Forgive others who sin against you
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To some people the New Covenant is just adding onto the Old Covenant and so they 'add" things onto the New Covenant. In essence this is "mixing" up of the covenants and we get a mess. This stops the Christian from really groowing up in the Lord
Our loving Father does chastise us and we are thankful. The reason He does this is because "we are sons" God's chastisement is a wonderful way of showing us that we are sons. He doesn't do it to make us sons. God chastises us with His word.
Here is a wonderful teaching on the chastisement of God in light of the New Covenant.
[video=youtube;psQZx8WfTAM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psQZx8WfTAM[/video]
Our loving Father does chastise us and we are thankful. The reason He does this is because "we are sons" God's chastisement is a wonderful way of showing us that we are sons. He doesn't do it to make us sons. God chastises us with His word.
Here is a wonderful teaching on the chastisement of God in light of the New Covenant.
[video=youtube;psQZx8WfTAM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psQZx8WfTAM[/video]
We can look at parables through the lens or mindset of the Old Covenant or the New Covenant and we can also mix the two which is chaos and makes grace void in our lives.
Where Does Forgiveness Come From? And Why Does it Matter?
There are two statements in the Bible that seem to contradict each other:
1. If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (Mt 6:14)
2. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Col 3:13)
Did you spot the difference? The first statement says forgiveness starts with us ( old covenant mindset ). The second statement says forgiveness begins with God. ( new covenant mindset )
So which is it?
I have written elsewhere how these statements are reconciled in Jesus Christ, that he himself satisfied the condition for forgiveness when he went to the cross. But a better explanation came from Jesus himself when he told the story of the unmerciful servant (Mt 18:23ff).
Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. One servant had a huge debt he could not pay. To satisfy the debt the king planned to sell the servant, his family and all his possessions. The servant begged for mercy, the king took pity and cancelled the debt.
Now pause here for a moment and put yourself in the place of that servant.
You are on the verge of being sold into slavery. Your wife is going to be sold as well. She is about to become the property of another man. Your kids will be pulled from school and also sold into slavery. You will likely never see them again. There is not a thing you can do to avoid this. You have no legal recourse. You have been measured in the scales of justice and found wanting.
And then, at a command from the king, your debt is instantly canceled and everything you hold dear is restored to you.
Wouldn’t you go from that place singing the praises of your king? Wouldn’t you shout from the rooftops that the king is good? Wouldn’t you go home and hug your wife, enjoy your kids, knowing that, because of the mercy of the king, you now have a future together?
Of course you would.
But this is not what man in the story did. No, he walked out of the king’s presence unchanged. In the very next verse he found someone who owed him a small amount of money and he demanded payment. When that man couldn’t pay, the unmerciful servant had him thrown into prison. Later, when the king heard about this, he reversed his merciful judgment and delivered the “wicked servant” to the tormenters.
Most people think that the story of the ungrateful servant is a morality tale. But Jesus said it’s a description of the kingdom of heaven. It’s a picture of how heaven invades earth. Jesus makes it plain that forgiveness begins with the Lord. Each of us had a debt we could not pay and God, in his mercy, paid the debt on our behalf. The debtor’s law that stood opposed to us was fully satisfied.
There are only two possible responses to God’s generosity. One response is to say, thank you Jesus! What amazing grace! I will be forever grateful and I will tell others what you have done so they may ask for mercy too.
The other response is that of the servant in the story. It is to remain unrepentant and unchanged by the goodness of God. It is to shrug one’s shoulders and say, I’ve got to take care of things myself. This is the dangerous course for Jesus makes plain that a day of reckoning will come. To ignore the mercy and goodness of the king now, is to risk the king’s wrath later.
So where does forgiveness come from and why does it matter?
If you think that forgiveness starts with you, that you must show it to get it, you will forgive others out of a sense of insecurity and religious obligation. If you succeed at forgiving, it will feed your pride giving you a false sense of entitlement. If you fail at forgiving, you will feel condemned. In either case, you will improve your standing before God not one bit.
But if you apprehend what Jesus did for you when he paid for your sins, it will radically change you. It will transform you from a selfish sinner into an ambassador of God’s goodness. You will show mercy to others not because you have to, but because you want to, because God has been so good to you.
The Holy Spirit within you will lead you to pray for your enemies and bless those who curse you. Again, you will be moved to do this not because there is anything particularly saintly about you, but because of the life-changing example of forgiveness set by Christ.
So the next time someone wrongs you, don’t think, “I’d better forgive them if I want God to forgive me.” There’s no power in that. Instead, remember what Jesus has already done for you. Mull it over. Appreciate his gift of forgiveness.
Because of Christ the debt that was against you has been fully paid.
Because of Christ the righteous law that condemned you was satisfied.
Because of Christ you now have a hope and a future.
Because of Christ you have been freed from the slave market and you need never fear the wrath of the king.
“Happy are those whose wrongs are forgiven, whose sins are pardoned!
“Happy is the person whose sins the Lord will not keep account of!” (Rms 4:7-8, GNB)
Here is the link to this article. I like to use this website as he has tackled obscure scriptures and addressed the false accusations and mis-perceptions about the gospel of the grace of Christ. The comments on the bottom are good as people have asked questions.
Where Does Forgiveness Come From? And Why Does it Matter? – Escape to Reality
Where Does Forgiveness Come From? And Why Does it Matter?
There are two statements in the Bible that seem to contradict each other:
1. If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (Mt 6:14)
2. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Col 3:13)
Did you spot the difference? The first statement says forgiveness starts with us ( old covenant mindset ). The second statement says forgiveness begins with God. ( new covenant mindset )
So which is it?
I have written elsewhere how these statements are reconciled in Jesus Christ, that he himself satisfied the condition for forgiveness when he went to the cross. But a better explanation came from Jesus himself when he told the story of the unmerciful servant (Mt 18:23ff).
Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. One servant had a huge debt he could not pay. To satisfy the debt the king planned to sell the servant, his family and all his possessions. The servant begged for mercy, the king took pity and cancelled the debt.
Now pause here for a moment and put yourself in the place of that servant.
You are on the verge of being sold into slavery. Your wife is going to be sold as well. She is about to become the property of another man. Your kids will be pulled from school and also sold into slavery. You will likely never see them again. There is not a thing you can do to avoid this. You have no legal recourse. You have been measured in the scales of justice and found wanting.
And then, at a command from the king, your debt is instantly canceled and everything you hold dear is restored to you.
Wouldn’t you go from that place singing the praises of your king? Wouldn’t you shout from the rooftops that the king is good? Wouldn’t you go home and hug your wife, enjoy your kids, knowing that, because of the mercy of the king, you now have a future together?
Of course you would.
But this is not what man in the story did. No, he walked out of the king’s presence unchanged. In the very next verse he found someone who owed him a small amount of money and he demanded payment. When that man couldn’t pay, the unmerciful servant had him thrown into prison. Later, when the king heard about this, he reversed his merciful judgment and delivered the “wicked servant” to the tormenters.
Most people think that the story of the ungrateful servant is a morality tale. But Jesus said it’s a description of the kingdom of heaven. It’s a picture of how heaven invades earth. Jesus makes it plain that forgiveness begins with the Lord. Each of us had a debt we could not pay and God, in his mercy, paid the debt on our behalf. The debtor’s law that stood opposed to us was fully satisfied.
There are only two possible responses to God’s generosity. One response is to say, thank you Jesus! What amazing grace! I will be forever grateful and I will tell others what you have done so they may ask for mercy too.
The other response is that of the servant in the story. It is to remain unrepentant and unchanged by the goodness of God. It is to shrug one’s shoulders and say, I’ve got to take care of things myself. This is the dangerous course for Jesus makes plain that a day of reckoning will come. To ignore the mercy and goodness of the king now, is to risk the king’s wrath later.
So where does forgiveness come from and why does it matter?
If you think that forgiveness starts with you, that you must show it to get it, you will forgive others out of a sense of insecurity and religious obligation. If you succeed at forgiving, it will feed your pride giving you a false sense of entitlement. If you fail at forgiving, you will feel condemned. In either case, you will improve your standing before God not one bit.
But if you apprehend what Jesus did for you when he paid for your sins, it will radically change you. It will transform you from a selfish sinner into an ambassador of God’s goodness. You will show mercy to others not because you have to, but because you want to, because God has been so good to you.
The Holy Spirit within you will lead you to pray for your enemies and bless those who curse you. Again, you will be moved to do this not because there is anything particularly saintly about you, but because of the life-changing example of forgiveness set by Christ.
So the next time someone wrongs you, don’t think, “I’d better forgive them if I want God to forgive me.” There’s no power in that. Instead, remember what Jesus has already done for you. Mull it over. Appreciate his gift of forgiveness.
Because of Christ the debt that was against you has been fully paid.
Because of Christ the righteous law that condemned you was satisfied.
Because of Christ you now have a hope and a future.
Because of Christ you have been freed from the slave market and you need never fear the wrath of the king.
“Happy are those whose wrongs are forgiven, whose sins are pardoned!
“Happy is the person whose sins the Lord will not keep account of!” (Rms 4:7-8, GNB)
Here is the link to this article. I like to use this website as he has tackled obscure scriptures and addressed the false accusations and mis-perceptions about the gospel of the grace of Christ. The comments on the bottom are good as people have asked questions.
Where Does Forgiveness Come From? And Why Does it Matter? – Escape to Reality
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E
OK...here goes...
It so happens that at times, someone will be all in your face about forgiveness and how sorry they are...and whamo the minute you relax your guard, they stick it to you again...usually in the back and they will be the first to cry at the sight of your 'blood'
we have a couple of folks like that in my family...have had to just cut them off...forgive? absolutely....have cried, moaned and groaned and still hurt over it all...my husband has stood by me through all of it but he's had enough hearing about it and I don't blame him
there are people who will just use you and walk all over you and then look at you like 'what?' they are the psychopaths of the Christian world...all about themselves and their fav expression seems to be 'God told me to tell you'...some of you will know what I'm talking about and some will think I am a mean person
actually, I have been far too kind and forgiving at times...I don't hold a grudge...but there does come a time when even if I wanted to, it just is not in me anymore to let some people back in.
I don't think we have to or we are supposed to. Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity and if iniquity seems to be their fav place, it may be time to cut 'em loose
oh they will not understand...will not understand why you are (finally) being firm and why they cannot continue to wreck havoc in your life
like I said, some folks will understand...and others will judge me
I'm good either way
It so happens that at times, someone will be all in your face about forgiveness and how sorry they are...and whamo the minute you relax your guard, they stick it to you again...usually in the back and they will be the first to cry at the sight of your 'blood'
we have a couple of folks like that in my family...have had to just cut them off...forgive? absolutely....have cried, moaned and groaned and still hurt over it all...my husband has stood by me through all of it but he's had enough hearing about it and I don't blame him
there are people who will just use you and walk all over you and then look at you like 'what?' they are the psychopaths of the Christian world...all about themselves and their fav expression seems to be 'God told me to tell you'...some of you will know what I'm talking about and some will think I am a mean person
actually, I have been far too kind and forgiving at times...I don't hold a grudge...but there does come a time when even if I wanted to, it just is not in me anymore to let some people back in.
I don't think we have to or we are supposed to. Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity and if iniquity seems to be their fav place, it may be time to cut 'em loose
oh they will not understand...will not understand why you are (finally) being firm and why they cannot continue to wreck havoc in your life
like I said, some folks will understand...and others will judge me
I'm good either way
F
OK...here goes...
It so happens that at times, someone will be all in your face about forgiveness and how sorry they are...and whamo the minute you relax your guard, they stick it to you again...usually in the back and they will be the first to cry at the sight of your 'blood'
we have a couple of folks like that in my family...have had to just cut them off...forgive? absolutely....have cried, moaned and groaned and still hurt over it all...my husband has stood by me through all of it but he's had enough hearing about it and I don't blame him
there are people who will just use you and walk all over you and then look at you like 'what?' they are the psychopaths of the Christian world...all about themselves and their fav expression seems to be 'God told me to tell you'...some of you will know what I'm talking about and some will think I am a mean person
actually, I have been far too kind and forgiving at times...I don't hold a grudge...but there does come a time when even if I wanted to, it just is not in me anymore to let some people back in.
I don't think we have to or we are supposed to. Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity and if iniquity seems to be their fav place, it may be time to cut 'em loose
oh they will not understand...will not understand why you are (finally) being firm and why they cannot continue to wreck havoc in your life
like I said, some folks will understand...and others will judge me
I'm good either way
It so happens that at times, someone will be all in your face about forgiveness and how sorry they are...and whamo the minute you relax your guard, they stick it to you again...usually in the back and they will be the first to cry at the sight of your 'blood'
we have a couple of folks like that in my family...have had to just cut them off...forgive? absolutely....have cried, moaned and groaned and still hurt over it all...my husband has stood by me through all of it but he's had enough hearing about it and I don't blame him
there are people who will just use you and walk all over you and then look at you like 'what?' they are the psychopaths of the Christian world...all about themselves and their fav expression seems to be 'God told me to tell you'...some of you will know what I'm talking about and some will think I am a mean person
actually, I have been far too kind and forgiving at times...I don't hold a grudge...but there does come a time when even if I wanted to, it just is not in me anymore to let some people back in.
I don't think we have to or we are supposed to. Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity and if iniquity seems to be their fav place, it may be time to cut 'em loose
oh they will not understand...will not understand why you are (finally) being firm and why they cannot continue to wreck havoc in your life
like I said, some folks will understand...and others will judge me
I'm good either way
actually, I have been far too kind and forgiving at times...I don't hold a grudge...but there does come a time when even if I wanted to, it just is not in me anymore to let some people back in.
I don't think we have to or we are supposed to. Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity and if iniquity seems to be their fav place, it may be time to cut 'em loose
oh they will not understand...will not understand why you are (finally) being firm and why they cannot continue to wreck havoc in your life
like I said, some folks will understand...and others will judge me
I'm good either way
I don't think we have to or we are supposed to. Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity and if iniquity seems to be their fav place, it may be time to cut 'em loose
oh they will not understand...will not understand why you are (finally) being firm and why they cannot continue to wreck havoc in your life
like I said, some folks will understand...and others will judge me
I'm good either way
And I have had to turn my back on them and ignore them. Not because I do not love them but in order to keep my mind at peace.
What I want for those people is for them to be healed of whatever is tormenting them so they can have a close relationship with God. I keep them in prayer but I also do not allow them a foothold back into my life where they can continue to attack me.
If they came to me and asked forgiveness, I'd tell them I've already forgiven them. I cannot hold onto a grudge against them without causing myself harm by way of a hardened heart or bitterness --- things that just are not conducive to helping me in my walk with the Lord.
I dont agree with how you pit the scriptures against that particular picture which shows us the importance of a forgiven servant to show mercy. And if not how the heaven Father would do likewise to such a one who is unmerciful.
Zach 7:9 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
Did he?
Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Nope.
The forgiven servant (as is noted first in the parable) who becomes the "wicked servant" did not do true judgment in "showing compassion".
Picture of chastisement
Mat 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, (( till )) he should pay all that was due unto him. (a little fear of the Lord)
And even as fear hath torment, even as it says,
Prov 21:7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
For they borrow (as in mercy) but payeth not again (not show mercy) and here such a one is being judged
1Cr 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Which is chastisement, and David says, blessed is the man whom the Lord chastens, even as one is trained thereby
Heb 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
He desires mercy not sacrifice, it is true judgement
Zach 7:9 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
It enhances the picture versus brushing it under the rug
I wont strive with you concerning it, we just see it differently, I maintain the Lord is speaking true words concerning the Father and the importance of showing mercy. And how Jesus said will He would treat our unforgiveness (as is shown through a picture of such a one being judged (which is chastisement). Which is also not joyous experience but greivous and in this picture is for the purpose of changing the heart of an unmerciful person (which was unaffected by the forgiveness first given him) shown in his unmerciful treatment of his fellowservant.
James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Again, Did he show mercy?
No, because his Lord reminds him of the compassion already shown him (first) saying
Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
And that was AFTER the servant was forgiven his debt.
Being turned over for his lack of obedience in respects to showing mercy is a kindness since our obedience is fulfilled and not by some hands off approach.
And if you were the one being strangled by another brother and treated that way, your Lord coming in to aid you in the same way is a righteous thing there as it would be here.
1Thes 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you
And being those without chastisement are the bastards, that pictures shows hope even for those who have not learned (yet) to show mercy (which is a fruit of the Spirit) which after such chastisement yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
To me it confirms the scripture, the forgiveness, the fruit, the goal, the chastisement and the Fathers hand in the lives of believers even if after they are "sometimes" disobedient, it shows there that he can handle that situation and the being chastened (as spoken of elsewhere) can get results who are exercised by the same.
My last post on the matter, besides, I need to stop asking questions and I keep doing it from time to time, and I am so trying to break that bad habit of asking after anothers reasonings And I am trying to post what it is I do, and how I do so, and then drop it. Its a hard habit to break.
We must agree to disagree then, which I am fine by.
Last edited:
L
We can look at parables through the lens or mindset of the Old Covenant or the New Covenant and we can also mix the two which is chaos and makes grace void in our lives.
Where Does Forgiveness Come From? And Why Does it Matter?
There are two statements in the Bible that seem to contradict each other:
1. If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (Mt 6:14)
2. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Col 3:13)
Did you spot the difference? The first statement says forgiveness starts with us ( old covenant mindset ). The second statement says forgiveness begins with God. ( new covenant mindset )
So which is it?
I have written elsewhere how these statements are reconciled in Jesus Christ, that he himself satisfied the condition for forgiveness when he went to the cross. But a better explanation came from Jesus himself when he told the story of the unmerciful servant (Mt 18:23ff).
Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. One servant had a huge debt he could not pay. To satisfy the debt the king planned to sell the servant, his family and all his possessions. The servant begged for mercy, the king took pity and cancelled the debt.
Now pause here for a moment and put yourself in the place of that servant.
You are on the verge of being sold into slavery. Your wife is going to be sold as well. She is about to become the property of another man. Your kids will be pulled from school and also sold into slavery. You will likely never see them again. There is not a thing you can do to avoid this. You have no legal recourse. You have been measured in the scales of justice and found wanting.
And then, at a command from the king, your debt is instantly canceled and everything you hold dear is restored to you.
Wouldn’t you go from that place singing the praises of your king? Wouldn’t you shout from the rooftops that the king is good? Wouldn’t you go home and hug your wife, enjoy your kids, knowing that, because of the mercy of the king, you now have a future together?
Of course you would.
But this is not what man in the story did. No, he walked out of the king’s presence unchanged. In the very next verse he found someone who owed him a small amount of money and he demanded payment. When that man couldn’t pay, the unmerciful servant had him thrown into prison. Later, when the king heard about this, he reversed his merciful judgment and delivered the “wicked servant” to the tormenters.
Most people think that the story of the ungrateful servant is a morality tale. But Jesus said it’s a description of the kingdom of heaven. It’s a picture of how heaven invades earth. Jesus makes it plain that forgiveness begins with the Lord. Each of us had a debt we could not pay and God, in his mercy, paid the debt on our behalf. The debtor’s law that stood opposed to us was fully satisfied.
There are only two possible responses to God’s generosity. One response is to say, thank you Jesus! What amazing grace! I will be forever grateful and I will tell others what you have done so they may ask for mercy too.
The other response is that of the servant in the story. It is to remain unrepentant and unchanged by the goodness of God. It is to shrug one’s shoulders and say, I’ve got to take care of things myself. This is the dangerous course for Jesus makes plain that a day of reckoning will come. To ignore the mercy and goodness of the king now, is to risk the king’s wrath later.
So where does forgiveness come from and why does it matter?
If you think that forgiveness starts with you, that you must show it to get it, you will forgive others out of a sense of insecurity and religious obligation. If you succeed at forgiving, it will feed your pride giving you a false sense of entitlement. If you fail at forgiving, you will feel condemned. In either case, you will improve your standing before God not one bit.
But if you apprehend what Jesus did for you when he paid for your sins, it will radically change you. It will transform you from a selfish sinner into an ambassador of God’s goodness. You will show mercy to others not because you have to, but because you want to, because God has been so good to you.
The Holy Spirit within you will lead you to pray for your enemies and bless those who curse you. Again, you will be moved to do this not because there is anything particularly saintly about you, but because of the life-changing example of forgiveness set by Christ.
So the next time someone wrongs you, don’t think, “I’d better forgive them if I want God to forgive me.” There’s no power in that. Instead, remember what Jesus has already done for you. Mull it over. Appreciate his gift of forgiveness.
Because of Christ the debt that was against you has been fully paid.
Because of Christ the righteous law that condemned you was satisfied.
Because of Christ you now have a hope and a future.
Because of Christ you have been freed from the slave market and you need never fear the wrath of the king.
“Happy are those whose wrongs are forgiven, whose sins are pardoned!
“Happy is the person whose sins the Lord will not keep account of!” (Rms 4:7-8, GNB)
Here is the link to this article. I like to use this website as he has tackled obscure scriptures and addressed the false accusations and mis-perceptions about the gospel of the grace of Christ. The comments on the bottom are good as people have asked questions.
Where Does Forgiveness Come From? And Why Does it Matter? – Escape to Reality
Where Does Forgiveness Come From? And Why Does it Matter?
There are two statements in the Bible that seem to contradict each other:
1. If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (Mt 6:14)
2. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Col 3:13)
Did you spot the difference? The first statement says forgiveness starts with us ( old covenant mindset ). The second statement says forgiveness begins with God. ( new covenant mindset )
So which is it?
I have written elsewhere how these statements are reconciled in Jesus Christ, that he himself satisfied the condition for forgiveness when he went to the cross. But a better explanation came from Jesus himself when he told the story of the unmerciful servant (Mt 18:23ff).
Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. One servant had a huge debt he could not pay. To satisfy the debt the king planned to sell the servant, his family and all his possessions. The servant begged for mercy, the king took pity and cancelled the debt.
Now pause here for a moment and put yourself in the place of that servant.
You are on the verge of being sold into slavery. Your wife is going to be sold as well. She is about to become the property of another man. Your kids will be pulled from school and also sold into slavery. You will likely never see them again. There is not a thing you can do to avoid this. You have no legal recourse. You have been measured in the scales of justice and found wanting.
And then, at a command from the king, your debt is instantly canceled and everything you hold dear is restored to you.
Wouldn’t you go from that place singing the praises of your king? Wouldn’t you shout from the rooftops that the king is good? Wouldn’t you go home and hug your wife, enjoy your kids, knowing that, because of the mercy of the king, you now have a future together?
Of course you would.
But this is not what man in the story did. No, he walked out of the king’s presence unchanged. In the very next verse he found someone who owed him a small amount of money and he demanded payment. When that man couldn’t pay, the unmerciful servant had him thrown into prison. Later, when the king heard about this, he reversed his merciful judgment and delivered the “wicked servant” to the tormenters.
Most people think that the story of the ungrateful servant is a morality tale. But Jesus said it’s a description of the kingdom of heaven. It’s a picture of how heaven invades earth. Jesus makes it plain that forgiveness begins with the Lord. Each of us had a debt we could not pay and God, in his mercy, paid the debt on our behalf. The debtor’s law that stood opposed to us was fully satisfied.
There are only two possible responses to God’s generosity. One response is to say, thank you Jesus! What amazing grace! I will be forever grateful and I will tell others what you have done so they may ask for mercy too.
The other response is that of the servant in the story. It is to remain unrepentant and unchanged by the goodness of God. It is to shrug one’s shoulders and say, I’ve got to take care of things myself. This is the dangerous course for Jesus makes plain that a day of reckoning will come. To ignore the mercy and goodness of the king now, is to risk the king’s wrath later.
So where does forgiveness come from and why does it matter?
If you think that forgiveness starts with you, that you must show it to get it, you will forgive others out of a sense of insecurity and religious obligation. If you succeed at forgiving, it will feed your pride giving you a false sense of entitlement. If you fail at forgiving, you will feel condemned. In either case, you will improve your standing before God not one bit.
But if you apprehend what Jesus did for you when he paid for your sins, it will radically change you. It will transform you from a selfish sinner into an ambassador of God’s goodness. You will show mercy to others not because you have to, but because you want to, because God has been so good to you.
The Holy Spirit within you will lead you to pray for your enemies and bless those who curse you. Again, you will be moved to do this not because there is anything particularly saintly about you, but because of the life-changing example of forgiveness set by Christ.
So the next time someone wrongs you, don’t think, “I’d better forgive them if I want God to forgive me.” There’s no power in that. Instead, remember what Jesus has already done for you. Mull it over. Appreciate his gift of forgiveness.
Because of Christ the debt that was against you has been fully paid.
Because of Christ the righteous law that condemned you was satisfied.
Because of Christ you now have a hope and a future.
Because of Christ you have been freed from the slave market and you need never fear the wrath of the king.
“Happy are those whose wrongs are forgiven, whose sins are pardoned!
“Happy is the person whose sins the Lord will not keep account of!” (Rms 4:7-8, GNB)
Here is the link to this article. I like to use this website as he has tackled obscure scriptures and addressed the false accusations and mis-perceptions about the gospel of the grace of Christ. The comments on the bottom are good as people have asked questions.
Where Does Forgiveness Come From? And Why Does it Matter? – Escape to Reality
Grace777, where DO you find these excellent messages? That was just beautiful. Thank you very much for posting this. The links you share are by far some of the best I've seen here. And what's that verse about timely words in due season?
I do hope that lot's of readers will be as encouraged by these links and videos as I have been. Blessings, lynn
L
Amen!! I approve of this message.
God has blessed us with preachers and teachers, pastors and evangelists in the body of Christ. Having access to so many via internet and the thousands of ways we can now communicate the truth of the gospel. Not only for the salvation of the unsaved, but for the building up of the saints..the body of Christ. Thanks for this one too Grace777. What a gift.
A
God is not regulating life as a chess match, checkmating here and there and taking vengeance on those who trouble us. The Father in His Sovereign Will has ordained life from the beginning of time in Himself, the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus is more authentic than our temporal laws of physics.
The world as we know it is set forth in an exquisite holy order in God Himself and it behooves us to abandon ourselves and yield to the flow of His life put within us. And when we don't, we are going against the current of God Himself and His power already established.
Just as Jesus explained it to Saul/Paul when he was persecuting Christians, that Saul was "kicking against the pricks." (Acts 9:5 KJV) Definition: vain and perilous or ruinous resistance. The Lord told Paul he was uselessly resisting Christ Himself by tyrannizing believers. Paul's rebellion put an end to his rebellion. He was going against the Life of God.
That's what happens. We don't have an angry vengeful God who has it "out" for people in rebellion. Our resistance is just no match for the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus that has been established from the beginning of time. And our own useless rebellion will ultimately bring us to the end of ourselves. That's chastening. Jesus' unfailing "tough" love.
The world as we know it is set forth in an exquisite holy order in God Himself and it behooves us to abandon ourselves and yield to the flow of His life put within us. And when we don't, we are going against the current of God Himself and His power already established.
Just as Jesus explained it to Saul/Paul when he was persecuting Christians, that Saul was "kicking against the pricks." (Acts 9:5 KJV) Definition: vain and perilous or ruinous resistance. The Lord told Paul he was uselessly resisting Christ Himself by tyrannizing believers. Paul's rebellion put an end to his rebellion. He was going against the Life of God.
That's what happens. We don't have an angry vengeful God who has it "out" for people in rebellion. Our resistance is just no match for the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus that has been established from the beginning of time. And our own useless rebellion will ultimately bring us to the end of ourselves. That's chastening. Jesus' unfailing "tough" love.
Well said.....the Lord deals with people now in the New Covenant of grace differently then in the Old Covenant. The Lord through His goodness leads us to repentance now in this age of the grace of Christ that is being manifested.
The Lord will pay back retribution but it will be an the end of the age when everything is come to light and everyone will be looked at through Jesus our Lord. To the Christian in Christ and to the non-believers outside of Christ. One for the sheep and one for the goats.
We love the chastisement of our loving Father. It shows we are true sons/daughters. Thank you Lord!
The Lord will pay back retribution but it will be an the end of the age when everything is come to light and everyone will be looked at through Jesus our Lord. To the Christian in Christ and to the non-believers outside of Christ. One for the sheep and one for the goats.
We love the chastisement of our loving Father. It shows we are true sons/daughters. Thank you Lord!
L
OK...here goes...
It so happens that at times, someone will be all in your face about forgiveness and how sorry they are...and whamo the minute you relax your guard, they stick it to you again...usually in the back and they will be the first to cry at the sight of your 'blood'
we have a couple of folks like that in my family...have had to just cut them off...forgive? absolutely....have cried, moaned and groaned and still hurt over it all...my husband has stood by me through all of it but he's had enough hearing about it and I don't blame him
there are people who will just use you and walk all over you and then look at you like 'what?' they are the psychopaths of the Christian world...all about themselves and their fav expression seems to be 'God told me to tell you'...some of you will know what I'm talking about and some will think I am a mean person
actually, I have been far too kind and forgiving at times...I don't hold a grudge...but there does come a time when even if I wanted to, it just is not in me anymore to let some people back in.
I don't think we have to or we are supposed to. Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity and if iniquity seems to be their fav place, it may be time to cut 'em loose
oh they will not understand...will not understand why you are (finally) being firm and why they cannot continue to wreck havoc in your life
like I said, some folks will understand...and others will judge me
I'm good either way
It so happens that at times, someone will be all in your face about forgiveness and how sorry they are...and whamo the minute you relax your guard, they stick it to you again...usually in the back and they will be the first to cry at the sight of your 'blood'
we have a couple of folks like that in my family...have had to just cut them off...forgive? absolutely....have cried, moaned and groaned and still hurt over it all...my husband has stood by me through all of it but he's had enough hearing about it and I don't blame him
there are people who will just use you and walk all over you and then look at you like 'what?' they are the psychopaths of the Christian world...all about themselves and their fav expression seems to be 'God told me to tell you'...some of you will know what I'm talking about and some will think I am a mean person
actually, I have been far too kind and forgiving at times...I don't hold a grudge...but there does come a time when even if I wanted to, it just is not in me anymore to let some people back in.
I don't think we have to or we are supposed to. Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity and if iniquity seems to be their fav place, it may be time to cut 'em loose
oh they will not understand...will not understand why you are (finally) being firm and why they cannot continue to wreck havoc in your life
like I said, some folks will understand...and others will judge me
I'm good either way
Hey Sissy! What you have shared is also my conclusion in this matter. We are not mini holy spirits sent to convict the hearts of others by staying close to them. It's so freeing when we let Him do the job only He can do.
And also if there are those who bring "corrupt communication" into our lives (as I think the KJV puts it)... we are told it messes up good morals. In other words if we continue IN close personal relationships and sharing our hearts with those who do not uphold the truth, we should not hang out with them on a regular basis because it will harm us.
Like you said ember, this doesn't mean we don't forgive them.. but it does mean we are not ignorant of the enemies devices. he will use these same people who are close to us (like our families) to bring us down to confusion in a way no other people could because they are family... and we already have a natural bond with them that we naturally want to build on.,but to do so brings tons of calamity.
Relationships are very important to and for us. Spending a lot of time with people whose YES is really NO and whose NO is really YES.. is just - confusion. Family is particularly difficult and harder to know how or where to draw lines. But we have too. And actually we are called to.
We each have to find the best way to do that as the Lord leads. Sounds like you have been down the road many times and finally got set free by His wisdom. Although it has meant loss and hurt for you, you still have seen the wisdom and need for not allowing certain people in places where they once have influenced and hurt you.
We do share some major similarities ember. We must sit down over coffee sometime sis. There is a movie called "Nine Months". About this couple that is having a baby and the stuff they go through. There is a small scene in the toy store where some guy is dressed up in a dinosaur suit like Barney. and says some off color combination of words to one of the leading characters in the movie who won't buy the "Arnie" toys. the guy who is safe in the Dinosaur costume says some bad things but denies it when the intended victim hears., so he says "Whaaaat did I saaaaaay??"
It soooooo encapsulates those kinds of relatives as they say something yet deny it in the same breath. But I am able to find the humor in it as the years have past.
Who can understand the mind of a narcissist? And when you realize that is what they are you don't want to understand the mind of a narcissist.
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OK...here goes...
It so happens that at times, someone will be all in your face about forgiveness and how sorry they are...and whamo the minute you relax your guard, they stick it to you again...usually in the back and they will be the first to cry at the sight of your 'blood'
we have a couple of folks like that in my family...have had to just cut them off...forgive? absolutely....have cried, moaned and groaned and still hurt over it all...my husband has stood by me through all of it but he's had enough hearing about it and I don't blame him
there are people who will just use you and walk all over you and then look at you like 'what?' they are the psychopaths of the Christian world...all about themselves and their fav expression seems to be 'God told me to tell you'...some of you will know what I'm talking about and some will think I am a mean person
actually, I have been far too kind and forgiving at times...I don't hold a grudge...but there does come a time when even if I wanted to, it just is not in me anymore to let some people back in.
I don't think we have to or we are supposed to. Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity and if iniquity seems to be their fav place, it may be time to cut 'em loose
oh they will not understand...will not understand why you are (finally) being firm and why they cannot continue to wreck havoc in your life
like I said, some folks will understand...and others will judge me
I'm good either way
It so happens that at times, someone will be all in your face about forgiveness and how sorry they are...and whamo the minute you relax your guard, they stick it to you again...usually in the back and they will be the first to cry at the sight of your 'blood'
we have a couple of folks like that in my family...have had to just cut them off...forgive? absolutely....have cried, moaned and groaned and still hurt over it all...my husband has stood by me through all of it but he's had enough hearing about it and I don't blame him
there are people who will just use you and walk all over you and then look at you like 'what?' they are the psychopaths of the Christian world...all about themselves and their fav expression seems to be 'God told me to tell you'...some of you will know what I'm talking about and some will think I am a mean person
actually, I have been far too kind and forgiving at times...I don't hold a grudge...but there does come a time when even if I wanted to, it just is not in me anymore to let some people back in.
I don't think we have to or we are supposed to. Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity and if iniquity seems to be their fav place, it may be time to cut 'em loose
oh they will not understand...will not understand why you are (finally) being firm and why they cannot continue to wreck havoc in your life
like I said, some folks will understand...and others will judge me
I'm good either way
In my opinion, I think 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2:14-15 explains this:
14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
E
yes...
it came down to that for me as well
and the closer you are to the person, the more it can hurt or be difficult...I don't think it's helping someone to allow them to continue the abuse either...cause that is what it is
Jesus said not to just forgive...but to forgive from the heart. I think that often ends up as a process...but the first step is to simply say I forgive whoever for whatever. As someone else said, it's letting them off your hook, and letting God deal with the situation...forgiveness is as much about the forgiver.
I think we find that to be true going forward
it came down to that for me as well
and the closer you are to the person, the more it can hurt or be difficult...I don't think it's helping someone to allow them to continue the abuse either...cause that is what it is
Jesus said not to just forgive...but to forgive from the heart. I think that often ends up as a process...but the first step is to simply say I forgive whoever for whatever. As someone else said, it's letting them off your hook, and letting God deal with the situation...forgiveness is as much about the forgiver.
I think we find that to be true going forward
E
Sissy...LOL!...I'm looking around the room going 'who's that?'
God knows how hard I tried...even praying with the worst offender...we have limitations no matter how much we care and if someone will not admit their sin, it does not matter how much you forgive them, it will not change them because they don't even know why you would need to forgive them...because it's you...right?...never them!
It really is always those closest to you...as you state above regarding family....Jesus had Judas, so we see how it goes.
meh...it has been the same road well travelled...you know, it seems if the devil knows you have a vulnerability, he will exploit it until you wake up to the hamster wheel and want off. the same type of spirit (unholy) in different people have upset my little apple cart multiple times...in my head I know it's spiritual and no amount of reasoning or being nice will change a thing.
When I finally said no to the biggest offender, they went after me to the point of alienating people who should have known better seeing as they had known me for years and in one case, about all my life
I figure when someone seems happy to jump on board and believe lies and false accusations, they probably already had a well furrowed plot of land in order to accept the lie and let it take root. I was so stunned by it all, I thought God had turned His back on me and I was rejected by Him...oh yes...I actually did believe that...for 2 years I could not pray...I would take out a Bible or my guitar...could not pray, read or sing...it was a real upper cut from the devil that I received. My family is a soap opera...aunts, uncles...the whole gang. If I wrote a book...it would be considered fiction.
So I come out on the other side, a changed person with a different reality.
I don't know when or how...but I would surely love that!!
big hugs to you 'sissy'.....
God knows how hard I tried...even praying with the worst offender...we have limitations no matter how much we care and if someone will not admit their sin, it does not matter how much you forgive them, it will not change them because they don't even know why you would need to forgive them...because it's you...right?...never them!
It really is always those closest to you...as you state above regarding family....Jesus had Judas, so we see how it goes.
meh...it has been the same road well travelled...you know, it seems if the devil knows you have a vulnerability, he will exploit it until you wake up to the hamster wheel and want off. the same type of spirit (unholy) in different people have upset my little apple cart multiple times...in my head I know it's spiritual and no amount of reasoning or being nice will change a thing.
When I finally said no to the biggest offender, they went after me to the point of alienating people who should have known better seeing as they had known me for years and in one case, about all my life
I figure when someone seems happy to jump on board and believe lies and false accusations, they probably already had a well furrowed plot of land in order to accept the lie and let it take root. I was so stunned by it all, I thought God had turned His back on me and I was rejected by Him...oh yes...I actually did believe that...for 2 years I could not pray...I would take out a Bible or my guitar...could not pray, read or sing...it was a real upper cut from the devil that I received. My family is a soap opera...aunts, uncles...the whole gang. If I wrote a book...it would be considered fiction.
So I come out on the other side, a changed person with a different reality.
I don't know when or how...but I would surely love that!!
big hugs to you 'sissy'.....
On the subject of forgiveness, I have always assumed I need to forgive, and avoid being that vulnerable or exposed, if nothing else changes in the situation.
The verse about if your brother repents and asks for forgiveness, forgive them, implies you do not have to forgive unless the issue is resolved. I tend to want to deal with the situation before it becomes an issue, in my heart and so it is no longer an issue in the way I behave towards them.
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
Mark 11:25
Disfunctional behaviour occurs when people do not respect the individual they are dealing with but continually abuse them, or turn things against them that are not appropriate. This is the point where I withdraw and avoid such points, because it is like walking in front of a car, you will just get hurt, and the person has no real clue what they are doing.
I have seen this in office situations, and when dealing with rebellious teenagers in a mood. It is not putting people straight, it is just they need to go somewhere else.
The verse about if your brother repents and asks for forgiveness, forgive them, implies you do not have to forgive unless the issue is resolved. I tend to want to deal with the situation before it becomes an issue, in my heart and so it is no longer an issue in the way I behave towards them.
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
Mark 11:25
Disfunctional behaviour occurs when people do not respect the individual they are dealing with but continually abuse them, or turn things against them that are not appropriate. This is the point where I withdraw and avoid such points, because it is like walking in front of a car, you will just get hurt, and the person has no real clue what they are doing.
I have seen this in office situations, and when dealing with rebellious teenagers in a mood. It is not putting people straight, it is just they need to go somewhere else.
L
Sissy...LOL!...I'm looking around the room going 'who's that?'
God knows how hard I tried...even praying with the worst offender...we have limitations no matter how much we care and if someone will not admit their sin, it does not matter how much you forgive them, it will not change them because they don't even know why you would need to forgive them...because it's you...right?...never them!
It really is always those closest to you...as you state above regarding family....Jesus had Judas, so we see how it goes.
meh...it has been the same road well travelled...you know, it seems if the devil knows you have a vulnerability, he will exploit it until you wake up to the hamster wheel and want off. the same type of spirit (unholy) in different people have upset my little apple cart multiple times...in my head I know it's spiritual and no amount of reasoning or being nice will change a thing.
When I finally said no to the biggest offender, they went after me to the point of alienating people who should have known better seeing as they had known me for years and in one case, about all my life
I figure when someone seems happy to jump on board and believe lies and false accusations, they probably already had a well furrowed plot of land in order to accept the lie and let it take root. I was so stunned by it all, I thought God had turned His back on me and I was rejected by Him...oh yes...I actually did believe that...for 2 years I could not pray...I would take out a Bible or my guitar...could not pray, read or sing...it was a real upper cut from the devil that I received. My family is a soap opera...aunts, uncles...the whole gang. If I wrote a book...it would be considered fiction.
So I come out on the other side, a changed person with a different reality.
I don't know when or how...but I would surely love that!!
big hugs to you 'sissy'.....
God knows how hard I tried...even praying with the worst offender...we have limitations no matter how much we care and if someone will not admit their sin, it does not matter how much you forgive them, it will not change them because they don't even know why you would need to forgive them...because it's you...right?...never them!
It really is always those closest to you...as you state above regarding family....Jesus had Judas, so we see how it goes.
meh...it has been the same road well travelled...you know, it seems if the devil knows you have a vulnerability, he will exploit it until you wake up to the hamster wheel and want off. the same type of spirit (unholy) in different people have upset my little apple cart multiple times...in my head I know it's spiritual and no amount of reasoning or being nice will change a thing.
When I finally said no to the biggest offender, they went after me to the point of alienating people who should have known better seeing as they had known me for years and in one case, about all my life
I figure when someone seems happy to jump on board and believe lies and false accusations, they probably already had a well furrowed plot of land in order to accept the lie and let it take root. I was so stunned by it all, I thought God had turned His back on me and I was rejected by Him...oh yes...I actually did believe that...for 2 years I could not pray...I would take out a Bible or my guitar...could not pray, read or sing...it was a real upper cut from the devil that I received. My family is a soap opera...aunts, uncles...the whole gang. If I wrote a book...it would be considered fiction.
So I come out on the other side, a changed person with a different reality.
I don't know when or how...but I would surely love that!!
big hugs to you 'sissy'.....
Well, this is what we do., we get a cup of coffee and email right here. That is having coffee together although you are in Canada and I am in the US.
I was hoping you might have seen that silly movie too! Oh well. I will email you. Or, better yet youtube may have a link? How could I have forgotten youtube??????
D
Now, reread what you wrote here.
Again, I ask, so you haven't forgiven OSAS believers? It's been an issue with you for quite some time. You hold a lot against people who don't believe as you do, and I don't see you "respect the individual they are dealing with but continually abuse them, or turn things against them that are not appropriate."
You really do have a list of people you hold things against, and then keep preaching like you don't.
If you don't walk the walk, should you keep talking the talk?
How do you respond to this without turning it against again?
Again, I ask, so you haven't forgiven OSAS believers? It's been an issue with you for quite some time. You hold a lot against people who don't believe as you do, and I don't see you "respect the individual they are dealing with but continually abuse them, or turn things against them that are not appropriate."
You really do have a list of people you hold things against, and then keep preaching like you don't.
If you don't walk the walk, should you keep talking the talk?
How do you respond to this without turning it against again?