It seems ridiculous that we should forgive people for horrible, terrible things they have done to us....until, that is, that we fully realize the extent of our offense against our Father. And yet, we were forgiven. If we really think about it, our conclusion will be that the ridiculous thing is that He forgave us.
23 "Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.
24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.'
27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.
28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you owe.'
29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.'
30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.
31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.
32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?'
34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.
35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Monday
He Has Destroyed It By Enduring It!
Let no one grieve at his poverty,
for the universal kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;
for forgiveness has risen from the grave.
Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.
—John Chrysostom, bishop of Constantinople; sermon, ca. 400
for the universal kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;
for forgiveness has risen from the grave.
Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.
—John Chrysostom, bishop of Constantinople; sermon, ca. 400
Wednesday
Gay - Why Does It Matter?
I've noticed some Jesus followers who are confused about standing against homosexuality. The subject causes many of us to cringe because we fear the "intolerant" label. In particular, the pro-homosexuality argument based around civil rights has become a popular one that many Christians find it difficult to argue against.
It is vital for us to remember that God's commands to us are always connected to His love for us. In the case of homosexuality, this statement could not be more true. But, I rarely hear the anti-homosexuality argument put forth with this in mind.
Homosexuality is an extremely destructive lifestyle. God knows this. Because of His unfathomable love for us, He warns and commands us to forsake it and turn to Him. What God knows and His reasons for hating this sin are borne out by the facts. As Christ-followers, we must be diligent and consistent at presenting these facts to the lost world and to Christians engaged in this lifestyle.
Studies have repeatedly shown that the average life expectancy of men and women engaged in the homosexual lifestyle is more than 20-30 years less than heterosexuals. On top of dying at unbelievably early ages, homosexuals often suffer horribly in the time leading up to their death.
Sometimes it seems like the only ones who speak out against this sin proclaim their hatred for gays and lesbians. Hatred is not what is needed. The redeeming love of Jesus Christ is all that is needed. First, to ensure an everlasting peace for all who trust Him - homosexuals included. Second, to help the people caught in the darkness of this sin to move into the light.
Without Jesus, many will suffer. We must love by explaining the specific consequences of this sin (and all sin). We must present Jesus Christ as a way out. The risk of appearing intolerant is one we'll just have to take.
It is vital for us to remember that God's commands to us are always connected to His love for us. In the case of homosexuality, this statement could not be more true. But, I rarely hear the anti-homosexuality argument put forth with this in mind.
Homosexuality is an extremely destructive lifestyle. God knows this. Because of His unfathomable love for us, He warns and commands us to forsake it and turn to Him. What God knows and His reasons for hating this sin are borne out by the facts. As Christ-followers, we must be diligent and consistent at presenting these facts to the lost world and to Christians engaged in this lifestyle.
Studies have repeatedly shown that the average life expectancy of men and women engaged in the homosexual lifestyle is more than 20-30 years less than heterosexuals. On top of dying at unbelievably early ages, homosexuals often suffer horribly in the time leading up to their death.
Sometimes it seems like the only ones who speak out against this sin proclaim their hatred for gays and lesbians. Hatred is not what is needed. The redeeming love of Jesus Christ is all that is needed. First, to ensure an everlasting peace for all who trust Him - homosexuals included. Second, to help the people caught in the darkness of this sin to move into the light.
Without Jesus, many will suffer. We must love by explaining the specific consequences of this sin (and all sin). We must present Jesus Christ as a way out. The risk of appearing intolerant is one we'll just have to take.
Tuesday
Deserting Jesus
It is difficult to imagine anyone suffering a more gruesome physical death than the one Jesus suffered.
...and that is exactly what happened. The Bible records that he was beaten so badly that he could not be recognized.
Jewish law prescribed that a scourging was 39 lashes with a whip of 9 tails. Each tail was made of leather, with sharpened animal bones and iron balls attached at the ends. A Roman soldier, probably of great strength, carried out the punishment on Jesus.
He also endured this: slapped; hit, beared plucked out, splinters from the rough wood penetrated his raw flesh, 3-inch thorns thrust into His is brow, the sun burned His skin, no water, spikes driven through his wrists and through the thickest part of both feet. Amazing.
It is easy to focus on the physical part of what Jesus endured. But, that was not the worst part. The worst part was the spiritual/relational part. Think about it.
Jesus' own nation rejected Him. What if ALL Americans turned against you and demanded your death. His friend Judas, whom He loved, betrayed Him to His death. When He needed them most, ALL of His best, closest friends fled and left Him to face death alone. Peter even denied He knew Jesus.
Then, His own Dad- God the Father, deserted Him.
There is nothing worse than separation from God. Being separated from God means that ALL the evil and depravity and curse and hatred and fear and bitterness are are ALL unconstrained and all-consuming. ALL love is absent when God is absent. It is too much for us to even begin to comprehend. Being separated from God is, without a doubt, the worse thing that could ever happen to anyone. In fact, all the evil things we've ever seen or could ever imagine combined cannot approach that level of awefulness.
That's what Jesus experienced. Much worse than we can imagine.
It had to happen. Jesus had to take our punishment.
When we think about Hell, what we think about is the fire and physical part. But, that is not the bad part. The bad part is the literal separation from our Dad - God the Father. This punishment is yours and mine. It is what we deserve.
God the Father has offered up Jesus. God is always just and He knows their must be punishment. But God is always love too. Justice requires our punishment. Love made Jesus a substitute.
What have you decided? Do you trust Jesus to be your replacement or are you ready to take your punishment? Easter is a good time to pick Jesus.
"They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him
and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again." - Mark
10:34
...and that is exactly what happened. The Bible records that he was beaten so badly that he could not be recognized.
Jewish law prescribed that a scourging was 39 lashes with a whip of 9 tails. Each tail was made of leather, with sharpened animal bones and iron balls attached at the ends. A Roman soldier, probably of great strength, carried out the punishment on Jesus.
He also endured this: slapped; hit, beared plucked out, splinters from the rough wood penetrated his raw flesh, 3-inch thorns thrust into His is brow, the sun burned His skin, no water, spikes driven through his wrists and through the thickest part of both feet. Amazing.
It is easy to focus on the physical part of what Jesus endured. But, that was not the worst part. The worst part was the spiritual/relational part. Think about it.
Jesus' own nation rejected Him. What if ALL Americans turned against you and demanded your death. His friend Judas, whom He loved, betrayed Him to His death. When He needed them most, ALL of His best, closest friends fled and left Him to face death alone. Peter even denied He knew Jesus.
Then, His own Dad- God the Father, deserted Him.
At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" which is translated, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?" - Mark 15:34
There is nothing worse than separation from God. Being separated from God means that ALL the evil and depravity and curse and hatred and fear and bitterness are are ALL unconstrained and all-consuming. ALL love is absent when God is absent. It is too much for us to even begin to comprehend. Being separated from God is, without a doubt, the worse thing that could ever happen to anyone. In fact, all the evil things we've ever seen or could ever imagine combined cannot approach that level of awefulness.
That's what Jesus experienced. Much worse than we can imagine.
It had to happen. Jesus had to take our punishment.
When we think about Hell, what we think about is the fire and physical part. But, that is not the bad part. The bad part is the literal separation from our Dad - God the Father. This punishment is yours and mine. It is what we deserve.
God the Father has offered up Jesus. God is always just and He knows their must be punishment. But God is always love too. Justice requires our punishment. Love made Jesus a substitute.
What have you decided? Do you trust Jesus to be your replacement or are you ready to take your punishment? Easter is a good time to pick Jesus.
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