Good morning and welcome in everybody. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to share something with you.
Can you ever remember a time when you were a young child that you went out to play in the snow. One of the adults had gone out before you, leaving some large footprints in the deep snowfall. Step by step you would follow their tracks, following the path that they had already walked.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
Jesus came to this earth to provide us with forgiveness for our sins, and we too must walk in the footsteps of Christ.
Luke 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Reconciliation is the restoration of estranged relationships that have become broken because of sin. In the church when somebody sins against another, they need to be capable of confessing their faults. This is so important that if somebody absolutely refuses to do that, you are not even supposed to have anything to do with them. This is because they are filled with pride and are rejecting a huge part of the Christian Life.
Matthew 18:15-18 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Before forgiveness can take place, confession is required. We must confess our sins both to God and to each other so that forgiveness and reconciliation can happen.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Reconciliation with others is so important to God, that He wants the matter taken care of before you even bring a gift to the church.
Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Christianity is the ministry of reconciliation, exemplified in the merciful forgiveness of Christ our Savior. He cleanses of our sins so that we can be in a new relationship with the Heavenly Father. We need to extend that same mercy and Grace to one another in the church so that Earthly relationships can be restored.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
In order to be reconciled with others in the church, we must be quick and ready to forgive them from our hearts, erasing their faults from our memory. Failure to forgive the penitent upon their confession is to reject the teachings of our Christian faith. If you refuse to be merciful, God will not show you any Mercy.
James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
It may take some people longer to learn than others, but we need to provide them with the riches of God’s grace from our hearts.
Matthew 18:21-35 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
In this passage, the man had been forgiven of a huge debt that he owed, just as we are forgiven of the debt of our sins through Christ Jesus. But instead of showing that same mercy to others, he closed off his heart to their compassionate plea. If genuine forgiveness has taken place, immediate reconciliation will take place because the event that happened is quickly forgotten. Those who profess to be Christian and refuse to forgive others will only find themselves unforgiven by God. In that frame of mind, it is an unforgivable sin.
Matthew 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
The gift of God’s grace and forgiveness needs to be warmly and graciously extended to others in their time of need.
1 Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Some people want to be forgiven by God, but as Jesus reconciles us unto the Father through His grace, in like manner, Christians need to be reconciled unto each other. Followers of Christ are required to show that same mercy unto others. All of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God and we each need to confess faults and be forgiving with each other. Forgiveness and reconciliation is what keeps families and marriages together, and most of all the body of Christ.
Mercy is available through Christ Jesus, but the question is, will you walk in those same steps and be merciful unto others? Will you walk in the…..
……Footsteps of Christ
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody. ❤️
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