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THE LOVE WALK
“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Ephesians 5:2
What should motivate the believer to freely forgive 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
Christian friends, do we have even a small clue of how wicked we are without Christ’s righteousness? And I mean right this instant! Wow, if we had but a glimpse of our own moral deprivation, we would lose all energy to throw a single stone of condemnation at another, and fall prostrate before a holy God, crying out for His tender mercies.
Do you realize how much damage is done when someone uncovers the sin of a forgiven saint? The damage can be immeasurable. We are never to condemn a believer for a sin he/she has repented of - unless we ourselves are ready to have all of our sins uncovered:
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5
“Who Shall Lay ANYTHING to the Charge of God’s Elect?”
“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 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 8:33-34
If the LORD Himself has forgiven a sin, woe be unto the man who takes up that cause against the forgiven person:
“But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” Acts 11:9
Actually, we are to rejoice with Heaven over that prodigal who has returned home:
“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Luke 15:7
Can we expect to be forgiven if we do not forgive others freely and fully?
“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
What happens if I do not freely show mercy to others in my heart, mind and actions?
“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13
What happens when we don’t fully forgive from our hearts – to the heart level?
“Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, 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 18:33-35
When His love is made more complete in us, we will not take offence and will over look a multitude of sins.
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4: 8
God's love is a place to dwell.
“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16
When we dwell in His presence and therefore His love, we will be restoring agents of the Most High, bringing His healing where other religious people have refused and despised:
“But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” Luke 10:29-37
May the LORD Jesus use us this day to bring His healing oil to those who have for whatever reason (including their own wrong doing) been cast out as refuse in the minds of others.
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2
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