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A word of Encouragement
- Jan. 2009
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"Forgiveness -
The Sign of the Maturing Christian"
The Baby Christian
1 John 2:12-14 I write
unto you, little children, because yours sins are forgiven
you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because
ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto
you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I
write unto you, little children, because ye have known the
Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have
known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto
you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God
abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
Being born again by the Holy Spirit starts us on the new
life that we have in Christ and we start that new life as a
baby. From there we begin our spiritual growth with the Lord
and our sins being forgiven for His name's sake; Until we
start to mature in the word of God and are mature enough to
take responsibility in the word of God for our life, actions
and sins. John 1:12, John 3:3-7, Romans 8:15-17
1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the
word, that ye may grow thereby:
The Young Men
1 John 2:13.....I write unto you, young men, because ye have
overcome the wicked one.
1 John 2:14.....I have written unto you, young men, because
ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye
have overcome the wicked one.
The maturing Christian has drank from the milk of the word
of God, has eaten from the bread of life and is able to chew
upon the strong meat of the word of God. Hebrews 5: 12-14,
Matthew 4:4, John 6:32-58
Overcoming the Wicked One
2 Corinthians 2:7-11 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to
forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such an one
should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I
beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. For
to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of
you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye
forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any
thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in
the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of
us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Satan's Legal Right
Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
The word place here in this text means license. When you
have a driver's license you have the legal right to drive
your car where you want when you want. When you hold
un-forgiveness against someone God holds your sin of
un-forgiveness against you and Satan has a legal right into
your life to drive your life where he wants when he wants.
2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us:
for we are not ignorant of his devices.
The Power of Un-Forgiveness
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all
things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but
I will not be brought under the power of any.
The word Power here means control or to exercise authority
upon.
Forgive or Not to Forgive
Matthew 18:21-35
"Then came Peter to
him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against
me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto
him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until
seventy times seven.
Therefore is the
kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would
take account of his servants. And when he had begun to
reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten
thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his
lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children,
and all that he had, and payment to he made.
The servant therefore
fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience
with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that
servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and
forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and
found one of his fellow-servants, which owed him an hundred
pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat,
saying, Pay me that thou owest.
And his fellow-servant
fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have
patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not:
but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the
debt. So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they
were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that
was done.
Then his lord, after
that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked
servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou
desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on
thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord
was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he
should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my
heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts
forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Matthew 5:21
Ye have heard that it
was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and
whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgement:
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother
without cause shall be in danger of the judgement: and
whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger
of the council: but whosoever shall say Thou fool, shall be
in danger of hell fire.
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to
the alter, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught
against thee; Leave there thy gift before the alter, and go
thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come
and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly,
whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the
adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver
thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Matthew 6:12 And forgives us our debts, as we forgive our
debtors.
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have
aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven
may forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive,
neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your
trespasses.
Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn
not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be
forgiven:
Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every
one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
Luke 17:3,4 Take head to yourselves: If thy brother trespass
against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And
if trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent,
forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in
a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying,
I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
You, God, and the Person That Hurt You
Forgiving is your Spiritual Responsibility before God
Almighty
Healing the wound from the offence is God's Responsibly Luke
4:18, Ps. 147:3, Is. 61:1
The person that hurt you must restore the Trust that has
been broken.
You are to guard your heart from being wounded again until
that level of trust is restored. There is a difference
between FORGIVENESS and TRUST.
Prayer of Forgiveness
Heavenly Father as you have forgiven me of my sin by
putting my faith in your Son that died, shed his blood and
was risen from the dead for me, I do forgive Name the person
for Name what they did in the name of Jesus. I ask that you
would begin the healing in my heart and teach me how to
guard my heart till the trust is restored. In Jesus' Name
Amen
If you have never asked Jesus to come into your life pray
this prayer:
Father God, I repent of my sins and ask you to forgive me of
my sins. I believe in my heart that Jesus died on the cross
for my sins and was raised from the dead three days later
for my justification and I confess with my mouth that He is
Lord. Jesus come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. In
the name of Jesus. Amen. |
