Lord: I want to take you on this morning a little further than yesterday. It is very important that you nurture the concept of forgiveness, and tend it until it blossoms in your life. Forgiveness is a blossom which stays in bloom 24/7 and 365 days a year, if it is treated right and fed. The main problem man has with forgiveness is that guilt gets in the way. Every man, woman and child alive today is guilty of sin, yes even the smallest child is born into sin. But let's stay with those who are old enough to make decisions and map their own life. Because of the repetitive nature of sin, it keeps reoccurring. Man finds it very hard to forgive himself for his own weakness, and therefore reluctant to accept that anyone else could forgive him unconditionally. Because he, in a sense, refuses to forgive himself or accept forgiveness, it is hard for him to have any concept of forgiveness for others.
For this reason I sent Jesus into the world. Jesus is man; he was born of a human woman, exactly the same as every other man in the world, who has ever lived, except Adam. However, Jesus did not have a human father, I am his father, and it was the power of My Holy Spirit that overshadowed Mary so that she could conceive. Jesus showed mankind My loving, forgiving nature. He constantly showed this face to any who were locked into the clutches of sin.
When a young woman was caught in the act of adultery, she was faced with the prospect of being stoned to death. Now, according to their own law, the Jews were required to stone the man as well! But he was conveniently left out of the equation, which shows that this was a set-up, and proves that those who brought her to Jesus were all guilty, if not of sleeping with her themselves, or unconcern for her, and lack of forgiveness.
Jesus did not accuse them in so many words, but he showed them all that they all needed forgiveness, not only for their attitude to the woman, but also for their attitude to him, in trying to catch him out and so condemn him. Without pointing the finger at anyone in particular, He challenges each one of them to search his own heart, and look at his motives for calling for her death. One at a time they silently get up and leave, unable to stand blameless before Him. Finally, when all have left, He turns to the woman, who must have been very frightened and friendless up until that point. Then He, Jesus, who alone could have thrown the first stone, simply says to her, "I don't condemn you either, go and change your life style so as not to sin again." What music to the poor girl's ears.
You do not know the circumstances that led her into adultery, and you don't need to know, for it is not for one sinner to judge another sinner. Judgement is mine alone to give, and I have chosen to be merciful. Through Jesus on the cross, I have forgiven even the men who hammered the nails into his hands and feet. I forgave the thief who, recognising that he was being punished justly for his crimes, turned to Jesus and asked to be remembered before Me, when Jesus came into His kingdom. That honesty was rewarded by total forgiveness. If I can do it, so can you! Forgive those who sin against you, and be slow to condemn, lest you to be convicted and condemned for the sin that besets you.
Children, I love you, and that love include this precious gift of forgiveness, that is made possible by Jesus, dying in your place on the Cross. Love one another as I have loved you.
For this reason I sent Jesus into the world. Jesus is man; he was born of a human woman, exactly the same as every other man in the world, who has ever lived, except Adam. However, Jesus did not have a human father, I am his father, and it was the power of My Holy Spirit that overshadowed Mary so that she could conceive. Jesus showed mankind My loving, forgiving nature. He constantly showed this face to any who were locked into the clutches of sin.
When a young woman was caught in the act of adultery, she was faced with the prospect of being stoned to death. Now, according to their own law, the Jews were required to stone the man as well! But he was conveniently left out of the equation, which shows that this was a set-up, and proves that those who brought her to Jesus were all guilty, if not of sleeping with her themselves, or unconcern for her, and lack of forgiveness.
Jesus did not accuse them in so many words, but he showed them all that they all needed forgiveness, not only for their attitude to the woman, but also for their attitude to him, in trying to catch him out and so condemn him. Without pointing the finger at anyone in particular, He challenges each one of them to search his own heart, and look at his motives for calling for her death. One at a time they silently get up and leave, unable to stand blameless before Him. Finally, when all have left, He turns to the woman, who must have been very frightened and friendless up until that point. Then He, Jesus, who alone could have thrown the first stone, simply says to her, "I don't condemn you either, go and change your life style so as not to sin again." What music to the poor girl's ears.
You do not know the circumstances that led her into adultery, and you don't need to know, for it is not for one sinner to judge another sinner. Judgement is mine alone to give, and I have chosen to be merciful. Through Jesus on the cross, I have forgiven even the men who hammered the nails into his hands and feet. I forgave the thief who, recognising that he was being punished justly for his crimes, turned to Jesus and asked to be remembered before Me, when Jesus came into His kingdom. That honesty was rewarded by total forgiveness. If I can do it, so can you! Forgive those who sin against you, and be slow to condemn, lest you to be convicted and condemned for the sin that besets you.
Children, I love you, and that love include this precious gift of forgiveness, that is made possible by Jesus, dying in your place on the Cross. Love one another as I have loved you.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.