LOVE

PERCEPTION AND PRODUCT

Jack Davis

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” I John 3:16

I John 4:19, “We love him, because he first loved us.”

I John 4:8-11, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” 

I John 4:16, “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” 

Perception – “God is love.” How is it possible for us to grasp this marvelous fact? Divine love speaks of far more then the quality that God possesses. Love is what God is in His very nature. The love that he always shows in manifesting Himself, and not that which is occasioned by an outside cause. Thank God for the way He has provided for our perception. We generally think of love as being known by the action it prompts. Yet, we must realize that this does not originate with anything that humanity could produce, but is abundantly expressed in the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God so loved that He gave. Jesus loved me and gave Himself for me. The Holy Spirit sheds abroad that love in our hearts. He delights to saturate our innermost being in the measure that we will allow or submit unto Him. 

Our apostle Paul was inspired to pray that we come to know the full measure of the love of Christ, that we might be filled with all the fulness of God, Eph. 3:19.

Hereby Perceive We: God has provided for our perception in this. Jesus “laid down” His life for us. What wonderful condescension, true humility, in such laying down. Shall we not see the opposite of Satan who tried to lift himself up. This wonderfully expresses a letting go, releasing, turning loose to send forth from the place of abode (His God-given body). Because of His great love for us, Jesus presented His body for the beating, bruising, breaking, bleeding, while bearing our sin on the tree.

“His life” – a possession, His own. That with which He could do as He pleased. He gave it up, or dismissed it. Jesus said, “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.” John 10:18, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down His life for His friends,” John 15:13.

Romans 5:6-10, tell us the kind of people we were when Jesus laid down His life. We were: without strength, powerless, helpless, without moral fiber, Godless, unrighteous and unable to get right. We in fact were no good, neither noble, nor lovable, nor beneficial. We as sinners had missed the mark, gone out of the way, and couldn’t find a way home to God. Yet, above all, or below all, we were by unprovoked choice “enemies,” hateful, hostel toward our benefactor.

“For Us:” May we ever thank HIM for dying in our place, on our behalf, and for our benefit. Oh yes, His life was surrendered to the service of God and Father. He could certainly say, “My times are in thine hand.” Yet, He also gave His life for us, so that He could give it to us, and hence live in us, that we might also live in Him, and with Him forever. We are saved by His life, that we may enjoy the consummation of life, being saved unto the uttermost.

Product: We ought (are indebted, obligated) to lay down our lives for the brethren. What a great privilege to have evidenced indeed that we are partakers of the very nature of our father, God is love. Living for self-satisfaction is the opponent of sacrificial living (II Cor. 5:15). We are not knowing nor making known the Love of God when we try to conduct our lives selfishly, greedily, thus consume our life-span on our own desires or interest.

So here we are, knowing that Love begets love, yet we find ourselves in a great and terrible quandary if He that provides the perception doesn’t also product the product. It is clear to receptive hearts that the only means or resource at our disposal to repay our great debt of love to our Father and Lord is to let Him do the living first in us, then out to others. Shall we consider one another to provoke unto love and good works? Is this, or shall this be the path for our feet in the year, months, weeks, days, or moments ahead? AMEN, HALLELUIAH, EVEN SO, COME QUICKLY LORD JESUS!!

 Thanks-Giving

“Enter  into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful  unto him, and bless  his name.” Psalms 100:4

We are coming to a time of year where we set apart a day to be thankful. This is a good thing, but if there is only one day of the year that we are thankful, that is not a good thing. We should be thankful every single day.

Romans 1:21 tells us that man is inherently unthankful. It is not in our nature to be thankful. This is easily noticed by paying attention to the way people behave every day. There is a general attitude of being deserving of something or being “owed” something. That is the opposite of gratitude.

For many of us, we may have been taught to say “please” and “thank you,” and maybe we have followed that just because we know it is polite. However, is it true gratitude or are we just saying the words.

True gratitude comes from a true understanding of who God is and who we are, and recognizing that we do not deserve any of what we have received from God. This attitude will permeate our entire life and real gratitude will then be expressed at every situation.

Thankfulness, then, will need to start with our attitude toward God. If we do not have an understanding of how thankful we should be to God, we will never be able to truly be thankful to other people.

“A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:” Psalms 92:1.

We learn that giving thanks to God is a good thing. Some might ask, “Why does God need our thanksgiving if He is eternal and transcendent?” It is not that God “needs” our gratitude, but that giving thanks to God is actually good for us. Everything that God desires from us is actually for our own good.

Another thing that we learn from Scripture is that giving thanks might not always be easy. Consider Daniel 6:10 where Daniel prayed and gave thanks as usual even thought it might cost him his life. What did he even have to be thankful for? He was a captive in a foreign land. And yet, we see him giving thanks every single day.  

It might not always appear that we have something to be thankful for, but that did not stop Daniel, and it should not stop us. God is good all the time. I saw a sign that said, “God has never stopped being good, we just stopped being grateful.” Something to consider.

My pastor, Jack Davis, always would speak about an “attitude of gratitude,” and that always reminds me that gratitude is an attitude. Attitude results from what is in the heart. What is in our heart depends on what we have allowed the Holy Spirit to do. If we feed off of the world, we will have the same attitudes of the world. However, if we feed on God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will work godly attitudes in our hearts.

In the gospels, we find Jesus giving thanks. In Matthew 15:36, He gives thanks before feeding the multitude. Thankful for a few loaves and fishes. Jesus, the Creator of all things gives us an example of gratitude. He didn’t need to give thanks, He was about to feed a multitude with a miracle. 

In Matthew 26:27, we find Jesus giving thanks for the cup that would represent His blood shed on the cross. I often think about how Jesus did things that might not make sense for the Son of God, the Creator, to do, and yet they are there for our instruction. 

Paul reminds us, in Philippians 2:5-8, to let the same mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus, who humbled Himself unto the death of the cross. This also applies as it concerns Jesus example of gratitude.

Another thing that we find concerning gratitude in Scripture is the importance of showing our gratitude and expressing it to others. Both our gratitude towards God, and our gratitude to others.

“Therefore will I give thanks  unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises  unto thy name.” Psalms 18:49 “I will give thee thanks  in the great congregation: I will praise  thee among much people.” Psalms 35:18. Expressing our thankfulness both to unbelievers as well as other believers. True gratitude is both expressed and shown by our lives so others can know.

Every part of our lives should be characterized by gratitude. In the good times and in the bad times, we have reason to be grateful. God is at work in all things in our lives, Romans 8:28. We are told to give thanks in everything. “In every thing give thanks : for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18. 

It will not always be easy to give thanks, and maybe for that reason it is referred to as a sacrifice. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks  to his name.” Hebrews 13:15. However, it tells us to offer this thanksgiving continually, not just when we feel like it.

There is so much more in Scripture about thanksgiving. The word is “thanks” “giving”. Giving thanks. Not receiving thanks (what we often prefer), but giving thanks. Saying and showing our gratitude with our mouth and our life. First towards God and then towards other people. How often do we fail to show gratitude to the people around us.

Remember that it is an attitude of gratitude, and let it be a part of everything you do and say. “And whatsoever  ye do in word or  deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks  to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17.

Gordon Crook

 WHY DOES THE CHRISTIAN SUFFER?

Anita Clark – Pastor, Carbondale, Kansas

“The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit , that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.” Romans 8:16-19

Trials are necessary for our growth, and to change us into what God wants us to be. They are God’s tools to shape us and mold us. Trials are like pruning the tree so it will bear more fruit. Our Heavenly Father is in control of all of this. Ephesians 1:11 says God “...works everything after the counsel of His own will.” 

I. Spiritual Growth - Ephesians 4:15 says, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” The words “grow up” means in the Greek, “give increase, or enlarge.” Growth comes through tests and trials the Lord allows in our lives. I Peter 2:2 speaks Of “...new born babes desiring the sincere milk of the Word that they may grow thereby.” Peter in II Peter 3:18, says, “But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Paul says in Romans 16:25, “Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel.” Spiritual growth in Christ comes through suffering and laying hold of God’s Word for victory over whatever circumstance comes our way. 

2. Change - This is very important in the life of a believer. Romans 12:2, states, “And be not conformed to this world, but be ye Philippines by the renewing of your mind...”. “Conform” means in the Gk. “to fashion like” We all were at one time conformed to the world, but Christ “transformed” us, which is the Greek word “metamorphose.” Praise God He is changing us. That work is going on right now. Changed from being a spiritual infant to maturity. The word “change” in the Greek means “transform, refashion, transfigure.”  Philippians 3:21 speaking of Christ says, “Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able to subdue all things unto Himself.” We are waiting for this final change, when we go to be with Christ.

3. Our Trials Cause Us to Look at our life With a Different Perspective - Sometimes we may say or think, “Is this all there is?” But we learn as we walk with God that Life is just a preparation for the coming time with the Lord. As a poet named C.T. Studd said, “Only one life, it will soon be passed, only what’s done for Christ will last.” Suffering makes us understand that this life is just temporary. As we turn things over to the Lord in submission to His will, we learn to yield our whole life to Him, and His plan for our life.

4. Trials Teach Us so Many Things-One big and important thing is “Patience” - to not trust our flesh or the flesh of others. He teaches us to wait on His will. We learn to rely on God alone for our needs, and that is exactly what He wants. II Cor. 4:17 says, “For this light afflictions which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

5. One of the Big Things We Learn When Going Through Trials is Dependence Upon God. Jesus Christ was dependent upon His Father God. In John 5:30, He says, “I can of my own self do nothing.” In His natural life He was totally dependent on His Father. John 15:5, as He was speaking to His disciples, He said, “I am the vine, Ye are the branches; He that abideth in me, and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without Me ye can do nothing.” Trials work this important thing in our lives. We come to the end of ourselves and finally turn it all over to the Lord, and learn to wait for Him and His timing. 

6. Trials Give Us Things to Overcome - Much is said in the Word of God about being an “overcomer.” There is great blessing for the overcomers. All God’s work in our lives is to perfect us and cause us to be an overcomer through His strength. The word “overcomer” found in Scripture text, Means in the Greek, “To subdue, conquer, prevail and get the victory.’ In I Corinthians 9:24-27 Apostle Paul uses the race, no doubt because he was very aware of the Olympic races of the Greeks in his day. Racers run to win, regardless of how much their bodies may be fatigue or hurting from all the effort and pain. This is a picture of triumphing in spite of trials and tests. The Spiritual Race we are running is not a sprint, but a  long distance one. It will go on and on all our lives here in this world. 

We look for Christ to come at any time. That is our hope, but we may have great tests yet to endure, much pain to suffer, or great losses in the natural. How can we be an overcomer, if we don’t have anything to overcome? If everything’s just wonderful? If we’ve asked God to have His way in our lives, then, we must submit to Him in all things. II Timothy 2:12 says, “If we suffer with Him, we shall reign with Him.” The victory over the trials of life will ultimately cause you and me to win the prize of the high calling as we overcome and go on in victory. Phillipians 3:14, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

 23rd Psalm for Times of Crisis

By Vicky Moots

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want of anything.

He maketh me to lie down in safety

and to rest in green pastures of hope and resurrection:

He leadeth me beside the still waters of peace, calming my fears.

He restoreth my soul and my body through the healing of his Word.

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness

through faith so that I may bring glory to his name.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadows of isolation,

illness, death or sorrow I will fear no evil plague

or plan of the enemy,

for I am not alone; thou art with me all the way.

Thy rod and thy staff (thy Word) I shall lean upon,

and they shall comfort me and hold me up

when I am too weak to stand.

Thou preparest a table before me,

providing nourishment for my body and soul

to meet my every need in spite of the presence

of my unseen enemy who has tried to rob me of my supply.

Lord I feast on thee.

Thou anointest my head and mind with the oil of thy Holy Spirit,

so much that my cup of blessing and joy

runneth over and is never empty.

Surely thy goodness and mercy which are everlasting,

shall follow me and protect me from behind

all the days of my life and I shall dwell in thy presence,

never to be separated, in the house of the Lord forever.

 Prophecy 

Earlene Davis

Matthew 25:14-30

The Parable of the Talents

This parable tells of the separation of servant and servant, which will take place while the King is absent. Special trusts are committed to His servants. We do not believe they are natural gifts, education, nor personality traits; but something added to these. It is according to the abilities of each that they are given. These talents makes each one responsible in the measure that they are given, to gain for Christ and His Kingdom. They are opportunities that lie before each of us. There is an increase in the sphere of service with the wise use of them. 

The sphere of service grows larger as we serve. There must be no hiding of the talents. We are responsible to use all we are and have for our Lord. Five talents can grow to ten (V. 16). Two can become four (V. 17), with experience capacity and capability increases. No one is shut up to uselessness, God gives opportunities for all of His people to increase our talents  and add to His riches.

The one who receives but one talent is called to gain only one more, but this one hides his Lord’s money (V. 18). Because he has little ability and few opportunities for service, he thinks he is not responsible to do anything. Many Christians are like that, inactive and despising their little place, hiding their talent. The Lord gives their unused talent to others (V. 28). 

May we not despise a small place, because with wise use, our sphere of service will increase. The Master’s rule is, To him that hath shall more be given; but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away (V. 29). 

It is note worthy, that it is not the amount we are entrusted with that ensures reward, but faithfulness to what we have been entrusted with. For the servant that had five and gained five more and the one that had two doubled his money, are rewarded the same (Vs. 21 & 23). It proves the one with only one talent could have had the same commendation if he had double his capital. So there are lessons for us in this parable.

But V. 30, describes the one that hides his Lord’s gifts as not even a believer. His words and actions are of total unbelief. He had no fear of the Lord. His own mouth condemned him, for if his Master was as he thought, he should have loaned his Lord’s money out to  received interest on the one talent (Vs. 24-26). He is cast into outer darkness away from God and all that is light.

Next lesson we will read the judgment of the nations in the end days. We have had Israel’s portion and the Church’s portion set before us of that time. The living Gentile nations will come into judgment when King, Jesus Christ takes His throne and rules. The Gentile nations had their time to rule, but their time is over. God will set His King upon the holy hill of Zion (Ps. 2:6). 

Next issue: The Parable of the Sheep and Goat Nations.

 JONAH

Debra Isenbletter, Pastor

Springfield, Missouri

V12: “And he said unto them; Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.”

I have divided the verse in the following way.  Jonah’s Response: “And he said unto them.”  Jonah’s Request: “Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea;”.  Jonah’s Reassurance: “so shall the sea be calm unto you.”  Jonah’s Repentance: “for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.”

Jonah’s Response: “And he said unto them.” Their question was “What shall we do unto thee.” Since their question focused on him, on his being the problem and not just “What shall we do,” Jonah tells them what to do with him.  It is interesting that we do not read that Jonah said, “Let me pray to God about this” or even in his answer say, “This is what God told me to do.”  Jonah does tell them what to do but it seems to be what he has decided to do and yet even though this seems to be all Jonah’s decision, the Lord know his thoughts, his intensions and will use what he says to bring about a lesson for both Jonah and the sailors.  The Lord is never caught by surprise and I believe He knew all along that this is what Jonah would say.  Jonah is willing to sacrifice himself but he is still not willing to completely surrender himself to God’s Will.  

Jonah’s Request: “Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea.”  In the words “take me up” and “cast me forth” I can see a picture of both Israel and Jesus.  The phrase “take me up” means both “to lift up” or “to be carried.”  Israel was “carried” away into the nations as part of God’s discipline and chastisement.  Jesus was “lifted up” on the Cross as part of God’s judgment. Looking at Jonah and Jesus there is a huge difference in attitude.  Jonah is forced by circumstances to submit to man because he did not submit to God but Jesus submitted willingly to God and then to man.  His was a voluntary surrendering His will, it was the desire of His heart.  The phrase “cast me forth” means “to be hurled, thrown down” or “to carry away” or “cast out.” Israel was “carried away” and “cast out” of their land when they were dispersed. Jesus said they will be “cast out and trodden under foot by men” (Mat.5:13); that they “shall be led [carried] away captive to all nations” (Luk.21;24). This also shows the rejection and death of Jesus.  The Jews of Nazareth “thrust [cast] him out” and they intended to “cast” him over a hill. (Luk.4:29).  The Jews “carried him away and delivered him to Pilate” (Mark 15:1) and as a result Jesus died “without the camp” (Heb.13:13).

Where was Jonah to be cast? He was to be cast “into the sea”, into the turbulent, stormy waters.  The “sea” pictures judgment.  In the case of Israel, the “sea” pictures the judgment of being cast into the Gentiles nations.  Gentile rulers are called the “princes of the sea” (Ezek.26:16). The Gentile kingdoms in Daniel 7 which picture the Times of the Gentiles rise out of “the great sea” (Dan.7:2) and the Antichrist rises “out of the sea” (Rev.13:1) The “sea” also pictures death.  David wrote of these waters as deep waters (Psa.69:1-2; 14-15).   In fear he describes the overwhelming despair and in faith he describes the overcoming hope.  David was looking forward to Jesus, who would let the waters flow over Him, He would be overwhelmed but He would also overcome.  

Jonah’s Reassurance: “so shall the sea be calm unto you.” What assurance this was!  The stormy, violent sea would suddenly become calm and quiet.  The sea that God created, is the sea that God controls. This was both a promise and a prophecy.  There was a lot of turmoil on that ship and around that ship.  There was an outward turmoil seen in the waves beating at the ship and there was an inward turmoil seen in the fear beating in their hearts. If they believe Jonah, all that turmoil will cease, the storm will stop, the fear will stop. Jonah needed this “calm” in his own soul just as much as the sailors did.  He would keep God’s judgment from them and he would accept God’s judgment upon himself.  Jonah may still be struggling against God’s Will but he has begun his surrender with these words.  On some level Jonah understood the need for a sacrifice, that a price must be paid.  This is what Jesus did and continues to do in our lives.  He takes the turmoil and stills the storm in our hearts and our lives.  

Jonah’s repentance: “for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.”  On some level, Jonah also understood the need for repentance.  He said “I know,” “I understand,” “I acknowledge,” “I recognize” that it is “for my sake.”  He understands the reason for judgment, it is because of my attitude—disobedience to God.  It is because of my actions—Running from God. Jonah takes responsibility for his attitude and his actions.  He takes responsibility for the judgment which is “this great tempest.” Jonah understands that there are consequences for his actions, that what he did affected others and that they suffered because of him.  This is the start of Jonah’s lesson.  On one hand we see his determination to die by telling them to just throw him overboard and on the other hand we see that he understands there is a need to accept the punishment for his actions, even if it means sacrificing himself.  

Jonah’s attitude is a picture of Israel sorrow and submission.  Leviticus admonishes God’s people to do three things. They were to confess their iniquity, they were to humble their hearts, they were to accept their punishment. (Lev.26:40-42). God made a promise to them. That promise begins with confession. That confession brings a humbled heart.  That humbled heart brings an acceptance of God’s chastisement. The day will come when they will see why they are chastened and corrected, confess and humble themselves. As they accept their punishment they will be transformed.

Jonah’s attitude is a picture of Jesus’ sorrow and submission and sacrifice of Himself.  Everything that Jonah did unwillingly, Jesus did willingly.  Jonah may have dragged his feet but Jesus never did.  Jesus fully understood and embraced the need for His submission and sacrifice.  He saw the terrible consequences of sin, of Adam’s sin and though there was no guilt in Him, he took all our guilt upon Himself and was cast into the sea of death so that we might live.  Praise the Lord!

The next four verses  show four attitudes they had towards God’s Will after Jonah told them  to cast him forth into the sea. Struggle (v13). Supplication (v14). Submission (v15) and Sacrifice (v16).

To be continued

 THE LORD’S PRAYER

A Pattern Prayer

By Dr. Vicky Moots

(Part 3)

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” Matt. 6:9-13.

Verse 11: “Give us this day our daily bread.” This shows that we recognize our need and know who to go to in order to have our need met. We know that our Heavenly Father loves us and is willing and able to supply our needs. 

Notice that He provides what we need for today. He wants us to trust Him for each day. Manna was provided daily to the children of Israel in the wilderness as we read in Exodus 16. God knew exactly how much they needed each day for each household. They were instructed to gather one omer for each person (omer=6.7 pints). 

It was not handed to them. They had to go out early each morning and gather it. They could not hoard it. If they gathered too much (more than they were supposed to) and had some left over the next day, it bred worms and stank. There was one exception: They were to gather twice as much on the sixth day in order to have enough for the Sabbath and it would not rot. There would be none provided on the Sabbath since that was the day of rest.

Sometimes we get over anxious and concerned about what may happen tomorrow if nothing is provided. Bread speaks of not just food, but the necessities of life. We need to just trust our Heavenly Father and obey His Word, and He will take care of us as He has promised to do. Even though we are going through a wilderness experience today we need not fear. If we trust Him for today, He will also take care of tomorrow. “Take therefore no thought for the morrow…” (Matt. 6:34).

We need to feed our souls daily. Jesus is the Bread of Life, the true Bread that came down from Heaven.

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). Jesus spoke these words when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. There are many people that only feed their soul once a week on Sunday morning when they go to church and they expect to be spoon fed. They do not want to go out and gather their own manna. If we only ate physical food once a week, we certainly would not have enough strength to do the things we need to do every day. 

We are to ask God to give us each day our daily bread from His Word, a special portion just for us, exactly what our soul needs for this day, to get us through the trials that we will be facing tomorrow. Then we would have enough strength to stand against Satan when he tries to cause us to fear or doubt. There may be some days that God gives us an extra portion of His Word because He knows exactly what we will be needing ahead of time.

Verse 12: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” “As” means “in like manner” as we forgive. Verse 14 says, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” When Jesus spoke this, they were still under the Old Covenant, the Covenant of the Law. Under the Law forgiveness was conditional. Debts, trespasses or sins would be forgiven based on our ability to forgive others. But this is not really possible in our own strength, apart from becoming a new creation in Christ. Jesus had not yet gone to the cross to obtain forgiveness for us for our sins. As the Lamb of God, He became the final sacrifice for sin. 

His sacrifice fulfilled the Law’s demands. We are now under the New Covenant, the Covenant of Grace. As a result, we are able to forgive others because we have been forgiven. We see this in Eph. 4:32: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” We are now to forgive others in the same manner in which we have been forgiven. What does that mean? Our sins were completely forgiven. Heb. 10:17 tells us, “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” 

When God forgives, He also forgets. We are to do the same: not only to forgive, but to forget. We are not to hold a grudge against anyone, no matter what they have done to us. Jesus forgave those who nailed Him to the cross. He cried out, “Father, forgive them.” It was our sins that nailed Him to the cross, but He forgives us, unconditionally, when we accept Him as Saviour. Now we are to forgive in the same manner, unconditionally through the love of God which is given to us through the Holy Spirit. 

Unconditional forgiveness requires the unselfish, “Agape,” love of God. This kind of love is the fruit of the Spirit. It is not possible through our own self effort. Only through yielding to the Holy Spirit can we possess and manifest that kind of love and forgiveness. If you are having difficulty forgiving someone, ask your heavenly Father to give you more of His love. You must first experience His love and forgiveness in your own life before you can share it with others. You can’t share something you don’t have. Human forgiveness is only shallow and short-lived. We need divine forgiveness that only comes from God. 

Have you received that forgiveness personally? Do you know that your sins have been forgiven? If so, then when you forgive others, you are simply sharing what God has given you. Even if the other person that wronged you does not ask you or God for forgiveness, you can still forgive them for Jesus’ sake, through the power of the Holy Spirit. It will bring honor to your Heavenly Father and healing to your soul.

Part 4 – next issue