Tag: Forgiveness

My Consequence and My Pardon

March 23, 2016

I am a sinner saved by grace and in this present world, I will never be anything else. That doesn’t mean that the grace I’ve received is a cloak for evil. My profession of faith isn’t a ticket to sin without punishment. What I do avoid by my acceptance of Christ is what the Bible describes as the “second death”. I believe in Judgment Day and on that Day the pardon I’ve received through faith in Jesus will keep me safe from the final death of spirit and soul that I and all human beings deserve. Jesus didn’t die to make me a moral person. Jesus died to give me and anyone else who will accept it, eternal life. Jesus died in order to reunite God and man. Faith in Jesus isn’t a matter of morality. It is a matter of life or death. However, I am changed by having Jesus at the center of my life and my desire to sin is diminished by my greater desire to please God. The gift of eternal life is a morally transforming gift.

As a sinner saved by grace, I still suffer the consequences when I sin. Those consequences are natural and inescapable. No one is able to break God’s Law and avoid what those wrong actions create even if they escape human punishment. I have been sick for the better part of forty years now, due to a serious sin I committed against myself as a teenager. I have changed my life since then and there are those who love me and think that God is being very unfair toward me in allowing me to suffer for a mistake I made as a child. I know that if God hadn’t intervened in my life, I never would have been able to change my life, and I would most likely be dead, forever separated from God. My illness is simply the natural consequence attached to my sin and part of my cross to bear. Others doubt my faith or think I suffer needlessly because my faith is weak but my faith doesn’t come from me. It too is a gift from God and the consequences I endure prove the durability of my precious gift. Without Christ, I would be a physically broken bitter old woman. With Christ, I am a physically broken joyful old woman. All that should have embittered me has taught me empathy and opened many doors into the lives of others that enable me to share God’s love and comfort with my fellow, suffering sinners. The consequence of my foolish actions keeps me humble and in a position that allows God to work through me more effectively. I endure because I know ultimately, my healing is coming. Because Jesus died for me, I will physically die only once, and I will rise again to live with Him in a better world.

As a sinner saved by grace, I also suffer as a result of the sins of others. In fact, some of those sins are what drove me, as a child, to use drugs. However, I am still accountable for my actions as those who hurt me are accountable for theirs. The sin I committed against myself hurt me, hurt the people who loved me, hurt the people who love me now, and most of all hurt my Heavenly Father. My sin put Jesus on the cross and His physical sacrifice made it possible for me to be granted forgiveness from God. In the same way, I a sinner must forgive those who sinned against me. That doesn’t mean they will accept my forgiveness by taking responsibility for their actions. I can’t do their part of restoring our relationship. I can’t force what even God doesn’t force upon others. It does mean that I pardon them just as in Christ I am pardoned. I am unable to do this on my own but because Jesus lives in me by faith, the Holy Spirit enables me to do what is humanly impossible.

This is what the cross means personally, to me. I know it sounds very foolish to most but that is the power and the ultimate wisdom of the cross of Christ. True foolishness is to reject the free gift of eternal life by denying the price Jesus paid to obtain it and then offer it freely to all who will believe. True foolishness is to deny the fallen state of mankind and our need for God. We can never be Him and will only die trying. My prayer during this time of year when the world considers the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is that eyes and hearts will be opened to realize the need for salvation found only, at the foot of the cross of Christ. Please, accept your pardon today.

 

 

The Breach

January 7, 2016

An old woman sits on a bench, placed against a south facing wall, enjoying the sun as it melts aches and pains away. Lost in the bright warmth on her face, she begins to dream in reverse. Riding the rays of the sun, she finds herself transported to that special place, sitting on flag-stone, beneath the blooming bows of the old Lilacs at Grandma’s house. Such a sky on this day in early May; a vast dome of the bluest blue that only a child’s eyes can see! The scent of Lilac permeates everything, with the bushes themselves joining overhead in an embrace that provides protection for two little girls, immersed in imaginative play. With tulips and other spring flowers turned upside down to become dolls dressed in ball gowns; these happy girls dance the day away. Light gleams on the hair of the cotton-top girl’s curly hair, as if in competition with the sun. The older girl is darker and even this bright day only manages to pull a few golden highlights from the ashen, darker waves beneath. Sisters in deep contrast to one another but locked together by blood, trust, and love.

Lost in the dream of her memory, in the past as important as now, the old woman sighs as from this point in time, she starts to dream forward. She begins to roll away from this heavenly moment, this snippet of blissful harmony, down her road of life. So many rough spots, navigational mistakes, mud-holes, missed stop signs, and confusing intersections. Somewhere on the way, harmony was lost and the contrast became glaring. Blood wasn’t enough to hold these sisters together. Trust was broken. Love does remain but only, as a reminder of the relationship that once existed; but now, is a relationship severed in a fierce misunderstanding. Pride over-rode the bond of blood and to this day, frustrates love.

A dark, wet cloud passes overhead, blocking the sun. At the same moment, the old woman’s heart sinks with grief and her eyes flood with tears of loss; if only, they could go back to that happy day and find a way to blend the contrast of their personas. Though one child was assigned to be golden, and the other to be twilight, in that happy moment, the contrast worked as compliment. Was it jealousy that loomed and turned sisters to adversaries? Or was it as it seems to this old woman; that the golden child wanted to rule over the child made of twilight and when twilight came into her own, the one who shines even in competition with sun, couldn’t abide it. She knows deep down that neither of them can help the role they were assigned. For each there is no choice but to play it out. In heart, the old woman embraces her little sister, that cotton-topped little girl, and lovingly, forgives her(again) . Then more tears flood in realization that her forgiveness isn’t enough to restore them to sisterhood; it’s only half of what needs to be done. On the other half she must wait and never give up hope in the waiting.

When the longing is too much, she drifts backward to the moment that is part of her now, and warms her aches in the trust that only, loving sisters can know. Though trust is broken and takes two to mend, love remains. Where there is love, there is always hope for reconciliation.

The Center-Piece

December 20, 2015

At the center of everything: a tiny, baby boy. On His small shoulders, rests the assignment of the greatest mission ever known: the destruction of evil and the creation of world peace, with brotherhood, and goodwill toward men. Born as no one the world recognizes as having any power, this small baby is destined to turn the world upside down. This little conqueror is vested by God to establish a new Kingdom but He won’t conquer the world by violence, sacrificing the blood of many as all other men deem necessary to establish a new Kingdom, instead He came to sacrifice His own blood and purchase forgiveness for blood-thirsty men from God. All hope for sinful men destined to destroy one another due to the blindness of unforgiving hearts and the practice of an eye for an eye lies in a manager, in a cave with a floor of hard packed manure, used to shelter farm animals. This poor baby, who poses a threat to no one, is hated by the world; despised by the people He came to save. Jesus (God’s Son in the form of a human baby) is the Center-Piece of God’s plan to save and reclaim mankind and His creation.

History divides here in Bethlehem, where this Holy baby lays. This is the focal point of God’s plan, the beginning of His divine intervention that is destined to change the course of a world ruled by unrighteousness and brute control. This child’s Kingdom will be like no other earthly kingdom and will not be established as all other kingdoms, ever known to mankind. It will not be established by war but by the Holy Spirit, in the hearts of those who by faith accept the gift of Jesus and apply the blood He will shed, to their own sins. This act of faith, this simplicity of believing, will open the door for many and restore them to a spiritual relationship with God. Even if they are old, in spirit they will be born-again, and become spiritual persons living in physical form. They will be known as the church, a called out company of believers, sinners purchased by the blood of Jesus that He will shed in sacrifice on the cross. This called out company will live according to faith and not according to what they see, feel, or touch. They will be spiritual bricks in the invisible Kingdom of Heaven and Jesus will be the cornerstone.

The forgiveness Jesus will buy, with His body and blood, is for believers to receive and then give freely, in the same manner it is given to them. It is to be done in preparation of the invisible Kingdom of God being made a visible reality, in God’s timing. There will be no room in that Kingdom for people with hearts blinded and hard with un-forgiveness. All the sins that pour from the sin of un-forgiveness will be unknown when Jesus Christ rules the world and the kingdom of darkness is past. Everyone in that Righteous system will love God and also, love their brothers and sisters. Those who profess Jesus before the Kingdom is made visible will be marked by the love they have for one another, and the loving manner in which they treat others. Though still living in physical form and imperfect, they will be recognizable as subjects of the Kingdom by the spiritual fruits that can only be obtained by faith in God. As by the Spirit they will be transformed so, will this mortal world be transformed, in like manner; by God and in His perfect time.

This small baby in Bethlehem is Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. No human being can supplant the work He will accomplish. No human being is able to live without succumbing to the violence, the blood-shed, and other hateful abuses that characterize this present world, without developing a heart hardened by un-forgiveness, as a form of protection from future hurt. No person is able to stop the flood of sin that flows from a heart filled with hate and no hearts of hate will ever be able to accomplish world peace or produce common good-will. All hope rests in this manger, in Jesus, the Center-Piece of Salvation. There is no hope for life, love, peace, and joy in anyone but Jesus. There is no program, no religious philosophy, no earthly affiliation, and no doctrine or theology that is able to change the human heart. Jesus is the only, One. Without Him, the rest is mere foolishness. From every point in history, Jesus is the Source of eternal life. The forgiveness He will buy for us to apply and give is the only, true foundation for peace and good-will toward all men.

Forgiveness isn’t cheap and it doesn’t come easy. Though it begins with a choice (first to receive), it is a process that transforms a lost sinner into a born-again saint. The choice to respond by forgiving others is the continued process that takes a believer from the condition of sinner/saint, on to the glory of perfection. No one can accomplish true forgiveness without the Holy Spirit; even in perfection in that future Kingdom, we won’t be God but still entirely, dependent on Him for anything good.

It is true that Jesus is the Center-Piece of this season, not because the day of His birth is known, but because Jesus is the center of all things, the One through whom God accomplishes His good works. The only way to be a part of those good works is to make Jesus the Center-Piece of your life; accept the forgiveness He paid so dearly to win for us, then turn around and do the same. With Jesus at the center even the most ardent hater can become an ambassador for Christ and a promoter of peace.

Luke 2: 8-14 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Romans 10:8-12 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord who is over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

 

 

The Joy in Forgiveness

December 5, 2015

Time wears away at the facts within a memory;

But time, can’t prevent the wound from scaring;

Or prevent mindless hand from caressing reverie,

The cold, rough lump, which stiffens love’s caring;

A madness of sorts; this living in the past’s territory!

Lost in yesterday; and past hurts in present bearing;

Brokenness unburied, lye outside time’s cemetery;

Scars that bleed; and build thick with daily tearing;

Scars where smooth flesh should be; twist memory,

Tying distorted knots of hate! Embittered wearing

Away all joy, all peace; love lost in heart’s cemetery;

Forgiveness if received and given stops the scaring!

Releasing the bitter poison that darkens a memory!

Lets in the Light! Stops hand from mind re-tearing,

By daily reliving, hurts belonging in past’s territory!