Post by Les Brewer on Mar 30, 2021 19:56:38 GMT
Universal Love
I am a pilgrim whose trek has been many years in the journey. At the first the flame of fire which burned within carried me for several years. It was the fire of first love and it consumed me and there was nothing I allowed to hinder the journey. I had never known a love so pure and a love that changed my mind, my actions, and my goals. Then came the first fall; evidently I had a firm grip upon the rod and staff which was provided me at the beginning of the pilgrimage. Shame rushed in like a river and the embarrassment overwhelmed me; I couldn’t believe it and if offended me to think that I had offended the Lord who had called me to walk alongside him. Yet with a loving hand stretch down where I was wallowing in my shame he spoke gently but firmly to get up we’ve got miles and miles to journey today. As he pulled me up his other hand came around to wipe the tears from my eyes and he whispered in my ear; have faith I heard your heart repenting my blood was there all the time. I forgive you!
Forgiveness is universal concerning sin and failure. Forgiveness is a keystone of our Christian Faith; yet I see thousands of Christians who have no forgiveness for someone whose past sins which have been eviscerated by the blood of Jesus. One major category is the political realm. From my study of scripture there is only one sin that is deemed impossible and unpardonable to forgive: and that is the full knowledge and being of sound mind when one blasphemes the Holy Spirit. Yet thousands of Christians will not forgive a repentant sinner; especially if that sinner happens to be a politician. I observed Presidencies that have change those politicians; some for the better and some for the worse. I watched Christians who hold a professing Christian Politician’s past sins against them. I expect that from the world: but when you’ve heard that a man or woman in office has received Christ as Lord and Savior their actions begin to show their confession. Forgiveness is in order!
However on the same line of unforgiving and unpardoning I’ve watched professing Christians turn against each other and never willing to forgive one another. To hold and nurture unforgiving-ness against someone for past actions which may be eviscerated by the blood of Jesus is unscriptural.
Let’s break down the word forgive: “for” is defined as “before”, “purpose to”; hence to purpose beforehand. Then let us break down the word “give” is defined as “to pay”; to present a gift, to sacrifice. The word of God teaches us that “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall”. Unforgiving-ness is an element of pride and haughtiness which is contrary to holiness which is “a broken and contrite spirit”.
When we forgive we’re supposed to forgive like Christ who forbear and forgave; and held no charge against us when we believed on him and confessed with our mouths in repentance! When we hold on to our own unforgiving-ness toward anyone it is to our own spiritual detriment. Just think; what if Christ Jesus wasn’t willing to forgive us based upon the thought we might do it again! He might have never died in our place or have forgiven us. Forgiveness is universal it applies to all things which we have committed again God and there is nothing we can’t forgive if we love people with the love of Christ. We’re allowed to hate sin; but are commanded to love the sinner. Jesus faced down the religious crowd of his day then he stooped down and drew something in the sand: then he stood up and announce concerning the adulterous woman caught in the very act: “He who is without sin among you cast the first stone”.
One Sunday morning I stood at the door of the church I was the pastor of with a bag of rocks and handed them out to each one as they came into the sanctuary. I told them I had an illustrative sermon that morning because some of my members were criticizing my leadership: I hadn’t sinned just made some decisions that didn’t set well with a couple of people. So as I preached I looked at all my members straight in the eyes and said “you who are without sin cast yours stones” and then I preached on my responsibility as the God ordained “little head” of the church and ministry God gave me. God touched hearts and our congregation was united because of it.
Brethren we cannot work together with unforgiven-ness in the midst of our congregations and in our gatherings. When we love our love will challenge those who don’t truly love, forgive, and accept others when they know in their heart of hearts they should. Selah
Ray Ritchie
I am a pilgrim whose trek has been many years in the journey. At the first the flame of fire which burned within carried me for several years. It was the fire of first love and it consumed me and there was nothing I allowed to hinder the journey. I had never known a love so pure and a love that changed my mind, my actions, and my goals. Then came the first fall; evidently I had a firm grip upon the rod and staff which was provided me at the beginning of the pilgrimage. Shame rushed in like a river and the embarrassment overwhelmed me; I couldn’t believe it and if offended me to think that I had offended the Lord who had called me to walk alongside him. Yet with a loving hand stretch down where I was wallowing in my shame he spoke gently but firmly to get up we’ve got miles and miles to journey today. As he pulled me up his other hand came around to wipe the tears from my eyes and he whispered in my ear; have faith I heard your heart repenting my blood was there all the time. I forgive you!
Forgiveness is universal concerning sin and failure. Forgiveness is a keystone of our Christian Faith; yet I see thousands of Christians who have no forgiveness for someone whose past sins which have been eviscerated by the blood of Jesus. One major category is the political realm. From my study of scripture there is only one sin that is deemed impossible and unpardonable to forgive: and that is the full knowledge and being of sound mind when one blasphemes the Holy Spirit. Yet thousands of Christians will not forgive a repentant sinner; especially if that sinner happens to be a politician. I observed Presidencies that have change those politicians; some for the better and some for the worse. I watched Christians who hold a professing Christian Politician’s past sins against them. I expect that from the world: but when you’ve heard that a man or woman in office has received Christ as Lord and Savior their actions begin to show their confession. Forgiveness is in order!
However on the same line of unforgiving and unpardoning I’ve watched professing Christians turn against each other and never willing to forgive one another. To hold and nurture unforgiving-ness against someone for past actions which may be eviscerated by the blood of Jesus is unscriptural.
Let’s break down the word forgive: “for” is defined as “before”, “purpose to”; hence to purpose beforehand. Then let us break down the word “give” is defined as “to pay”; to present a gift, to sacrifice. The word of God teaches us that “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall”. Unforgiving-ness is an element of pride and haughtiness which is contrary to holiness which is “a broken and contrite spirit”.
When we forgive we’re supposed to forgive like Christ who forbear and forgave; and held no charge against us when we believed on him and confessed with our mouths in repentance! When we hold on to our own unforgiving-ness toward anyone it is to our own spiritual detriment. Just think; what if Christ Jesus wasn’t willing to forgive us based upon the thought we might do it again! He might have never died in our place or have forgiven us. Forgiveness is universal it applies to all things which we have committed again God and there is nothing we can’t forgive if we love people with the love of Christ. We’re allowed to hate sin; but are commanded to love the sinner. Jesus faced down the religious crowd of his day then he stooped down and drew something in the sand: then he stood up and announce concerning the adulterous woman caught in the very act: “He who is without sin among you cast the first stone”.
One Sunday morning I stood at the door of the church I was the pastor of with a bag of rocks and handed them out to each one as they came into the sanctuary. I told them I had an illustrative sermon that morning because some of my members were criticizing my leadership: I hadn’t sinned just made some decisions that didn’t set well with a couple of people. So as I preached I looked at all my members straight in the eyes and said “you who are without sin cast yours stones” and then I preached on my responsibility as the God ordained “little head” of the church and ministry God gave me. God touched hearts and our congregation was united because of it.
Brethren we cannot work together with unforgiven-ness in the midst of our congregations and in our gatherings. When we love our love will challenge those who don’t truly love, forgive, and accept others when they know in their heart of hearts they should. Selah
Ray Ritchie