FORGIVENESS
"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." Mark 11:25-26
My forgiveness (from God) is tied to my willingness to forgive others. The LORD has made this contingency.
"And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the torment
ors (demons), 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 18:34-35
He makes the rules, not us.
"And forgive us our debts, AS we forgive our debtors....For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:12,14-15
These are the words of the Messiah.
God set His system of forgiveness up. In such He linked our forgiveness to whether or not we forgive others.
When a person will not forgive, he is plainly in judgment of another.
Here is the Christian perspective toward others:
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32
Upon memorizing Ephesians 4:32, the outlook of my heart has changed dramatically and for the good. The divine truth conveyed in Ephesians 4:32 embodies the spirit of forgiveness which is more than an act, it is a disposition of the heart which emanates out of the realization that one is only forgiven himself due to the sheer mercy of God. (Titus 3:5-7, Lamentations 3:19-22) When we daily realize the wickedness of our own hearts apart from the presence and grace of God, we will begin to be slow to judge others in our minds and hearts and with our mouths.
One who is unforgiving, judgmental in heart, mind or tongue, is simply spiritually immature.
"To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. BUT after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:2-7
God looks on our hearts (1 Sam 16:7). Attitudes of condemnation are ungodly. We are instructed that "Love is of God". (1 John 4:7) and to "Walk in love." (Ephesians 5:2)
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." 1 John 4:7-8
Unforgiveness is not a product of the love of God. Unforgiveness is actually evidence of the lack of God's love in ones life. "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." (1 John 4:8)
God is the only self-existent being in the universe and thereby the only One not dependent upon anyone else for life. He is the only One qualified to condemn:
"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Romans 8:34
All other creatures were created by Him and require His life in order to be sustained. Colossians 1:16-17 We are all dependent upon Him for every breath of life to sustain us. We need His mercy.
"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died,
yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Romans 8:34
Since it was Christ who died and rose again to justify us all, without which no person could be justified, He alone is qualified to judge/condemn.
My forgiving of others is a clear measure of God's love that dwells in me. 1 John 4:16
"Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:" Luke 6:36-37
todd
www.safeguardyoursoul.com
