefi#ial res%l$s if 'o% forgive or $he harmf%l !!
res%l$s if 'o% do no$ forgive) The 8old self life< loves $o hold on $o i$s h%r$s We sa' 8*.m no$ going $o le$ $ha$ (ass wi$ho%$ re$alia$ion) * won.$ forge$ $ha$ easil')< Tha$ is 8self< s(ea"ing) We are in a ba$$le agains$ o%r old na$%re and we m%s$ remind o%rselves of $he blessings $ha$ ,od gives when we a#$ and res(ond -is wa') *n ohn.s $hird le$$er he sa's ear friend, friend, I pray that you may en
Take into account the beneficial results if you forgive, or the harmful results if you do not forgive.
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Forgiveness (eceived (e#e#ber $ha$ 'o% have been forgiven b' ,od) This is $he se#ond s$e()
ll of %s were sinners wi$ho%$ ho(e and deserving of no$hing e#e($ dea$h and e$ernal se(ara$ion from ,od) The ?ord in -is grea$ love sen$ es%s allowing -im $o be des(ised ree#$ed #r%#ified and $a"ing $he sin of %s all) *n $his a#$ion ,od forgave %s in Chris$) emember $he forgiveness $ha$ 'o% have re#eived) Bo$ onl' wha$ we have re#eived b%$ wha$ we #on$in%e $o re#eive as we #onfess and re(en$ if $here is f%r$her fail%re) Co%ld an' of %s sa' $ha$ even in a shor sh or$$ (eri (eriod od of $ime ime we had had no no$$ viol viola$ a$ed ed ,od. ,od.ss Word -is wa' or -is goal for o%r life: We ma' no$ have delibera$el' sinned b%$ (erha(s in some %ng%arded momen$ we missed an o((or$%ni$' for good 'e$ ,od forgave Eo% ma' have said 8?ord *.m sorr' * didn.$ reall' mean $o do $ha$ * was indifferen$ * was la+' Please forgive me< nd ,od forgave) *f we re#eive forgiveness on $his s#ale i$ is a small $hing $o forgive o$hers even if $he' don.$ as" for forgiveness) ee ee( $ha $han" n"iing $he ?ord ord for for -is -is wil willing lingne ness ss $o forgi forgive ve)) * have have alwa alwa' 's a((r a((re# e#ia ia$e $ed d ,od. ,od.ss mer# mer#') ') The mer#' of ,od has been an a$$rib%$e of -is na$%re whi#h has blessed and en#o%raged me) *n s(i$e of all o% o%rr fail%re ,od is mer#if #if%l and of #o%rse mer#' leads $o forgiveness and forgiveness $o (ardon) We need $o have an a$$i$%de of $han"f%lness $o ,od $ha$ in s(i$e of o%r fail%re !
wea"ness or dis#o%ragemen$ -e has forgiven and res$ored %s $o fellowshi() *f we do $his we will find $ha $ha$ i$ is ano no$h $heer (ra (ra#$i #$i#al #al wa' wa' of hel( hel(iing %s $o forgive o$hers) We will "ee( sensi$ive $o $he s%be#$ of forgiveness)
3n Inviolate 0rinciple 0rinciple (ecogni;e $he $he invi inviol ola$ a$ee (rin (rin#i #i(l (lee of sowin owing g and and rea(ing) This is $he $hird s$e()
We have alread' deal$ wi$h $his s%be#$ in de$ail b%$ i$ is a $r%$h whi#h m%s$ #ons$an$l' be "e($ in mind) Gver Gv er' ' a#$ a#$ion ion of o% o%rs rs will will brin bring g for$ for$h h a defi defini ni$e $e res% res%ll$) This his is %n %n#h #haang ngiing ng)) *f we so sow w evil vil $hen hen sooner or la$er we will rea( evil) *f we sow $ha$ whi#h is good we will rea( (osi$ive benefi$s) The res%l$s #an var' a##ording $o how m%#h a$$en$ion we give $o $he seed we have sown) *n $he na$%ral when a seed is sown i$ re2%ires wa$ering and $o be #ared for in order $o bring for$h a f%ll #ro() *f $he seed seed is sown and $hen hen negl negle# e#$$ed and lef$ wi$ho%$ wa$er i$ migh$ never germina$e) *n $he s(iri$%al realm we migh$ sow a seed and immedia$el' reali+e i$s nega$ive (ossibili$' and a#$ ins$an$l' $o des des$ro' i$s (ower $o bring for$h a nega$ive harves$) This is done b' immedia$e re(en$an#e #onfession and if a((li#able res$ res$i$ i$%$ %$io ion) n) Oer' Oer' seld seldom om ho howe weve ver r do (eo( (eo(le le do $his b%$ $he' ei$her allow $he seed $o lie and be wa$ered b' $he general #ir#%ms$an#es of life or $he' a#$ivel' assis$ $he develo(men$ b' #on$in%ing $heir nega$ive #o%rse of a#$ion) !3
6eep thanking %od for &is willingness to forgive. ?e$ me give a (ersonal e(erien#e $ha$ ha((ened d%ring $he $ime $ha$ m' wife and * were selling one (ro(er$' and (%r#hasing ano$her) /ne of $he (eo(le who was in$eres$ed in b%'ing o%r (ro(er$' was a b%sinessman) -e #ame wi$h his wife $o ins(e#$ o%r home on several o##asions and me$i#%lo%sl' #he#"ed o%$ ever' as(e#$ of $he (remises) -e drove his #ar in$o $he garage $o ma"e s%re $ha$ i$ wo%ld fi$ #omfor$abl' and finall' made an offer $ha$ was far below a fair mar"e$ val%e) Wi$ho%$ hesi$a$ion we $%rned down $he offer) The ne ne$ da' da' $he agen gen$ handling $he $ransa#$ion $ele(honed and said 8*.ve go$ ano$her b%'er $ha$ * am s%re will (%r#hase $he (ro(er$')< The (erson #ame and a##e($ed $he (ri#e $ha$ we had as"ed) ?a$er $he #on$ra#$ for $he sale was was sign signed ed)) Wi$hi i$hin n $wo $wo da' da's $he orig origiinal nal man $ele(honed and said 8-ave 'o% signed $he #on$ra#$:< * said 8Ees)< -e re(lied 8*.ll give 'o% L!!! more if 'o%.ll ge$ $he b%'er $o #hange her mind)< * said 8*$.s $oo la$e< This man had wan$ed $o (%r#hase $he a(ar$men$ we owned in $his (ar$i#%lar high>rise blo#" b%$ be#a%se of his hard bargaining he had los$ $he o((or$%ni$') ?a$er he (%r#hased an a(ar$men$ in $he blo#" b%$ onee wi$ho on i$ho%$ %$ man' of $he adva advan$ n$aages ges and and e$ e$ras ras whi#h o%rs had and he finall' finall' (aid man' $ho%sands $ho%sands !4
of dollars more) -e sowed from a selfish s(iri$ and rea(ed a loss) * am no$ agains$ someone loo"ing for a good b%siness deal b%$ $here is a differen#e be$ween being an as$%$e b%sinessman and see"ing $o de(rive someone of a fair $ransa#$ion) * %se $his ill%s$ra$ion be#a%se i$ made an im(a#$ on me a$ $he $ime and #learl' ill%s$ra$es $ha$ we will rea( wha$ we sow whe$her in b%siness s(iri$%all' in home life or in o$he o$herr (ers (erson onal al rela rela$i $ion onsh shi( i(s) s) Ta"e Ta"e $his $his (rin (rin#i #i(l (lee serio%sl') *$ ma' no$ ha((en immedia$el' and we ma' $hin" $ha$ we are ge$$ing awa' wi$h i$ b%$ we won.$ be#a%se 8$he birds will #ome home $o roos$)< *$ is a (rin#i(le of ,od.s Word no$ a $heor') *$ is essen$ial $ha$ we forgive 2%i#"l') The longer we hold %nforgiveness $he harder i$ is $o le$ go) The more we $hin" abo%$ $he reasons for o%r h%r$ and dwell %(on i$ $he more o%r mind is #a($iva$ed b' $he s%((osed %s$i#e of o%r #ase) Then we $r' $o %s$if' o%r a$$i$%de and are #a%gh$ in $he web of %nforgiveness)
We will reap what we sow whether in business, spiritually, spiritually, in home life or in other personal relationships. We are s$range (eo(le We $hin" abo%$ a h%r$ and i$ seems $o ge$ bigger and bigger and we begin $o $hin" of wha$ we #o%ld have said a$ $he $ime $he (roblem o##%rred) We $hin" of a shar( re$or$ $ha$ wo%ld have answered a #%$$ing word or a wea"ness in an a##%sa$ion where a righ$ word from %s wo%ld have (roved $he (erson wrong) The more we $hin" !5
$his wa' $he larger $he h%r$ gro grows %n$il i$ has e(anded o%$ of all (ro(or$ion) Some 'ears ago * read a s$or' en$i$led 8Wan$ $o 0orrow a a#".) *$ $old of a man who was driving his #ar on a #o%n$r' road a$ nigh$ and go$ a fla$ $ire) When he wen$ $o #hange $he wheel he dis#overed $ha$ he had lef$ $he a#" for $he #ar a$ home) There he was s$randed on a lonel' road in $he dar"ness wi$h no o$her #ars (assing b' wi$h a fla$ $ire and no a#" $o #hange $he wheel) -e wai$ed and wai$ed b%$ no #ar #ame) *n $he dis$an#e he #o%ld see a ligh$ so he $ho%gh$ $o himself himself 8Tha$ is a farm ho%se and $he (eo(le will (robabl' have a #ar) *.ll wal" $here and as" $o borrow a a#") So he se$ off) s he wal"ed he began $o m%se wi$hin himself and said 8Well (erha(s $he' migh$ no$ have a a#" or migh$ no$ li"e being dis$%rbed a$ nigh$) The' will (robabl' sa' $o me 8*f 'o% are s$%(id eno%gh $o leave home wi$ho%$ a a#" 'o% #an (a' $o hire i$)< * will sa' 8Pa' $o borrow a a#" * didn.$ delibera$el' ge$ a fla$ $ire Can.$ 'o% hel( a man in $ime of need:< The imag The imagin ined ed #onv #onver ersa sa$i $ion on #on$ #on$in in%e %ed) d) 8-e 8-e will will (robabl' sa' 8*$ will #os$ 'o% L! if 'o% wan$ $o %se m' a#")< * will sa' 8L! %s$ $o le$ me have a loan of a a#"< The man loo"ed %( and s%ddenl' $he ligh$s in $he ho%se wen$ o%$) -e $ho%gh$ Bow $he' are in bed *$ will (robabl' be worse Bow $he farmer won.$ wan$ $o ge$ o%$ of bed and will (robabl' (robabl' sa' 8*f * have $o ge$ o%$ of bed $o ge$ a a#" for 'o% i$ will #os$ 'o% !6
L4!)< The man angril' said $o himself 8L4! %s$ $o borrow a a#"< -e wal"ed aggressivel' $o $he fron$ door of $he ho%se m%mbling $o himself 8L4! %s$ $o borrow a a#")< -e "no#"ed lo%dl' on $he door) n %(s$airs window o(ened and a man leaned o%$ and said 8-ello wha$ do 'o% wan$:< The s$randed $raveler angr' and s$irred b' his own $ho%gh$s loo"ed %( $o $he fa#e in $he window and sho%$ed 8Eo% and 'o%r a#" 'o% #an "ee( i$< *sn.$ $ha$ $r%e of h%man na$%re: We b%ild %( a big #ase abo%$ wha$ migh$ ha((en or we feel resen$f%l abo%$ a real h%r$ or $he words someone %sed and wha$ we sho%ld have said in re$%rn and all $he $ime we are enlarging $he (roblem) *f we have a need $o forgive le$ %s a#$ on i$ 2%i#"l')
)t is essential that we forgive #uickly. The longer we hold unforgiveness the harder it is to let go. When m' older bro$her firs$ s$ar$ed wor" as a %nior in a #ar(e$ wareho%se i$ was in $he da's when a #om(an' manager was a (erson $o be feared and $his hardheaded manager said $o m' bro$her 8* wan$ $o give 'o% some advi#e= #%l$iva$e a good memor')< Tha$ so%nded li"e wisdom b%$ i$ was wha$ followed $ha$ was so signifi#an$) The manager said 8*f 'o% don.$ have a good memor' or' 'o% migh$ forge$ someone agains$ whom 'o% have a gr%dge< -ere was a man whose desire for a good memor' was $o ma"e s%re $ha$ he wo%ld #on$in%e $o hold !7
resen$men$ and ge$ even wi$h o$hers) Tha$ man died 'ears la$er miserable lonel' and largel' friendless) -ow $ragi# ?earn $o forgive 2%i#"l' be#a%se we will never bea$ $he (rin#i(le of rea(ing wha$ we sow)
Whose !ife and Whose Wor4? eali/e $ha$ 'o%r life does no$ belong $o 'o% b%$ $o ,od) This is $he fo%r$h s$e() Pa%l wro$e $his
or none none of us lives to himsel himselff alone alone and none none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, live, we live to the Lord; Lord; and if we die, we die die to the Lord. So, whethe whetherr we live or die, die, we belong to the Lord. or this very reason, reason, >hrist >hrist died and return returned ed to life life so that he might might be the Lord Lord of both both the dead dead and the living. (7omans 4!$#-% /%r life is no$ o%r own *s $ha$ s$a$emen$ a s(iri$%al #li#hN or $r%$h: os$ of $he reasons we have for hollding ho ding %n %nfo forg rgiivene veness ss rela rela$$e $o (ers (erson onal al h% h%r$ r$s) s) Children have been h%r$ b' $heir (aren$s (erha(s $hro%gh s$ri#$ dis#i(line la#" of love negle#$ or even ab%se) Paren$s have been h%r$ b' $heir #hildren as a res%l$ of %n$han"f%lness and indifferen#e for all $he (rovisions and sa#rifi#es $ha$ have been made) Wives have been deser$ed b' $heir h%sbands and lef$ wi$ho%$ wi$ho%$ finan#ial finan#ial s%((or$) -%sbands -%sbands ma' have been be$ra'ed b' $heir wives) The lis$ is endless) Personal h%r$s are %s%all' $he #a%se of %nforgiveness) Pa%l.s le$$er $o $he omans in#l%des $his s$a$emen$
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or we know or know that our old old self self was was cruc crucififie iedd with with him him so that that th thee body body of sin sin migh mightt be done done away away with with,, th that at we should should no long longer er be slaves slaves to sin. sin. (7omans "!"% *n $he #on$e$ #on$e$ $hese words refer $o sin b%$ $he' #an e2%all' a((l' $o o%r (ersonal righ$s) We do no$ have (ersonal righ$s The 0ible ma"es #lear $ha$ if o%r life belongs $o Chris$ $hen we do no$ have an'$hing we #an #laim $o be o%r own) *f we were deserving of dea$ dea$h h be#a be#a%s %see of sin sin $hen $hen o% o%rr life life is de(e de(end nden en$$ en$irel' %(on Chris$) This $r%$h m%s$ be #ons$an$l' affirmed) The (roblem bo$h in $he #h%r#h and in o%r (ersonal lives is $ha$ we "now $hese words so i$ is eas' $o sa' $hem b%$ (%$$ing $hem in$o a#$ion #an be a maor ba$$le) We m%s$ ge$ g e$ $o gri(s wi$h $his $r%$h if we are going $o win $he ba$$le $o gen%inel' forgive) #"nowledge $ha$ 'o% do feel h%r$ b%$ also a#"nowledge $hese $r%$hs 8* am dead ' life is hidden wi$h Chris$ in ,od * live b%$ onl' be#a%se * live in -im and -e lives in me< We do no$ have (ersonal righ$s) /%r lives belong belong $o Chris$)
t is because of personal hurts that there is usually unforgiveness in the hearts of people. eassess $ha$ $he s(iri$%al wor" we are doing belongs $o ,od and no$ o%rselves) This is $he fif$h s$e()
*f we are in some (osi$ion of leadershi( $his is a (ar$i#%lar area of #hallenge) os$ Chris$ians find !9
$ha$ $he grea$es$ n%mber of h%r$s and disa((oin$> men$s $ha$ arise in life do no$ #ome from (eo(le in $heir se#%lar environmen$ b%$ from (eo(le in $he #h%r#h) * was a self>em(lo'ed b%sinessman for $wen$'>five 'ears and al$ho%gh * s%ffered a #er$ain amo%n$ of o((osi$ion and %n%s$ified #ri$i#ism in m' b%siness life * had $o end%re more ill>will bi$$erness dislo'al$' and %n$r%$hf%lness wi$hin #h%r#h life) So of$en $he h%r$s we re#eive and $he (roblems (roblems we fa#e #ome from $hose we love and #are for ra$her $han from $he o%$sider) This does no$ onl' ha((en in leadershi( leadershi( *$ is in an' $as" $ha$ we do) /$her (eo(le are %na((re#ia$ive of wha$ we have done) We ma' have labored in some $as" given sa#rifi#ial servi#e $a%gh$ S%nda' S#hool led a 'o%$h gro%( or been involved in some o$her vol%n$ar' wor" and nobod' e(ressed a((re#ia$ion b%$ were $o $he #on$rar' #ri$i#al) The $as" ma' have #os$ %s mone' and $ime 'e$ all we re#eived was #ri$i#ism or la#" of $han"s) When we have have e( (er eriien# en#es li"e $hese hese $he $he #ond #ondi$ i$iion onss for for %nforgiveness are (resen$) The las$ The las$ $wen $wen$' $'>fi >five ve 'ears ears have have (rod (rod%# %#ed ed so som me e#i e#i$$ing ing s(iri (iri$$%al %al (rog (rogre ress ss)) There here has has been been $he Char Charis isma ma$i $i## ene enewa wal l $he $he in$r in$rod od%# %#$i $ion on of #h%r# #h%r#h h grow$h seminars and (rin#i(les and a re#ogni$ion of $he five>fold minis$r' gif$s $ha$ Chris$ has given for $he e2%i((ing of $he #h%r#h) 0%$ $he #%rren$ s(iri$%al s#en s#enee is s$il s$illl on onee of s% s%s( s(i# i#io ion n mis% mis%nd nder ers$ s$an andi ding ng dislo' dislo'al$ al$' ' #ri$i# #ri$i#ism ism eagge eaggera$i ra$ion on and som some$i e$imes mes hos$ili$') We sho%ld reoi#e a$ $he good $hings $ha$ 1!
$he -ol' S(iri$ is doing b%$ #ondi$ions wi$hin $he #h%r#h and among believers #ons$an$l' give rise $o $he need for forgiveness)
o often the hurts we receive and the problems we face come from those we love love and care for rather than from the outsider. -ow #an we forgive when $he ver' wor" of ,od in whi#h we are involved is hindered and se$ ba#" b' $he selfish a#$ions of men and women: #h%r#h bod' $ha$ ma' have $a"en 'ears $o b%ild is s%ddenl' s(li$ b' an asso#ia$e and we sa' 8-ow #an we forg forgiv ivee so som meone eone who who do does es $ha$ $ha$:< :< Th Thee answ answer er is 2%i$e sim(le al$ho%gh i$ ma' be hard $o (%$ in$o o(era$ion when we are (assing $hro%gh $he $ra%ma) The fa#$ is i$ is no$ o%r wor"= i$ is $he ?ord.s wor") #h%r#h does no$ belong $o a man or a woman or $he eldershi() The #h%r#h belongs $o es%s Chris$) es%s said 8 I will bild my &hr&h < Ha$$hew 161@I) ,od gives %s $he (rivilege (rivilege of being #o>wor"ers #o>wor"ers wi$h Chris$ b%$ i$ is $he ?ord.s wor") We are no$ b%ilding a (ersonal "ingdom) We are wor"ers in $he ingdom of ,od and we need $o remind o%rselves of $his) *$ is no$ a (ersonal minis$r' $ha$ is a$ s$a"e) We are servan$s of Chris$ and ,od has a righ$ $o $a"e %( a (erson and %se him or se$ him aside as -e desires) *$ is $he (reroga$ive of $he ?ord $o wor" wi$hin -is #h%r#h as -e wishes) /f$en i$ is diffi#%l$ $o #ome $o gri(s wi$h $his as we believe we have been #alled $o a $as" and we see o$hers bringing disr%($ion and h%r$ $o $he bod') The na$%ral 11
$enden den#' is $o figh$ ba#" and $o deal wi$h $he $ro%blema"ers b%$ we m%s$ "ee( remindin ding o%rselves $ha$ $he wor" belongs $o ,od and no$ $o %s) Tha$ does no$ mean $ha$ we s$and ba#" and allow Sa$an $o do wha$ever he wan$s) We m%s$ be on o%r g%ard and be diligen$ and ferven$ in all we do) 0%$ when we have done all $ha$ we #an righ$eo%sl' do we m%s$ $hen leave ,od $o do $he res$) ,od "nows how $o (%rge refine and b%ild so $he momen$ momen$ we $hin" i$ is o%r wor" and $ha$ $he s%##ess s%##ess of $he #h%r#h de(ends %(on %s and we are i$s (ro$e#$or $hen we have a wrong (ers(e#$ive) *$ is ,od.s wor" When we reali+e $his $hen $he weigh$ of $he h%r$s and b%rdens $ha$ give rise $o %nforgiveness and have #ome be#a%se of o%r desire $o (ro$e#$ a wor" will lif$ from %s)
Forgiveness Does 'ot *
* have s$ressed $his (revio%sl' b%$ * wan$ $o s%mmari+e i$ again) We do no$ have $he res(onsibili$' $o #om(le$e $he moral #'#le and see someone re#eive his %s$ (%nishmen$) ,od "nows all $he fa#$s wi$ho%$ dis$or$ion or bias) The re#ord of $he 0ible is #lear= ,od will deal wi$h ever' (roblem and do wha$ever is ne#essar' for #orre#$ion so we #an leave $he %dgmen$ and #onse2%en#es $o -im)
)t is the prerogative of the 5ord to work within &is church as &e wishes. 1
We have #onsidered si defini$e a$$i$%des $o ado($ and a#$ions $o $a"e in order $o gen%inel' forgive) These are #lear (rin#i(les) Si (osi$ive s$e(s we #an $a"e $o hel( %s $o forgive= affirma$ions $ha$ we #an ma"e ever' ver' da' da' if ne#e ne#ess ssaar' r' $o ov oveer#om r#omee $he (roblem of %nforgiveness) There is one o$her vi$al as(e#$ $ha$ we m%s$ re#o re#ogn gni+ i+e) e) es% es%ss did did no no$$ on onl' l' sa' sa' 8For 8Forgi give ve on onee ano$her< Ha$$hew 615I) -e also said 8?ove one ano$her ano$her even o%r enemies< enemies< Ha$$hew Ha$$hew 59;;<$ This is ano$her "e' in hel(ing %s $o forgive someone who has le$ %s down wronged and h%r$ %s or even des(ised %s) Ees es%s said we were $o love even o%r enemies Someone who has failed %s does no$ a%$oma$i#all' be#ome o%r enem' b%$ we ma' find i$ im(ossible ini$iall' $o have $he same #om(le$e $r%s$ and #onfiden#e in a (erson who has le$ %s down as we did before $he (roblem arose) The ?ord does no$ e(e#$ %s $o have $he same #onfiden#e (erson m%s$ be (roved again and his in$egri$' and #redibili$' re>es$ablished) an' (eo(le have an ina##%ra$e %nders$anding of $r%s$) We (%$ o%r $r%s$ in a friend or even in a famil' member and $ha$ (erson fails $he $r%s$ we (%$ in him) *$ is almos$ #er$ain $ha$ we will all fail some $r%s$ $ha$ is (%$ in %s) Someone #onfides in ano$her and as"s $ha$ $he informa$ion no$ be given $o an' one else) $'(i#al #onversa$ion goes li"e $his 8* have %s$ heard some #onfiden$ial news and if 'o% (romise no$ $o $ell an'one else * will $ell 'o%)< os$ of %s are $oo #%rio%s $o de#line $he o((or$%ni$' $o hear some ho$ gossi( so we lis$en in$en$l') 13
We now have $he #hallenge $o "ee( $ha$ informa$ion (riva$e) *nforma$ion #an re(resen$ (ower and $he onl' wa' we #an eer#ise $ha$ (ower is $o (ass $he news $o ano$her (erson) /f #o%rse we onl' do so af$er ea#$ing from $hem $he (romise no$ $o $ell an'one else nd so $he news s(reads and we have viola$ed $he original $r%s$ $ha$ was (la#ed in %s) ,od "nows how %nreliable all of %s #an be and $he 0ible a#$%all' $ells %s no$ $o $r%s$ ano$her (erson HPsalm HPsalm 1463I) This ma' so%nd s%r(rising s%r(rising as we are alwa's loo"ing for someone $o $r%s$ and we #om(lain bi$$erl' when someone fails %s) *$ is $r%e however $ha$ $he 0ible $ells %s $o $r%s$ onl' ,od b%$ $o love one ano$her) Tr%e love #om(ensa$es for $he wea"nesses $ha$ are inevi$able in men and women) While we do and m%s$ $r%s$ $he mo$ives of a loved> one we also "now $ha$ $he bes$ of his in$en$ions #an fail b%$ $r%e love ma"es allowan#es for fail%re)
4 person must be proved again and his integrity and credibility re'established. We do need some meas%re of #onfiden#e in (eo(le and i$ is a blessing $o have as o%r friends $hose who are %s%all' reliable and who will (ro$e#$ %s from $he a$$a#"s of o$hers) When someone has been in $his #a$egor' and has $hen failed 'o% i$ ma' $a"e a li$$le $ime $o re>es$ablish $he same sense of #onfiden#e $ha$ 'o% (revio%sl' had (ar$i#%larl' if $he fail%re has been re(ea$ed) 0%$ regardless of how of$en a (erson fails %s we s$ill have $he grea$er res(onsibili$' of loving him $hro%gh es%s Chris$) 14
s men$ioned earlier $here is a #ommon idea $ha$ be#a%se ,od is loving and forgiving -e forge$s abo%$ fail%re) ,od never forge$s When $he 0ible s(ea"s abo%$ ,od forge$$ing i$ is %sed in $he sense of -is no$ infli#$ing a (enal$' $ha$ o$herwise wo%ld be d%e) When $he 0ible sa's $ha$ ,od will no longer remember o%r sins and ini2%i$ies i$ does no$ mean $ha$ -e #anno$ re#all $hem an' more b%$ $ha$ -e does no$ hold $hem agains$ %s) The average h%man being is in#a(able of forge$$ing a(ar$ from $he dimming of memor' wi$h $he (assage of $ime) 0%$ as ,od (roves %s af$er fail%re so we m%s$ (rove (eo(le when $he' have failed %s and a$ $he same $ime we have a #lear res(onsibili$' $o forgive $hem a##ording $o s#ri($%re Ha$$hew 1@1MI)
!oving and !i4ing !i4ing From wha$ we have alread' seen in $he s#ri($%re i$ is obvio%s $ha$ we m%s$ be able $o bo$h love and forgive a (erson even when we do no$ have $he same #om(le$e #onfiden#e in him) There is a differen#e be$ween loving and li"ing) When es%s said we are $o love o%r enemies -e was s(ea"ing of an a$$i a$$i$% $%de de high higher er $han $han li"i li"ing ng be#a be#a%s %see who who #an #an reall' li"e an enem': We #an love o%r enemies b%$ no$ ne#essaril' li"e $hem) ?i"ing a (erson de(ends on man' differen$ as(e#$s on $em(eramen$ (ersonali$' and #ommon in$eres$s) ll of $hese fa#$ors have a bearing on whe$her we ini$iall' li"e someone) There are emo$ions $ha$ are involved in li"ing) ?i"ing #o%ld be defined as 8$he drawing $oge$her of (eo(le in an agreeable eno' eno'abl ablee fell fellow owsh shi( i(<) <) Th This is is eas' eas' when when we are are 15
dealing wi$h #o>o(era$ive famil' members or lo'al friends b%$ no$ so eas' when we are fa#ed wi$h $hose who have h%r$ or wronged %s) We need $o be as (ra#$i#al as (ossible and no$ be sa$ sa$isf sfie ied d wi$h wi$h mere mere s(iri (iri$$%al %al words ords)) There here is a 2%ali$' of love $ha$ is be'ond na$%ral or famil' love) The 0ible s(ea"s of aga(e love whi#h is $he divine love of ,od -imself and whi#h $he 0ible de#lares #omes from $he -ol' S(iri$ )nd hope does not disappoint disappoint us, because God has poured poured out his love into into our hearts by the /oly /oly Spirit, whom he has given us. (7omans !% Ba$%ral love #omes from emo$ion) There are (eo(le we love be#a%se of who $he' are) The' are $hose wi$h whom we harmoni+e and feel a "indred s(iri$ $ha$ is o'o%s and (leasan$ b%$ aga(e love #omes from $he will no$ merel' from emo$ion) emo$ion) ga(e love means eans 8a de$ de$erm ermina ina$ion $ion of $he mind whe where we a#hi a#hieeve an a$$i $$i$%de $%de of %n %n#o #on2 n2%e %era rabl blee go good odwi will ll $owards $he on onee who ma' even have serio% o%ssl' wronged %s<) no$her wa' of defining aga(e love is 8$he (ower $o love $hose we do no$ li"e and who do no$ li"e %s<)
There is a difference between loving and liking. *$ is (ainf%l and s%r(rising for a (rea#her $o dis#over $ha$ $here are (eo(le who do no$ li"e his minis$r' * heard an in$erna$ional (rea#her sa' on one o##asion 8*.ve had $o learn $ha$ $here are (eo(le who #anno$ abide m' minis$r'< os$ of %s who (rea#h and 16
$ea# $ea#h h li"e li"e $o $hin $hin" " $ha$ $ha$ ever ever' 'on onee will will eno eno' ' and and a((re#ia$e wha$ we sa' b%$ $ha$ is no$ so) We m%s$ however "ee( an a$$i$%de of %n#on2%erable goodwill $owards $hose who do no$ li"e %s and who in $%rn we ma' no$ na$%rall' li"e) This is no$ being h'(o#ri$i#al) *$ is a gen%ine o(era$ion of a (rin#i(le of ,od) *f we $rea$ a (erson as if we do li"e him $hen $his releases aga(e love) *$ $a"es an o(era$ion of bo$h $he will and of $he mind if we are $o $rea$ a (erson whom we do no$ li"e as if we reall' #ared for him) We migh$ sa' 8-ow #an we do $ha$:< Well we #an and * wo%ld li"e $o ill%s$ra$e how i$ is (ossible from a ver' vivid (ersonal e(erien#e) s a 'o% o%ng ng self self>e >em m(lo' (lo'ed ed b% b%si sine ness ssm man * had had moved m' offi#e from one lo#a$ion $o $he fif$h floor of a ra$her old b%ilding in $he #i$' where * $hen lived) *$ was a b%ilding $ha$ had an old>fashioned man%all'>o(era$ed lift$ *$ was fi$$ed wi$h an in$erior me$al folding ga$e and re2%ired $he servi#es of an o(era$or in $he b%s' wor"ing ho%rs) The b%ilding was owned b' a $rans ns(o (orr$ #om(an' n')) The' he' had $ra $rans nsfe ferr rreed on onee of $he $he mos os$$ agg ggre ress ssiive and ill> ll> mannered drivers in $heir em(lo'men$ $o be $he lif$ o(era$or) This was be#a%se of his age and inabili$' $o handle heav' loads) *$ was a semi>re$iremen$ ob for $his man and $he $enan$s in $he b%ilding were $o$all' de(enden$ on him for $he %se of $he eleva$or) -e arrived earl' in $he morning and lef$ af$er offi#e ho%rs) * moved in$o $he b%ilding ha((il' $hin"ing $ha$ * had a (leasan$
17
new offi#e wi$h a view from $he fif$h floor b%$ s%ddenl' * me$ $he im(a#$ of $his man *$ wo%ld be im(ossible $o reall' #onve' wha$ he was li"e -e never smiled) -e half lo%nged agains$ $he wall of $he lif$ and when he did s(ea" his fa#e wo%ld s#owl and he wo%ld gr%n$ o%$ some $erse #ommen$) * wo%ld gree$ him in $he morning and sa' 8,oo 8,ood d morni orning ng)< )< There here was was on onl' l' a gr%n gr%n$$ for for a re(l') 8*$.s a (leasan$ da')< no$her gr%n$ When one (ressed $he #all b%$$on a bell rang in $he lif$ and if $he o(era$or was on ano$her floor he wo%ld $a"e his $ime abo%$ #oming) *n fa#$ he wo%ld of$en wal" along $he (assage before answering $he #all %s$ $o be diffi#%l$ and %n(leasan$) 0' $he $ime $he eleva$or arrived a$ $he a((ro(ria$e floor $he in$e in$end ndin ing g (ass (assen enge gerr wo%l wo%ld d of$e of$en n be f%ri f%rio% o%s s *f a #om(lain$ was made his %n(leasan$ness in#reased) There was no$hing one #o%ld do be#a%se somehow $he #om(an' who owned $he b%ilding was willing $o "ee( him em(lo'ed in s(i$e of his r%deness and la#" of effi#ien#') ;a' af$er da' * wo%ld go $o $he eleva$or ring $he bell wai$ wai$ and wai$ and finall' $he eleva$or wo%ld arrive) The door wo%ld be fl%ng o(en) 8-ow are 'o%:< * wo%ld sa' and a gr%n$ wo%ld be $he onl' re(l') * had re#en$l' had a new e(erien#e of $he -ol' S(iri$ in m' life and * had a dee( desire $o serve $he ?ord wi$h all m' hear$) The o(era$or #o%ld however ma"e life diffi#%l$ so * s%((ose $here was some self>(reserva$ion in m' a$$i$%de be#a%se if one go$ on $he wrong side of $his man he wo%ld $a"e 1@
even longer $han normal $o #ome) * de$ermined $o "ee( %( a barrage of goodwill $oward him and i$ m%s$ have been b' $he gra#e of ,od as * didn.$ %nders$and $he (rin#i(les $ha$ * am now sharing) * learn$ $o give him a warm gree$ing in s(i$e of his r%d r%deness) -e wo%ld o(en $he lif$ door and his %nha((' fa#e wo%ld loo" o%$) 8,ood morning< * wo%ld sa' 8-ow are 'o%:< The familiar gr%n$ was $he onl' re(l') 8*$.s a (leasan$ da' did 'o% have a good wee"end:< no$her gr%n$) * was de$ermined $o win *$ be#ame a game and a #hallenge da' af$er da' $o sa' some$hing #heerf%l and $o gree$ him wi$h goodwill) on$h af$er mon$h * "e($ a$ i$ and finall' he began $o res(ond wi$h a smile and (leasan$ word and * began $o see him as a h%r$ wo%nded and #ri((led man on $he inside no$ someone who was o%$ $o do ever'one a bad $%rn) This man did no$ "now wha$ i$ mean$ $o li"e (eo(le b%$ when * #ame $o move o%$ of $ha$ b%ilding some 'ears la$er * had a rela$ionshi( wi$h him $ha$ was warm and (leasan$ and * had even grown $o li"e him) -e was %s$ as %n(leasan$ wi$h some o$her (eo(le b%$ * had won his res(e#$ b' %n#on2%erable goodwill) Some da's $he #hallenge was $oo m%#h $o fa#e and in $he energ' of m' 'o%nger 'ears * bo%nded %( $he five fligh$s of s$airs ra$her $han be #onfron$ed b' $ha$ %n(leasan$ man) *$ was no$ alwa's eas' $o be #heerf%l $o him him b%$ * finall' won) We #an a#$ $oward a (erson as if we do li"e him and $his releases divine love) 19
4nother definition of agape love is the power to love those we do not like and who w ho do not like us . “
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When 'o% have been h%r$ %r$ and need $o forgive someone le$ me #hallenge 'o%= medi$a$e on $hese si si (ri (rin#i n#i(le (les of ho how w $o forg forgiv ivee) *f 'o% fai fail and re$ain %nforgiveness 'o% will be $he one who will s%ffer) We "now $ha$ i$ is vi$al $o medi$a$e on $he Word of ,od and i$ is im(or$an$ $o medi$a$e on $hese (rin#i(les whi#h are in harmon' wi$h wha$ $he 0ible sa's) ;ire#$ goodwill $oward $he (erson who has offended 'o% and "ee( on doing i$ ;on.$ sa' 8Well * $ried $o $rea$ him "indl' on#e and all * go$ ba#" was an i#' s$are) Tha$.s i$ *.ve done m' (ar$) *$.s over $o him him no now w<< Bo The ball ball is alwa' wa's in o% o%rr #o%r #o%r$$) ee( on eer#ising goodwill and forgiving $hose who have offended 'o% if 'o% wan$ $he #on$in%ed blessing of $he ?ord in 'o%r 'o%r own life) es%s said< *ut *ut I te tellll you! you! Love Love your your enem enemie iess and and pray pray fo forr those those who persecute persecute you, that that you may be sons of your ather in heaven...(atthew heaven...(atthew !44#4% !44#4% *f we are are bles blesssing ing and (ra' (ra'in ing g for for (eo( (eo(lle $hen hen some$hing good is going $o ha((en wi$hin %s and also wi$hin $hem) ga(e love does no$ %s$ ha((en) We have $o a#$ in a (osi$ive wa' for divine love $o flow $hro%gh %s) When we obe' $he $r%$hs $ha$ have been se$ o%$ we will find i$ no$ onl' eas' $o forgive b%$ also $o (%$ o%$ of o%r mind $hose $ho%gh$s $ha$ for 'ears have nega nega$i $ivel vel' ' #a($ #a($%r %red ed %s %s)) Th Ther eree is grea grea$$ (o (owe werr for for !
good $o be se$ in mo$ion in o%r lives $hro%gh gen%ine forgiveness) There is grea$ (ower for harm if we do no$ forgive The ?iving 0ible gives $his e#ellen$ (ar (ara(hrase from Pa%l.s le$$er $o $he Colossian #h%r#h *e gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. grudges. 7emember, 7emember, the Lord forgave forgave you, so you must forgive others. ost ost of all, all, let let love ove guid guidee your your life life,, fo forr th theen th thee whole church church will stay together together in perfect harmony. harmony. Let the peace peace of heart which comes comes from >hrist >hrist be always always present present in your hearts and lives, lives, for this is your responsibility responsibility and privilege as members of /is body, and always be thankful. 7emem 7emember ber what >hrist >hrist taught taught and let let /is /is words words enrich your lives lives and make you wise; wise; teach them to each other and and sing them out out in psalms and and hymns and spirit ritual songs, singing to the Lord with thankful hearts. (>olossians (>olossians 3!3#"% We will find a new dimension of freedom when we learn $o forgive) We will se$ in mo$ion a flow of (ea#e heal$h o' (ros(eri$' and blessing) ,od wan$s %s $o eno' -is favor and -is (resen#e) -e wan$s %s $o have $he ass%ran#e $ha$ even in hard $imes -e is $raining %s $o be ma$%re sons and da%gh$ers) The s#ri($%res are #lear #on#erning o%r need $o be forgiven b' ,od and o%r res(onsibili$' $o forgive o$hers even if we are $he offended (ar$') We #ann #anno$ o$ es#a( s#a(ee $his $his res( res(on onsi sibi bili li$' $' if we wan$ wan$ ,od.s (ea#e in o%r hear$s) When we hold %nforgiveness $oward o$hers i$ will inevi$abl' bring 1
(roblems in$o o%r lives) When we forgive o$hers i$ will bring release $o %s) While we hold %nfor> give givene ness ss we be#o be#om me $he (ri (riso sone nerr of $he (ers (erson on whom we will no$ forgive) *ll>will and bi$$erness #an rise in o%r minds and $he $ho%gh$ of $ha$ (erson and $he wrong $he' ma' have done $o %s #an be li"e a #an#er $ha$ s(reads i$s des$r%#$ive $en$a#les in$o o%r en$ire being) ,od has been mer#if%l $o %s -e has forgiven %s and (ardoned %s) ?e$ %s in $%rn be mer#if%l and forgiving in all of o%r dealings wi$h o$hers)
There is great power for good to be set in motion in our lives through genuine forgiveness. There is great power for harm if we do not forgive!
!nforgiveness "rings pro"lems# Forgiveness "rings "lessing#