Jesus

Forgive, And Ye Shall Be Forgiven

Ken

“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:” (Luke 6:37 KJV). It is interesting that forgiveness for our sins is reciprocally dependent on our forgiveness of those who have sinned against us. One might think our need for forgiveness for our own sins would be more the deciding factor for our effectiveness rather than our ability or willingness to forgive others. Apparently, we are more prone to stymie our Spiritual Effectiveness by disregarding our need of forgiving others. Most likely, what we do not think to be a lack of forgiving others, we may label as a lack of necessity for our forgiving others. 

What does forgiving others look like? 

On the Cross, Messiah Jesus “made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12), who were nailing Him to the Cross. “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do [Greek, poiousin, present tense, are doing]. And they parted His raiment, and cast lots” (Luke 23:34). He was praying for their forgiveness before they were done sinning against Him. Certainly, the Father will not forgive anyone unless they confess and repent of their sin. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9). We can tell if someone responds to our pray for their being forgiven, when we can see them cease from their sinning. “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil [literally, stop sinning]” (Isaiah 1:16). “Awake to righteousness, and sin not [literally, stop sinning]; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame” (1Corinthians 15:34). 

We have not been praying for the forgiveness of those, who have offended against us, because:

First, though we admit the intellectual need for forgiving them, we don’t see the practical point of praying for it. Yet, Jesus’ prayer was answered even as He was dying. “Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54). 

Second, we were there in spirit nailing Jesus to the Cross, since “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5), so He prayed for our forgiveness in the same fashion we should pray for the forgiveness of others we do not directly know nor are present at hand. 

Third, we are releasing the Holy Spirit upon those, for whom we are praying to be forgiven. “And when He [Holy Spirit] is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). 

Fourth, the forgiveness of sin magnifies God even more than the healing of disease. “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house” (Matthew 9:6). 

Fifth, concerning forgiveness, unlike the OT sacrifice, whose sacrifices were only a temporary covering for sin, waiting for Christ’s atonement, our forgiveness is now once and final. “1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:1, 10).

Sixth, our forgiving others and praying for others’ forgiveness is a mark of ushering in the Kingdom of God on Earth, until the LORD returns. “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me” (Acts 26:18).

Seventh, though there is no need of forgiveness of sin in Heaven — since there is no sin in Heaven — God will wipe away all the tears from the sin for which we already have been forgiven, remembering the first sin committed by Lucifer was also in Heaven. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

Father, the blessing and power of Your forgiveness of us can only be seen in the power of changed lives. Teach us to trust and pray for Your forgiveness of us, even as we forgive and pray for others. Magnify Your name by who You forgive. Bring captivity captive and give the gift of repentance and forgiveness to as many as our Lord will call. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen and amen.

 

Inspired to Obey

Ken

One of the main things that should attract us to being baptized is not just the forgiveness of sins, but the receiving of the Holy Spirit. 

Let me explain. 

The very first sermon of the NT Church taught us: 

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38 KJV). 

Repentance and baptism bringing about the reception of the Holy Spirit — should intrigue us. 

Our sins are taken away and replaced with God’s Indwelling Spirit. 

Now, people can see when you have been baptized, because you just got wet. But, how can they tell, if you have received the Holy Spirit? 

Obedience is how you can tell if someone has the Holy Spirit. 

That is what the LORD told the prophet Ezekiel.  

“I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). 

That to me is one of the most significant verses in the OT, which puts into perspective Acts 2:38. 

Perhaps you have already heard about the Promise of the Spirit? 

“That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:14). 

But, did you know something as simple as water baptism could be so significant? 

Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33). 

Notice the Loyalty Oath taken and given at baptism, in the presence of others baptizing and witnessing the event, declares Jesus as Lord. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus [confession with the mouth implies the presence of others baptizing and witnessing the event], and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). 

But still, it isn’t a debate whether water or grace through faith saves us. 

It is Jesus that saves us. 

What should become clear is that the Gift of the Holy Spirit preached by Peter at Pentecost 

Isn’t you possessing the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit possessing you.

By our obedience to something as basic as water baptism, we were given the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

Just listen to how Peter and the other apostles put it in the Book of Acts: 

“And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32). 

Did you notice that?

Obeying the command to be baptized gave the Gift of the Indwelling Holy Spirit.  

But, Jehovah’s promise of Ezekiel 36:27 was: 

“I’ll put My Spirit in you” 

 and 

“Cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them.” 

What dawned upon me (over long years) is the Holy Spirit causes us to walk in His Statutes, keep His judgments, and do them.  It meant

The Holy Spirit inspires us to obey God. 

Praise God! 

When the OT prophets and NT apostles were inspired to pen the words of Scripture, they were not taking rote dictation. 

I have come to the conclusion that

The giving of the Holy Spirit is for the express purpose of God securing and guaranteeing our obedience. 

Hallelujah! 

Not just securing our obedience to be baptized, but guaranteeing our obedience for everything! 

Paul expressed his heart to the Thessalonian disciples, as I do to you:

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thessalonians 5:23).

May you be inspired to obey God! 

Heavenly Father, if we being evil know how to give good gifts unto our children, how much more are You willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask You. Pour out Your Spirit upon us. Teach us to do Your will. Your Spirit is good. Lead us into the land of uprightness. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Return quickly. Amen and amen.

Basic Christianity

Ken

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment” (Hebrews 6:1-2 KJV). Elementary or Basic Christianity is built upon a foundation of: (1) turning away from self-righteous, dead works, i.e., “repentance from dead works” (6:1), (2) confidence or faith in the Living God, i.e., “faith toward God” (6:1), (3) pledging our loyalty to Christ through a public display of water baptism, and entering into communion with the Body of Christ through baptism, i.e., “doctrines of baptisms” (6:2), (4) reception of gifts of the Holy Spirit through the “laying on of hands” (6:2), (5) anticipation of our future physical resurrection from the dead or our reuniting with departed saints at the Rapture, i.e., “resurrection of the dead” (6:2), and (6) anticipation of our future reward, i.e., “eternal judgment” (6:2). Are these not already “principles of the doctrines of Christ” (6:1) or “elementary instructions” (6:1 NET) for us, so that we “may move on to maturity” (6:1 NET) or “perfection” (6:1 KJV)? First, since “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20), then dead works must be self-righteous works, which only justify us and not God, from which we are to turn away from in repentance. Second, to “have faith in God” (Mark 11:22) is fundamental to repentance. Third, willingness to pledge our loyalty to Christ in water baptism is fundamental to those whom “shall [not deny Christ] before men” (Matthew 10:33) and whom are “baptized into Jesus Christ” (Romans 6:3) and His communion. Fourth, recognition and preparation by others in the Body of Christ through the “laying on of hands” (Hebrews 6:2) is empowering disciples through the power of the Holy Spirit to make disciples, i.e., “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2Timothy 2:2 ). Fifth, preparing ourselves for the Resurrection or the Rapture — whether we are the “dead in Christ [who] shall rise first” (1Thessalonians 4:16) or “are alive and remain [who] shall be caught up together with them in the clouds” (4:17) at the “twinkling of an eye” (1Corinthians 15:52). And, sixth, the Bema Seat Judgment is the anticipation of those who have died in faith or were Raptured, to be rewarded and not punished, i.e., “For we must all appear before the judgment seat [Greek, bema] of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad [loss of reward, not punished]” (2Corinthians 5:10). Father, where we have poor understanding, strengthen us, because we desire to be those, who go on to maturity and perfection in the face of upcoming hardship. Number us among those, who seek to add to our understanding and who refuse to be at ease in Zion. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen and amen.

What Really Saves Us?

Ken

It is not what, but who saves us? If Jesus is not the answer to that question, then you have a problem with salvation. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 KJV). Do you know Him as Yeshua, Messiah, Christ, or the LORD, then you are still referring to Jesus. Did repentance or turning away from sin save you? “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Did baptism or taking the loyalty oath to Jesus save you? Did faith or trusting in Jesus to forgive your sins save you? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). Did confessing Jesus to be your Lord save you? “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). Yes to all the above, but it really is Jesus that saves you. Lest you become confused and start insisting that you are getting yourself to Heaven because you believed, repented, confessed Jesus as Lord, or you took the loyalty oath and were baptized, so you are now saved. You are saved only because and for as long as He says you are saved, because of Jesus! Accept no other! LORD, help us to put our eyes upon Thee and never remove them! Amen and amen.