To Forgive

"There is a thief in heaven today who should have suffered damnation but is not, all because the God of heaven and earth is merciful."

WHICH HAS more strength of character – to admit to sin and seek forgiveness or to condemn the one who does? Condemnation is weakness and insecurity of mind. When, a man who at his own expense, chooses repentance, shows true inner strength. The only One who matters in forgiveness is God, and He will always see the repentant heart, and He will always forgive. This is the truth of the gospel which Jesus came to earth to spread. We must pray for those who need Christ, whether it is from a place of ungodliness outside of salvation, or from one who has served Him for many years and slipped up. We pray FOR them, not against them, and God will meet them (paga, intercession) and send them aid.

“We bring individual to God in prayer, asking the Father to meet with them. We, too, (like Christ), have been given the ministry of reconciliation. Whether for a person or a nation, regardless of the reason, when we’re used to create a meeting between God and humans, releasing the fruit of Christ’s work, paga has happened.” | Dutch Sheets, “Intercessory Prayer, Chapter 4)

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

The Holy Spirit came to bring aid, to be the Helper of our infirmities (Romans 8:26). We are that help. Paul spoke of one who had sinned in the church and then of embracing that man again when he had had enough time of repentance. They were to embrace him BEFORE their separation and his repentance became condemnation. Because, as I have said on repeat, if it brings condemnation to anyone, then God will remain silent, and He is our example. He would rather not speak than to cause us fear and condemnation, and all the effects of condemnation and fear.

People say, God convicts, not condemns, and this is true. But with conviction comes deliverance and hope and faith to recover. This is what we pray for, that that one will have hope and find peace – with God and with men. We pray for their rescue, for their prosperity of soul, and we embrace them so that they can find their place again. What knowledge and understanding of Scripture they contain is not removed because of sinful behavior. If anything, it is highlighted. Minister Bill Johnson tells of a man he knew had made a grievous error and how he removed that man from the position he’d held but did not remove him from service. For it was in service to God in the church that he would recover and be restored to blessing.

We are all human. This is not an excuse, but the reason Christ came. Jesus experienced humanity and stands today in perfected humanity. We hunger for this and will see it one day, but today, right here, on this planet, we serve him in our humanity but without fear because, in that He died, He was resurrected, and we live. And actually, we serve Him where He has placed us in a greater capacity BECAUSE OF the weight of the world which surrounds us. Here, on this earth, is our living sacrifice that we cannot give Him anywhere else, only now, with our human breath. I will praise Him in the midst of the pressure and stresses of life, when I have suffered a loss, and will reach out to others, remembering my humanness and the rescue which my Savior brings to all who seek Him, all who seek the goodness of God which He brought to men.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalms 103:12)

We have been placed on a level playing field, where we are shepherded together. Yes, there was one which strayed, but there are 99 which stayed who depend on each other and on the Shepherd in equal measure. What happens when the Prodigal One returns? The Father runs to greet him, dresses him in the best robe, and prepares a feast. Jesus is as much the feast of celebration as the sacrifice for sin. He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet He walked in uprightness and righteousness.

He sets our example, that under the greatest pressure and the scoffing of men, dying for our sins that He willingly carried, He loved and forgave, even to the point of His physical death. There is a thief in heaven today who should have suffered in damnation but is not, all because the God of heaven and earth is so merciful. Would that we show the same tenderness of heart and seek willingly to have His compassion, and do not turn away, hardened, as those in the world do, who without God, know no better.

We know better for within us is the power that resurrected God from the grave and set Him above all names in the earth, under the earth, and in heavenly places. Then He raised us up to be seated there with Him, to act like Him, to forgive to His extent. No other words need to be spoken but, “God loves you, and I love you.” There is no greater evidence of Christ in us than that.

“Brothers and sisters, as an ambassador of our Lord Jesus Christ, I call on you to come into agreement with each other on the truth about God as revealed by Jesus, and be fully united in mind, heart, attitude and motive around the beautiful character and methods of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:10, Remedy)

“For the simple love of God is wiser than all humankind’s self-centered scheming: God’s love literally heals and restores. And this love of God, which appears weak to the world, is stronger than all the strength of selfish humanity.” (1 Corinthians 1:25, Remedy)

Image by beasternchen from Pixabay


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com