JESUS CHRIST

Forgive, and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37)

If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, “I repent,” forgive him.
(Luke 17:4)

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. (Mark 11:25)

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.(Matthew 6:12)

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.(Matthew 6:14-15)

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13)

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (Matthew 18:21-22)

**Copyright, 2002, Brian Campbell (Permission is granted to copy for personal use only.  

FORGIVE/FORGIVENESS

Excerpts from Dr. Brian Campbell’s Book:  “Godly Counsel.”
Copyright 2011, All Rights Reserved

“Forgive  and you will be forgiven.”

(Luke 6:27)

Forgive : to pardon; to waive any negative

feeling or desire for punishment

 

 

All of us have been hurt or offended by others at one time or an­other in our lives.  Sometimes these hurts run so deep that it’s hard to “let go” of them, even when the person who hurt us has apologized, repented, and asked for forgiveness .  When we begin to recognize the depth of our own sin, and the incredible sacri­fice that Jesus Christ made on the cross for our sin, we can begin to forgive others, and even ourselves.

 

Synopsis

 

We are all sinners.1 No one is perfect or good except God alone.When God first created the world, it was “good,”3 but sin soon entered in.  It was the mission of Christ to come to this earth to die for our sins so that we might be reconciled with God and have eternal life .4

 

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Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time

my mother conceived me.

(Psalm 51:5)1

No one is good—except God alone.

(Mark 10:18)2

 

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

(Genesis 1:31)3

 

For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous  for

the unrighteous, to bring you to God.  He was put

to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.

(1 Peter 3:18)4

 


When Christ died for us on the cross, He took away all of our sins.5  Everyone who believes in Jesus Christ, and acknowledges that He died for our sins, receives complete forgiveness  of sins.6  From God’s perspective , forgiveness  is a “one hundred per­cent,” all-or-none type of thing.  That is, when we accept Jesus Christ and repent  of our sins, God forgives each and every one of our sins, no matter “how many,” “how big,” or “how small.”

 

Scriptures give us vivid illustrations of how deep and complete God’s forgiveness  is for our sins.  For example, the Bible states that God: hides our sins behind His back;7 covers over them;8  doesn’t remember them anymore;9 removes them “as far as the east is from the west”;10 and, when God forgives us com­pletely we are “whiter than the snow.”11

 

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God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,

not counting men’s sins against them.

(2 Corinthians 5:19)5

Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness

of sins through his name.

(Acts 10:43)6

In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction;

you have put all my sins behind your back.

(Isaiah 38:17)7

You forgave the iniquity of your people

and covered all their sins.

(Psalm 85:2)8

Their sins and lawless acts

I will remember no more.

(Hebrews 10:17)9

As far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

(Psalm 103:12)10

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me,

and I will be whiter than snow.

(Psalm 51:7)11

God’s Guidance

 

Jesus Christ made it very clear that in order to receive the in­credible gift of forgiveness  from God, we must first forgive oth­ers.12 There is no “wiggle room.”  He stated that:  “if you do not forgive men of their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”13

 

As human beings, we often find it difficult to forgive the sins of others.  Deep down, we would sometimes like to “pick and choose” the sins of others that we will forgive, or decide on “how many” sins the other person has committed against us before they have “exceeded their limit” and we can no longer forgive them.  However, Scriptures  indicate that God does not allow for this type of “selective” forgiveness  when someone repents and asks us for forgiveness .

 

For example, God’s Word makes it clear that when we come to the Lord in prayer, if we hold “anything against anyone,” we are to forgive him.14  Along similar lines, we are to forgive “whatevergrievances you may have against one another.”15

 

FORGIVENESS

The Bible speaks about every person needing forgiveness and every person needing to forgive. Why? Because we are all sinners in need of God’s forgiveness. None of us is perfect. We need God’s grace and we need to extend that same mercy to others. This subject is the very essence of true Christianity. Until we understand it, we will not really understand God Himself.

Likely, if you are reading this page, you want to receive God’s forgiveness, and you want to forgive. You want your slate to be clean. The problem is how? If we do not receive this grace from God, and extend it to others, the Scriptures make it clear that we will die in our sins. God has made forgiveness so important, that all our happiness and fulfillment depend on it – in this life and in the next.
He knew that all of us, without exception will be wronged. Furthermore, all of us will treat others wrongly. All of us will sin against God and others. These sins block and hinder our relationship with Him. Jesus spoke more of forgiveness than possibly any other topic. This is a lesson we must learn on deeper and deeper levels until the very core of our being is changed into Love.
There is no life apart from God’s love. Therefore, there is no life apart from forgiveness, for forgiveness is the seal, the mark, and the proof of Love. If we say we have love and cannot walk in forgiveness, we deceive ourselves, and our “love” is only a parody of the real thing.

We All Need Forgiveness

The psychologist, Freud, accurately determined that the main source of all humanity’s woes are feelings of guilt. He came to this profound truth, but didn’t know what to do with it. Today, we are encouraged by pop psychologists to “feel good about ourselves,” and to do away with the troubling guilt that we all have. The Bible teaches the opposite. It says we must face our sin and deal with it – and only then can we have the peace that the world craves so badly. It can be a frightening and painful thing to face our sin, yet we will never receive healing unless we do. Our guilt will continue to torment us and wreak havoc on our lives until we receive forgiveness for our sins. The key is not to ignore our guilt or try to gloss over it, but to face it and seek God for forgiveness, through the blood of Jesus.
When Jesus died on the cross, He took our punishment upon Himself. He took the guilt of our sins and bore them in our place. He received all the emotional pain of the abuse, betrayal, injustice, and scorn that we ourselves have given and received. In a prophetic portrait of the future Christ, Isaiah wrote, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
Hebrews 9:22 says, “In fact, under the Law, almost everything is purified by means of blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is neither release from sin and its guilt nor the remission of the due and merited punishment for sins.” (Amplified Bible, emphasis mine)
The weight of sin is so great that only shed blood can atone for it. We treat it so lightly, yet all the world is reeling and stunted and dying under the consequences of it. In the days of the Old Covenant (before Jesus came), God made laws requiring specific animals to be sacrificed to atone for certain sins. The one who committed the sin, was to slay the animal himself. We look at the Old Testament and wonder why God would be so strict, so seemingly cruel, and so specific. In confusion, many of us have said “Well, that is how God was back then…” and we try to put it out of our heads. There is something we must understand about God though. He does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. What He hated 2,000 years ago He hates today, and will hate 2,000 years from now. He hates what destroys His creation, and He will be merciless against all forms of sin and injustice until every last bit is purged from us. (Please note that He is merciless with the sin, but not the repentant sinner!!)
Sin has destroyed this planet far more than even the most perceptive of us can realize. Only by shedding blood can we understand the extreme consequences of the price of sin. The shedding of blood is a vivid illustration that all sin will end in death. God, in His mercy, has allowed us to see and receive a small portion of the consequences of our sin in this lifetime, so we can change while we still have the opportunity to do so. After we die it will be to late.
When we see that the price that we must each pay for our sins is lifeblood of something or someone–and that there is no way around it–the debt must be paid, only then we begin to have a true appreciation of what happened on the Cross.
If we do not understand the Cross, we can never receive absolution from the guilt that eats away at us. The Cross is essential for us to have new life. It is our only path to freedom.

Walking in the Joy of a Clean Conscience

Up to this point, you may be feeling less optimistic than you did when you started this article. If you are, it is a good sign. Believe it or not, you are closer to freedom than you have ever been! As we stated earlier, to be free from any problem, we must first recognize that we have one. Sometimes this is the hardest part. Recognizing and dealing with our sin is the only way to overcome the consequences of it. Are you ready for the good news now?
You can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if you were to die tonight, you could stand before your Creator with a clean conscience. You don’t have to rely on hopeful wishes or vague optimism. You can be washed clean and fragrant and sparkling. You don’t have to hide from the guilty feelings that oppress you deep inside. You don’t have to mete out penance for yourself to ease your conscience. You don’t have to feel unworthy to come before the Lord in prayer, or accept the evil things Satan would try to do to you as your “punishment” from God. (Satan loves to masquerade as God Himself)!
God already punished Jesus in your place. If you were to receive your true punishment, you’d already be long dead! God’s grace has kept you alive this long for a reason. Part of it is bringing you to this very place so you can hear Him calling out to you. It’s not too late! No matter what you’ve done, it isn’t too late for you to repent and to change you ways! If you are willing and ready to change your life, God is more than ready to help you, forgive you and restore you.
When Jesus cried out “It is finished!” on the cross, and took His last breath, the curtain in the temple was ripped from top to bottom. This curtain was extremely thick, and separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. This inner sanctuary was where the presence of the Living God dwelled. No unclean thing could enter into this sacred place. A priest only went in once a year and if he had any sin in his life, he would die as he came to minister before the Lord. Yet, when Jesus finished the work on the cross, that curtain that kept us away from God’s presence was ripped open, symbolizing a new relationship that we can now have with the Living God.
Jesus’ atoning death on the cross made it possible for us to receive complete access to the presence of God. We can be forgiven of all our sins and no longer need to cower in the distance, afraid to face God. This problem has been dealt with once and for all, but we need to apply it for it to have any significance in our lives. This will not work if we agree only in theory. It must become a practical action in our lives.

Steps to Receive God’s Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not automatic. Through the blood of Jesus, every person alive has the opportunity to receive forgiveness, but it does not happen involuntarily. The Bible makes it clear that there are some conditions we must meet to obtain God’s forgiveness. Let’s look at the following verses to find out what we must do to obtain forgiveness.
    1. 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Hosea 14:2-3: “Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: ‘Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips…We will never again say ‘our gods’ to what our own hands have made’” (NIV). From the above verses, the first thing we see is that we must confess our sins. We must recognize where we have erred, and hurt God by our actions. When confessing your sins to God, be as specific as you can. General confessions do very little to convict of sin, or to convince God of your seriousness, or to bring healing in those areas.
    1. Isaiah 55:7: “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Ezekiel 18:21: “But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.” Our next step in receiving forgiveness, is to turn from our wicked ways and change them. We may struggle with a certain sin, but if our intent is truly to change our ways and overcome that sin, God will give us the grace to do it. Many want to receive forgiveness from God without changing their ways. God knows the difference between those who are sincere and those who are using Him to temporarily ease their conscience. He is not mocked or deceived. If one comes to him in sorrow, humility and sincerity, His grace is abundant. However, He has little patience for those who would abuse His mercy. Search your heart and ask God to give you the grace for true repentance, and the power of the Holy Spirit to make the changes you need to do. His greatest joy is to help those who repent in sincerity. This should include asking forgiveness of those you have wronged and making restitution to them. True repentance will always be accompanied by corresponding actions.
    1. Along these lines, the Bible also makes it clear that we are to “make right” any situations where we have failed in our responsibilities to others. Matthew 5:23-25 says ”Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.” Romans 13:7: “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor” (NIV). If we are sincere in our repentance we must be willing to pay the penalty for our crimes against others. This could include restoration of any goods, monies, or services that were taken wrongfully, (or never given at all, if we owed them). The Lord says to “agree with our adversary.” If we are in dispute with someone, that means we must admit to what we have done and quit trying to defend ourselves. If we are in the wrong (even partially) it is better to take responsibility for it, than to argue for our rights. Many of us have failed to give honor and respect to those who are due it. That includes elders of any kind. They may be our parents, those in ministry, government leaders, our employers, those who are merely older than us in general, etc. Even if we don’t agree with all their decisions, we are to honor and respect them for the office and position they hold. We are to refer to them with respect, both to their face and behind their back. Furthermore, God also commands us to treat everyone with common courtesy and respect regardless of who they are, because they are created in His image. Again, we do not have to concur with everything they do, but we owe them basic respect, out of respect for God. In fact, how much we really respect God will be evident in how we treat others. If you have failed to show proper respect and/or honor for someone, it is your responsibility to apologize (if applicable), and to change your ways. No one can do this for you. If you do not change your ways, you will face the inevitable slide into prideful self-deception and self-righteousness, both of which are an abomination to God.
  1. Matthew 6:14-15: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26: “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop – leave it, let it go – in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your (own) failings and shortcomings and let them drop. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings.”(Amplified) These verses are perhaps some of the least applied Scriptures in the Kingdom of God. Somehow, many of us are deceived into thinking that we do not have to take them literally. However, Jesus emphasized this principal over and over again in His parables and teachings. If we receive God’s forgiveness, it is our duty to forgive those who have wronged us. The two are inseparable. Jesus said plainly that God will not forgive us, if we do not forgive others. Many Christians are full of condemnation and guilt because they still feel the weight of their sins, even though they’ve asked God to forgive them. Could it be that they have not been able to receive God’s forgiveness because they still have bitterness in their own hearts toward others? Sometimes, we may carry bitterness and hurt so long, that we no longer even recognize it as a problem. It becomes a part of our very nature. We may not scheme for revenge, but our souls are clouded with a quiet, persistent bitterness.
Some of us have been betrayed in devastating ways, and have suffered profoundly at the hand of abusive people. Others have been horribly mistreated by those of other races, nations, and religions. If you are suffering with deep unhealed wounds, know the Lord has also been hurt with your pain. He loves you and wants to heal you. It is because of His great love for you that He is calling you to forgive. It is your only release from the emotional prison that you are now in.
You do not have to live in a continual state of submission to evil emotions. You can be free of them, through the power of the cross. “Behold, I make all things new” says the Lord. You can be made new on the inside, and no longer staggering under a load of bitterness, hatred, pain, and depression. God wants to set you free right now!

Forgiveness in Practice

If you have been wounded, God will take even this frustration and pain of rejection in your life and work it for something good so you can be a vessel of healing to His people – if you let Him.
“…But what if they don’t even see how bad they’ve hurt me?” Whether they see it or not is between them and the Lord. Your responsibility is simply to forgive them.
“…I’m afraid if I forgive, I’ll only get hurt again.” If you call on the Lord for wisdom He will help you in your situation. If you are in an abusive relationship/partnership/friendship you need to pray about whether you should stay in it. You can still forgive them, but it doesn’t mean that you have to live with, or be closely associated with them. There is a difference.
“…If I forgive them, they’ll only go on hurting others.” If the person who hurt you has done it in an illegal way such as sexual abuse, theft, murder, etc., you have a responsibility to do all you can to stop others from being hurt in the same way. However, you can still forgive them, in the sense that you do not actively hate them, and can pray for God’s mercy on them.
When God forgives us, He no longer holds our sins against us. Therefore, we don’t have the right to hold others’ sins against them–not if we belong to Jesus. If we belonged to the world, we could indulge in bitterness, but the blood-bought child of a merciful King has no such right.
Whether we “feel” forgiveness in our hearts or not, we are under obligation to obey God. As we obey Him, He will supply the feelings. Obedience must come first, then the right feelings will follow. We can’t wait for a special nudge from On High to get us to do what His Word already tells us plainly to do. The longer we wait, the worse off we will be. Oswald Chambers, in his famous devotional, “My Utmost For His Highest,” preaches strongly about this concept:
“Revise where you have become stodgy spiritually and you will find it goes back to a point where you knew there was something you should do, but you did not do it because there seemed no immediate call to, and now you have no perception, no discernment; at a time of crisis you are spiritually distracted instead of spiritually self-possessed.”
The best way to be rid of bearing a grudge against someone (or a race, nation, gender, or church, etc.), is to confess it to the Lord and seek His help. Then, begin to pray for that person as if you were praying for yourself.
“Lord, bless so and so. Cause their way to be pleasing to You in all that they do. Lead them closer to you! Cleanse them of all sin and give them the grace and strength to repent of any wickedness in their heart. Cause them to thirst for intimacy with You, and let them be fulfilled in Your presence. Let them honor You and put You first in all their ways. Send Your Holy Spirit to minister to them, to strengthen them, and to lead them. Let them fulfill the call of God on their life. Bless their family/job/ministry/etc. Cause them to be fruitful and to be established in your love. Minister to them in the area of their deepest needs. Help me to be truly concerned for them. Let me have your heart for this person. Show me how to pray for them and love them as you want me to….”
Then, bind away any spirit of deception that has come over them, or anything else the Lord may show you in prayer. This is what “loving our enemies” is all about. It is looking past the sin they have committed against us, and honestly wanting the best for them and for God to be merciful to them.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:44-48
As you are faithful to pray for those who have wronged you in this way, you will see a change come about in them–and in you!!! Instead of hate, you will begin to have God’s compassion for them. There is nothing that pleases the Lord more than to see His children bearing each other’s burdens, loving each other from the heart, and living in humility toward each other.

“Standing on the Promises of God”

Many have written us with a fear that perhaps they have “gone too far.” They have continually struggled with a besetting sin that seems to master them again and again. They wonder if they have lost their salvation, if God has given up on them, of if they were ever truly saved at all.
Please know this: If you are crying out to Him for forgiveness, it is only because He has given you the grace to do so–and He WILL answer your heart’s cry. If you were past the point of no return, you wouldn’t even care about the concept of forgiveness. It is only because you belong to the Lord that you are still seeking Him.
Jesus said in John 6:37, “All whom My Father has given (entrusted) to Me, will come to Me and I will most certainly not cast out–I will never, no never reject one of them who comes to Me” (Amplified).
If you are feeling weak, understand this about your beautiful Savior: “He does not crush the weak, or quench the smallest hope…” (Matthew 12:20, Living Bible).
God loves you and He is on your side to help you overcome sin. He is not against you. He is for you. Please refer to the above (and following) scriptures as often as you feel the need–as often as the devil would whisper lies of condemnation in your ear (Satan literally means “Accuser” and that is what he does best). Jesus stood against the devil with scripture and we should do the same thing! These promises are true and precious, for “God is not a man that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19). Even if you don’t “feel” forgiven, that is beside the point. God’s word is truer than our emotions.
All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. That is why Jesus died for us in the first place! This is the most basic tenant of Christianity, yet it seems it is the primary lesson we all must learn again and again. God doesn’t love us because we are worthy. He loves us because He IS Love.
Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised.) Hebrews 10:18-23
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him. In this way love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:16-18 (NIV)
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. Psalm 103:8-13
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me for I have redeemed you. Isaiah 44:22 (NIV)
He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Psalm 103:2-3
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 10:11
Jesus said that the one who is forgiven much will love much. We all need to be forgiven of much, but very few of us recognize it. If you recognize your sins and mourn deeply because of them, you are closer to true love than all the multitudes who are doing “just fine.”
However, just as there is a time to mourn for our sins, there is also a time to rejoice that we are truly forgiven and clothed in the very righteousness of Christ Himself. Once we have been forgiven, God wants us to walk free of the burden of guilt. That is why He assures us over and over in His word that He literally forgets our sins. I used to think preachers only made that up, until I saw it in the Bible. As if forgiveness were not enough, God also gives us the royal robes of holiness to wear. In Him, we are made righteous in Christ. If that is not something to rejoice about, nothing is! Praise God!!!
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

It Is Utterly Impossible For Love To Be Defeated

In all of God’s creation, one thing can absolutely never be defeated, and that is Love. Though it has been trivialized, mocked, perverted, ignored, and trampled on, True Love will eventually change the whole order and fabric of creation. It is impossible for this not to happen. God is Love, and God will never be defeated. Love cannot fail, but it will vanquish every foe that is set against it, of which unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred and pride are a part. These things will cease absolutely one day. But we can hasten that day and speed it’s coming, by applying the parameters of love to our lives now. If we do this, we wage spiritual war with the most powerful (and essentially only) weapon of spiritual warfare that there is.
We all love to talk about love in the abstract, but the depth of our commitment to it is revealed in our willingness and ability to forgive. It is the true measure of what sort of warrior we really are, in the kingdom of God. No matter what accusations the Enemy may make, forgiveness drowns them in the blood of Jesus, and turns the bullets of his words into butterflies. That is why forgiveness and walking in love cannot be mere options for the Christian. Either we do it, or we don’t. If we don’t, we deceive ourselves that we are Christ’s followers. If we want to follow
Jesus then we must walk where He walked. We must forgive as He forgives and love as He loves. The simplicity of this gospel is the only thing that can and will transform us–and the world!
We’ve all heard these words, but let’s read them again from the Amplified Bible:
Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy; it is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited–arrogant and inflated with pride; it is not rude (unmannerly), and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking ; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it–pays no attention to a suffered wrong. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness , but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best about every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances and it endures everything (without weakening). Love never fails–never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end.  1 Corinthians 13:4-8
If you need to pray for forgiveness, here is a sample prayer to help you:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for Your grace and mercy to me. Forgive me for my hardness of heart which I have displayed to others as well as You. Cleanse me of all self-absorption, self-pity, anger, hatred, bitterness, vengefulness, hopelessness and resentment. Help me to walk in Your love and to know Your love in my own heart. Though I don’t have it within me, I know that You have it within You and that you share your power with the weak. I confess my weakness and I look to You to make me strong in love, patience, longsuffering and humility. I look to all the testing of my faith as something good, for You know it will make me stronger in it. You are rich in mercy and will not chide and scold forever. I’m calling on You for forgiveness and the strength to believe Your Word and to follow it. Now, Lord, please send me the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen me so I can follow through with all You’ve put in my heart. Help me not to stumble back into my old ways, but walk in the newness of life that You have promised those who are born again. Let my life be the very fragrance of grace to all I meet. Let me show others the the kind of love that You have shown me. Thank you for your faithfulness Lord. I cling to your mercy and love You with all my heart.

How do I know what God’s will is for my life?

What is God’s will for your life? Many students desire to do God’s will, but struggle because they don’t know what God’s will is. The following are some principles from God’s Word that will help you to discern what God’s will is for you.
  1. God does have great plans for your life!
    We were created by God, in His image, for a purpose. Just as God set apart from birth Isaiah (Isaiah 49:1), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:5) and Paul (Galatians 1:15) for a specific purpose, he also has a specific plan for your life.
    “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declared the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).
    The Bible says that God’s will is “good, pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
  2. God’s will, first and foremost, is that we have a relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.
    “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4).
  3. God wants us to be Christ’s disciples.
    This means Christians must be committed to following God’s will daily, whatever the cost.
    “If anyone would come to me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
  4. The Bible will help us to know God’s will.
    “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).
  5. God promises to give us wisdom if we just ask Him in prayer, believing that He will give it.
    Sometimes we need to just ask God to give us wisdom to discern His will.
    “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
    In Philippians 4:6, God tells us that we can pray about everything.
  6. God has given us the Holy Spirit for guidance.
    “…when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13a).
  7. We should listen to the advice of godly men and women that God has placed in our lives.
    Many times the advice of a parent, pastor, youth minister, Sunday School teacher or other mature person is just what we need to hear to help us decide what God wants us to do.
    “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice” (Proverbs 12:15).
    “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22).
  8. The Bible says that there is a peace that comes when we are pleasing God with our lives.
    When deciding between two alternatives that you have been praying about, sometimes one of the options will give you a greater peace. That option is probably God’s will.
    “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever” (Isaiah 32:17).
  9. We should trust God in faith that He will accomplish His will in our lives.
    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
    “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in your will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
  10. God has given each of us gifts and abilities to use in His service.
    God always equips us to do what he calls us to do. If you aren’t gifted in a certain area, God is probably not calling you to minister in that area. (see Romans 12:6-81 Corinthians 12:1-11 andEphesians 4:11-13 for lists of spiritual gifts and a discussion of them.)
    Remember that God’s ultimate purpose for all of us is that He would be glorified (1 Corinthians 10:31) and that the gospel and God’s kingdom would be advanced (Genesis 50:20 and Philippians 1:12).
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TRUE MEANING

If God has spoken, then that is the end of it.

Please hear my caution. If God speaks, then you must hold onto what He says, and don’t let your sight interfere.

If you won’t listen to my words, then listen to the countless stories of the bible, where God makes a promise and then it seems all of the world tries to prevent that thing from happening. Joseph’s brothers threw him in a pit and sold him to the Egyptians. If Joseph had looked at his circumstances in jail in Egypt then he may have chosen to believe God’s words won’t come to pass.

Let’s take another example… one day you might be married, and if things go badly for your marriage, will you stick to your promise and covenant and the blessings and promises of God over your marriage? Or will you pay attention to the circumstances and leave your marriage?

What if God gives you and your wife a promise? If things go badly – as they surely will – and the promise looks impossible, will you abandon your calling? Jesus Christ said it plainly, anyone who puts their hand to the plough and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God. It takes strength and courage and tenacity

Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” – Luke 9:62.

We have a high calling and it requires us to be faithful to what God said. The bible says His words never return to Him void. The bible says that He is unchanging, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. I suppose the key question is… DID He speak? And what did He say? And if He did speak, you can be sure the enemy is mobilising his resources to ensure God’s words do not come to pass.

If one day He says something to you, hold onto it. And always remember… the bible is chock full of promises that apply to all believers. So if you think God has not spoken, you need to read your bible, because He has spoken through His Son Jesus Christ.

But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15 – As For Me And My House We Will Serve the Lord

STEP TO GOD

4 STEP TO GOD LOVES

God Loves You!
The Bible says, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life”
The problem is that . . .


2
All of us have done, said or thought things that are wrong. This is calledsin, and our sins have separated us from God.
The Bible says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” God is perfect and holy, and our sins separate us from God forever. The Bible says “The wages of sin is death.”
The good news is that, about 2,000 years ago,


3
God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.
Jesus is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. “God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”
Jesus rose from the dead and now He lives in heaven with God His Father. He offers us the gift of eternal life — of living forever with Him in heaven if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me.”
God reaches out in love to you and wants you to be His child. “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name.” You can choose to ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and come in to your life as your Lord and Savior.


4
If you want to accept Christ as your Savior and turn from your sins, you can ask Him to be your Savior and Lord by praying a prayer like this:
“Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.  Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life.  I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always.”
Did you pray this prayer?

YES                              NO 

Why does the bible say to love yourself?

“Love yourself”. Did you get a negative reaction inside yourself? Did the word “egotistical” come to mind?

I didn’t mean be self-centered, I meant: respect yourself, protect yourself, care for yourself. And do you know what? It’s OK!

The bible says to love yourself:

  1. Leviticus 19:18 (OLD Testament)
    “Never seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone, but love your neighbor as yourself
  2. Matthew 19:19
    Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’ “
  3. Matthew 22:39
    A second is equally important: `Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 
  4. Mark 12:31
    The second is equally important: `Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” 
  5. Luke 10:27
    The man answered, ” `You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, `Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 
  6. Romans 13:9
    For the commandments against adultery and murder and stealing and coveting–and any other commandment–are all summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 
  7. Galatians 5:14
    For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
  8. James 2:8
    Yes indeed, it is good when you truly obey our Lord’s royal command found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Hurt people, who have had little or no love in their lives sometimes read the bible and see only the anger of God, or they see the self-depreciating language and then decide that it was God’s will that they were not loved and that somehow a God of love thinks it’s ok that they were disrespected in their lives.

I remember clearly when the truth fell “into” me and I suddenly understood that my parents were meant to love me – that was their role in my life. Because they didn’t fulfill their role properly DID NOT mean that God thinks it’s ok for me to go through life without love.

I cried, because I understood that so much of my self-awareness and awareness of God was flawed – I had discovered that He loves me and He wants the best for me… and that my past experiences were not what He had in mind for me. Nor for you!

Some people might think that we should love others and we should quietly disrespect ourselves. If we do this, what message would we send to the people around ourselves… that they should disrespect themselves? But I thought we were loving them and building them up?

How can we have love for them if we do not respect ourselves?

Do you know these sayings?

  • If a child grows up in an environment of criticism, the child will learn to criticize.
  • If a child grows up in an environment of hate, the child will learn to fight.
  • If a child grows up in an environment of shame, the child will learn to feel guilty

If you are critical, if you’re ready to fight, if you always feel guilty… then those saying can give you an insight into what your home life might have been like.

But it’s not all lost. There is still time to grow and heal… these sayings might give you an insight into how to go forward in your life:

  • If a child grows up in a praising environment, the child will learn to appreciate.
  • If a child grows up in an encouraging environment, the child will learn to be confident.
  • If a child grows up in an environment of understanding, the child will learn to be patient.
  • If a child grows up in a just environment, the child will learn to be fair.
  • If a child grows up in a secure environment, the child will learn to trust.
  • If a child grows up in an approving environment, the child will develop self-esteem.
  • If a child grows up in an environment of acceptance and friendship, the child will learn to find love in people.

If you already have those characteristics in your day to day life, then that’s wonderful. But for the rest of us, we can think about how to change our environment and then see ourselves change.

Is it too late? Are we too old? No. Inside of us we might actually be feeling and behaving like lost children – so it’s not too old to grow up into strong men and women of God who have kindness and trust and love to give to the people around us!

If we will love ourselves, if we create in our world a feeling of praising, encouraging, understanding, security, approval, acceptance and friendship – then it makes sense that as we grow up into our manhood or womanhood… then we will in turn become appreciative, confident, confident, fair, trust, we will have good self-esteem and we will be able to find love in the people around us and TO GIVE LOVE to the people around us.

drinking_water_glass.jpgSo then, in order to love those around us, we must first love ourselves. In order to recover and heal, we must love ourselves.

This is the very first place you can begin to find love: yourself.

When you have begun to respect yourself, have good boundaries for yourself, when you get to know what you like and enjoy and DO those things – that’s when life get’s a whole lot easier… and that’s when you can turn to another hurting person and lead that person to heal and life.

If you want to read more, I recommend these posts as well

God bless you! I hope you leave a comment and share yourself, learn from others and grow.

Extra! (2 June 2010)

There is a wonderful debate in the comments section below. I love hearing from people when they share. Together we can develop a rich understanding of the bible by hearing each other’s point of view. So let me share another scripture with you which shows how you are meant to be treating yourself…

For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and carefully protects and cherishes it… – Eph 5:29

ARE you nourishing and carefully protecting and cherishing your own flesh – your body? Paul absolutely expects you to be taking care of yourself. He says “no man” would hate himself.

And the reason we are to nourish our own bodies, is so that we (men) can love our wives.

Even so husbands should love their wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and carefully protects and cherishes it, as Christ does the church – Eph 28-29

The expectation that Paul has is that you ALREADY  nourish yourself, and he wants you to nourish your wife. And the expectation in those 8 verses I quoted at the beginning of this article, is that you already love yourself (nourish, cherish, protect) and now God wants you to do the same for others.

But some people were not taught by their parents to nourish themselves. Perhaps they suffered abuse and no longer value themseves, perhaps some people hate themselves after that kind of experience.

No. God expects you to be “above only and not beneath” and the head and not the tail, and to love yourself and Paul expects you to nourish, cherish and protect yourself… and ALSO to do the same for others.

Remember the parable of the talents? If we use what we have received, He gives more. So AS you love yourself, go ahead and love others. A recent study shows a 40% decline in emphathy… what that means is that modern people have harder hearts than people living 20 years ago. So we have less to give.

But that is not God’s plan. Don’t use drugs, don’t go to churches where you feel controlled, don’t let people speak badly of you. Instead. Nourish yourself, cherish yourself, protect yourself… and then do the same for others.

God bless you on your journey to being the head and not the tail, to nourishing and protecting yourself!  Hallelujah!

Keep on reading

Some Christians want God to snap His fingers and heal them and they refuse to get help. Is this the right approach? Maybe take a moment to read my post: Should Christians get counselling for healing?

For further reading maybe try this post Emotional healing… what’s it like? or read some of my other posts on healing. I have written a companion post that you might benefit from reading: How to fill up the lonely hurt inside.  Get into the discussion. Share your experiences. Help someone. Receive help from someone too perhaps.

Forgiveness

VERSE OF RESPECT

1

1 Corinthians 6:20 ESV / 105 helpful votes

For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 66 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

1 Timothy 4:12-14 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.

Galatians 2:20 ESV / 21 helpful votes

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

2 Timothy 2:22 ESV / 19 helpful votes

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV / 14 helpful votes

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

1 Peter 2:5 ESV / 13 helpful votes

You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:9 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

Proverbs 17:22 ESV / 13 helpful votes

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

1 John 5:4 ESV / 12 helpful votes

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Romans 3:23 ESV / 12 helpful votes

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

1 John 5:3 ESV / 10 helpful votes

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 10 helpful votes

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV / 10 helpful votes

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

1 Corinthians 13:4 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

Colossians 3:9-10 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Psalm 56:2-7 ESV / 7 helpful votes

My enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life. …

Jeremiah 1:5 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Leviticus 19:32 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Colossians 3:21 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

John 1:9-13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Romans 3:1-31 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) …

Proverbs 10:17 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray