A Key to All Relationships...

If you've walked with the Lord for any length of time I am sure you know this. Just as the Lord forgave us, forgives us and will forgive us, we pass on that forgiveness. That my friends is a simple but deeply powerful truth. 

Broken-hearted? Wounded?

Having a broken heart, being wounded (physically or emotionally) is not uncommon. It's just part of life. But, what you do with your broken heart and your wounds is often what determines the direction of you life. 

You can have a broken heart from not getting what you want. That's sort of a harsh way of saying that things didn't go as you had hoped. If you trust someone and they break that trust, it can be painful, emotionally, And you know what? We are all human. We all fall short. 

But, what do you do with your broken, wounded heart? Looking to anger or looking to forgiveness are two very opposite pathways with two very different outcomes. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness are self-destructive. You have to go to the Lord and ask him to heal you. He will heal you, he will bind up your wounds...

“I walked a mile with Pleasure;
She chatted all the way;
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow;
And ne’er a word said she;
But, oh! The things I learned from her,
When Sorrow walked with me.”

― Robert Browning Hamilton

The Forgiven Forgive

Mercy, Reverence and Service

In Christ God has heard our cry for mercy. In fact, he saw our need for mercy before we even came into existence. In Christ God has forgiven us of all our sins. Past, present and future. He nailed that record to the cross (Colossians 2:14) and triumphed over death and sin. 

Forgiveness does not give us license to sin, rather it opens our hearts to reverence. We stand in awe at the foot of the cross, knowing that the nails in his hands in feet, and all that he endured restores us to the Father and sets us in his kingdom as light in the darkness of this world. 

In that reverence we serve him where we are today. From home to work, school to sports, whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord, serving wholeheartedly. 

The Cross, The Triumph

On the cross, Christ took what the enemy thought was his victory and turned it into our victory. All that stands against us, death, sin and all that opposes God, can see their defeat nailed to the cross. In Christ, we see our victory, our fullness, our future. Praise God for his surpassing goodness, greatness and grace!

Nailed to the Cross

He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:13c-15

We need to remember that Paul is writing to believers who were being confronted on two sides by false teachers. On one side where the Judaizers who where teaching that to really know God, to be saved, you needed to fulfill the law, specifically, be circumcised. Then on the other side the predecessors of Gnosticism and philosophers  were teaching that you needed their secret knowledge to be truly enlightened or saved. Sound familiar? 

Paul deals with the heart of the matter directly in Christ. The world is really dealing with guilt. The real guilt that all people know. Some try to work it away, while others just try to explain it away. Have you noticed the new self-righteousness of the world? Save the world. Drive a Prius. Drive an electric car (that is mostly supplied with electricity created from fossil fuels). Recycle. And so on and so forth. Blame the rich. Blame something else for the evils in this world. Blame the god you don't believe in. Demand justice from someone else. 

Paul dealt with the prevailing ideologies of his day. How? The supremacy of Christ and his real death on a real cross. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Christ took that charge and nailed it to the cross. All our sins. Dealt with in Christ, nailed to the cross. Your guilt is nailed to the cross. Remember the false teachers were in essence saying that either Christ's death on the cross wasn't enough or it didn't really happen. Paul emphasizes the truth that Christ did die on the cross and that in so doing he triumphed over sin, all our sins. He nailed them to the cross. My sin, your sin, all of it, nailed to the cross. That's the truth and that truly is good news!

All Our Sins

You Intend, God Intends

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 

Genesis 50:20 NIV

I think most of us have quoted Romans 8:28 that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him", but few have been able to say it and with grace like Joseph after going through what he did. 

Nothing hurts more than family. People may hurt you, but when your brother or sister does something, that can leave a scar. Joseph's brothers tried to kill him, but, ended up selling him as a slave! Just put yourself in Joseph's place for a minute. Imagine looking up from that cistern and hearing them argue about what to do with you. They finally pull you out, only to find yourself sold as a slave. Then, your masters wife tries to seduce you and you get falsely accused of attempting to rape her because she's mad you rejected her. Next, you interpret a few dreams but the dreamers forget to tell anyone about you. But God had not forgotten Joseph. 

Joseph tells his brothers flat out that even though they meant harm, he knew God intended it for good. First, think about Potiphar's wife. If Potiphar, the captain of the guard, had believed Joseph tried to "make sport' of his wife he probably would of killed him. So, instead of being killed Joseph was just placed in prison. And you know the rest. He ends up second to Pharaoh, trusted by Pharaoh to run the nation.

Now the amazing thing is that when he sees his brothers, he sees them through the eyes of grace and forgiveness, knowing that God used all things to work salvation through even their betrayal. In verse 17 we are told that "Joseph wept" (sound familiar?). He wept because God's grace had worked in his heart to allow him to forgive and love his brothers. God always intends salvation. 

Where does God have you that even though others may have hurt you, God intends salvation? 

Remember the Benefits

Praise the Lord, my soul;

   all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, my soul,

   and forget not all his benefits—

Psalms 103:1-2 NIV

The benefits knowing and serving Christ are many. Forgiveness, healing, redemption, his holiness for ours, and many more. Now, think for a moment of the fruit of those benefits. 

The benefits of forgiveness are not just that we don't go to hell. Forgiveness becomes a part of all our relationships. We forgive because Christ first forgave us. Forgiveness keeps our relationships open and alive. Without the benefit of forgiveness our relationships suffer separation and deadness. The benefits of forgiveness, the fruit that results from it, are at the very core of abiding in Christ.

Let me ask you. What are the fruits of all the benefits of knowing Christ that you have experienced or are experiencing? His healing, redemption, love, compassion and... How are you benefiting from these? 

Fall Forward

   Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

   "You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. 

   He replied, “I am not.”

John 18:15-17 NIV

Much has been made about the fact that Peter denied Christ three times. But, I am always struck by the little noticed truth that Peter was following Christ when that happened. Yes, he "fell", but, at least he fell forward, following Christ.

Sometimes, despite our best intentions and most honorable desires, we sin. Occasionally, even though we are following Christ, we don't act like it. This is not an excuse or a rationalization of sin. Like I John 1:8-2:2 teaches, sin happens. There is a difference between falling away or, some would say, backsliding, than simply sinning. Falling away is when you cease believing and choose solely to live according to your sinful nature. 

Peter denied that he knew Christ. We know from history that he definitely didn't stop following Christ. I know it's common to say that in John 21 Jesus reinstated Peter, but, where does the Bible say that Christ ever let him go? 

What is the lesson for us? The lesson is that even though we falter, even though we fail, Christ still loves us. Yes, we should confess our sins. Christ is faithful and will forgive us. At times, our actions in effect deny Christ because we definitely are not acting like a Christian.  Christ doesn't reject us. He died for our sins, for that sin. Confess your sin, be forgiven and repent. You may fall, but like Peter, fall forward.

Let's Get Real Here

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

1 John 1:8-10 NIV

I was on a hiring committee once for a assistant principal position at a school I was working at and we were interviewing prospective candidates. One was a gentleman who was currently working at that school. The candidate was telling us why we should hire him when he proclaimed he worked well with everyone and never had issues with anybody. 

The problem was almost all of us had experienced run ins with him and he could be very difficult to work with. There were other reasons why he wasn't the best person for the job, so needless to say he wasn't chosen. 

After he found out he was not selected he asked me why. I tried to gently explain that other people were more qualified, but, he got a little testy. So, I flat out told him that he told several people who he had problems with that he never had problems with people. He was shocked and didn't recall ever having problems with people. I've since changes schools and last I saw him he was still wondering why people thought he was hard to get along with.

If we don't recognize our own sin we will just deceive ourselves, blame others, maybe even God, and probably be self-righteous hypocrites. Just like my "friend" from work, if we deny our sin we can't be helped. But, if confess our sins (which is admitting you sinned), Christ will forgive all our unrighteousness. 

Two Sides of The Life of Faith

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 

Hebrews 12:14-15 NIV

Being holy and not allowing roots of bitterness are two sides of the life of faith.  Being holy is about what I do, while not allowing bitterness is about what you do to me. 

"See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God" is like a bridge between the two. The grace of God applies to both you and me. You need grace and I need grace.  I am going to try to be holy but, I will fail sometimes (that's not an excuse, that's just reality) I will fall short of holiness. Now, the author of Hebrews doesn't say, "See to it that no one falls short of holiness" he says, "the grace of God".  Our faith is in his grace, not our holiness. 

Bitterness comes when I have unreal expectations of myself and/or others. I forget that I sin and that others will sin, too. I forget that Jesus is interceding for me, because I sin. I need grace. Just as God in Christ forgives me, I need to be forgiving others. Grace allows us both to rest in Christ's holiness. 

Got Guilt?

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 

Hebrews 10:19-23 NIV

Here is the bottom line. My sins and your sins were dealt with on the cross by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The enemy tries to condemn us (guilt plus condemnation) and Christ ever lives to intercede for us. Hold on to the truth. In Christ we are holy. He is our righteousness, holiness and redemption (see I Corinthians 1:30). Think of it this way: The enemy uses guilt to remind us that we sinned and that we don't deserve to call on God. Christ takes that guilt, shows us his wounds, asks us to just believe those were for us, and reminds us to just keep trying to love others with that same grace. 

Completely and Always

but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Hebrews 7:24-25 NIV

The fact that Jesus' priesthood is permanent leads to two wonderful truths. First, that he is able to save us completely and secondly, that he ever lives to intercede for us. 

The completeness of his saving work assures us that whatever the depths of sin his death on the cross covers us. The completeness of his salvation also deals with time because he lives forever as our High Priest. The past, the present, and the future are all cover by his grace. 

The comfort of knowing that he is always interceding on our behalf encourages us to press on and never give up. You see, there is no time where he steps away and comes back and is surprised to find us is the mess we are in.  Right now he is interceding for you. 

The Eternal Tense of Forgiveness

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 

Colossians 1:21-22 NIV

God's goal, his end in mind, is to present you holy in his sight. He will deal with the blemishes and accusations. Sometimes the problem for us is that we still live as if we are alienated from God. We make choices as if we are still an enemy of God. 

In a way there is no tense that can adequately express the depth of the work of Christ on our sins. To say that we are forgiven doesn't just mean from the sins of the past and now we get to try to be perfect again. The reconciliation of death of Christ is eternal. Not just past, not just present, not just future, but eternal. When Christ died on the cross he knew we would sin, our whole life. He views us from eternity. His purpose is to present you holy, unblemished and free from accusation. 

Whatever you are struggling with, whatever you are going through, keep seeking Christ because he died to free you, not watch you try to be good enough. 

All Purpose Advice

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

I've read some great books and heard a lot of sermons on marriage, parenting, boundaries and love languages but, the best advice I've ever heard on any type of relationship  is right here in Ephesians. 

You can talk all you want, and sometimes you shouldn't, but if you don't forgive, you'll just be assigning blame. You can give each other space and sometimes there is not a enough in the universe, but, if you don't remember that YOU need to be forgiven, you'll just be trying to get the other person to change so you don't have to.  

Whether you talking about marriage, parenting, friendships, work relationships, or daily dealings with people in general, if you don't remember that you need God to forgive you, you will never get to enjoy people as God intended you to enjoy them. Forgiveness opens the door to grace. Grace from God to you and from you to others. You want to see God work, forgive. 

The word of the day: Forgave, God forgave our sins.

The word of the day is forgave. God forgave my sins. 

Thank you Father for sending your Son, your One and Only Son to forgive our iniquities, to cover all our sins. Praise be to you for setting aside all your wrath and turning from your fierce anger. Thank you that you forgave us.

Quick, Mercy Save Me!

 Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;

   may your mercy come quickly to meet us,

   for we are in desperate need.

Psalms 79:8 NIV

Sometimes there is no time for pleasantries. All we can do is cry out for mercy. "Lord, have mercy on me, because I am in desperate need."

Possible Peace

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 

Romans 12:18 NIV

A few years ago I worked with a guy who was challenging, to say the least, to work with. He was an argument waiting to happen. He was a teacher on the same grade level as I was so, we were often in meetings together. That guy could go from "How are you?" to "I can't believe you guys are not teaching (fill in the blank)!" in about ten seconds. Then he'd start yelling and getting red in the face, blaming everyone else for anything and everything. (No one wondered why he was divorced.) Most of the time I could kind of direct the conversation away from volatility. But, not always. 

I tried to talk to him. We tried to talk to him. The administrators tried to talk to him. He just could not grasp that the issue was the way he spoke with other people. During one grade level meeting he started self-righteously declaring that no-one else took their job seriously, cared, or had a clue. Each teacher tried to calm him down but, he was just getting hotter and hotter. Finally, I just had to say, "Do we need to call the police again?" (The police were once called to the school because he was verbally accosting one of the other teachers and refused to stop.) He, looked at me in shock, and stopped. 

A few verses later Paul says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (verse 21). By faith (that God will work things out) do what is right, do what is loving. If peace is possible, God will work it out. 

The Battle Was Won on the Cross

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Romans 7:24-25 NIV

Tomorrow we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Every day a battle is waged within us. But every battle has been won on the cross. Today we remember that Christ paid the price so that we might live by faith in him. 

I think we all feel the battle that Paul shares with us in Romans chapter 7. We wish that we could claim the victory and never have to fight the battle again, but, that is just not the way it is. We are called to fight the good fight and remember, every day, that Jesus rescues us from this body of death. Everyday we are reminded of his grace and his mercy, his forgiveness and faithfulness. 

Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!