...CommentsThe Pastor's Vision
"Here Am I"
(1
Sam 3:17; Isa 6:1-8)
Real Forgiveness
(This is a message from several years back. I have added some material)
April 02, 2000
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness. longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, signing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Col 3:12-17 (NKJ)
In the weeks that have past my heart has been grieved because I know of some in the family of Antioch who are struggling with forgiveness. Some will wonder if this is the right forum to deal with this particular issue. I can find no better forum. This give me the ability to address the issue without embarrassment of anyone and allows those individuals the opportunity to deal with it before God.
There are many things in your lives that will come along to challenge us. Our mission statement says that we are about friendship and fellowship, and these two things are produced respectively by love of and relationship with Jesus Christ. We need to examine the biblical basis for forgiveness (Lk 17:3,4). We need to know that God basis his forgiveness of each of us on our ability to forgive others (Mk 11:26).
I encourage this body in Christ, Antioch, to examine these scriptures and check our attitude against the word of God. Allow the Word to illuminate your mind and guide your actions. Repentance is an integral part of the act of forgiveness, letting go of bitterness and pain is important also. The body of Christ must come to a better understanding of accountability and responsibility. When we understand these two personal actions and follow the word of God we then we can better glorify our Father which is in heaven. What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race the is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author, and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endure the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discourage in your souls. (Heb 12:1-3 NKJ)