January 26, 2015 FORGINENESS = LOVE
Luke 7:47 “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
In a previous blog, I referred to this verse but I think that this verse is so vital to our being healthy spiritually; I think it is worth revisiting. One of the foundational stones of spiritual health is that of realizing how much we have been forgiven and that we are to be a forgiving person. It is also critical for us to forgive ourselves for our own sins and failures. Not being able to forgive ourselves indicates that there is an issue of pride in that sin or failure is difficult to accept when pride is in the picture. The first time that we come face to face with forgiveness is at the time of our salvation because to the very essence of salvation is acknowledging our sin and receiving God’s forgiveness. Romans 3:23 says that “we have all come sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” After being a Christian for some time, we may forget just how much we were forgiven. It is true that God does not remember our sin any longer, but on the contrary, we do remember the sins of our past, but it is vital to remember that God forgave us. In our eyes, some sins may be “bigger” than others, but in God’s sight, sin is sin. Whether the sin is that of stealing a company pen or that of committing murder; we stand in need of forgiveness. The truth to realize is that there is a connection or correlation between forgiveness and love. The one that realizes he has been forgiven much has no problem loving others. There is something about forgiveness that is humbling. Someone once said that we all should have a “hall of shame”; making the point that we have no bragging rights and we too needed forgiveness. When we realize how much we have been forgiven, we are much less likely to judge others. In the Old Testament, the scriptures give the account of Jacob wrestling with God (or an angle of God) and at the end of this interesting encounter, God “touched Jacobs thigh” and from that day forward, Jacob walked with a limp. When Jacob met God, his pride was dealt with and he was humbled. As we realize the extent of our forgiveness and as we are humbled before God, we too will “walk with a limp.” Walking with a limp does not mean we live in sorrow for past sins but in means living with a grateful spirit for the forgiveness extended to us. God’s forgiveness cleanses and makes us clean, it renews hope, and it opens the door for a new beginning in life. On occasion, either the devil or some particular circumstance, will remind us of some past sin, and when this happens use it as a springboard to thank God for His forgiveness. Jesus’ death and resurrection broke the power of sin and we are no longer held captive by sin. Because we too have been forgiven much, let us love much—today!
Colossians 2:13-14 “And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”
Ephesians 5:1-2 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
2 Corinthians 14-15 “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.”
Blessings,
Buddy
Luke 7:47 “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
In a previous blog, I referred to this verse but I think that this verse is so vital to our being healthy spiritually; I think it is worth revisiting. One of the foundational stones of spiritual health is that of realizing how much we have been forgiven and that we are to be a forgiving person. It is also critical for us to forgive ourselves for our own sins and failures. Not being able to forgive ourselves indicates that there is an issue of pride in that sin or failure is difficult to accept when pride is in the picture. The first time that we come face to face with forgiveness is at the time of our salvation because to the very essence of salvation is acknowledging our sin and receiving God’s forgiveness. Romans 3:23 says that “we have all come sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” After being a Christian for some time, we may forget just how much we were forgiven. It is true that God does not remember our sin any longer, but on the contrary, we do remember the sins of our past, but it is vital to remember that God forgave us. In our eyes, some sins may be “bigger” than others, but in God’s sight, sin is sin. Whether the sin is that of stealing a company pen or that of committing murder; we stand in need of forgiveness. The truth to realize is that there is a connection or correlation between forgiveness and love. The one that realizes he has been forgiven much has no problem loving others. There is something about forgiveness that is humbling. Someone once said that we all should have a “hall of shame”; making the point that we have no bragging rights and we too needed forgiveness. When we realize how much we have been forgiven, we are much less likely to judge others. In the Old Testament, the scriptures give the account of Jacob wrestling with God (or an angle of God) and at the end of this interesting encounter, God “touched Jacobs thigh” and from that day forward, Jacob walked with a limp. When Jacob met God, his pride was dealt with and he was humbled. As we realize the extent of our forgiveness and as we are humbled before God, we too will “walk with a limp.” Walking with a limp does not mean we live in sorrow for past sins but in means living with a grateful spirit for the forgiveness extended to us. God’s forgiveness cleanses and makes us clean, it renews hope, and it opens the door for a new beginning in life. On occasion, either the devil or some particular circumstance, will remind us of some past sin, and when this happens use it as a springboard to thank God for His forgiveness. Jesus’ death and resurrection broke the power of sin and we are no longer held captive by sin. Because we too have been forgiven much, let us love much—today!
Colossians 2:13-14 “And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”
Ephesians 5:1-2 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
2 Corinthians 14-15 “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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