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Topic: When it’s Necessary to Forgive!
(Open Heaven 28 April 2019)
Memorise: “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?”- Matthew 18:21
Read: Mark 11:24-26 (KJV)
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Bible in One Year: Genesis 36-37, Jeremiah 26:12-24
Open Heaven 28 April 2019 Sunday MESSAGE:
Forgiveness is a term used to indicate pardon for a fault or mistake committed by someone. It means to end the feeling of animosity towards a person for an offence committed, and signifies the liberation of that person from guilt and its consequences, including punishment. It usually comes as an act of unmerited favour, compassion or love, with the aim of restoring a broken relationship. Forgiveness is synonymous with pardon, and it is also used in reference to the cancellation of debts. In God’s eyes, to forgive is more about the restoration of a broken relationship that just a change of one’s mind or emotions towards a person who committed an offense. Indeed, forgiveness can be costly and painful. Nevertheless, God demands that we forgive because He Himself first forgave us, and He continues to do so today.
God forgives our sins out of love and because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross of Calvary (Acts 13:38-39, 1 John 1:6-9). Having received His forgiveness through faith in the atoning Blood of Jesus, our sins are no longer held against us as children of God (Romans 3:25). The forgiveness we receive is a part of the justification that comes through grace. In pardoning sin, God effectively removes the guilt of sin, absolves the sinner of the condemnation of the law, and liberates the pardoned from eternal damnation. By this act of grace, the sinner is forever freed from the guilt and penalty of sin. This is God’s special prerogative, offered freely to all men through the gospel of Jesus. We access this free gift by confessing our sins unto God, genuinely repenting of them and becoming born again.
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As God has shown us unmerited love, mercy and grace, in wiping all our sins away with the Blood of Jesus, he commands us to do the same to our fellow men. We are to love our neighbours and keep no record of sin against them. As a matter of fact, God expects forgiveness to form part of our lifestyle, keeping in mind that receiving forgiveness from God is dependent on us forgiving our neighbors (Luke 6:37). Ephesians 4:32 says:
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Forgiveness leads to peace, reconciliation, healing, unity, progress, joy, prosperity and answered prayers. Whenever these things are lacking and we find ourselves stricken by our conscience, forgiveness is needed. Let the love of God radiate through you to others, so that you can also become a beneficiary of the Lord’s abundant blessings.
Open Heaven 28 April 2019 Sunday Prayer Point:
Father, please make me a person of peace and help me to forgive easily, in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heaven 28 April 2019 Sunday Hymn 5: Let Others See Jesus In You
1 While passing thro’ this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.
Chorus:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.
2 Your life’s a book before their eyes,
They’re reading it thro’ and thro’
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?
3 Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.
