Dwelling on Gospel Truth

[an excerpt from a I.M. conversation that I had with Andrea's husband, Mike]

Michael: I was studying for the sermon this week and something struck me about the greatness of the gospel, so I want to share it with you

Joey: RAD. Let's hear it!

Michael: heb. 6:10 - God is not unjust so as to forget your work and love which you have shown toward his name.
What strikes me is God will not remember any of my sins, but will remember and reward the work that I have for His name sake. That is grace. Underserved blessing.
Sent at 12:25 PM on Wednesday

Joey: That's incredible. I have to dwell on that truth today.

Michael: Just imagine if God said, "I am going to weigh your bad deeds against your good and bless you accordingly"?
there would be fear, not toward God, but of doing more good then bad
but now, that my sin has been forgotten in Christ, I have freedom to serve Him for His glory
Ps. 130:4, there is forgiveness with you that YOU should be feared

He prayed for them.

As our Lord was being crucified, the unspeakable pain did not distract his attention from others, including those who were causing his pain. Even his enemies, those who were abusing him and cursing him, were not outside the orbit of his love. How did Jesus love his enemies? He prayed for them. 'And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do"' (Luke23.34). J.C. Ryle remarks, 'The fruits of this wonderful prayer will never be fully seen until the day when the books are opened, and the secrets of all our hearts are revealed.'

|brian.borgman.Feelings and Faith.p160


Oh, Father, help us love like Jesus.

High Crimes...High Stakes

I’m not letting the sun set down on my anger . NOPE! I’m staying up all night and planning my revenge.

Well….that’s not really how it should go.

Ministry is exhausting. Pouring your life into other people is often tiresome, confusing, and painful. They don’t always do what they say, they’re stubborn, and on occasion make an uncalled backhanded comment. That’s because people are sinful. My friends are sinful. My family is sinful. Yes…even my brothers and sisters in Christ have an old sin nature. And what makes it worse is that …I myself am sinful.

Hurting each other (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) is inevitable due to sin. Christians are by definition forgiven sinners. That’s why one of the most Christ like thing we as humans can do is to forgive each other.

In fact this is a command;

But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions. Mark 11:26

As a Christian, forgiveness should be "easier" because it came at such a high price

Holding grudges against people is detrimental to the fellowship of the body. On top of that, holding grudges quenches the Spirit and is harmful to your sanctification.

Calculating what you will and will not tolerate is exhausting. Your mind is always occupied by the sinful thoughts, you start rationalizing your sin, and it sets its presence in your heart. Overtime your heart condition will shape you negatively as a person and rob you of the joy you have in Christ Jesus.

The more time you spend being bitter towards someone the more ground you will yield to the fruit of hate, anger, and strife which in time will shape you as a person.

Cleanse me

Psalm 51:1-2

Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.

True Love

Luke 17:1-4

And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."

Christ is commanding us to forgive one another. After the grace and forgiveness that God has shown us, we have to forgive each other. We must also help each other when we see sin in each other's lives. This is true love. Love is telling your brother or sister when they are struggling and then forgiving them when they hurt you. Rebuke and forgive, that is true love.