Jesus or Pharisee?

"Here is God's heart. He is love, and He was as concerned about the church's reaction as He was the man's sin."

YOU DON'T THINK God’s forgiveness can take care of the past? Many, right now, don’t. At least, their behavior says so. But how then did the apostle Paul become so instrumental in the church? He had firmly believed the murder of Christians was justified. How did Peter ever get past denying Jesus three times, once to His face?

There have been quote-unquote scandals in the church recently. But what makes them scandals is human reaction through the devil. The Corinthian church was told to separate from a man living in sexual sin. Then, after a time, they were told to embrace him, lest he become too discouraged and be lost. Here is God's heart. He is love, and He was as concerned about the church's reaction as He was the man's sin.

“So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.” (2 Corinthians 2:7-8)

We are the opposite. We feel justified to point fingers. But who do we look like, Jesus or Pharisee Saul? One of the most powerful testimonies I've ever seen was a Muslim man who beat a Christian to the point of death then, years later, embraced him as a fellow child of God in a Spirit-orchestrated encounter. Forgiveness should never have happened yet through grace, it did. In another story, an Asian gang member preached the gospel to his gang leader and was given permission to leave the gang. They parted amicably. This never happens.

Watch “A Shocking Story of Redemption” by One For Israel.

Nothing is impossible with God, but it does require our surrender. "Jesus loves me, this I know" is more than a song. It is truth. Jesus died and rose again to express the Father's love for us. Ephesians 1 in the Message Bible describes this so beautifully. God delighted in providing salvation. He couldn't wait to do it so that we could be forever forgiven.

Denominations debate the security of our salvation. That’s not how they word it, but that's what it comes down to. Is it "once saved, always saved?" YES! Is it possible to lose your salvation. Unfortunately, yes. "So which is it, Suzanne?" Both. But the issue is our need to linger on either one. We should never preach discouragement. That's not to say we should not speak truth. Sin is sin. But to slap people around over possible sin brings discouragement, and this includes many topics such as marriage, gender equality, racial issues, spiritual provisions (supply, types of prayer, spiritual gifts), and yes, even salvation. Judas is our example of losing salvation. If we are repentant for our sins, then God always forgives. Loss of salvation will never sneak up and grab you from behind. Nor if you doubt your behavior, are you threatened by it.

What should be spoken is the love of God and how to love in difficult situations, how to pray for all types of people and scenarios. Effective fervent prayer makes God’s power activate. We need to teach healing and even greater, health. We can avoid sickness and injury when we put our faith in God in that area. We must lay hands on the sick and teach our congregations that they can do this. The Great Commission, as it is called, is not only to ministers but it was spoken to every single child of Almighty God. I can lay hands on the sick. You can lay hands on the sick. Teaching is needed.

We must encourage men and women to spend time with the Holy Spirit. We must learn His voice as He is our Teacher and Guide. We are to be Spirit-led at all times. It is now how we are. The old me, who was led by the mind and the emotions, and the fleshly desires died when we received Jesus as Lord. The unsaved persecute us because that is how they are, but it is how we were. We are no longer in bondage to sinful methods of thinking or selfish suggestions of the devil. But we display the character of God. We have His nature within us. But people must know what that is so they will fall in love with Him so much that nothing else matters. Only Jesus. Only our loving Father. Only the sweet Spirit.

And look at these faith-filled friends we have been given. And how can we help that one through her situation in peace and success. How can we spread joy to those who are downcast? There is always a way, and it never lifts us up in pride but simply shows who God is as faithful and kind, as truth and forgiveness. Even when that one ... or I should say, especially when that one made a huge mistake. Whose son or daughter are we? What would Jesus do?

“The beauty of faith-filled people encompasses me. They are true, and my heart is thrilled beyond measure.” (Psalm 16:3, VOICE)

Image by Satheesh Sankaran from Pixabay


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