Forgiveness.
In the Lord’s pattern prayer, he made reference to “forgiveness”. Note carefully, what He said:
“….Forgive us our sins, as we forgive everyone who sins against us.”
In this sentence, He is making our forgiveness, conditional on our forgiving those who have wronged (sinned against) us.
In 1 John 1 : 7-9 – it is clear that our fellowship with Him, depends on our confession of our sins and receipt of His forgiveness.
I believe that in each of these cases, it is His people, that are being addressed, so this issue is not forgiveness of sin for salvation, but, forgiveness of sin for fellowship with the Lord.
Further reference is made to this idea in Ephesians 4:17-32 where we are challenged to be transformed in our thinking and not to act in the same way as those who do not have the light of life. We are reminded of Christ teaching, the need to “lay aside the old self”and to put on the new self. To be angry but not to sin and not to give the devil an opportunity. Amongst other things we are challenged to forgive each other, just as God, in Christ also has forgiven you.
In Philippians 2 there is further exhortation to follow the example of Christ who did not consider His “own rights” but humbled Himself, and was obedient, even to the point of death – and not just any death, but the humiliating and terrible death on a cross and most of all, endured the separation from His own Father, while He took the punishment for your sins and mine. We are told that we should have the same attitude, the same humility, the same submission as He had. Was it an easy thing for Him to do – think of Him in the Garden of Gethsemane – where He prayed, in such agony and distress, that he sweat, what appeared to be, great drops of blood. No it was not easy, but He endured, “for the joy that was set before Him”. The Joy of seeing a people, formerly rebellious enemies, now purchased, transformed and cleansed – able now, to glorify Him and give Him the honour which He rightly deserved. However, before the Glory – there was the cross. Refer also to Phil 3:7-15 - the apostle counted all things loss compared to the value of knowing Christ Jesus – verse 10 – that I might know Him, the fellowship of His suffering, the willingness to die (to self – my rights and my comforts)
What is forgiveness going to cost you? Can it ever be too much, when you consider what our Lord went thru in order to bring forgiveness to you/me?
Do you want to enjoy fellowship with Him – do you want to grow in your knowledge of Him?. This will not really be possible unless you are willing to forgive those who have wronged you.
What might this forgiveness involve? For Him – it meant both physical and spiritual death – His was the ultimate sacrifice – and because of that we will never have to go into spiritual death – Praise God! For some, however, forgiveness may lead to physical death.
Consider Him!
Looking unto Jesus: Read Hebrews 12: note especially 1-3, verse 14, 28
I have made a number of attempts to upload some photos of the conference today. Here you will see a frequent use of the blue Canadian Tyre tarps! It is rainy season here and this was needed for the overflow and apparently the bikes! There was a good gathering and good interest.
