Forgiveness – We Need Clean Hearts

Matthew 5:23-24

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”

We just concluded the series on Forgiveness – May 6, 13, 20.  I enjoyed reading and preparing the messages for that series.  I hope some enjoyed listening and learning together.

I didn’t use this passage in the series – but this morning it was part of my daily reading.  It follows along with my question asked each week in the messages – Who do you/we have to forgive?  Who is it in our lives that we have anger – bitterness – resentfulness – revengeful feelings toward?  Jesus says that before we give our offering – even our prayers – to God – we need to make it right with them.

To reconcile doesn’t mean everything is OK and fine.  It means – as far as it relies on you – you have cleared your heart and made amends.  You have taken every step possible to make it right – whether the other person has also or not.

So – today – who do you need to reconcile with so you can clear the hurt in your heart?  Remember – forgiveness is all about us – about our heart being clean and ready to embrace God fully.  It is the attitude of Christ we are to embrace.  Remember what Jesus said about those who had crucified Him: Forgive them for they know not what they do.  And those He forgave had not asked for it nor did they deserve it!  We need clean hearts to draw close to Jesus.

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Tweet this Blog Post

Forgiveness is Key!

Colossians 3:13

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Forgiveness has been on my mind of late – as I have been reading the Bible and other books during my leave and talking to different folks.  Several posts have been written about forgiveness on my blog page over the years and if you are interested you can find some of them listed here.  On my blog page you can actually search for subjects and call up only the posts that deal with a certain subject.  Interesting!

Forgiveness is one of the essential doctrines of the church IMHO (in my humble opinion).  Forgiveness of others is for us folks – more than it is for the person we forgive!  We can spend time talking about the dos and don’ts of our faith and often do.  Any discussion would require us to look at forgiveness.  Here is today’s passage in context.

Colossians 3:1-15 – 1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.  7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

In talking about the dos and the don’ts – Paul suggests that God’s wrath is coming because of our sinfulness.  Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.  But then he talks about our old self – and our new self in Christ.  You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Paul suggests a path for us to walk – with the new self!  Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

As we strive to remove the don’ts from our lives – let us strive to add the dos – to replace the don’ts with the dos – namely here – forgiveness.  Who do we need to forgive today?  I will pray for us today – that we would be able to forgive one another.  It is as important – if not more important – than allowing God to remove the don’ts from our lives!

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Tweet this Blog Post

God Is Strong When We Are Weak

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

After a 3-day series on worship I wanted to remind us that God is a God of grace.  We worship a God of grace and mercy as well as a God of justice and truth.  Today’s passage is one of my favorites – reminding us that God’s grace is sufficient to cover our sins and when we am weak – God will make us strong through God’s strength which has no limits.

Think with me today about areas in your faith walk or in your life in general where you find yourself weak.  Do you have trouble with a sailor’s mouth – fighting old habits as you strive to clean up your language in a desire to reflect better on the Lord you represent?  God’s grace can forgive you so don’t beat yourself up – and don’t let Satan to it either.  Confess when you fail/sin – strive to do better/turn away from the sin – sincerely – and God’s grace will cover your failure and sin.

Do you struggle with lust – thinking thoughts you know are not worthy of a child of God?  Looking at pictures in magazines or on the internet you know you shouldn’t?  Don’t allow Satan or yourself to hammer your failures into your head and heart.  Confess – repent – turn from your sin and seek God’s grace to cover your sin.  I’m not excusing our sin nor am I trying to rationalize that God has already covered them – rather that our sins are forgiven when we go to God with them.  If He forgives them – we should not carry them anymore!

God does not require or expect perfection from us – there is and will only ever be one who is perfect – Jesus Christ.  He died – the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.  The payment has been made to cover our sins.  Now – don’t go on sinning so His payment covers more sin – but don’t live to punish yourself either.  Satan wants Christians to live in defeat and in anguish over our sin so that we will not impact others for Jesus.  If we go around depressed because of our sin we will not witness well to others about the amazing grace our God offers.  Think about it!  Proverbs 4:23 says: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

When we are weak – God shows off God’s power and strength – as Christ’s death paid for all sins – past – present and future – for those who confess and repent – who receive His grace offered to all who will receive.  That is Good News my friends!

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Tweet this Blog Post

Forgiveness is Essential – For Us and From Us

Matthew 18:35

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Do you remember the story this passage concludes?  It is the story Jesus told about forgiveness.  It could be called the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant – in one Bible it is called the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.  Here’s how the story goes – a paraphrase.  A person owed someone a great sum of money – a sum so large they could never repay it – even if they worked their whole life.  The sum was required of the man and he begged for mercy – asking for time to pay off the debt – but remember – it was larger than he could ever repay.  The man owed the money had mercy and forgave the debt – completely – wiped it off the books – an act of mercy.  After this act of mercy and grace the man who owed the large sum ran across someone who owed him a small sum.  Instead of passing on the act of mercy to the man who owed the small sum – he jailed the man who owed the money.  When the person who was merciful found out – he jailed the one who he forgave.  You can read the story here.

Of course the meaning is clear – at least in the commentaries I read.  God has forgiven us a debt we could NEVER repay – He died on the Cross of Calvary to pay our debt of sin.  We are the forgiven but often some of us have a hard time forgiving others.  We carry their debt with us in our hearts and hold it against them.  Do you remember the Lord’s Prayer and what it says about forgiveness?  It says – forgive us of our sins – as we forgive those who sin against us.  In the book Enemies of the Heart Andy Stanley wrote: Whenever I talk to someone who’s hesitant to forgive, invariably it’s because this person is evaluating his decision in light of what was done to him rather than what was done for him.  Forgiveness is more about us and our heart rather than the heart of the one needing forgiveness.  We forgive – not because the person being forgiven merits forgiveness or even asks for it – but because we want to rid our heart of the debt.

Peter probably didn’t understand this Parable fully until he saw Jesus hanging on the cross of Calvary.  It was at this time that the story probably made sense to him.  Jesus died on the Cross to pay the debt for our sin – even when we didn’t merit it – even before we asked for forgiveness.  We live post Calvary and we should grasp how important forgiveness is to us and our relationship with Jesus!  It clears our hearts of the baggage of debt.

Andy Stanley has four steps that might help us with forgiveness – and I urge our blog readers to read his book.  The four steps are: 1) Identify who you’re angry with (someone who owes you), 2) Determine what they owe you, 3) Cancel the debt, and 4) Dismiss the case.  His teaching is too long for this post – but these four steps might interest you enough to read his book.  I highly recommend it.  It was the first book I read while on leave.  I will write about them more later.

The Bible constantly reminds us to forgive.  We should practice forgiveness – always – because we are the forgiven.  Something that hit me in this book – forgiveness is more about my relationship with Jesus than my relationship with the person who might owe me!  Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Tweet this Blog Post

Forgiveness – Such a Blessed Promise

1 Timothy 1:16

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

What is the worst thing you ever did?  That’s an ice breaker question when you get together with friends.  It might amaze you what some have done.  They might be amazed at what you confess.  You can even play it with your parents when you have passed the statute of limitations if there is such a time frame with your parents.  I heard of some telling their parents some of the things they did when they were younger – at times with a good result and at times not!

When we think of our sins – we often quantify them – from worst to those little things we hardly think or worth naming.  Yet we are reminded that sin is sin and even the smallest sin separates us from God and needs forgiveness.

Paul had the view that his sins were the worst – that he was the worst of sinners.  This wasn’t Paul being modest or humble – totally – because before his conversion (as Saul) he persecuted the church – persecuted the Body of Christ.  He saw this as a major sin and was humbled to know that Christ forgave him such a major sin.

So – what is your worst sin?  In today’s passage – Paul says – if God can forgive me – God will forgive you.  This is an awesome word of comfort – because I/we have some serious sins in our lives.  To know that we have a loving God who will accept our confession and repentance and forgive us is such a blessing.  Some people we know will say they forgive you but will hold your past against you.  God forgives – as if we never sinned.

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  To be purified of all unrighteousness is to remove our sin as far as the east is from the west.  Psalms 103:11-12 – 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Tweet this Blog Post

God Will Forgive Us as We Forgive Others!

Matthew 6:12, 14

12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

In some versions of the Lord’s Prayer – verse 12 is rendered forgive us our sins, as we also forgive those who sin against us.  Forgiving others is an important part of the Christian faith.  So important that Jesus follows up verse 12 with verse 14 – For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Jesus teaches on this subject several times.  Here is another passage that talks about forgiveness.

Matthew 18:23-35 – 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.  He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ 30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Wow – that is so powerful.  In this story I can see God as the king who wanted to settle his debts.  Ten thousand talents was more than a man could normally pay back in a life time – and when the King forgave him this huge debt – you would think this person would assume a graceful approach to others.  Yet the story tells us that this person had a small debt owed him and he did not have grace or mercy.  Jesus closes the story by reminding us that how we forgive – we shall be forgiven.

The King placed the unmerciful person in prison – until he could pay back his debt – which I see as eternity – in hell – because the person would never be able to pay the King back.

How does this strike you?  It softens my heart and even though it may be personally hard to forgive certain people – I know I MUST!  It is not optional if I expect God to forgive me. God has offered me forgiveness for my sins – a debt I could never imagine to repay – and that should give me a heart of grace, mercy and forgiveness toward those who sin against me.

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Tweet this Blog Post

Forgiveness is Essential – How Do We Get It?

Psalm 51:1

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

We preached from this text on Sunday past.  The Psalmist – David – was a man of God who still allowed his sinful nature to control him from time to time (none of us can identify – right?).  When David sinned – he would bring his sin before God.  When he brought his sin before God – he felt confident that his sin would be forgiven.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could come with confidence – and feel God’s forgiveness?

Forgiveness is essential.  That was what we said Sunday.  Satan likes to play on the guilt of our unforgiven sin.  Satan likes to make us feel terrible about our sin – about our failures.  We often ask God to forgive us – but are we experiencing forgiveness?

Until we experience forgiveness – we will not feel the release from sin – and Satan will have a field day with us.  Sunday we talked about several points – several things we might try – in order for us to find/feel forgiveness.  They were talking points so to speak – 1) knowing we are sinners, 2) knowing that our sin was mainly against  God, 3) coming to a place where we grieved sinning – felt the pain of our sin, 4) repented – turned away from our sin, 5) asked God for forgiveness, and 6) experienced His forgiveness – deep down inside.

When we sincerely walk through this process or something like it – we can come with confidence and know that God will forgive us and cleanse us.  The Psalmist wrote: Psalms 51:2 – Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Do we know that we are a sinner – that we have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory?  Do we know that when we sin we sin mainly against God – placing something above Him?  Do we feel the pain of our sins or have we learned to live with our sins?  Do we sincerely plan to turn away from our sin or are we simply trying to cover our tails – eternally speaking?  Do we come before God in a humble yet confident way – seeking His mercy and forgiveness?  When forgiven – do we allow His grace to come over us and remove sin from our lives?

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Tweet this Blog Post

Forgiveness: God Calls Us to Forgive Others

Leviticus 19:18

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

Has someone done you wrong?  Sitting here I am thinking of some of the ways that people hurt others.  Has your spouse cheated on you in your marriage?  Has someone stolen from you at work – money or maybe your ideas?  Has someone slandered you and your reputation – saying false things or spreading gossip – even if true?  Has someone broken your trust?  These and others hurts can cause us to be bitter and vengeful.  We can allow the hurts to keep us bitter or we can seek help from God.  God wants us to forgive and to let go of our bitterness – our grudges. He has even modeled such forgiveness for us many times – one example was while He hung on the cross. Luke 23:33-34 – 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals — one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

When we are wronged – how we react – as Christians – is very important.  Forgiveness is a key part of a Christian’s life.  Forgiveness in us is supposed to be a reflection of the forgiveness God shows to us.  It is so important that we forgive others that God places it throughout the Bible.

Moses was told to tell the people of God the following – which includes loving those we might otherwise hold grudges against.  Leviticus 19:11-19a – 11 “‘Do not steal. “’Do not lie. “‘Do not deceive one another. 12 “‘Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.  13 “‘Do not defraud your neighbor or rob him. “‘Do not hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.  14 “‘Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord.  15 “‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.  16 “‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people.  “‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.  17 “‘Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.  18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.  19 “‘Keep my decrees.”‘

Forgiveness is essential sisters and brothers.  Essential for us – and essential in us.  We are even forgiven as we forgive others.  Matthew 6:14-15 – 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Living in God’s grace is not easy – but we are reminded to forgive as we have been forgiven.

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Tweet this Blog Post

A God of Second Chances

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

I want to thank God today – that God is a God of second chances. He died on the Cross of Calvary to give me – to give you – to give all who ask – a second chance.

We are all in need of second chances in our lives. Recently I talked to someone who had ruined their life with drugs and alcohol. They are so thankful for a God of second chances – as they strive to rebuild their lives and the trust of those around them. Another person I talked with had cheated in their marriage – numerous times – and felt like they had ruined everything – only to be given a second chance – by God and their spouse. A God of second chances is what amazing grace is all about my friends. Forgiving those who have harmed us is what God did on the Cross of Calvary.

Luke 23:32-34 – 32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals — one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

We all deserve judgement. We all deserve hell. We all deserve to be thrown to the wolves. But God is a God of second chances.

Romans 3:21-24 – 21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

And because God is a God of second chances – His followers MUST be as well. We must forgive one another. We must allow for second chances.

Colossians 3:12-14 – 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Who among us has not sinned? Who among us has not done another wrong or made a mistake? Listen to this song about second chances.

Wasn’t that an awesome song? Carlos Whittaker nailed it – didn’t he? We have a God of second chances. Rejoice with me today that we have a God of second chances. Where do you need a second chance in your life? Do you need to confess something to God? Do you need to confess something to your spouse? To a friend? To a co-worker? To begin to walk in your second chance?

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Tweet this Blog Post

Is Grace Available to All?

Romans 12:19

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

By now everyone who is breathing knows that US forces, Navy Seal Team #6 according to reports, have killed Osama Bin Laden.  This September will be the 10^th Anniversary of 9-11-01 – the date of the horrendous attack on innocent lives by Bin Laden and his terrorists in New York, in Washington and in PA.  I applaud the efforts of our military to keep us safe and for bringing Bin Laden to justice.  I’m glad the US forces got in and out without any reported losses. I am thankful for our intelligence agencies who pinpointed Bin Laden’s location.  What has caught me off guard is some of the comments on Facebook and Twitter – often by Christians.

Christians can be and many are good Americans.  As Christian Americans we can be happy a terrorist has been brought to justice and that he will no longer plan attacks or instruct others to do so against innocent lives.  But some have put some comments on their pages that sound more like revenge or people who are happy someone has died.

Is anyone beyond redemption?  May 1^st was the same day that Adolf Hitler was reported dead (from suicide) – yet – were not Hitler and Bin Laden redeemable?  As Christians should we be praying for our enemies – for their salvation – for their redemption?

Don’t get me wrong.  I still have thoughts that bring tears from the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks of 9-11 and for their families.  I’m glad Bin Laden was found and stopped.  I’m just not gleeful that someone died – no matter how evil they were.

Romans 12:19 – Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

Did Christ not die for Hitler’s and Bin Laden’s sins?  Some would say yes – some would say no.  I’m not saying they received grace – that is beyond my pay grade – but when I read the Scriptures – I read that Christ died for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 2:1-2 – 1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense — Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

I also read that God’s will is that all will be saved.

1 Timothy 2:1-6 – 1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men — the testimony given in its proper time.

I posted last night on my twitter – which posts to my Facebook as well – that I am praying that Bin Laden received forgiveness before he died.  I don’t want anyone to go to hell – but all to receive the grace of God.  I know all won’t but as a Christian – I pray all do. What followed – mainly by one person – was an attempt to convince me and the readers of my Facebook page – that Christ only died for those who would be saved. I totally disagree with this view.  His death may only be effective for those who receive Him, bu He died for the sins of the whole world. Christ’s death defeated sin and death – for all – but – like a present with your name on it – it does you no good unless you receive it and open it.

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Tweet this Blog Post