A Blessing And challenge!

John drew attention to many encouraging assurances and truths that are ours in Christ as he wrote testifying to the truth of what he had both seen and heard. ( 1 John 1:1-3) Because of all that is associated with our fellowship with the Father and the Son ( 1 John 1:3) and also with each other, we find ourselves both greatly blessed and challenged! Perhaps that is no more true than with regard to the subject of FORGIVENESS.

John affirmed and encouraged. . .
“(7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and THE BLOOD OF JESUS HIS SON CLEANSES US FROM ALL SIN. (8) If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS and to CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. (10) If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” ( 1 John 1:7-10 ESV)

The reality is we cannot deny sin’s presence in our life. To do so is to be deceived and to declare God a liar. Praise God for the glorious provision in Christ as we continue in fellowship with Him and with one another. God is “faithful and just” to FORGIVE and CLEANSE us of sin and unrighteousness by the powerful blood of Jesus! Oh, what a wonderful blessing we have received. However, that great blessing of FORGIVENESS is sometimes a challenge to us when it comes to our own extension of it!

Jesus exhorted. . .
“(3) Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, (4) and IF HE SINS AGAINST YOU SEVEN TIMES IN THE DAY, AND TURNS TO YOU SEVEN TIMES, SAYING, ‘I REPENT,’ YOU MUST FORGIVE HIM.” ( Luke 17:3-4 ESV)

First note Jesus began with the exhortation to “Pay attention to yourselves!” Not doing this is at the core of the challenge. Recognizing our own CONTINUING NEED for the FORGIVENESS of God and others should dynamically impact the manner in which we view others and respond to them. But, “seven times in the day”? That’s what Jesus said! In reality are we not challenged by only two or three? Again, we need to consider the daily FORGIVENESS we have received and God’s willingness to extend it as we penitently turn to Him.

A willingness to extend FORGIVENESS is of paramount importance because the lack of it generally makes us bitter, rather than better! It also creates division between us and a brother or sister rather than drawing us together. The unwillingness to FORGIVE can also ultimately hinder and even stop the work of God either in our own life or the life of others! May we not be party to such a thing as would serve the devil’s purposes rather than God’s.

Let us rightfully rejoice in the blessing FORGIVENESS brings to our life and to the lives of others. It is a blessed gift of God that meets our CONTINUAL NEED! May we also look to God for His help in nurturing the heart, humility, strength, and wisdom needed for extending that FORGIVENESS as freely as we have received. Paying attention to ourselves in considering our own indebtedness to the Lord should open our heart wider to others in eliminating the challenge and creating a greater willingness to extend the blessing.

Have a great day NURTURING THE MERCIFUL HEART OF GOD!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Forgiveness