WHAT IS PREDESTINATION? IS IT FAIR?

The concept of predestination I’m sure has perplexed people for years and will continue to do so for many more to come. Biblically what does it mean to be predestined by God, to be conformed into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29)? Predestination in the bible is the Greek term proorizō. The term means to choose beforehand, to foreordain, to predetermine ones destiny.

To get a better understanding of predestination, let’s examine the scriptures to gain more insight into this wonderful concept.

The apostle Paul in the book of Romans 8:29-30 said this, “For whom he foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he predestined, these he called, whom he called these also justified and whom he justified these He also glorified." These are all past tense verbs. Our salvation is secured in the mind of the Lord.

What Paul is describing here is the doctrine of sovereign election. Meaning that God chose those that would become heirs of the kingdom of God. As the gospel of John declares, “But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe on his name – who were born not of blood nor of the will of flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:11, 12 Emphasis added). There are those who believe that since God has infinite wisdom and knew beforehand who would receive Jesus in their lifetime, that God made his selection based on that reality; in other words, God looked through the annals of time and selected those who would choose him so he (God) chose them – foresight is what it’s also called. While it’s true God knew who would receive Jesus, the Lord didn’t chose man based on that premise. Had he made his selection that way, that would predicate salvation based on man’s merit not God. This view is absolutely tragic because that means faith dictates election, instead of election dictating faith. Also Romans 3:11 states, “none seek after God.” John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” Basically God is the aggressor when it comes to man’s salvation because we are unable and unwilling to come to God on our own. God grants us not only salvation but the faith to believe God for that salvation so that no man can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

HOW DID GOD CHOOSE MAN? DID HE SELECT SOME AND REJECT OTHERS?

God chose man based on nothing that man has done. When I talk about choosing man, once again I’m referring to predestination. Predestination is an absolute when dealing with man’s salvation since the bible says we have been chosen before the foundation of the world, meaning God preordained our destiny before the world began ( Ephesians 1:4).

Now does this mean we had no choice in whether we accept the Lord or not since we were chosen before the foundation of the world? Of course we had a choice, however God knew who would come into the kingdom. But once again that wasn’t the basis for God selecting those whom he foreknew. God did so based upon his sovereignty. Not because one person was better than the other. God chose some because it pleased him to do so. It was part of his sovereign plan (Ephesians 1:5).

Someone would say of God’s character that’s not fair. To them it would seem that God is showing respect of persons – setting his love on some and not on others. Before I reply to that statement, let’s look at an account of God’s sovereignty in John’s gospel.

JESUS HEALS A PARALYTIC

In John chapter 5 we read about Jesus in Bethesda where there lay a great multitude of blind, lame, and paralyzed people desiring to be made well. In verse four it says, for an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water. Then whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who an infirmity thirty eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, he said to him, “ Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “ Sir I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up and while I am coming another steps down before me” Jesus said to him, “ Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed and walked, and that day was the Sabbath (John 5: 5-9).

Going back to verse 3 we read there were a great multitude of sick people all desiring to be healed of whatever disease they had. However, Jesus healed only one man. Why would he do this? Everyone there needed healing yet Jesus healed one man. From all appearances Jesus was being totally unfair to the rest of the sick people there, but he was not. The doctrine of sovereign election was being demonstrated here. Jesus showed compassion on this one man and not on the others not because he was better or had greater faith, simply because it pleased the Lord to heal him. The reason why he chose not to heal the others we will never know. It’s not our place to know or to question God’s judgment in this instance. There are some things we can’t understand. “What shall we say then? Is there any unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Exodus 33:19;Romans 9:14-15).

Another passage reads, “And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls), it was said to her, The older shall serve the younger” So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy – emphasis added (Romans 9:10-12;16).

GOD WILL DO WHATEVER HE WANTS

Once again the remark by man would simply be this, “God is not fair!!” Praise God he’s not fair. Because if he was fair all the time, then none of us would have any hope. We’d all get exactly what we deserve – eternal damnation and not mercy which we need and receive everyday of our lives. The word of God’s reply to fairness is this, Paul speaking to the Romans, “ You will say to me then, why does He (God) still find fault? For who has resisted his will?” What Paul is saying here is the antagonist’s question is since God knows what I’m going to do before I do it then why am I penalized for doing wrong? But indeed O man who are you to reply against God? Will the thing say to him who formed it, Why have you made me like this? Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel unto honor and another for dishonor?” (Romans 9:19-21)

What we must understand is God’s choosing is simply that – God’s choosing. For us to have the gall to question God’s intentions shows are ignorance of God’s sovereign will. This is a characteristic of God we can’t comprehend fully. It’s beyond us. God has absolute power in dealing in the affairs of man. No one can oppose him. It doesn’t matter rather we understand this facet of his character or not. Isaiah 55:8,9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Another passage of scripture dealing with God’s sovereignty, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and His ways past finding out! “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Or who has first given to Him (God) and it shall be repaid him” (man) (Romans 11:33-35. Verse 34 quoted originally from Isaiah 40:13 and verse 35 quoted originally from Job 41:11). One last passage of God’s Sovereignty is Deuteronomy 29:29, “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God but the things which are revealed belong to us and our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

0ne of the many problems that man has is his pride. Because of this fatal flaw man feels he’s okay in his own eyes when in actuality he’s wicked and beyond hope without God. Because man thinks he’s okay, he feels he has the right to accuse God for things he can’t understand when in effect his ways are offense to God and God for his holiness sake will judge him. Despite this attitude, God is tenderhearted and merciful and desires that all men are saved (1 Timothy 2:4). Will all be saved? No. Because of unbelief not because they never had the gospel preached to them (Matthew 24:14). There is a certain number for the elect of God that only he only knows. We don’t know so that’s why we must go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15,16). By man’s rejection of Jesus proves that he deserving of what he gets – eternal damnation. Praise God he saved some from this tragic reality and took us out of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of his dear son (Colossians 1:13).

WHERE DO DEMONS COME FROM

Demons are real but I'm not presenting their origins as dogma. I’m sharing this article for those that can receive it and for the reader’s consideration. Because of the subject matter there is more conjecture and supposition in this article than any of the previous ones in the blog. As always be like the noble Bereans and search the scriptures daily to prove whether those things are so (Luke 17:11).

How long demons have been around it’s hard to tell. Many believe the fallen angels have transformed into demons in the rebellion before the dawn of time (Isaiah 14) so the terms fallen angels and demons are used interchangeably. While it’s possible it occurred this way, scripture is silent on the matter so we can’t be one hundred percent certain.

The Hebrew term for demon is*śēd. The Greek terms are dáimōn and diabolos. The terms simply mean evil spirits.

Demons are also called devils in scripture. They’re evil spirits that belong to the kingdom of satan. These creatures are worshipped as deity by all false religions. In the Old Testament we hear the term familiar spirits to refer to demons – meaning witches or wizards would consult with the familiar spirit at the request of someone desiring to consult with the dead. The sophisticated term for consulting with the dead is called necromancy. The mediator is called a Medium. Today we call them physics, clairvoyants (clair meaning clear and voyant from the French word voir meaning to see. When combined means to see clearly or clearly see), or gypsies.

These individuals conduct séances or use tarot cards or even perhaps Ouija Boards to divine the future. Some physics are nothing more than hucksters and charlatans who prey on the foolish and gullible to hustle them out of their money. They have no real power. The medium isn’t talking to a dead loved one, but a demon impersonating them. The consultation of mediums is forbidden in scripture and was punishable by death (Leviticus 19:31; I Samuel 28).

Unfortunately, television and motion pictures make these real horrors romantic and entertaining and that’s exactly what the enemy wants us to believe – to believe in the make believe of these evil forces and not the real activity of demons. If you can reduce demons to that of a mere “boogeyman”, then you can dupe the masses into being subconsciously desensitized to the real threat of these disembodied spirits looking for a willing host (that is your body). I believe much of the diseases, starvation and possession of human beings can be attributed to these wicked parasites.

By the time Jesus was on the earth, demons had infiltrated the world and had possessed perhaps millions of people. Keep in mind the glory of the Lord was in Israel during the era before Christ and therefore not once did you read of anyone being possessed. No doubt their power was suppressed because of the glorious light of God’s presence which demons can’t endure.

Once the Old Testament ended with the Prophet Malachi in 400 B.C., the Lord was silent; meaning he didn’t speak through anyone for four hundred until John the Baptist in the New Testament, the time Jesus Christ. During that parenthesis in history (i.e. four hundred years of silence), demons probably proliferated the earth like locusts. Jesus of course had the power to cast them out. The demons were terrified of Jesus and knew who he was (Mark 5; Matthew 12:27; Matthew 8:16, 28; Matthew 17:18; Mark 1:23-28, 32-34; Mark 7:24-30; Mark 9:25; Luke 4:33-35; Luke 7:20; Luke 8:2, 26-32; Luke 9:38-42; Luke 11:14; ).

In summary, the best way to combat demons is not give place to the devil, and the only way to do that is to be saved by repenting of your sins and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. Only then will you have power over the enemy (I John 2:13,14). Worshipping or consulting with evil spirits is an invitation to the destruction of your soul.

LORD LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION

Question, why would Jesus when teaching the disciples to pray in Matthew 6:13 say, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil”. From the wording of the text it appears the Lord tempts us. James 1:13 states that God does not tempt any man by evil which is true. When reading any text –especially the scripture, it’s imperative to read the narrative in it’s context and define certain terms.

The word temptation in the Greek is peirasmos which means test or trial. Some trials have a beneficial purpose and effect (James 1:12) while others are designed entice us to sin and condemnation which the devil brings to us and also that by our own lust (Luke 22:3, 40; Matthew 4;1; James 1;14).

In actuality, the Lord test or tries us in the same manner he tested Abraham (Genesis 22). The reason is for the perfecting of our faith, the development of our character, for our total dependence on the Lord through the trial, and ultimately for the glory of God. The Lord does allow us to be tempted by the Devil for reasons often unbeknownst to us as he did with his servant Job (Job 1&2). Interesting note to make about Job; the Lord never answered his questions. It was only when Job confessed his sin of presumption against the Lord was he restored twice as much as he had prior to his hour of temptation (Job 42:6, 9-16). The Lord is never the source of the temptation when the enemy attacks although he permits the temptation. The Lord is sovereign, and he can do whatever he wants to do in the affairs of men. The Lord throughout scripture even uses evil to bring about his own ends (Genesis 50:20-21). Whether man comprehends the Lord’s intent or not is irrelevant for the Lord’s ways are higher than our ways, and his thoughts than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9).

The temptation that produces life

Listen to the wisdom in James 1:12, “Blessed (or fortunate) is the man that endures temptation. For when he is tried or approved he/she will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those that love him.” In this component of temptation, trial or tests, this can be what I call the perfect/direct will of God or the perfect/permissive will of God. The perfect/direct will is that test the Lord initiates and orchestrates himself. It has nothing to do with the enemy (i.e. Abraham, Genesis 22). The perfect/permissive test is when the enemy wants to destroy us but he is not allowed to do so because we’re protected by the power and providence of our God (i.e. Joseph In Genesis. Jesus in the wilderness Matthew 4:1). Therein lies the distinction between the perfect/direct and perfect/permissive. These trials are for our good and never our destruction for they’re providentially under the direction of the Spirit.

The temptation that brings death

The temptation that brings death is a ultimate result of us yielding to the evil desires of the flesh which results in sin, and sin is disobedience. We’re always tempted in the wrong way as well. This is the result of our enemy the devil, and our fallen nature. The scripture say, “every person is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed (James 1:14). Because of our unhealthy desires for the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (I John 2:16), we’re tempted to sin and this results in our destruction. This only glorifies the Devil, not the Lord. This temptation is not of God for he will not tempt us to do evil neither can he be tempted with any evil (James 1:13). Always keep in mind that the temptation itself isn’t sin for even Jesus was tempted in all points yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15); the yielding to the temptation is sin. This is a tragic reality in our lives for sin when it has matured brings forth death (James 1:15).

In summation

Hopefully with a better understanding of temptation we can better comprehend Jesus’ petition when he said, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” The statement is a plea to the Lord to strengthen us when we’re tempted to sin so that we do not commit the evil we’re tempted to perform, but deliver us from snares, tricks of the devil. The scripture says, “Submit yourselves therefore unto God, resist the devil and he will flee” (James 4:7). Our lives will often dictate the devil’s proximity. Examine yourself to see if you’re living a life of obedience. The tests of the Lord are not designed for us to be delivered out of them, but to endure and be delivered through them that patience may have her perfect work (James 1:1-4); whereas the temptations of the enemy are for our destruction –for the thief comes only to kill, steal and destroy but I’ve come (i.e. Jesus) that you may have life and that more abundantly (John 10:10). And also remember that, “there is no temptation that has overtaken you except such is common to man, but God is faithful who will NOT allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation will provide a way of escape that you may be able to bear it (I Corinthians 10:13).

ADDENDUM TO FORGIVENESS

If God has truly forgiven me when I confess my sins, why do I still suffer wrong?

That is a valid question. Some clarification and an example from God’s word will clear up the confusion. In I John 1:9 it reads, “If we confess our sins, he [The Lord] is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. The apostle John was writing to Christians, not to the unsaved. Although our souls are saved, our flesh is not yet. Sin and it’s contaminating effects still operate in our flesh and we often do to the dictates to it’s sinful desires. When we as believers confess post salvation, God forgives us. However, there are mortal consequences for that sin. Our sins judicially have been cleansed forever by the shed blood of Jesus – this happened at the moment we were saved and baptized into the family of God. As a result, we will never be judged guilty and sentenced to a burning hell for our sins.

This does not mean that our Father God will not chasten us for that sin. God does this out of love for his children so that we do not continue in sin. Whom the Lord loves, he chastens, (Proverbs 19:18; Hebrews 12:6; Revelation 3:19).

A stark illustration of this is the account of David and his sin with Bathsheba. David committed adultery with Bathsheba and she became pregnant (II Samuel 11:4-5). To make matters worse, David had Bathsheba’s husband Uriah, the Hittite killed in battle so he could marry her (II Samuel 12:16). The prophet Nathan confronted David regarding these gross acts and he was immediately contrite in his heart admitting his sin (II Samuel 12:13). Under normal circumstances, the acts of adultery and murder were punishable by death under the law (Exodus 20:12,13; Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 5:18). God took away David’s sin (II Samuel 12:13) in an act of utter forgiveness and mercy. The punishment in my opinion paled in comparison to the crimes David committed against another man’s [Uriah] family, but the consequences were horrific and fair.

The repercussions on David were as follows:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->David’s sin caused not only personal disgrace, but provided occasion for the Lord’s enemies to blaspheme (Proverbs 6:33; II Samuel 12:14)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->The child born to David and Bathsheba died (II Samuel 12:19)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->David’s son Ammon raped his half sister Tamar (II Samuel 13:1-14)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->David’s other son Absalom killed his brother Ammon for raping Tamar (II Samuel 13:28,29)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Absalom with others conspired to usurp his father’s kingdom (II Samuel 15:1-13)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Absalom had sexual relations with his father’s concubines in broad daylight (II Samuel 16:22)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Absalom sought to kill David through the advise of Ahithophel to obtain the throne (II Samuel 17:1-4)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Joab killed Absalom which caused David unbearable grief (II Samuel 18:32-19:1-4)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->David’s eldest living son Adonijah assumes the throne in David’s old age although Solomon was anointed king elect to succeed David (I Kings 1:5:38-40)

These repercussions were the fulfillment of the prophet Nathan’s prophecy against David for his sin with Bathsheba. But once again I digress to say that David’s life was spared and he became the ancestor of Jesus Christ according to the flesh (Matthew 1:1).

David was a saved man. David is the only man that God called a man after my own heart (I Samuel 13:14). An extraordinary distinction for God to bestow upon a mere man especially after the heinous things David did.

So once again when we sin as a child of God and we confess our sins, the Lord forgives our sins. However, there is divine reciprocity from a loving, but displeased heavenly father. Listen to the wisdom in these passages of scripture:

Psalm 119:71 – It’s good that I’ve been afflicted that I might learn thy judgments.

Proverbs 3:11-12 – My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither be weary of correction. For whom the Lord loves, he corrects. Even as a father the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 19:18 – Chasten thy son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction.

Proverbs 13:24 – He that spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves his son chastens him early.

Proverbs 23:13-14 – Do not withhold correction from a child for if you beat him with a rod he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod and deliver his soul from hell.

Hebrews 12:5-11 – My son do not despise the chastening of the Lord nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by him. For whom the Lord loves he chastens and scourges every son whom he receives. If you endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons for what son is he whom God chastens not? But if you be without chastisement whereof all are partakers, then you are bastards and not sons. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverence [respect] - shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure, but he [The Father] for our profit that we might partake of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Revelation 3:19 – Jesus through the apostle John writing to the church at Laodecia, “As many as I love I chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”

The aforementioned references provide plenty of evidence why the Lord chastens us although we confess our sins. It’s clear because he loves and delights in us and desires for us to be righteous and holy. Divine chastening is a clear indicator that we belong to the Lord. Not to receive any discipline or training is a clear indicator that we do not belong to him.

**David’s confession of his sin with Bathsheba is recorded in Psalm 51**

PREACHING VS. TEACHING

These words are used interchangeably but I would like to point out some distinctives. The word preaching is the Greek word Kērusso. This word means to preach, herald, proclaim or publish (Matthew 3:1; Mark 1:45).

The more popular Greek term is Euaggelizō where we get the English word evangelize. This term almost always makes reference to preaching, or proclaiming the good news of the gospel. This is the responsibility of every believer.

The word teaching in the Greek is Didáskō. It means to know or teach. It also means to instruct by word of mouth.

Preaching the gospel is declaring the good news of Jesus Christ; One is proclaiming or heralding the message of man’s sin, his need for repentance of sin, and to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ by faith for salvation so that he may escape the wrath of God and inherit eternal life. When I think of preaching, I see the minister proclaiming the message to the congregation as a town crier would as opposed to teaching the listeners which is doctrine, instruction, acquiring knowledge.

Teaching Mode: Jesus was both preacher and teacher. In Matthew 5:2 it says Jesus taught the multitudes during the sermon on the mount. This occurred in Matthew chapters 5-7. The word taught is the same Greek word Didasko. Jesus also taught the multitudes regarding the kingdom in Matthew 13 with parables. The teaching method Jesus used was to use natural events that all could understand and then translate that into the supernatural in relation to the kingdom of God. Jesus had to meet the people where they were first in order for him to elevate their thinking to spiritual things.

Preaching Mode: In Luke 4:18-19 it says that, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord”. Jesus was actually quoting the Old Testament, Isaiah 61:1-2. By preaching the message, the Lord was in essence introducing who he was and what his mission was for being in their midst; he was the fulfillment of Isaiah 61 for he said in Luke 4:21, “this day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears”. This marked the beginning of his earthly ministry.

Obviously preaching and teaching are married terms. However, the difference I see in preaching is sort of like the man on the street corner bellowing the good news verses the man providing instruction and insight regarding topics such as the fruit of the spirit, prayer, worship, forgiveness, giving etc.

Preaching is meaningless without biblical truth and teaching is useless if the word of truth is mishandled; not providing sound hermeneutics or exegesis – that is rightly dividing the word of truth; explaining the text of scripture.

Inherent in biblical preaching will produce deliverance, hope, and salvation to the lost, the captives, the oppressed and poor (i.e. power).

Inherent in biblical teaching will instruct with sound doctrine the believer so that he can learn and grow and be equipped in spiritual battle, fit for service to the Lord.

One other important thing Jesus and the apostles did when they preached and taught, it always provided revelation to all who heard their message.

What Does The Bible Say About Forgiveness?

The virtue of forgiveness is dominant in scripture. We must keep in mind that forgiveness is a commandment of the Lord, not an option (Mark 11;25;Ephesians 4:31, 32). The Hebrew term for forgiveness is the word calach which means to pardon. The Greek term is aphiemi; means to send forth or send away. The meaning we must explore first is that of forgiveness in relation to remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22; Matthew 6:12).

Forgiveness starts and ends with God. He is the author and finisher of it. The first act of forgiveness ever recorded in scripture was when God slew and animal, made coats of skin for Adam and Eve after they sinned in the Garden of Eden. So back in the beginning, God set a standard for forgiveness and covering of sin with the shedding of innocent blood to bear the sins of the guilty. It was the first substitutionary sacrifice in human history (Genesis 3:21).

The most ultimate expression of forgiveness is that of the Lord Jesus Christ when he offered himself on Calvary’s Cross for the sins of the world some 2000 years ago (Matthew 1:21; Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:34; John 19:30). Forgiveness in laymen’s terms means to pardon the punishment that is due the offender, and the deliverance of the sinner from divine penalty. The sinner must always be mindful of the reality that he is deserving of the punishment commensurate with his offense. However, God in his loving kindness did not hold our sins against us. Hear the words the Psalmist: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity.” (Psalm 32:1, 2).

Even in the Old Testament the Israelites were well familiar with the reality of forgiveness through the offering of animal sacrifices. The children of Israel were required to offer sin and trespass offerings daily for the forgiveness of sins through the shedding of the animal’s blood on the altar. This daily ritual would cause them to be forgiven by the Lord (Leviticus 4:20, 26, 31). The shedding of the animal’s blood was known as Atoning which means to cover. All the incalculable sacrifices in the OT were merely antitypes of the perfect once for all sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth (Hebrews 10:10-18). The animal sacrifices were never designed to take away sins permanently.

Jesus And Divine Forgiveness

Divine or vertical forgiveness is from the Lord. Why? Because man is utterly depraved and is a fallen creature who does evil continually (Genesis 6:5). The scriptures declare that “All have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). In the same chapter it reads, “There is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10). With the aforementioned passages alone one can see man’s hopelessness in the world without the salvation of the Lord.

Jesus is the embodiment of forgiveness. He not only taught on forgiveness, he demonstrated it throughout his earthly life and ministry and ultimately with his death so it’s to him where we must look to exercise this essential virtue in our lives.

Jesus forgave the sins of a man and healed him of Palsy (Matthew 9:2-7). Jesus forgave the woman who poured the alabaster box of oil on his feet and wiped them with her hair (Luke 7:47-50). Note what Jesus said in verse 50 of the seventh chapter: “Woman thy faith hath saved thee, go in peace.” The word saved in the Greek is sozo which denotes to save a suffering one from perishing, one suffering from a disease, to make well, to heal, restore to health. In the case with this woman it was regarding eternal life. We know this because Jesus told her that her sins were forgiven (Luke 7:48). Apparently her actions were far more than what they appeared; that is her weeping along with pouring of the expensive oil on Jesus’ feet and wiping his feet with her hair. This woman recognized her sinfulness and was seeking mercy which Jesus provided by forgiving and saving her. This act proves that Jesus is God in the flesh for only God can forgive sins (John 1:1; Hebrews 1:8).

One of the finest moments of forgiveness ever recorded in scripture was regarding the thief on the cross. Realizing he was being justly condemned for his sins, he acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah and asked the Lord to remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus in agony on the cross forgave the thief and replied, “This very day you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42, 43). The thief was saved at that very moment! Although Jesus was dying, he still had the desire, power and willingness to save life (Luke 19:10). What a mighty God we serve!

True forgiveness is always motivated by a loving and compassionate heart which will no longer hold the offense against the offender nor call it to mind for the sake of retaliation. Jesus also in agony stated, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Jesus having created mankind had a compassionate heart to want to save it since it had fallen away and was utterly hopeless (Ephesians 2:12). Although man hated him, his loved never wavered.

Human Forgiveness

Human or horizontal forgiveness is also a command of scripture and as all directives of scripture, it must be obeyed. Since God almighty forgave us which he willingly lavished upon us because it pleased him to do so, how much more should we forgive one another? It’s not an option. We must forgive or the Lord will not forgive us our trespasses (Mark 11:25-26).

Peter in Matthew 18:21 asked Jesus, ”Lord how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him -til seven times?” Jesus said unto him, “I say not unto thee until seven times, but seventy times seven.” Was Jesus commanding Peter to forgive someone 490 times? No. The inference is to always forgive just as we’re also commanded to always pray and not faint (Luke 18:1). Forgiveness must be an abiding virtue in the life of the Christian.

How are we to respond when someone offends us directly? (1) we’re to confront the person face to face and tell him/her their sin. If they hear you and confess and forsake their sin and ask for forgiveness, then you’ve won them back and there’s no need for further reprisal (Matthew 18:15). But, if he will not hear you, then (2) take two or three witnesses for in the mouth of two or three witnesses let every word be established (Matthew 18:16, Deuteronomy 19:15). And if they neglect to hear them (3) tell it to the church. If he neglect to hear the church (4) treat him as a heathen and a tax collector. At this point, the offender is be removed from the assembly due to his refusal to repent – why? Because a little leaven leavens the whole lump (I Corinthians 5:6); which in laymen’s terms means his stay in the church assembly ruins the purity of the church so excommunication is required. From this point he’s to be treated as an evangelistic prospect, not utterly abandoned. Remember, the ultimate goal is to gain him back once he repents so there has to be admonishment in the interim (2 Thessalonians 3:15).

The tragedy of this position for the offender is that as long as he’s impenitent and uncircumcised in heart, he’ll continue to harden himself in sin. His remedy is 1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. It’s also important that the offender seeks forgiveness from those he offended and when he does, they’re to forgive immediately. At this point, he’s welcomed back into the fellowship of believers. Do not withhold forgiveness from anyone who’s seeking it from you especially when they’ve confessed it to the Lord. To operate in unforgiveness is a clear indicator that the Spirit of God may be absent in the person’s life. Unforgiveness is antithetical to the nature of God and is a clear indicator of perilous times as described by 2 Timothy 3:2.

To sum up the matter, we heed the admonition of Paul in Ephesians 4:31,32: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking be put away for you with all malice, and be kind to one another tenderhearted forgiving one another even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.”

THE KING'S SPEECH

Communication rancid with venom to boot. The potency of your tongue deadlier than 10 Black Mambas. The sum of the receiver paralysis from head to feet in defeat. Bereft of Holy preservative, you need the king’s speech.

You curse God and men as you shout damning expletives. Your tongue is set on fire of Hell. So intense the heat of your raucous speech, one lick can dry out the Ocean’s Pacific in less than a week.

Must be careful not to offend tongue world traveler. Her clip is full and bullet in the chamber. Please be nimble and be quick! Avoid the verbal assault this week until she’s endowed with the king’s speech.

How can you be so puerile, that your mouth can’t pick it’s battles? Your syllables consumes flesh and crushes bones. You’re a veracious, carnivorous beast!

The king’s speech is the sedative you need, heals mind body and spirit. You’re infirmed in your soul, your tongue a deadly weapon. Not even a vestige of virtue, shame on you.

Fury rules your conversation as evil empowers your rage. Your speech so abysmal it’s stench reaches to Heaven, yet it Genesis is in Hell.

A fool that holds his peace is deemed wise yet you argue your stupidity with no regard. Standing tall as you deliver your dissertation of vanity once again affirming your insanity,

Kings Speech.

You need to invert your grammar. Not becoming to hear wicked phrases. You spew gall and arsenic as you violate your audience. They hate you on the low yet fear their reaction will reciprocate an unholy retraction.

Take the high road with your speech, make it an edifice of exhortation. No longer play the harlot with your member, turning tricks of lyrical infidelity.

Finally prove your penitence. Murder the swagger of your language. Rather taste the sweet honey of repentance this time, the fruit of your lips now giving thanks to his name.

Kings Speech.