Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27 KJV
There was a discussion in the congregation of saints recently about the possibility of God's demand in the above scripture. The pressing question is how can error, sin or hurts too deep; be forgiven before sunset? How possible if the event occurred in the evening of the day? Many more queries and questions some of which the logical answers tend to buttress the impossibility of God's demand. But one thing is certain, the word of the Lord remains the only truth and source of life for a child of God. Attempt to fault or inability to obey any of God's instruction is pure manifestation of the flesh. Thus there is just one simple question children of God should ask; what is the divine approach to forgiveness of deep hurt before sunset.
Answer to this question will be based on the premise that we are Christian "Like Father like son" in other words people who are daily longing and thirsty for more of God, for holiness, righteousness and living in watchful expectation of Jesus Christ second coming.
It will interest you to know that God will not ask us to do what He has not done. God in the dispensation of law forgive sin after comprehensive sacrifices prescribed for such sin has be executed. Many examples of this are found in book of Leviticus in the Bible. Some sins takes more than a day before total cleansing can be achieved. Even some require paying price equal to the damage done. The custodian of the law; Moses refers to this procedure as an eyes for an eyes, tooth for tooth. This clearly establish that you can hold unto your anger and unforgiveness until the right judgement is served. This may involve the offender pay big price for the sins or errors committed.
The narratives above is still much more in the conscious and subconscious reaction to issues of forgiveness in many Christian today that we've lost the true meaning of transition from old testament patriarchs to the new testament saints.
Permit me to also start by highlighting God's approach to sin in the new dispensation as against the old description. It will interest you to know God keeps records of sin just like men under the law until remedy was provided or justice done. But God has long change this approach by the new testament through Jesus Christ. Thus His children have to change too.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 KJV
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Hebrews 10:14, 17 KJV
Closer look at the above scriptures should open our eyes to God's approach to damage or hurt men sins gave God. God was equally angry with man when the hurt was so much to the effect He spoke up in old testament of His regret creating man and also at the beginning of the new testament when He turned away to the effects Jesus Christ cried for God's attention. That was the depth of anger provoked by all men sin before God that made Him not to even want to look at His begotten Son Jesus. But did the anger made Him to retain Man's sin? No; but rather it made God established our adoption forever as His own. What a great divine mystery.
God is no longer seated in heaven waiting for daily sacrifice and reports of sin on like the days of the Law. But now in the peace of Jesus Christ, the once and for all Lamb for sin. He perfected us forever and remember no more our sins. God is now focus on the sacrifice Jesus Christ made to FORGIVE BEFORE SIN IS COMMITTED. This is the divine principle to overcome hurt and anger without sinning. Most time both believers and unbelievers call on God for forgiveness of sin, His response is I HAVE FORGIVEN BEFORE YOU SIN, I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER THE INIQUITY. This is the blessedness of the new covenant in the blood of Jesus.
What should be my approach to hurtful anger. God is Almighty, it could be easy for Him. This may be the question right now in your mind. Let's see how; together in the scriptures.
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. Matthew 6:14-15 KJV.
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.
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. Matthew 18:21-22, 32-35 KJV
Just as it was painful for angry God to forgive our past, present and future sins. It is very important as His children to do likewise. Our action just as the above scriptures pointed out should be based on what Christ has done to pay for our own sins. Not because the person who committed the crime doesn't deserve to be punished heavily or at least for a while as it is done in old covenant. The grace for forgiveness as simply define in the scripture is Christian divine ability to say to the offender: I HAVE FORGIVEN BEFORE YOU SIN. NOT BECAUSE YOU DESERVE IT BUT BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST PAID A BIGGER PRICE FOR MY OWN SIN AND I WILL BE FOOLISH TO REMIND HIM HOW SINFUL I WAS AND I AM. If a child of God understands this divine mystery, you will always remember the hurt you've caused Jesus is weightier than any hurt you will ever get from any man. Many children of God today suffer from sin God had forgiven them, just because God was reminded by their unforgiving spirit.
Are you hurt and angry? Yes. Was God hurt and angry? Yes. Is God faithful to the divine principle of; I have forgiven you before you sin? Yes. If I choose to reminds myself to be faithful to this principle, will forgiving before sunset be easy? Yes. I just don't see why I should remind God all my sins, why should I let him feel again what He felt that made Him turn again His only begotten Son on the Cross. To be children of God is just beyond how we feel pain, but more importantly how God will feel about our actions and reaction to issues of life.
Let me close with this scripture:
Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained John 20:23 KJV. And also remind you of Matthew 6:14-15.
I will conclude this way, If I am angry and hurt by my brethren action and inaction. If I refuse to forgive, his sins will remain because I have power to retain his sins. That will put him in danger of shame, regret and pain. But the greater consequence, the most bitter part of my no forgiveness is the effect on me. The signal I sent to God to remember all my sins and remove me from the list of those whose sins were covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. In a simple word, my desire unknowingly is: GOD I WILL PUNISH HIM FOR HIS SINS, PLEASE PUNISH ME FOR MINE. To be free from such self imposed sin judgement as well as remain sinless. We must like God FORGIVE SINS BEFORE THEY ARE COMMITTED. May God give us the grace to be able to forgive no matter how it hurts just as God embraced all hurts to forgive us. Amen
There was a discussion in the congregation of saints recently about the possibility of God's demand in the above scripture. The pressing question is how can error, sin or hurts too deep; be forgiven before sunset? How possible if the event occurred in the evening of the day? Many more queries and questions some of which the logical answers tend to buttress the impossibility of God's demand. But one thing is certain, the word of the Lord remains the only truth and source of life for a child of God. Attempt to fault or inability to obey any of God's instruction is pure manifestation of the flesh. Thus there is just one simple question children of God should ask; what is the divine approach to forgiveness of deep hurt before sunset.
Answer to this question will be based on the premise that we are Christian "Like Father like son" in other words people who are daily longing and thirsty for more of God, for holiness, righteousness and living in watchful expectation of Jesus Christ second coming.
It will interest you to know that God will not ask us to do what He has not done. God in the dispensation of law forgive sin after comprehensive sacrifices prescribed for such sin has be executed. Many examples of this are found in book of Leviticus in the Bible. Some sins takes more than a day before total cleansing can be achieved. Even some require paying price equal to the damage done. The custodian of the law; Moses refers to this procedure as an eyes for an eyes, tooth for tooth. This clearly establish that you can hold unto your anger and unforgiveness until the right judgement is served. This may involve the offender pay big price for the sins or errors committed.
The narratives above is still much more in the conscious and subconscious reaction to issues of forgiveness in many Christian today that we've lost the true meaning of transition from old testament patriarchs to the new testament saints.
Permit me to also start by highlighting God's approach to sin in the new dispensation as against the old description. It will interest you to know God keeps records of sin just like men under the law until remedy was provided or justice done. But God has long change this approach by the new testament through Jesus Christ. Thus His children have to change too.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 KJV
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Hebrews 10:14, 17 KJV
Closer look at the above scriptures should open our eyes to God's approach to damage or hurt men sins gave God. God was equally angry with man when the hurt was so much to the effect He spoke up in old testament of His regret creating man and also at the beginning of the new testament when He turned away to the effects Jesus Christ cried for God's attention. That was the depth of anger provoked by all men sin before God that made Him not to even want to look at His begotten Son Jesus. But did the anger made Him to retain Man's sin? No; but rather it made God established our adoption forever as His own. What a great divine mystery.
God is no longer seated in heaven waiting for daily sacrifice and reports of sin on like the days of the Law. But now in the peace of Jesus Christ, the once and for all Lamb for sin. He perfected us forever and remember no more our sins. God is now focus on the sacrifice Jesus Christ made to FORGIVE BEFORE SIN IS COMMITTED. This is the divine principle to overcome hurt and anger without sinning. Most time both believers and unbelievers call on God for forgiveness of sin, His response is I HAVE FORGIVEN BEFORE YOU SIN, I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER THE INIQUITY. This is the blessedness of the new covenant in the blood of Jesus.
What should be my approach to hurtful anger. God is Almighty, it could be easy for Him. This may be the question right now in your mind. Let's see how; together in the scriptures.
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. Matthew 6:14-15 KJV.
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.
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. Matthew 18:21-22, 32-35 KJV
Just as it was painful for angry God to forgive our past, present and future sins. It is very important as His children to do likewise. Our action just as the above scriptures pointed out should be based on what Christ has done to pay for our own sins. Not because the person who committed the crime doesn't deserve to be punished heavily or at least for a while as it is done in old covenant. The grace for forgiveness as simply define in the scripture is Christian divine ability to say to the offender: I HAVE FORGIVEN BEFORE YOU SIN. NOT BECAUSE YOU DESERVE IT BUT BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST PAID A BIGGER PRICE FOR MY OWN SIN AND I WILL BE FOOLISH TO REMIND HIM HOW SINFUL I WAS AND I AM. If a child of God understands this divine mystery, you will always remember the hurt you've caused Jesus is weightier than any hurt you will ever get from any man. Many children of God today suffer from sin God had forgiven them, just because God was reminded by their unforgiving spirit.
Are you hurt and angry? Yes. Was God hurt and angry? Yes. Is God faithful to the divine principle of; I have forgiven you before you sin? Yes. If I choose to reminds myself to be faithful to this principle, will forgiving before sunset be easy? Yes. I just don't see why I should remind God all my sins, why should I let him feel again what He felt that made Him turn again His only begotten Son on the Cross. To be children of God is just beyond how we feel pain, but more importantly how God will feel about our actions and reaction to issues of life.
Let me close with this scripture:
Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained John 20:23 KJV. And also remind you of Matthew 6:14-15.
I will conclude this way, If I am angry and hurt by my brethren action and inaction. If I refuse to forgive, his sins will remain because I have power to retain his sins. That will put him in danger of shame, regret and pain. But the greater consequence, the most bitter part of my no forgiveness is the effect on me. The signal I sent to God to remember all my sins and remove me from the list of those whose sins were covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. In a simple word, my desire unknowingly is: GOD I WILL PUNISH HIM FOR HIS SINS, PLEASE PUNISH ME FOR MINE. To be free from such self imposed sin judgement as well as remain sinless. We must like God FORGIVE SINS BEFORE THEY ARE COMMITTED. May God give us the grace to be able to forgive no matter how it hurts just as God embraced all hurts to forgive us. Amen
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