Luke 23:34 - "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." JESUS, hanging between two thieves upon a rugged cross, dying for the sins of the world, Jesus set the ultimate example. He prayed for mercy for His enemies. Jesus prayed for his enemies to be forgiven. In their ignorance and spiritual blindness, they had crucified their own Messiah. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, exhibited the same godly spirit. In his agony and pain, he prayed, "Father, lay not this sin to their charge." (Acts 7:51)
There is an old saying, "To err is human and to forgive is divine". The human family is born in SIN and has a natural inclination toward that which is immoral, illegal and sinful. The easiest thing in the world, however, is to criticize, judge and malign one another. That trait comes naturally to us humans, who are arrogant, selfish and proud.
Assassination of character is also becoming commonplace in our society. What a sin and shame! Where do all these base, carnal and sensual thoughts and actions come from. What makes mortal man so vengeful, deplorable, mean and so unable to offer forgiveness? Often, the cause of an angry, hateful spirit is jealousy, envy and a sense of insecurity, rather than a vindication of truth. Dragging a great person into the mud, undoubtedly makes gossipers and antagonists feel equal or even superior for the moment. ENVY & JEALOUSY CAUSE A HATEFUL & UNFORGIVING SPIRIT The Bible says, "For he (Pilate) knew that the chief priests had delivered Him for envy" and even though they "found no guilt in Him", yet they crucified Him "without a cause". (Luke 23:13-16; Matthew 27:24; Acts 13:28)
Joseph's brothers sold him into 'Egyptian slavery', because they were "moved with envy". (Acts 7:9) The Bible warns against the sin of envy, including it in a long list of sins ranging from homosexuality to murder. (Romans 1:29) St. John warned about the devastating effects of the lusts of the flesh. St. Paul spoke of devouring one another through fighting and back-biting. (Galatians 5:15) And St. James, the pastor of the first Pentecostal Church in Jerusalem, asked: "From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?" In his epistle, Jesus' half-brother, spoke of lust and hatred as underlying causes of war and strife.
Internationally known Evangelist T.L. Osborn stated: "Don't let criticism bother you. Criticism is really admiration in reverse. As a rule, your critics admire you, or they wouldn't talk about you." Oh! How difficult for all of us to receive criticism, but how easy to dish it out. And for many, it is even harder to forgive and forget. Bitterness, hatred and jealousy will destroy the one who harbors them. Carrying a grudge can produce insomnia, nervous tension, ulcers and other illnesses. A FORGIVING SPIRIT IS BEAUTIFUL & CHRIST LIKE An unforgiving spirit is demanding, cold and uncaring, while a forgiving spirit is beautiful and Christ-like.
Anglican pastor Rev. Dale Lang of Taber, Alberta, whose son Jason was shot to death by a fellow student in his high school on April 28, 1999 stated: "Forgiveness is a gift from God." Despite their terrible grief, the pastor and his wife, Diane, publicly forgave the youth accused of their son's murder and prayed with the other students. He said: "Without God's love I couldn't have forgiven that young man who shot our son. This is too painful a thing to do on your own. With God in my heart He has made it possible. I've been set free from bitterness and anger and un-forgiveness, and that is a wonderful gift." POPE JOHN PAUL 2 OFFERED FORGIVENESS TO THE MAN WHO TRIED TO KILL HIM Pope John Paul 2 was following in Jesus' footsteps when he visited Mehmet Ali Agea in his prison cell and prayed for the man who had tried to kill him. He stated: "Peace and forgiveness go together as an inseparable pair. One cannot remain a prisoner of the past....Individuals and people need a sort of healing of memories so that past evils will not come back again." Dr. Oral Roberts, who had been the subject of harsh ridicule in the press, delivered a powerful sermon on forgiveness to 5,000 ministers at a conference, shortly after being vilified in the media. St. John wrote, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) The Bible says, "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputes not iniquity." (Psalms 32:1-2) It's great to know that God has forgiven us, on the merits of Jesus' death, as our substitute. The Bible says: "...And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous: And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:1,2) The word 'propitiation' means 'appeasement'; that God is satisfied with Jesus' death on the cross! His sacrificial, vicarious death for us satisfied the 'demands of divine justice', in the courts of Heaven. Jesus taught His disciples to pray: "And forgive us, our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation. For if we forgive men their trespasses (offences), your heavenly Father will also forgive you: "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:12-15)
That is a sobering thought! If I do not forgive those who have wronged me, God will not forgive me. Refusing to forgive is there, an unpardonable sin. God cannot forgive the sins of an individual, who refuses to forgive those who have wronged him or her. BY GOD'S GRACE ALONE WE ARE FORGIVEN It took God's grace, through Jesus Christ to forgive us, and it takes His grace for us to forgive one another, as well as to forgive ourselves when we have done wrong. The Bible says, "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." (Colossians 3:12-13) St. Paul warned, "Neither give place to the devil...Let him that stole steal no more....Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth..." "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and evil speaking, be put away from you with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:27-32)
In the Hebrew, the word forgiveness has a strong connection with the word 'kaphar' (atonement) meaning "to cover". God instituted the sacrificial system which pointed to the cross where His Son, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God would shed His blood to wash away the sins of all those who believe on Him. The Bible says, "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7) In the Old Testament system, the blood of the sacrificial animal covered the sin, but through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on Golgotha, our sins are purged, cleansed and washed away. REJOICE IN THE GOOD NEWS: "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. "For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh." "How much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God!" (Hebrews 9:11-14) Writing to believers, St. Paul admonished: "And above all things have fervent charity (gr. Agape, love) among yourselves: for charity (love) shall cover a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8) The SECOND meaning of the word forgiveness is conveyed by the Hebrew word 'nasa' which was used in the Old Testament to express the carrying away of Israel's sins. It means to "lift up or away", by the scapegoat. When God forgives unworthy sinners (us all), he lifts from us all the burdens, guilt and condemnation that those sins have created. The THIRD meaning of forgiveness comes from the Hebrew word 'salach' which is "to send away, let go". Again, this refers to God's grace in removing the sin from us. It denotes a separation of the sin from the sinner. The sin and its penalty - which is death - is separated from the believing penitent soul, and he is divorced from his carnal, evil and wicked state. The Bible says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17) "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." (1 Peter 1:18, 19, 23) "In Whom, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;" (Ephesians 1:7; 2:1) The FOURTH meaning comes to us from the Greek language. The word 'Apoluo' is "to loose away" and the FIFTH meaning comes from the Greek word 'charisomai' means "to be gracious to". Jesus Christ has "loosed us away" and separated us from our sins, fear, torment and guilt, because God has been 'gracious' toward us. Praise His Holy name for His mercy endures forever! Amen. The Bible states, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Chris died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good men some would even dare to die. But God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wraths through Him." "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." (Romans 5:6-10) Jesus 'lifted off' from us the burden of guilt and shame and carried our sins far way. He is our substitute and like the scapegoat, removed our sin and its penalty from us. (Leviticus 16:21, 22) Only the blood of Jesus Christ, and the Word of God, has the power and ability to purge our conscience from guilt! No amount of counseling or other form of therapy has that ability. The Bible says: "There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)
The basis of all forgiveness is God's unfathomable love! Let this great truth resonate in your spirit. It is because of God's great love, mercy and grace that I have received forgiveness and peace. Unknowing people often say, "The Old Testament is void of love and compassion. It is about the law and God's severity and judgment. And the New Testament is about God's grace, mercy and love." They seem to think that our Heavenly Father is severe and delights in punishing people, but Jesus Christ, God's Son is full of compassion and love. JESUS SAID, "....He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father and how sayest thou then show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of Myself: But the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works sake." (John 14:9-11) JESUS SAID: "The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do: but what things soever He does, these also, and show Him all things that Himself doeth, those also doeth the Son likewise." "For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that Himself doeth...because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of Him Who hath sent Me." (John 5:19, 20, 30) "I do nothing of Myself, but as My Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And He that hath sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him." (John 6:28, 38, 39) The Bible states: "God hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person..." (Hebrews 1:1-3) The OLD TESTAMENT PROVES GOD'S MERCY A study of the Old Testament proves God's love and mercy was also evident there. It is true that "the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1:17) It is also true that Jesus would not have come to this 'sin cursed world' with the message of grace and truth, if it was not the Father's will.
NOBLEMAN SAVED FROM DEATH More than a hundred years ago, a Russian Nobleman and his servant left St. Petersburg by dog team to purchase a large supply of goods and provender. The five-day journey across the rugged, frozen tundra was easily accomplished without incident. And on their return journey, all went well for the first four days. On the morning of the fifth day, however, they noticed something like a grey wall appear to their rear. Any apprehensions they had earlier, now turned into reality as they understood that a large pack of timber wolves had picked up their scent and were gaining on them. They urged the dogs on, but they were tired and thee load was heavy. And the wolf pack, spurred on by their hunger for blood and flesh were zeroing in for the kill. They were 10 miles from home. The sun had just set in the western sky and the lights had come on in St. Petersburg. The wolf pack was on their heels and getting ready for the kill. They could smell their foul breath, see their yellow fangs and hear their blood curdling yelps. As they neared their quarry, the weary travelers knew that it was too late. They were not going to make it. The trusted servant, who had served the Nobleman's father earlier, moved to the back of the shed. With a shout, he threw himself backwards into the path of the blood thirsty pack. As the wolves begin tearing him into pieces, the smell of blood filled the air and the wild beasts began to fight one another over the kill. And as servant lay dying, the dog team and the Nobleman continued unharmed toward St. Petersburg. You may ask: "Why would you share with us the account of that terrible event?" The servant offered himself to save the Nobleman and that is what Jesus did for us. He threw Himself to the wolves when He offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice to save a lost world. JESUS CHRIST IS THE LAMB OF GOD Seven hundred years before Jesus came to this earth to die for our sins, Isaiah foretold His virgin birth, sufferings and death on the cross, as well as His resurrrection from the dead and Everlasting Kingdom! (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 53:4-11) When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he stated: "Behold the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world." (John 1:29) And St. Peter said: "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold...But with the precious BLOOD of Christ, as a Lamb without blemish and without spot." (1 Peter 1:18, 19) The Bible says: "For He hath made Him to be sin for us. Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21); "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, but for your sakes He became poor: that ye through His poverty might be rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9); "Who His own Self Himself bear our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sin, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes ye were healed." (1 Peter 2:24) Dear Friend, please allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you. May you open your heart and life to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour today! You will not be sorry you did. He loves you so much and waits for your call. He will save you for time and eternity. May God richly bless you, heal you and fill you with the marvelous Holy Spirit. Amen. Max Solbrekken World Mission Box 44220 Garside Edmonton, AB T5V 1N6. Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Make donation to [email protected]. May God richly boess you in Jesus' Name! Amen. All glory, honout, praise and worship we give to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savour. Amen. -Max Solbrekken |
