God Forgave…  Why Should We?

As I sit here recalling my past; I can't help but realize how bad I have been through out my life. The mistakes I've made, the problems I faced, and the very way that I carried myself would definitely qualify me to be classified as a sinner. The anger that was deep inside of me was directed at God as I lived a life that was far from perfect. I was sure that it was His fault that my life hadn't turned out the way I wanted it to. I just couldn’t understand how or why God would let my life be so bad. This included a childhood, which was far from happy, with my parents divorced, and having a parent diagnosed with a terminal disease. How could God allow this to happen?

As a teenager I witnessed first hand the miraculous healing of my parent, and tried to justify my actions and all the failures that I had experienced and the feelings of failure that overwhelmed me. I’ve lived my life as though there wasn’t going to be a tomorrow. I didn’t care, I did what I wanted (even though it was wrong) and lived the way I saw fit. The message that I was sending out to others was simple to understand, I claimed to be a Christian but acted like a heathen. There was a time in my life when rebellion ruled, no one was going to tell me how to live...  what to wear... to think... or act. Was I perfect? No, was I sinless? No, far from it! I blamed God for it!

I see all the mistakes I made, the sinful nature in which I was living, and the many lives that I touched as paths crossed. I had emerged from childhood to adulthood, not seeing myself as being bad, nor did I care about that future. Was I perfect? No, was I sinless? No, far from it! I blamed God for it! I had been taught many years earlier that God had a plan for us all. As the Bible tells us: The footsteps of a righteous man are numbered, so why then did this happening to me? I started to think about the future and what would happen, after all this was suppose to be a God of love and compassion towards His children. 

I knew in my heart that God loved me so much that he surrendered the life of His Son on my behalf. Wow… did that realization hit me, like the brightness, of the sun on a clear day! I found out that God really did care about my future, my soul and for me. I realized that God did have a plan for my life and that I had to go through the things I had in order to turn out to be the person I am today. I was condemned of my sinful ways by the Holy Spirit, and brought back into God’s grace through the blood of Jesus (the sacrificial lamb) at Calvary. The scriptures tell us, it is God’s love for us John 3:16 that brought about the sacrifice of His son Jesus, which was the price paid for our sins.

God knew us before the beginning and loved us… He has shown this love on numerous occasions… including the death and resurrection of His only Son. According to the word of God, once someone has accepted Jesus Christ (being God’s Son) and believes in the death and the resurrection… they are sanctified, sin free, and made righteous in God’s eyes. Romans 4:7-8 The Bible also tells me that if I accept Jesus Christ into my heart and life, repent (to turn away from) the sinful nature in my life, believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father… my sins would be forgiven.

Wow, what a powerful statement, but what does this mean? My understanding of the Bible is; that my sins no longer exist in God’s eyes. Does God really wipe the slate clean once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior? 1 John 2:12 Does this mean that our sins no longer exist in the eyes of God? Hebrews 10:16-17 Did the blood of Jesus really pay the price for our sinful nature? 1 John 2:2 Yes, is the answer to all of these questions. Praise God for His grace and mercy and for the love shown at Calvary!

If God forgave… Why Should We? Is a question that should come to our minds when we witness how the body of Christ is treating each other. It saddens me to know that Jesus paid the ultimate price to cleanse us of our sins and we, as His body (the church) won’t allow that cleansing to remain. I’ve noticed through the years Christians continue to see the sin that God has already forgiven! It doesn’t matter what denomination you are, or what Church you may visit, it’s obvious that your past plays a role in how you’re accepted. Why is it that many can see what God can no longer see? Hebrews 10:17

I’m saddened by the way we treat our Brother’s and Sister’s in Christ because their opinions or understandings are different than our own. The Bible is the living word of God, teaching each of us at our own level of understanding. It works in a manner to increase our knowledge of God, where we are in our spiritual growth. Doesn’t God speak to each of us at a different level depending on your spiritual growth? Isn’t the true learning process the sharing of information? Galatians 6:6 So why are we shunning one another because our opinions or understanding are different? God wants us to share with one another and to edify each other. 1 Peter 4:8-10

As a Messenger of God, I’ve visited many churches, seeking a place to teach, preach and share the message of love and salvation only to be shocked by the selection process of His body (the church). Does your selection committee demonstrate Christian love? Is your process for selection of Pastors, Ministers, Elders, or Officers based on the past and will it affect the future? Think about it, some questions asked, plainly demonstrate judgmental actions of the church (Body of Christ). Romans 2:3 God tells us to be forgiving and compassionate towards one another? Colossians 3:13

If God forgave… then why should we as Christians? Who are we to judge that, which God has already cleansed by the blood sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary? Christians need to demonstrate the love of Jesus, which was shown so evidently on that hillside. Ephesians 4:32 Christians need to stop judging others based on a past that God says no longer exist? Romans 4:7 Christians must allow our Brother’s and Sister’s to share information that God has revealed to them through the Holy Spirit. Christians need to allow the sharing of information… for it is through the Holy Spirit that we increase our knowledge of God… interpretation of scriptures…  and of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God Forgave…  Why Should We?  Matthew 6:15 God tells us that if we don’t forgive… then He won’t forgive us. Now that’s a reason by itself to forgive each other’s past! But most importantly… who are we to hold someone’s past against them if God has already forgiven them? Matthew 7:12 We are to be like Christ in everything we do… our actions… our words… and most of our entire walk! Let’s work together to build up the body of Christ, to support, edify and love one another regardless of each other’s past. After all, our past stopped the day we asked Jesus into our hearts and lives… Amen

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References: New International Version  

John 3:16 “For God did not send His son into the world, not to condemn the world but to save the world through Him.”

Romans 4:7-8 Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed in the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him. (NIV)

Hebrews 10:16-17 “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hears, and I will write them on their minds.” Then He adds; “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”

1 John 2:12 I write to you dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name.

1 John 2:2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but for the whole world.

Hebrews 10:17 Then He adds; “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”

Galatians 6:6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.

1 Peter 4:8-10 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offering hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully, administering God’s grace in its various forms.

Romans 2:3 So when you a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things do you think you will escape God’s judgment

Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Romans 4:7 Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Matthew 6:15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.