A LOOK AT FORGIVENESS

 

What is forgiveness? According to Wikipedia, Forgiveness is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude regarding an offense, and overcomes negative emotions such as resentment and vengeance. In other words, the victim absorbs all the cost, pain, etc., associated with the ‘injury.’ The perpetrator goes free, never has to be responsible, pay back anything, or answer questions regarding the issue.     

Have you ever had to forgive someone? What was their offense, and why did you forgive them? Did they admit wrongdoing, and then ask for your forgiveness? Did you forgive, and what did it cost you to forgive: emotionally, socially, and financially? How did you feel personally after forgiving, and how was your relationship with the offender after you forgave? There are many questions to ask ourselves when it comes to forgiveness, whether we are the offender or the victim.

We will each respond differently to these questions, because we are all at different maturity levels in different areas of our lives. There’s One, however, whose attitude toward forgiveness answers these questions perfectly, and that is God! Contrary to what some think, God is the only one we each have to answer to; He is the Creator of the universe, including you and me (see Psalm 24:1). Some think they are free to do as they please, how they please, and when they please. The reality is that what they think doesn’t matter; only what God thinks, wants, and says matters. What people think does not change God’s truth.

Having established that we all have to answer to God, we have to understand that God has an issue with us: we have all sinned and deserve His judgment: “The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if any seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one!” (Psalm 14:2-3). Out of love for us, God sent His Son Jesus to die in payment for our sins. The Scriptures put it this way: “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). This doesn’t call for an argument or self-defense; it calls for acknowledgment of sins, confession, and repentance. 

 If you repent, you will be saved: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved” (Romans 10:9-10). When you are saved, Jesus comes to indwell you in the person of the Holy Spirit, making you a new person; God becomes your Father, and you His child; the separation that existed because of sin no longer exists: “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). On the flip side: “…Those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all” (Romans 8:9)

 When God forgives, He no longer holds anything against you, no matter how big or little your sin. He credits you with Jesus’ righteousness, as if you have never sinned! “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12); “I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins” (Hebrews 8:12), and: “Now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death” (Romans 8:1-2).

Would you like to be saved? As we see from Scripture, God absorbs the cost (by the life of his Son Jesus) of our forgiveness, He forgives completely, and He never brings it back up or rubs it in our face! He does not keep us at arm’s length, but instead, He brings us into His fold and provides a safe haven for us. He loves us, provides for us, and teaches, encourages, and protects us (see Psalms 23 & 46). Nothing will ever be able to separate us from His love (see Romans 8:38-39).

If you have put your faith in Jesus, you are now a new person in Christ. How should you (we) live from now on? We should no longer live in sin because we are controlled by the Holy Spirit, who helps us do what is pleasing to the Spirit (see Romans 8:5), and we should also serve the Lord: “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God…For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:8-10). “He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ who died and was raised for them” (2 Corinthians 5:15).

Now that you’ve been born anew, feed on the Word of God to help you grow in your faith, and seek His face through prayer. If possible, find, and fellowship with, a church that holds to these truths. To God be the glory! 

GOD'S JUSTICE

Justice is defined as the administration of law that determines what is right, based on principles of equity and correctness, and rewards accordingly; it is the quality of being just, impartial or fair. The Bible says God is just, which means His response to our behaviors, good or bad, is the same, no matter who is involved. God does not play favorites and does not sweep anything under the carpet to cover up for anyone.

God is impartial because justice is His nature, and He would be denying who He is if He wasn’t just in all situations to the fullest extent. If He is not just all the time, it would be difficult to know whether to trust Him or not.

In order to judge fairly in any situation, there have to be clearly stated laws about situations. For instance, unless there is a law that says murder is wrong, God will not be holding anybody accountable for committing murder; the same goes for all other wrongdoings. God doesn’t think up rules as we go along: He has given us His laws already; they are written on our hearts, and we instinctively obey them. As proof that we know God’s laws, our conscience and thoughts either accuse us of wrongdoing or tell us we are doing right (see Romans 2:14-15).

Since God is just, He responds to our actions either by rewarding good behavior or punishing bad behavior. The Bible addresses this topic in detail; it tells us the consequences of wrongdoing, and not only when we are caught in the act, or accused by others. I believe that even if never caught, wrongdoing will be punished. The Bible clearly says, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). As I write this, I’m thinking about fraud, identity theft, and the like; these thieves who might never be caught will have to face God in court someday. 

The good is also rewarded, even if not noted or acknowledged by others at the time of occurrence. Once when Jesus was telling His disciples about the final judgment, He described how He would separate the people into two groups, and then make pronouncements as each group deserves. To the group on His right, He would welcome them into the Kingdom prepared for them, emphasizing: “I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. … and you visited me” (Matthew 25:35-36). The addressees, shocked by what they hear, will ask, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? … or in prison and visit you?” (Matthew 25:37-39). Although the first group was not aware that their good deeds counted for something, they were rewarded; God knows and sees all!

It took me a long time to start appreciating the Psalms that call for God to judge our enemies. It used to make me uncomfortable when I read Psalms that said things like, “Don’t let them get away with their wickedness; in your anger, O God, bring them down” (Psalm 56:7). Now I appreciate it because I understand God will judge and punish wrongdoing because He is just; whether I ask Him to or not, He will judge. I just have to make sure if I’m offended, I’ll forgive and not hold a grudge (see Romans 12:17-18). It is comforting to know that people who hurt you intentionally will have to answer to God unless they repent of course. His Word says, “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back, says the LORD’” (Romans 12:19). If He should ever choose not to, that will be His business, not mine, to worry about.

The book of Revelation teaches hell as punishment for unbelievers. I believe that’s how it’s going to be because God is just and faithful. There are many who think God is too loving to send anyone to hell, but they forget or don’t know, He is also too just to allow sin to go unpunished, and too faithful to go back on His Word.

May we take evangelism seriously, and let people know God is not joking about justice and judgment. If it wasn’t for Christ’s death, we would all go to hell, because we are all sinners (see Romans 3:23). Many have died already with no assurance of heaven, and for them, it is too late, but others still have time because they are alive. Let’s work tirelessly to win them for Christ, so they can escape God’s judgment and enter His reward!   

 

All quotes are from the New Living Translation (NLT).   Please share, thank you.

RSVP

 

Have you ever received an invitation to a function, let’s say to a wedding or a party? I am sure the invitation came with an RSVP. To RSVP means please respond (literally, répondez s'il vous plaît in French). RSVP requests usually accompany invitations so the host or hostess is able to adequately prepare to avoid a shortage of food or supplies. Guests planning to attend an event are usually asked to make their intentions known by calling a given phone number or returning a slip or postcard provided for that purpose to a provided address.

Everybody, you included, has been invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb, Jesus Christ (see Revelation 19:9). This event, like all well-planned social events, has to be responded to. The invitation to this wedding supper reads: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

There are three possible responses to this invitation and each response has eternal implications.

·       You could respond, “Not interested. Don’t believe it. I am just fine.”  Based on the wording of the invitation, you have elected to perish.

·       You could respond, “Yes, I will go. I will respond after taking care of X, Y, and Z.” If procrastination goes on long enough, the opportunity to respond will be lost, putting you in the “not interested” category.

·       Or you could respond, “Yes, I want to attend the supper; I am responding right now because today is the day of salvation!” You might pray, “Dear God, thank You for the gift of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for my sins. I now accept Him as my Lord and Savior, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

If you respond, ‘Yes,’ your RSVP will be immediately received in heaven, and your name maintained in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Also, in heaven, on the day of the wedding supper, you will be escorted into the banquet hall to enjoy fine dining and fellowship with the Lamb (groom) and the bride (the Church, of which you are a part).

Note that no one can show up with an excuse of, “I meant to RSVP, but forgot or I was too busy to respond.” The groom’s response to people with excuses will be, “I tell you the truth, I don’t know you” (Matthew 25:12). I hope that won't be your experience.

It is also important to note that each individual has to RSVP for themselves. Although this is an invitation to all, only individual responses are acceptable. In other words, group responses are not acceptable; each individual has to respond on their own behalf. The invitation clearly says, “Whosoever will may come.”

So dear reader, how are you going to respond to this invitation? I hope you will say “Yes,” and please say it now before it is too late. God loves you, but He will not force you to accept this very important invitation. Anyone you know (parent, sibling, friend, or spouse) who accepts this invitation cannot include you on their RSVP. Speak for yourself today! Time is running out!

 

TTHE GROUNDS ON WHICH OBEDIENCE CAN BE EXPECTED OR DEMANDED

 

Parents have the responsibility to teach and train their children if they expect them to grow into responsible adults. If children are not instructed, they won’t know what’s expected of them. But if they fail to carry out orders after they’ve been instructed, the parent has the right and responsibility to correct the child by whichever means would be effective. The same is true of boss-employee relationships; employees can’t be expected to perform duties that have not been assigned to them.  

In the same way, God instructs us before demanding obedience.  For example, He wants the gospel preached to everyone, giving them the opportunity to accept or reject Him. He’s given man the freedom of choice; that way, people are totally responsible for the outcome of the choices they make. When Jesus foretold the future in Matthew 24, He said, “The Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it, and then the end will come” (verse 14). When people choose to not accept salvation, they have by default accepted the alternative—judgment.

After the Israelites returned from captivity and were settled in their towns (during the Nehemiah and Ezra era), they requested Ezra the priest to read to them the Book of the Law of Moses. He did, and they had a wonderful time of worship, celebrating that they had heard and understood the Word of God (see Nehemiah 8:12).

The following day, the family leaders, priests, and Levites met with Ezra to go over the Law in greater detail. “As they studied the Law, they discovered that the LORD had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should live in shelters during the festival to be held that month” (Nehemiah 8:14). So, they did! “Everyone who had returned from captivity lived in these shelters, during the festival, and they were all filled with great joy!” (Verse 17) It is obvious that they obeyed because they knew what God wanted them to do. Without that discovery, they wouldn’t have obeyed.

The only way we can know what God expects of us is to read and study His Word; we need to know the specifics. If we are really interested in pleasing Him through obedience, we can’t live our lives on guesswork and assumptions. After the death of Moses, God instructed Joshua, Moses’ assistant, to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. God gave him the formula for success: “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this book of instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do” (Joshua 1:7-8).  

The apostle Paul, in admonishing Timothy, taught him the benefits of the Scriptures. Scripture teaches us what’s right and what’s wrong, and corrects us when we are wrong (see 2 Timothy 3:16). If we desire to obey God, we must know what His Word says. I should also mention that in addition to success, obedience brings us joy.

Let’s study the Word, and let’s obey it!

All quotes are from the New Living Translation (NLT).

Please share, thank you.

WATCH OUT, THE WORLD IS WAITING TO HAVE A GOOD LAUGH

 Laughter is common to all of us. Some laugh more than others, but why do we laugh? Sometimes we laugh because we think something is honestly funny, but other times, we laugh to express sarcasm. When we are being sarcastic, we are mocking whomever we are laughing at.

Today, I watched a television show in which the defendant owed the plaintiff some money that was overdue involving a used vehicle. The defendant produced some false documents and a ‘fake’ husband at the trial. When the supposed husband was questioned, it came to light that he wasn’t the husband at all. So how did they know each other? Apparently, they belonged to the same Bible study group, and he was trying to help her with her problem! I don’t have to tell you the reaction from the judges and the viewers in the courtroom. There was uncontrollable laughter!

I felt sad, ashamed, and hurt. Why did these two do that? The laughter and comments made by the judges indicated they were certain the defendants were Christians behaving badly. The man apologized, saying he was sorry he had done that. His response brought more laughter. One could argue that these defendants were probably not Christians, and that’s possible. But you can be certain of that argument only if Christians are perfect and are never in the wrong. It is likely that they are Christians, as they claimed, but we can’t judge them, because the Scripture says: “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” (John 8:7). So, I can’t judge them, and neither can you.

I bring this issue up to remind us that our behavior matters. When Jesus warned the disciples about false prophets, He said: “You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way, they act. A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit … A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit” (Matthew 7:16-18). Likewise, a Christian behaving badly raises questions about whether or not he is a Christian.

Our sins reach much further than we realize. Our bad behaviors affect God’s reputation: “You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. No wonder the Scriptures say, ‘The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you’” (Romans 2:24).

Our bad behavior in the Church becomes a stumbling block to other members of the body: “Live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall” (Romans 14:13).

Our bad behavior affects unbelievers as well. We are called to be light to the world, pointing them to the Lord. Failing to do so turns unbelievers away from God. They come up with labels for Christians, like a hypocrite, and say things like, “If that’s Christianity, I don’t want any part of it.” We are commanded: “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16). As I shared before, the defendants’ situation brought laughter into the courtroom. I’m sure this behavior could affect the fake couple’s testimony, and those who witnessed that trial could have a difficult time taking Christians seriously, especially those who might try to witness to them. What a shame!

Let’s try not to be a laughingstock; the world is waiting to blaspheme the name of the Lord, and to have a good laugh at our expense!

Quotes are from the New Living Translation (NLT).

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ON THE ALERT

 

 

To be on the alert is to be vigilant, observant, and ready to act. Alertness is the mode to be in when expecting something important to happen or trying to catch some trouble before it happens. When on the alert, don’t allow yourself to be distracted; otherwise, you might miss something very important.

Once when the Philistines tried to attack King David and Israel, David did what came to him naturally; he asked the Lord for direction. He had the habit of seeking the Lord whenever he was in trouble, and we Christians should do the same. In response to David’s request, the Lord gave him a strategy: “Do not attack them straight on. Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, be on the alert! That will be the signal that the Lord is moving ahead of you to strike the Philistine army” (2 Samuel 5:23-24). David did as the Lord commanded, and Israel defeated the Philistines!

What if David hadn’t stayed vigilant and followed God’s instructions? That victory wouldn’t have come so easy, and the Israelites would have been defeated by the Philistines. God’s strategies might not always make much sense to us, but He alone is the all-knowing God; let’s do things His way! His strategy for conquering Jericho, for example, was so unconventional; He had Joshua and his men march around the city once a day for six days, with seven priests carrying ram’s horns. On the seventh day, they marched seven times with the priests blowing the rams’ horns. And as they did, the walls came tumbling down! (See Joshua 6:3-5) That is our God!    

There is no use praying and not listening for the Lord’s response, and no use praying, getting directions, and not obeying it. You might as well have not prayed. Our attitude toward prayer should be that God is in charge and has the power, authority, and ability to answer our prayers if we ask according to His will. We should pray in faith, expressing assurance in His promises. Then we should be vigilant and patient to see what He’ll have us do, which could be different things: wait, do nothing, or do something.

We shouldn’t stay alert only in regard to specific prayers; our whole Christian walk should be a time of staying alert for a number of reasons. First, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Another reason is so that temptations don’t take us by surprise. In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to wait while He went over to pray. On His return, those guys were fast asleep. He chided them, and then admonished them, “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the Spirit is willing, but the body is weak” (Matthew 26:41).

Thirdly, we need to be alert so we don’t miss opportunities for service, like sharing the gospel or meeting a need in the Body or elsewhere (see the story of Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunuch, Acts 8:26-40). Philip obeyed the Spirit, stayed alert, and was able to lead someone to faith in Christ and then baptize him. That new convert went away rejoicing.

Christians, let us stay alert:

●      So we don’t become prey for the enemy. And how are we going to maintain an ongoing state of alertness against the enemy? It’s by putting on the whole armor of God (see Ephesians 6:11-18) at all times.

●      So we don’t miss God’s directions and encouragement. But how? By staying in the Word and on our knees. The Psalmist says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).

●      So we don’t miss opportunities for service. We should live godly lives which in turn opens up opportunities for us to share our faith. Paul and Silas spent their time in jail praying and singing, and when the prison doors opened, because of an earthquake, they didn’t consider escaping. Others, in the same difficulty, might have done differently. Under those circumstances, the jailer asked them, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:31) That jailer was saved that night to God’s glory.

 

 Let’s stay alert!

GOD IS BRAGGING ABOUT YOU, DON’T DISAPPOINT HIM!

We parents and grandparents are always showing off and sharing the children’s pictures and achievements. We can’t seem to get enough of them; we’ll share with all who’ll listen, even if they

really don’t care. The most important thing is that we do care.

God is no different; after all, we got our caring nature from Him. If you are a child of God, He knows what you are capable of, because it is His power that is at work in you. He brags about you confidently, because He knows you can do anything through Christ who strengthens you. 

Are you ready? You have to stay ready all the time because you don’t know when God is going to want to prove to someone what you are made of. God is putting you on display, and waiting to rejoice over you with singing! Don’t let Him down.

How is He putting you on display? You know that issue you have going on:  maybe health, finances, relationships, etc.? That’s how! He is telling people you won’t give in or give up; you will trust Him in the midst of the storm, and fight until the end. Now He is waiting to tell them, “I told you so!” Are you going to grant Him the opportunity to prove again that He knows the power that is at work in you? Don’t let Him down!

Job was a good man who feared God and stayed away from evil, and he was also very rich. He understood well the Scripture that says: “If your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life” (Psalm 62:10)., He was living the best way he knew how, when one day, without warning, tragedy struck! He got messages in succession: first, his farm had been raided, the animals had been stolen and the helpers killed; second, out of nowhere, there came a fire that burned the sheep and the shepherds. Third, the camels had been stolen and the servants killed. And as if all that wasn’t bad enough, the final blow came: all his children died when the house where they were partying collapsed (see Job 1:13-19). 

God knew how devastating that kind of loss could be for anybody, but He was also confident Job was going to come through the ordeal with flying colors because He knew Job’s faith was genuine. Sure enough, Job grieved but he also worshiped! He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken away. Praise the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21) God indeed rejoiced over Job and was able to say to Satan, “I told you so!” His exact words to Satan about Job were: “He has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause” (Job 2:3). Job’s strength to endure this ordeal, of course, was not his own; his strength came from the Lord who made heaven and earth. God’s strength was available to him, and he made use of it.

How about you and me? Do we know and accept that whatever we have comes from God, and we are only stewards of those things? Job admitted that right away: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.” So, we cannot hold on too tightly to our life, health, family, job, possession, and whatever else we have. We need to be thankful for them while we have them, and use them wisely to honor God. If we stand firm when God gives and then takes away, He has made His point that we still love Him with or without the stuff. But He is also able to restore what He’s taken, as He did with Job (see Job 42:10-13). But if He doesn’t, He will still provide whatever we need for sustenance while we are in this life.

James admonishes us, “When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow” (James 1:2-3). So, our trials accomplish at least two things, 1) God is putting us on display, and 2) our faith is tested, giving us the opportunity to grow. We need both of these things.

The next time God puts us on display, let’s not be discouraged, fearful, or depressed, but like Job, let’s worship and consider what God might be up to; let’s be a good sport and let Him win while our faith matures. And oh, others might also learn from it and be encouraged. Let’s be like mount Zion, standing firm and tall, come what may because we trust in the Lord (see Psalm 125:1).