Power of Forgiveness
12/11/13
The Lord wants to give us forgiveness this Christmas. As I was preparing for this study, I became suddenly aware that I haven't been practicing forgiveness, as is usual and customary. What was my problem? Why have I not been asking for the Lord's forgiveness? Had I gotten to a point of callous numbness in my prayer life as to omit such a major, fundamental practice? I was shocked at this possibility. So I figured I better check myself, before I wrecked myself. I began analyzing my relationship with Papa. I did find room for improvement in awareness of my hidden sins and selfish tendencies, along with some pride adjustments. But I discovered something interesting: my relationship with the Lord was such, that I was automatically repenting and receiving forgiveness. I was participating in the power of forgiveness already in the day to day relationship. I just wasn't using the word 'forgiveness' as much as I used to. Can you forgive me for this? Ha! Bad joke, sorry.
It's not about the words we use in practicing forgiveness, folks. It's about our decision to act. It's about our choices in repentance. That's what we want to give the Lord this Christmas: repentance. Repentance is our turning away from the negative choices in our journey, and pursuing the positive ones. God has already gone the distance, all the way, reconciling the world to Himself. There's nothing more He could possibly do. It is up to us to receive the position of righteousness He is offering us. In our participating in a relationship with Christ, we practice the act of forgiveness. With the Holy Spirit leading us, we are nudged into an improved conscience that becomes more aware of our sins. It is our responsibility to rid ourselves of these negative influences and fill ourselves up with the fullness of God, continually. This is God's deliverance of us from the power and effects of a sin-enslaved life, all by the actions of our faith. We are no longer slaves to sin, but slaves to God. He has provided the complete remedy for the devastating effects of sin by submitting the ultimate sacrifice of Christ's blood. Now, if He didn't raise to life again, we are without hope in this struggle. But since He demonstrated the power to overcome the grave, He provided the way to overcome sin and raise us to true life, out of the grip of the gravity of sin. And this is the miracle of the power of forgiveness: that weak, fallible humans may overcome the influences of a sinful world, and live a spiritual life while on this Earth. Amazing love.
So, He has done His part, in full. It is up to us, to do our part by allowing the Spirit to strengthen our hearts to make the right decisions in this journey. We must take up the power of Christ that helped Him overcome. We must walk strongly and humbly with the Lord. He will deliver us as we consume the fullness of God, more and more. It does no good to simply empty ourselves, for fear that our house will be overtaken by even more demons. We must fill ourselves with the Spirit of God.
X's: Defense: We only need God's word on this subject. He says He forgives us. It is finished. It's done. Get over it. Fill yourself up with the love of God and get back up on your feet. Be crazy thankful that He is not counting these sins against you. He is with you. Be with Him. The Devil will try to remind you of your wrongdoings and shortcomings. Point that snake to the cross where the power of forgiveness was displayed. Point to the fact that Christ is alive and well today (think of the scriptures that describe Him in glory: Rev 1, Eze. 1, etc.). Be strong in your faith that God has taken care of this issue. Do not be shaken, as you pay whatever consequences of your choices. God has a plan, even in this. Stick with Him. Be determined. Don't go back. He is redeeming you.
O's: Offense: Let the Holy Spirit convict you of yourself. Let the relationship happen. Do the things He loves you to do. Stay away from the things He doesn't want you to do. Always run to Him, running away from the bad influences. Accept His forgiveness. Receive your good standing as He reminds you of the power of His love. Remember what He says about this forgiveness topic. It's real. Believe it. Practice it. Forgive others. In doing so, you are actually being Jesus to them. It is proper and right and beneficial and Godly to practice forgiveness. I am convinced you cannot truly have life apart from practicing the power of forgiveness.
