"God-Who-Forgives"

"You answered them, O LORD our God; You were to them God-Who-Forgives, though You took vengeance on their deeds." (Psalm 99:8)

This is a seeming contradiction:  "God-Who-Forgives...took vengeance...."  I will not attempt some "deep" exegesis here. 

The reality of human existence is that any may receive forgiveness of sin in our Lord Jesus Christ, but this does not mean forgiveness cancels the effect of sin.  I am thankful that my sins are forgiven and that because of the Blood of Jesus Christ He, "cast all our sins into the depths of the sea," and, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."  What is most disturbing, however, and should give us all cause to be very careful as to how we live, is that every sin has a cause and effect reality.  It's called, consequences.  Forgiveness does not deal with consequences.  I am not asserting this as "sound theology," but it could be that, "vengeance on their deeds," is, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."  People blame God for so much, some for everything, yet the truth is that man insisted on his own way in the Garden, and has been doing so every since.  "But My people would not heed My voice and Israel would have none of Me.  So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels."
Could this be the, "vengeance," of which our text speaks?

A group of us are gathering later this month in a house meeting to share communion, aka, The Lord's Table, together.  Our participation in the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ is our life, our forgiveness, our eternal salvation.  Historically this has been the focal point of Christian fellowship.  I can think of nothing more wonderful for Followers of Jesus than to share His Table.  Here, in Jesus Christ's Body and Blood, we find forgiveness, "joy unspeakable," peace.  Here, though we all bring the consequences of our sin, we also bring our love for one another, our grace, our understanding.  You and I cannot change the sowing and reaping cycle.  We can, though, show grace and mercy to one another, just as Our Lord does to us-- "God-Who-Forgives."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I may bemoan the consequences of things which I have put in motion, but I fully accept responsibility for them, and thank You that You are, "God-Who-Forgives."  Amen.
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Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com

"Mainstreaming Anti-Semitism": www.apf327.blogspot.com
      

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

What Is The Call Of Jesus To Humanity?

"If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." (Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 19)

Evangelicals have said of Jesus' encounter with the "rich, young ruler," that our Lord was not saying that keeping the law would save him, but, I guess, some "sinner's prayer" would.  I have led people in "the sinner's prayer," and there is indeed something in it which speaks of coming to Father in Jesus Christ.  One must always keep in mind, however, that while there are Biblical principles contained in it, it can mislead us in regards to the Law of God.  We must be very careful with this evangelical fear that people will get the wrong understanding of The Law of God.  Each of the commandments which Jesus told the young man to keep are just as applicable today as they were on Sinai----------------------

and to that searching young man.

"If you want to be perfect (complete)," was the key.  The Law without a life of following Jesus Christ is useless.  This is not a disparagement of the Law, rather, it is an affirmation of the Bible as a whole, complete, that one part without the other is incomplete.  A person can labor to keep The Law so that he can go to Heaven, but without a surrendered life to Jesus Christ, Heaven is unattainable.  This is what Jesus was saying to this self-made young man.  He did right in that he kept the law, but Luke's record says, "You still lack one thing....follow Me."

Our Lord Jesus did not come to start a know-what-you-need-to-know-just-to-get-by religion.  He came to bring us to completion/perfection, in other words, to Himself.  John 14 says that Jesus came so that we can, "come to the Father...by Me."  I suggest this as perfection:  Follow Jesus and He will bring us to Father so that we in Jesus in the Holy Spirit will be in Father in Jesus in the Holy Spirit Eternally." 

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for a continual attitude of, "sell all that you have and distribute to the poor..; and come, follow Me."  Amen.

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Disturbing Trends in Eastern Europe: www.apf327.blogspot.com

Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

How To Feel Good About Yourself

"O LORD, be gracious to us; we have waited for You.  Be their strength every morning, Our salvation also in the time of distress." (Isaiah 33:2, NASB)

Our text is from this quarter's Major Prophets reading.  It could not have been more timely.  I receive a monthly prayer guide from Open Doors and the following request was posted for today, January 17.  It comes from the country of  Ethiopia.  "Another church in western Ethiopia has been looted by Muslims.  The area is notorious for hostile behavior towards believers.  Recently, two [believers] were beaten to death attending secret believers meetings.  Church leaders say the situation is getting worse and ask supporters to earnestly pray for the church elders to lead with divine wisdom and be strong for their members." 

People like to "feel good about themselves."  They like devotionals which aid that pursuit.  And I can say that I never "feel better" about myself than when I am walking in obedience to Jesus Christ and His Words, "pray for one another."  This, "one another," does not mean just those in our local congregations, house meetings, or circle of friends.  "One another," means the Church, the global Church.  "One another," is any Brother or Sister in Jesus Christ whom I know or know of who needs prayer, from the "smallest" prayer need to a survival prayer need.  It is a most glorious life style!  

You should have received a notice I forwarded to you to join in praying for Followers of Jesus Christ in the 50 top hostile regimes in the world for the coming year.  It features a hostile regime each week.  Please join me in praying our text for our Brethren in Jesus Christ in Ethiopia, "Father, in Jesus Name, I pray that You will, "be gracious to [them]; [they] have waited for You.  Be their strength every morning, [their] salvation also in the time of distress."  Amen.

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US Cancels Joint Israeli Drill:  www.apf327.blogspot.com

Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com ;   

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

"Who Then Is the Greatest In the Kingdom...."

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?'  Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.'" (Matthew 18:1-3)

Instead of sending the child to children's church, Jesus said he is a prime example.  Paraphrase: "This child can teach you something.  Watch him."

I wonder how many of us ever, "become as little children."  According to Our Lord Jesus, this is the basis for entering, "the kingdom of heaven."  I have noticed over the years that the younger people are, the more open they are to input, the wonder of life, more observant.  The older they get the disease of boredom moves in, a person becomes more of a know-it-all.  This is probably the reason for the statement, "Give us a child until he is 8 years old, then you can have him."  I have often heard people say that when they first received Jesus they could not get enough of the Bible, went to every meeting they could get to, read everything. Then what happens?  No matter what the answer, the root is, "I'm maturing; no one can teach me anything I don't already know."

Our Lord goes on to say, "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  Okay; now think of that person whom you think to be, "the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  Do they show any characteristics at all of a 2 or 3 year old?  Resist making a joke and seriously consider this.  Observe a 2 or 3 year old, a teenager----------------- and yourself, "these three; but the greatest of them is,"--------- "become as little children."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for a restored wonder of life in You.  Amen.

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News, Commentary: www.apf327.blogspot.com

Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2