Forgiveness
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21,22.
Now here is Grace exemplified and explained. Peter speaks of the human response to an offender. He is concerned with the matter of an offending fellow traveler. He allows that there will be times that a brother will speak or act in a manner requiring a gracious response. Peter desires to be generous in his dispensing of forgiveness to such a one. He considers seven times, a good number, the allowable limit to grant a pardon.
The answer Jesus gave moved Peter into a whole other realm. While it is said among mortals, To err is human, to forgive divine, Jesus actually does reveal the Divine directive. More like, To err is human, to forgive many, many times is Divine.
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
For that great amplification to be accepted by those of us with the “enough is enough” tradition, Divine intervention definitely is required.
Herein is the matter resolved. Those who have been graced have the obligation to dispense grace to others. We are divinely enabled to do so. The forgiver inhabits the believer.
As children of God we walk in the presence of God’s forgiveness. Jesus personifies forgiveness. From the Cross He forgave his crucifiers.
He forgave the malefactor hanging on a cross next to him, and extended grace by promising immediate entry into paradise. Many during his ministry received forgiveness.
And now, as Peter addresses the matter, Jesus unveils the heart of the Father. Enter the kingdom and see the revelation. If men on earth are expected to forgive in such abundance, surely Deity has far greater capabilities. God forgives. Everything. Everybody. Always.
John explains further. 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.
Both the confessing sinner and confessing saint will engage the forgiving Father. And grace will justify you before His face because of the Cross. I always like to say, The cross is bigger than anything you can bring to it. So bring it. He will abundantly pardon and never remember it again.
Now, one last matter to touch on, a caveat of sorts.
Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Then he added in verse 14, 15: For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
So, finally. Grace dispensed is grace received. Forgive much, be forgiven much.
Do you owe somebody some grace? Forgive.
Do you need some grace? Be forgiven.
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt. -PJF-
And now a word from our Pastor…
Characteristics for Church Leaders
First Timothy chapter 3 gives us requirements for those who are considering the office of a bishop or a deacon. Of course the individual should not be dependent on alcohol, or someone who is always wanting what others have. It’s understandable to many that those qualities are not favorable for someone seeking a position in the church. But what about the other ones listed? I highlighted some that are not as obvious.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
After reading through the list of the highlighted phrases, you might conclude that those are understood and should be obvious as well.
Apparently not, these are the qualities that often get overlooked for a number of reasons. The ones seeking these offices should be blameless and hospitable. They should not be talking out of both sides of their mouths. Their wives should be honorable. Their households should be run well.
There are a lot we could go into in each one, but I believe you’re getting the idea.
Now, I am not suggesting that a momentary lapse of judgement or a season of hardship and trials should keep anyone from these roles. We all have things that we are dealing with, and some are beyond our control.
The trials alone are not the deciding factor. What’s important is how we deal with those things. During and even after, can it be said of the individuals that they were blameless? Would they receive a good report? Would God be glorified in the outcome?
When choosing church leaders it is important to pray and to follow the guidelines in the Bible. It will give everyone clear direction in what the church is looking for and what is expected of them.
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Psalm 4 – Saints
1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
There is a great difference between a saint and a sinner. Verses 2 and 6 shows the life of the sinner.
2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
David tells us the sons of men despise the sons of God. They like to find fault with, blame, and discredit the believer. They dishonor and insult those who walk with God. They attempt to take that which is honorable in the Christian and turn it into something he should be ashamed of. They desire to make him look foolish for his faith.
Instead of loving God, they love vain and empty pleasures. And instead of truth they pursue lies, or leasing. They would rather believe the lies of religions and cults than the truth of Jesus Christ. Lying is their language.
The unbeliever sees no good. She is pessimistic and if she comes upon a righteous soul she’ll label him a hypocrite and look for a way to undermine his uprightness.
Every believer has been a target of the faithless. We have suffered some form of persecution for the hope that is within us.
But the saint has God on his side. The Lord has set aside those who are godly for himself. That is the place of the highest honor and privilege.
We have God’s ear. And he comes through for us. He is trustworthy. He shines the light of his countenance upon us and we are glad. Hallelujah.
And we are able to sleep at night. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. Praise our God. -PJF-
Sing Like Only God Is Listening
Psalm 89:1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 96:1 O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth
Exodus 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Rev. 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. -PJF-
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