FORGIVE US OUR SINS

Time with Jesus - Monday, 15 October 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation looks at forgiveness. This is one of the most neglected topics in churches today. We see that God will only forgive us as we forgive others. It blows holes in much evangelistic practices. Not that the evangelists are wrong. The just don’t give the whole truth. The truth is God will not forgive you if you don’t forgive others. He uses your measure of forgiveness to measure His forgiveness to you!

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 15 October 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	FORGIVE US OUR SINS
Perhaps the greatest problem confronting Christians today is the problem of un-forgiveness. It shouldn’t be like this. Sadly, it’s true. The words spoken by Jesus immediately following His model prayer in Matthew were: 14 "Forgive people when they sin against you. If you do, your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive people their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matt 6:14-15 NIrV These are some of the most terrifying words spoken by the Saviour. They have a huge implication concerning our own salvation. These words tell us that if we don’t forgive others, we won’t be forgiven! So why don’t we Christians forgive each other? The most likely reason is that there is so little fear of the Lord in most Churches today. Christians prefer to think that they have been given a ticket to heaven so their behaviour doesn’t really matter. They say “God knows and understands! His love is unconditional. He’ll be tolerant of the things we say and do”. I can’t forgive my granny because of what she did to my hamster. I won’t and I never will. That’s a huge mistake. That’s not what the Bible teaches. His grace may be free, but it is not cheap. Furthermore, although His love is infinite, it is not unconditional. To say it’s unconditional implies that all are saved regardless what they say and do. That’s a terrible lie. He will not overlook sin in the life of a believer that He condemns in the life of an unbeliever. To do so would make Him a respecter of persons. Furthermore, it would mean that sanctification was unnecessary. It’s been said that today, God’s people want justification (forgiveness of sin) in this life and sanctification (holiness) in heaven. But God wants us to be justified (made right with Him) in this life and sanctification (holiness) in this life too. We may not like this. We may “belly-ache” about it too. But in the final analysis, He makes the rules! His decisions are not subject to the democratic process. He always does as He pleases. But what’s this got to do with our failure to forgive? Everything. The Lord uses our own standards on us! Our own standard becomes His yardstick for every Christian. He will deal with me using my standards. Likewise He will deal with you according to your standards. Bear in mind the following basic little equation. No forgiveness = no salvation. If God has not forgiven you, you are not saved. Likewise, for you no forgiveness = no salvation. If you do not forgive others, you are not saved. That is the bottom line. No matter how delightfully your pastor or minister may preach. No matter how many times you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart, unless you forgive others, you will not be forgiven. No matter how many times you may go to the front by invitation of your pastor. No matter the amount and quantity of your tears, if you do not forgive others, your efforts are worse than useless. Incidentally, the same is true for your pastor, your favourite healing evangelist, and the head of your denomination or anyone else – including me! If they do not forgive others, they are not forgiven. Scripture makes this abundantly clear. If anyone requires full salvation he/she must give full forgiveness. In fact you set the standard by which He will deal with you. That scares me. It should make us a forgiving people. I know I need it. Several buckets of water the size of the Atlantic ocean would merely dampen the surface. What about you? Jim & Phyllida Strickland			12 Forgive us our sins, just as we also have forgiven those who sin against us. Matthew 6:12 NIrV 21 Peter came to Jesus. He asked, "Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but 77 times. Matthew 18:21-22 NIrV 32 Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn't you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?' 34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt. 35 "That's what My heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart." Matthew 18:32-35 NLT 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 NLT 13 You were once dead because of your failures and your uncircumcised corrupt nature. But God made you alive with Christ when he forgave all our failures. 14 He did this by erasing the charges that were brought against us by the written laws God had established. He took the charges away by nailing them to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14 GW 13 Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 NLT	Peter asked the Master, “Lord how many times, Must I forgive my brother for the many crimes, That he has perpetrated and committed against me? I think it should be seven times. But Lord, what thinketh Thee? Anyone who murdered Cain would truly cost him dear. God would punish seven times. The Word makes it quite clear. (Gen 4:7) If that is the standard which God said should apply, Surely that’s the standard for folk like You and I?” “Seven’s insufficient. See what Lamech said. Seventy and seven times for striking Lamech dead.          (Gen 4:24) But by implication, it’s so much more than that. Peter, stop your counting. You’re speaking through your hat! You can never calculate how often to forgive. If you want a number, what number would you give? For there is a principal that always must apply. That’s the number God will use when you’re the one He’ll try. He brings perfect justice. He says that you will set, The standard of forgiveness which you yourself will get. If you say that seven times is what he has to pay. God will use your seven times on you on Judgement Day. If you’re unforgiving, He’ll be that way with you. You will find the torturers know what they have to do. They will carry on until the total price is paid”.                 (Matt 18:34) This is terrifying and makes me sore afraid! Do not be vindictive. Be tender-hearted, kind, Always be forgiving. For then you too will find, He’ll be tender-hearted and treat you with compassion. You’re the one directing what the Lord above will fashion. If you’re harsh and cruel, my brother, hear me well. You will be consigned into the lowest pit in hell. Isn’t Father wonderful! He knows what you should get! What you have dictated, by the standards you have set! So, if un-forgiveness, is the order of your day, Better you repent of it and turn to God and pray, You will be forgiven. Then here’s what you must do. Go and tell the people, who have sinned and damaged you, You need their forgiveness for the things which you have done. Then you’ll be forgiven by Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Jim Strickland – Written 15th October 2012