Just like

Has someone wronged you?  Even if you have forgiven that one, do thoughts of those wrongs come unexpectedly into your mind and bring you grief/ torment?

JESUS, the eternal Word of GOD (John 1:1-4), took on a body and came to earth (John 1:14, Philippians 2:5-8) to reveal to us what GOD is really like (John 14:7, 9), to bring mankind forgiveness through paying for their sins and give them eternal life with GOD/ HIMSELF (John 3:16), to destroy the works of the devil the author of sin (1 John 3:8) and more.  JESUS’ eternal sonship was how JESUS lived out HIS life not even speaking a word unless the FATHER told HIM to.

We were adopted, reborn into the family of GOD when we believed/ received/ accepted/ trusted JESUS (John 1:12-13) to save us. Now our sonship to GOD should control our lives just as JESUS’s sonship controlled JESUS. JESUS was the express image of the invisible GOD (Hebrews 1:3) and we are told to be holy as HE (GOD) who has called us is holy (1 Peter 1:15).

JESUS was all about forgiveness. Forgiveness was not a side issue to HIM. Forgiveness was HIS purpose and even on the cross JESUS prayed to GOD the FATHER for those who either crucified or mocked HIM hanging on the cross, “Forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

In answering HIS disciples about how often one must forgive, JESUS spoke, setting the parameters as concerning the Kingdom of Heaven and those that belong to it (those children of GOD through faith in JESUS) in Matthew 18:21-35. JESUS said, “It is like this (and JESUS proceeded to tell a parable and its conclusion baffled me for years until I read it again Saturday morning).

A summary of that parable:

Since JESUS said “it is like the Kingdom of heaven” we know that this pertains only to believers in JESUS who have been transferred into the eternal Kingdom of JESUS by GOD the FATHER when they believed/ trusted in JESUS to save them from their sins (Colossians 1:13) and were born into the Family of GOD through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT (John 1:12-13, 3:5-7).

A man owed HIS master a huge amount of money.  The Master said “pay up!” the servant could not and begged HIS master to give him time (Called on the name of the LORD and was saved Romans 10:9-10, 13).  The compassionate Master completely forgave him and wiped out the man’s entire debt. 

That man who had just been forgiven went to a fellow who owed him a small amount money and said, “pay up!” when that fellow could not pay and begged the man to give him time, the 1^st man would not listen and had him thrown in jail.  Others saw what had happened and went and told the Master.  The Master became furious.

The Master called the man HE had forgiven and said, “I forgave you and so you should have had compassion and forgiven the one who owed you, just as I had pity on you. Then the Master delivered him to the TORMENTORS until he paid for all that was due.

That blew my mind. The context clearly declares this speaks of those who are in the Kingdom of heaven.  They have accepted the love gift of GOD the FATHER who sent HIS SON that all who believed in the SON would have eternal life (John 3:16).  They believed in JESUS and GOD the FATHER “has delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of HIS dear SON” (Colossians 1:13).  These are eternally saved people and GOD the FATHER is turning one over to the tormentors.  What can this mean? 

SPOILERs alert: I am NOT saying one can lose their salvation.  All who BELIEVE/ TRUST in JESUS have eternal life with GOD the FATHER and JESUS (John 3:16, 36, 17:3), just as all who REFUSE GOD’s gift of HIS SON have eternal death in the everlasting lake of fire which is called the 2^nd death (Revelation 20:10, 14-15).

So back to my question.  What does it mean that GOD the FATHER turns one who became HIS child through faith in JESUS (John 1:12-13) over to the tormentors until he paid his debt?

Probably, I recognized the answer this time around when I read this illustration because the day before we studied our life group GOD the FATHER’s role of discipline/ child raising of all who have been born children of GOD.  GOD the FATHER disciplines all HE accepts and loves in Hebrews 12:4-11 and 1 Corinthians 11:31-32.

GOD has declared that all who love HIM will be transformed (changed like a caterpillar into a butterfly) into the very nature of JESUS CHRIST who has the divine nature (Romans 8:28-29).  HE (JESUS) whose great desire drove HIM to humble HIMSELF and be made a man and bore our sins on the cross because HE loves mercy and forgiveness.

Now GOD uses what HE sends/allows to come into our lives to achieve that transformation in us (Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 4:15-17). As we are told in Genesis 50:20 what the enemy means for evil, GOD uses for good to help many. Besides changing us, our struggles/ discipline somehow will bring GOD glory.

If we have forgiven one who has sinned against us yet unbidden thoughts of wrongs against us come into our minds it is a test/ temptation.  We just need to REFOCUS by taking those thoughts to JESUS, submitting ourselves to GOD and resisting the devil’s taunts (James 4:7, 2 Corinthians 10:5) like JESUS did by quoting scripture to him (Matthew 4:3-11).

Now when we have not forgiven, the HOLY SPIRIT convicts us (John 16:8) and we confess, GOD will forgive us and will not need to discipline us (1 John 1:9, 1 Corinthians 11:31).  But when we are convicted but don’t pay attention then GOD must discipline us in order to turn us to do right.  This discipline can get very grievous (1 Corinthians 11:32, Hebrews 12:11).  If we keep refusing to listen, then the discipline gets harder and harder just as when we discipline our children. 

But note: the purpose of the discipline is so that we won’t be condemned with the world (1 Corinthians 11:32) but that it will produce the divine character of righteousness in us (Hebrews 12:11)..

Remember Peter? GOD allowed Satan to sift him as wheat. (Luke 22:31) I would compare that to turning him over to the tormentors. And when there is unforgiveness in our lives we have torment when we think of the wrongs against us. When Peter learned his lesson GOD used Peter mightily, just as HE will use any once they learn through discipline. 

So, I saw that it was out of LOVE for one of HIS blood bought children that a stubborn child is turned over to the tormentors. 

There are some I pray for those who have been turned over to the tormentors.  I pray 1 John 5:16 for them, knowing that if they believe/ trust in JESUS they have not committed the sin that leads to death.  John 3:36, 2 Thessalonians 2:10 and Revelation 20:15 show us that only those refuse JESUS offer of forgiveness have committed that sin that leads to death.  That sin is called blaspheme against the HOLY SPIRIT because when one refuses the conviction of the HOLY SPIRIT that leads to faith in JESUS there is no other way to be saved (Matthew 12:31, Luke 12:10).

Hugs

Sharon

Does HE or doesn’t HE?

GOD says, “Call unto ME and I will answer and show you great and mighty things you know not” (Jeremiah 33:3).

GOD will answer our questions, in HIS time, IF we are seeking and listening.

“Through desire (wanting to learn) a man separates himself (gets alone with GOD) seeking (in the Word and prayer) he inter-mingles all wisdom (connects the dots of what he hears to grasp the truth)” (Proverbs 18:1)

“The heart of the prudent (one who considers what is said) gets knowledge, the ear of the wise (one who carefully listens) seeks knowledge” (Proverbs 18:15)

A friend thought I was a bit touched in the head (delusional) since I sometimes say GOD told me. She knows JESUS as her Savior and said she believed the Bible and though Philippians says: “For GOD is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him, yet she doubted that GOD speaks into the hearts of people anymore.  She’d asked to hear HIM, but HE never responded.

This gal had been struggling with different members of her family.  I had previously urged her to forgive the one who had hurt her so deeply, sharing the Bible truth that unless she forgave that one, the others in her family wouldn’t forgive her of things they perceived wrong (Luke 6:37-38).  I was trying to warn her.  For one of the GOD’s ways is ‘what you sow you will reap’ If you do not forgive others neither will others forgive you.

Galatians 4:^7 “Be not deceived; GOD is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

That principle is seen in the Old Testament as well as the New.  The Message bible translates Psalm 57:⁶ “They booby-trapped my path; I thought I was dead and done for. They dug a mantrap to catch me and fell in headlong themselves.” 

She rejected my counsel.

Then one day, as I sat on my porch swing, she joined me and was glowing. Then she related some recent events.  My friend said one day she went out walking and her depression hit such a low level that she felt there was nothing left in life for her but rejection and pain. So she cried out in desperation for GOD to take her home to heaven. 

Immediately she heard, “No!  It’s not time, you have things to do.” 

That really shook her up.  She ran into the nearest store, went into the bathroom and fell on her knees before GOD.  Just then her phone rang. It was the one she needed to forgive.  That one asked for forgiveness, and my friend freely gave it. 

Since she forgave the one who had hurt her, she has begun recognizing the LORD’s leading of holding her back or nudging her ahead and has seen encouraging results from obeying the HOLY SPIRIT’s leading.

My friend has learned that GOD will not tell us anything more until we do what HE has already urged us to do.  We initially know the next step of what HE wants us to do, for HE places it in our hearts and minds (Philippians 2:13, Hebrews 10:16).

She laughed and said, “I thought you were crazy Sharon, but now I understand.  I believed, but I held on to my own understanding and wouldn’t blindly do what GOD’s word said.”

Jeremiah 29:¹³ “And you shall seek ME, and find ME, when you shall search for ME with all your heart” 

Then she said, “Nothing has changed, but everything is new, because my perspective is different and I have peace, I have hope and I can hear from GOD!” (Romans 12:1-2).

1 Timothy 4:¹⁵ “Meditate on these things; give yourself wholly to them; that your profiting may appear to all.

Hugs

Sharon

Chill

Do you ever get irritated by what another does or says?

Do you act out your irritation or do you run to the throne of grace to see how to respond?

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge HIM (talk it over with HIM) and HE will direct your paths.  Be not wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

GOD gave us HIS word to show us HIMSELF and to give us instructions. When we refuse to follow GOD’s instructions, we are turning our back on GOD and forsaking the mercy and grace HE offers to us. Instead of running to HIS throne for mercy and grace to help we turn away from GOD saying by our actions, “GOD YOU don’t know what YOU are talking about.“

This is true for whatever instruction HE gives us in HIS WORD, whether it is to believe on the LORD JESUS and be saved (John 3:16, Romans 10:13), to be kind to others, to witness, put up with those who annoy us or to forgive.

In our irritation with people GOD says, “Put up with one another, be ready to forgive and don’t hold grudges. If anyone has a quarrel against another, even as CHRIST forgave you, so you also must forgive others (Colossians 3:13).

Forgiveness describes GOD’s nature. Look to what extent HE went to in order to be able to forgive us. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD” (Romans 6:23).

If we refuse to believe in JESUS, our sin remains on us, and we are condemned along with the devil and his demons. But “GOD so loved the world (mankind) that HE gave HIS only begotten SON (JESUS to die on the cross, carrying our sins) that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Even today GOD is waiting for sinners, waiting to give more opportunities that they might come to JESUS and be saved, (2 Peter 3:9).

GOD longs to forgive, HE takes no delight in the death of the wicked but wants him to turn from his own ways and live (Ezekiel 18:23,32).

GOD is waiting and we who believe in JESUS have been told witness/ to get the word out (Acts 1:8, 2 Peter 3:15).  Part of that witness is how we act, for people think our GOD is like us.

GOD loves to forgive… it is part of HIS divine nature.  Is there any unforgiveness in you that is blocking your witness of JESUS?

There may be things in your life that you’re angry about. GOD tells us in HIS word to run to the throne of GOD (pray) for mercy and to get the grace to help forgive so we can offer GOD’s forgiveness to others.

Note: Forgiving someone doesn’t mean that you are saying another was not to blame or that what was done was OK. Forgiveness is letting go of the right to get even. Forgiving others is an important step in your own healing, and without it you cannot heal. The bottom line is that when you forgive someone who has wronged you, you are then set free of anger and hatred that poisons you and overflows to others. But if you choose forgiveness, hope and healing begins.

“Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of GOD whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger and shouting and harsh words be put away from you with all ill intent. Instead, be kind to each other, forgiving one another just as GOD for CHRIST’s sake forgave you” (Ephesians 4:30-32)

Hugs

Sharon

Do you ever hold a grudge?

August of 1968, we moved to a cabin surrounded by tall pines off the beaten path in northern California. These pictures show my two girls 1^st drinking milk.

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby (1 Peter 2:2)

The 2^nd snap shot reveals a residue of milk above their top lips.

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass (mirror)for he sees himself, but goes his way, and straightway forgets what manner of man he was (what he saw in the mirror) (James 1:23-24). 

This morning as I was reading the word of GOD and came to the words “grudge not against one another lest you be condemned” (James 5:9)  I felt a prick in my spirit for I knew I held a grudge, I had not recognized my grudge as such, thinking it was just a momentary feeling I got when certain things occurred. But the Word of GOD, showed me where I was at.

I was caught with milk on my upper lip and I wasn’t about to leave it there.

 Going to the Greek to examine the passage more closely to see what the words actually meant.  The Greek word for grudge means to groan, sigh, or complain/ grumble or give vent to censorious feelings against another. 

My eyes were opened to how I was grudging=holding on to resentment and even some hostility toward one specific person.  I saw how wrong I was and knew immediately what I needed to do.  I confessed my sin of grudging and asked GOD for grace to release the resentment (Hebrews 4:16) even if the situation continues as it has for years.  Then thanking the LORD for 1 John 1:9, I told HIM I wanted to understand it all a bit more.

 ^“If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Wanting to check out the consequences of grudging, since they seemed so severe for the act itself, I went to my Greek.  That word translated judge there means to call into account/ judge.  My thoughts flew to another text, being that is often how GOD talks to me (Proverbs 21:1), I turn there.

“But if we judged (examined) ourselves truly (when we see we have done wrong and confess our sin-1 John 1:9), we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the LORD (because we have not accepted HIS words and continue in the sin), we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:31-32 ESV).

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the LORD, nor be weary when reproved by HIM.  For the LORD disciplines the one HE loves, and chastises every son whom HE receives” (Hebrews 12:6 ESV)

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11 ESV).

That whole picture is so beautiful.  GOD does not let HIS children get away with sin. Because sin damages.  1^st HE shows them they are wrong.  If they confess, they are forgiven but if they continue, HE disciplines them so that they will grow in righteousness. 

GOD’s long suffering with us is amazing and how HE loves those who believe in JESUS.

Hugs

Sharon

Snake lifted up

As a short, freckled faced, redheaded six-year-old girl living in the mountains of Northern California, I was a little tomboy who climbed mountains and trees and dug for worms to sell to the tourist fishermen.  My daddy yearned to have a son, but ended up with three daughters, that may have influenced some of my tomboyish ways, who knows? 

Daddy was a teacher, and for one learning session he took us, the handful of students from his one room schoolhouse, down the hill to the meadow across the highway.  He led us to the small creek, lined with fuzzy brown cattails.  There he caught a small harmless snake that caught his eye as it soundlessly slithered through the grass.  Dad said the snake was harmless and I believed him.  Feeling very brave, I begged Daddy to let me carry it back to the schoolhouse, and with a wry smile he handed the colorful little snake to me.  But the little girls who saw the snake, squealed, and scattered.  So naturally, I began to chase them with the snake held out in front of me, laughing all the while.

That incident was decades ago.  Today, snakes are not my favorite thing, I definitely would not play with one.  In some countries snakes are revered.  The devil took the form of a snake to entice Eve to commit the first human sin.  GOD put a special dislike of snakes in women, back then in the Garden (Genesis 3:15) for that 1^st lady listened to that snake and by believing the snake she fell into sin.

From that time on a snake was a symbol in the Bible of sin.

GOD delivered the Jews who’d been cruelly treated as slaves in Egypt because they cried out to the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY (Exodus 3:9).  GOD delivered them through Moses from slavery by a strong hand doing great miracles.  But the Jews had two major weaknesses.  The Jews had very short memories, they forgot how cruelly they had been treated in Egypt and they didn’t trust the power and goodness of GOD though HE had proved it over and over.

When problems came, instead of asking GOD for help they murmured and complained, and cried out, “Where is GOD?” or “Let’s go back to Egypt.” (Exodus 16:3) Even so, GOD, in HIS great mercy, always came through for them and met their need.  HE fed them with manna (the corn of heaven/ angels food) from heaven (Deuteronomy 8:3, Psalm 78:24-25), and once when they didn’t have water, GOD told Moses to strike a rock and out gushed water.  There was enough water for all to quench the thirst and being there was over a million people, plus all their cattle and sheep that was a lot of water! (Exodus 17:6).

Even after seeing GOD deliver them over and over, providing them with food and water, defeating their enemies, the Israelites continued to murmur and complain.  Sick and tired of daily problems, and delays (sound familiar?) they became discouraged, impatient, and at the end of their endurance.  Plain and simple, they forgot all GOD had done for them.  They trusted GOD to get them out of Egypt, but didn’t trust GOD to fight their daily battles, or meet their needs.

Sometimes you and I act just like them.

As GOD’s people they needed to learn to trust GOD.  The way on learns to trust is though seeing GOD at work which means PROBLEMS.  To learn to trust, you must have situations where you need to trust. Every time they failed the test, it meant another round in the Wilderness. Trust was necessary before GOD could do for them all the wonderful things HE wanted to do for them.

After years of this the people became very discouraged because of their struggles and spoke against GOD and Moses.  So, the LORD sent fiery serpents among them.  When a person got bit, they died.  Immediately the people understood it was their murmuring and complaining that had caused this, so they ran to Moses and begged him to pray to the LORD for them.  GOD told Moses to do a strange thing.  HE told him to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole and put in on a high place, so all the millions of Jews could see it.  If someone got bit, all he had to do was to look at the snake on the pole and he would live.  But, if he didn’t believe GOD’s word that looking at the snake would help, and refused to look at the snake, he would die. (Numbers 21:4-9).

JESUS talked about that very snake on a pole.  HE said, “As Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man (JESUS) must be lifted up so whosoever believes in HIM, should not perish but have eternal life.  For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM, should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:14-16).

Just as the Jews had to look to the snake on a pole, to be cured from the deadly snake bites; so, we must look to JESUS, who carried our sin on the cross, to be cured/ forgiven of our sins and made righteous in GOD’s eyes (Romans 3:20-22). 

If a Jew had been bitten by a snake and refused to look to the snake on the pole, he died.  All of us have sinned (Romans 6:23) and if we believe in JESUS and look to HIM to save us we are forgiven and gain eternal life.  But if we refuse to look to JESUS and believe and call on the name of LORD JESUS to save us (Romans 10:13), we will die in our sins (John 8:24) and the wrath of GOD will be on us (John 3:36).

Did you notice it was the murmuring and complaining that got the Jews into trouble?  Why would murmuring in hard situations get GOD so mad? It shows a lack of trust in GOD amazing wisdom and power. 

Do you, do I ever murmur or complain? Or do we look to JESUS who bore our sin on the cross and promises to help us if we come boldly to HIM in prayer? (Hebrews 4:16).

Looking unto JESUS, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

Hugs

Sharon

Roots under the surface

Tree roots broke my friend’s sprinkler line. Ugh! That shows that things under the surface, things we don’t see, can really be dangerous and cause big problems. 

Those tree roots in Barb’s yard made me think of what GOD said in Hebrews 12:15

Looking diligently lest any man fail of (fail to use) the grace of GOD; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled (Hebrews 12:15).

When we feel we can’t, or refuse to forgive, a root of bitterness will spring up and cause all kinds of problems and others will be hurt by it as well.

Notice the verse says we need to watch out against bitterness. That means that bitterness is a consequence of a deliberate choice.  We are told that we have to guard against it by using grace.

Grace undeserved favor.  It is only found in JESUS.

John 1:17- “The law (an eye for an eye) came by Moses, but grace (undeserved favor) and truth came by JESUS CHRIST.”

HE came and died for us when we were HIS enemies.  Now as GOD’s children (John 1:12) we are told to forgive as GOD forgave us.

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as GOD for CHRIST‘s sake has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).

“But GOD, who is rich in mercy, for HIS great love wherewith HE loved us,  Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us (made us alive) together with Christ, (by grace you are saved” (Ephesians 2:4-5).  “For by grace you have been saved through faith (believing in JESUS) it is the gift of GOD not of works lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

GOD forgave us when we were in sin, when we didn’t deserve it and when we were hostile to HIM when we believed in JESUS (John 3:16, 36).  That kind of forgiveness of an unrepentant offender can be so hard, even impossible on our own. 

But we are promised the grace to help us forgive.  That grace to help us in our times of need is found only at the throne of grace as we stop and ask GOD for help (Hebrews 4:16).

Isn’t GOD is amazing?  Whenever HE asks us to do something HE offers to supply everything we need to get it done!  But we need to ask.

Hugs

Sharon

Footholds are for climbing

Climbing up and over some rocks to get to Gold Lake I had to find grooves in the rock, FOOTHOLDS, in order to ascend and take my next step. Without FOOTHOLDS, I could not have made it to the top and gone down to the crater lake.

GOD sent JESUS to die for us so that HE could forgive us and make us part of HIS forever family if we will simply believe in HIM and trust HIM (John 3:16).  Although HE freely gives forgiveness to any who believes in JESUS.  The purchase of forgiveness for the human race cost both GOD the FATHER and JESUS- GOD the SON a bundle.

Being bought with a price we now belong to HIM (1 Corinthians 6:20). 

GOD tells us to forgive even when those who have wronged us aren’t sorry, just like HE sent JESUS for us when we were yet sinners and forgave us for CHRIST’s sake (Ephesians 4:32).

We are warned (Ephesians 4:26-27) that when we are angry and refuse to forgive, when hold a grudge or onto a hurt, we give the devil a foothold so he can control us.

Although believers in JESUS belong to GOD when we refuse to forgive as GOD forgave us through JESUS we in effect have turned away from GOD. That happens whenever we deliberately do ANYTHING we know we should not do. 

With our back to GOD, we are in the dark so don’t see things clearly.  That allows Satan access to us and he is ready to take an advantage over us that he has no right to (2 Corinthians 2:1-11).  He catches us in his snare so we will do his will ( 2 Timothy 2:26).

Praise the LORD when we become aware of displeasing GOD, through the prodding of the HOLY SPIRIT, and CHOOSE to acknowledge we were wrong and turn from our sin to GOD by confessing our wrong HE forgives us our sin and cleanses from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). 

At the moment we confess our sin the FOOTHOLD the evil one had in us crumbles and the chain that kept us captive is cut in two, and we escape the snare of the evil one (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

Is there someone or something you need to forgive?

Hugs

Sharon

How can we tell?

How can we tell if GOD is showing us something HE wants us to change (CONVICTION), or if the devil is putting us down to defeat us (CONDEMNATION)?

The word condemn is a key to determine who is doing the talking.  To be CONDEMNED holds an eternal punishment fitting to the wrath of GOD against all sin.

But GOD laid on JESUS the sins of all (Isaiah 53:6) so all who come to HIM (JESUS) are cleansed from their sin.

Much more then, being now justified by JESUS blood, we shall be saved from wrath (of GOD) through HIM (Romans 5:9).

He that believes on HIM (JESUS) is NOT COMDEMNED: but he that does not believe IS CONDEMNED already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten SON of GOD (John 3:18).

He that believeth on the SON has everlasting life: and he that believeth not the SON shall not see life; but the wrath of GOD abides (stays) on him (John 3:36).

And this is the CONDEMNATION, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil (John 3;19).

Verily, verily, I (JESUS) say unto you, He that hears MY word, and believes on HIM (GOD the FATHER) that sent ME, has everlasting life, and shall not come into CONDEMNATION; but is passed from death unto life (John 5:24).

For if we would judge ourselves (confess and turn from sin), we should not be judged.  But when we are judged, we are chastened (disciplined) of the LORD, that we should NOT be CONDEMNED with the world (1 Corinthians 11:31-32).

There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to them which are in CHRIST JESUS (Romans 8:1).

So, if you feel CONDEMNED and defeated you know that it is the devil talking.  GOD will and does correct us, but it is always by letting us know the next step we should take.  There is always hope when GOD is correcting us.

Hugs

Sharon

How many times?

Have you ever known someone who kept stumbling into the same sin again and again?  Its easy to think “shame on them.” But let’s not be too quick to judge that one. It took me years to learn not to jump to conclusions and judge the heart of another, which is itself a sin.

I know a gal who loves the LORD yet she when she gets in a certain situation she slips into sin.  My friend was so discouraged.  She wondered if GOD would forgive her again.  But as we prayed together I asked, “How many 2nd chances (new beginnings) are there for ______, LORD?”

JESUS answered me immediately by bringing a verse to my mind. “70 times 7” (an idiom meaning times without number).  As I told her what the LORD reminded me of, she beamed.

Peter had asked JESUS how many times he had to forgive and then put a number by it.  “Even 7 times?”   (Matthew 18:22).  Actually, he was really being generous for the Rabbinical rule (taken from Amos 1:6) stated that you were to forgive 3 times period.

But JESUS who was going to die for all sin, went past the man-made ideas.  If a believer, cleansed by the blood of JESUS wants another chance, all they have to do is go to the throne of grace and they will find mercy (forgiveness) and be given grace to help them overcome whatever they are struggling with.

And there is more.  When we believed in JESUS and called on the name of the LORD we were saved, given eternal life (John 3:16,36, Romans 10:13) and GOD the FATHER transferred us out of the power of darkness and placed us into the kingdom of HIS dear son (Colossians 1:13).

We also were sealed by the HOLY SPIRIT (Ephesians 1:13-14). HE baptized us into the body of CHRIST (1 Corinthians 12:13,27) and teaches us (John 14:26), leads us and when necessary convicts us, prays for us in our weaknesses (Romans 8:26) plus so much more.

I am so glad my Savior the LORD JESUS CHRIST whose blood on the cross paid for all my sin didn’t stop there but will save me to the uttermost because HE lives forever to intercede for me.

Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering HE (JESUS) hath perfected forever them that are sanctified (it is a process).

Hebrews 7:25 Therefore HE is also able to save forever (to the uttermost) those who come to GOD through HIM, since HE always lives to make intercession for them.

It is as Martin Luther said, “A Christian is at one and same time sinner and righteous person.  He is a sinner in fact (for he falls short of the glory of GOD), but a righteous person by the sure reckoning and promise of GOD (Romans 3:21-23) that HE will continue to deliver him from sin until HE has completely cured him (Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 12:11). So, he is totally healthy in hope, but sinner in fact.  He has the beginning of righteousness so always continues more and more to seek it, while realizing he is always unrighteous.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that HE which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of JESUS CHRIST:

Behold, what manner of love the FATHER has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of GOD…Beloved, now are we the sons of GOD, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when HE (our LORD JESUS CHRIST) shall appear, we shall be like HIM; for we shall see HIM as HE is (1 John 3:1-2).

Hugs

Sharon

Why forgive

My hearing dulled during my recent sickness, the audio of last night’s service was garbled and try as I may I could not understand. But Praise the LORD, with your prayers I am so much improved  that when I tuned in to the service online this evening (with ear phones in place and the volumn on high) I was greatly blessed. The sermon of putting away anger in its different form shows it as part of our selfish old sin nature that feels we deserve better.  It was a wonderfully true challenging scriptural sermon, but one that can only be done by applying 2 Timothy 1:14 ‘…keep (or done through) by the HOLY SPIRIT who dwells in you.” The emphasis that anger in its different forms were all about selfishness and the only way to get rid of it is humbleness working through forgiveness.

Yet, one verse Quin used troubled me. Not that it was not true, not that it didn’t fit, but because I have never fully understood that verse in connection with the gospel of JESUS CHRIST

So, I hastliy jotted a note to the HOLY SPIRIT, feeling a need of a reminder while hoping I’d not miss much of the sermon.

“Help me understand!”

“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15).  Isn’t our forgiveness based soley on JESUS shedding HIS blood on the cross? (Hebrews 9:22).

I went back to my note after the sermon and the HOLY SPIRIT said merely “1 Corinthians 11:31-32”.

Duh! I had my answer. It is speaking ‘in time on earth’. Let me explain. This passage speaks to Christians.

1 Corinthians 11:31 “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”

That is when the SPIRIT convicts us we are wrong and we agree with HIM and confess our sin, we are forgiven (1 John 1:9) and GOD need take no more action.

            but

1 Corinthians 11:32 “But when we are judged, we are chastened by the LORD, that we should not be condemned with the world.

But if we ignore the conviction of the HOLY SPIRIT (and refuse to judge ourselves and confess), GOD must take action.  This chastening is explained in more detain in Hebrews 12:4-11.  It is discipline and its purpose is beautifully explained in

Hebrews 12:11“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous (its not fun), but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto those who are exercised thereby  

You see, when we will not yield to the conviction of the HOLY SPIRIT, GOD our Father must step in and discipline HIS child.  HIS discipline proves you are HIS child (Hebrews 12:5-8) and that HE is fulfilling HIS responsibility of HIS decree (Romans 8:29) to transform you into the likeness of JESUS (like from a catapillar to a butterfly).  The reason is transformation and outcome is so we will not be condemned with the world.

It is so much easier and less painful, to with HIS help (Hebrews 4:16), turn from our sins and obey than to resist the SPIRIT’s conviction and need to be taken to the woodshed (so to speak).

So let no root of bitterness grow in you (Hebrews 12:15)… forgive and be forgiven.

Hugs,

Sharon