Gleaning from the Early Church in 1 Peter Chs 1-3

Gleaning from the Early Church in 1 Peter Chs 1-3

Why 1 Peter? 1 Peter was written to a Christian people who were scattered throughout the ancient world and found themselves enduring suffering and persecution. Not only were people enduring suffering - but they were enduring suffering for doing good - for upholding the things which God in Christ had called them to uphold. 1 Peter is really a master class on navigating life as a Christian when it seems unfair, when hope seems hard to come by, when good is called evil and failing to participate in evil for the sake of Christ is regarded with scorn. In other words, it’s a letter written to a people suffering greatly about Christian hope. And in the midst of global conflicts, high interest rates, inflation, worrying cultural trends nationally and locally, not to mention all of our own personal struggles and sufferings within ourselves and our communities, I thought it might be wise to offer some hope in Christ.

My hope for our time together this morning is that you would walk a way with a bigger vision of your life and a broader context of everything such that your heart would rightly magnify Christ so that you might be full of genuine hope in the midst of all kinds of temptations to despair. That we might join Christ in fixing our eyes on the joy before us in the cross which brought his death and also gave opportunity for his and our eternal life with God. (Hebrews 12:1-2) We are going to go quickly. Please take these notes and meditate on these passages together with a friend or with your family. 1 Peter is a banquet of hope in troubled times and I don’t want anyone to be malnourished.

Where do we begin? Jesus - our living hope.

Read: 1 Peter 1:1-12

What is the most important thing for us to understand as we encounter suffering? We are hidden in Christ who has overcome Satan, sin and death. Our deepest reality & identity is not in our current circumstances, but is tied to Jesus Christ. We have been born again. Brought into a new life that cannot be shaken or destroyed. Because of the work of Christ on our behalf. He lived the life we could not live in our place. He died the death we should have died. He rose again overcoming sin & death on our behalf so that we could enjoy life, hidden in Christ, forever. THAT is the foundation of your life. THAT is an untouchable hope. THAT is the most true thing affecting you today. THAT reality should be driving your life. Not fear. Not worry.

I am not saying you won’t experience those things. You will. Of course you will. But do not let those realities drive your life. I am prone to bouts of deep depression and I navigate it well, by grace, by clinging to the hope I have in Christ that is more real than every self-doubt, and lie depression could ever throw at me. When life tempts you to despair - collapse into the unshakable arms of Christ. Then when you’ve rested - get up and live out that hope.

So we’re brought into eternal life with Jesus - now what?
Read: 1 Peter 1:13- 1 Peter 2:3

What do we do now? Live holy lives. Christ gave his blood - of inestimable value - to deliver you. He came for you. He died for you. He endured all that he endured for your sake. He reconciled you from enemies of God to sons and daughters - co-heirs WITH Christ.  

What is holiness? Becoming like Jesus by the power of the Spirit. Cultivate sincere love for one another. Love deeply - from the heart. Produce fruit that demonstrates your eternal reality. Your love for others should not make sense UNLESS your life is eternal and your inheritance is eternally secure. What does that mean for you? Prayerfully consider.

Peter suggests you begin by working to rid yourself of malice & deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind and like a newborn crave spiritual milk so that you may grow into your salvation. In other words, dedicate time and attention to growing in understanding what it actually means for you to be saved by Christ and united with him eternally. Dwell on that.

We can only lean on and live out a hope we truly understand. 

But you’re not saved alone - you’re saved into a body. Why does our holy living matter as a community?
Read: 1 Peter 2:4-18

Together, as we strive to love God and love one another well God is building a spiritual house - a bastion of goodness, truth and beauty in the midst of a lost and dying world from which salvation, truth, blessing, grace, and love pour out until Christ’s return.

We are to live as free people because we are the only free people in the world. Death does not own us. Sin does not enslave us. Governors and Emperors do not dictate our lives, but the law of God and the love of God empowered by the Spirit directs our steps.

The most fundamentally true thing about you and I in Christ is that nothing can shake our foundation. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (see Romans 8.) There is no threat to our security in life or death in Christ. And so we are free.

We are free to uphold what is good even when it’s unpopular. We are free to love those who hate us for upholding the good, to bless them and intercede for them as recipients of blessing and intercession of Christ on our behalf. We are free to respect everyone, pour ourselves out for the sake of one another in Christ, and honor the emperor because we know all are dead in their sins and trespassess apart from the work of Christ just as we were. We were once hopeless and lost. But now we are free and loved. Part of an eternal body because of Christ who saw us in our sin, loved us in it, and now leads us out of it. We are to be a bastion of this message in a lost world.

What does this look like in our individual roles in society? How do I live a holy life where I am?

Read: 1 Peter 2:18 - 3:7

Some thoughts on slaves: Peter is here addressing people who find themselves as slaves. When we think of slaves we can think of our past in this nation, but that situation is likely not what was going on here. Likely these people chose indentured servitude or found themselves in a situation where that was the only means possible to repay a debt or to secure a better future for their family.

Yet, Peter is encouraging slaves - even in harsh environments - to “submit yourselves to your masters.” But the motivation there is really important. Remember, we are free. Even the most harshly treated slave is free in Christ. So WHAT does Peter want him to do? Fear God. Submit. Live in such a way that your kindness and love towards your harsh master demonstrates that you serve someone higher and far better than your harsh master.  But what if yous suffer for doing good? You join Christ in his suffering - he left you an example - follow in his footsteps. Do not sin.

Peter then shows how we crucified Christ and YET we are now together hidden in Christ. To the slave of even a harsh master Peter’s encouragement is not immediate freedom (though there was legal justification for a slave to escape and be given his freedom if a master was heinously harsh) but to live out an eternal freedom so that, perhaps, the slaves master might be freed from his shackles of sin and harshness that enslave his soul.

Come back to this passage and sit with it when you have some time. Imagine how free you would have to be to love an actively oppressing enemy who you’re utterly dependent on for life in the material sense?

Family dynamics…

Wherever there is opportunity to sin in an understandable way - there is opportunity to put the glory of God on display. Peter also addresses the common household of his day. How we conduct our households matters. They are mini societies which are declaring some truth about the world we inhabit and the God who made it. How we conduct ourselves as husbands and wives matters. Christian marriages are a signpost pointing to the relationship between Christ and the Church. Your conduct in your marriage matters - immensely. This is the most immediate and one of the most pressing areas in our modern day where the gospel is most needed and where we are most under attack. Our culture worships comfort. Worships self. Worships self-fulfillment which is defined as satisfying the desires you have. It pits men against women. Husbands against wives. Parents against children. And children against parents.

Yet we are free. How we conduct ourselves as families should flow out of that freedom in Christ. Our love to them should be a genuine response to our having been loved by God.

Some final thoughts on suffering and resting in Christ our Lord.

Read: 1 Peter 3:8-18

Be like-minded. Sympathetic. Love one another in Christ. Be compassionate and humble. Don’t repay evil with evil or insult for insult - instead work to sow blessing in the fields of your enemy’s insults. You’re free - remember?

Who will harm you for living this way? But even if someone does. You are blessed in that too.

If you are counted as worthy to join in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of others that is a blessing. Don’t seek suffering. Don’t walk around waiting to be martyred. Love the person in front of you in truth and compassion. But if suffering comes, like it came for Jesus, know that you are blessed. It was by Christ’s suffering in just this same way that you and I were united with God through his sacrificial life, death and glorious resurrection. To suffer for doing what is good is to join Christ’s suffering. To join him in his death because you are sure that you will join him in his eternal life. It is to join God in the work of redeeming lost souls.

Destroying sin always comes with death. If you are married or have children, or are single and are working hard to tear down generational curses you know exactly what I am saying. To have a good marriage, one or sometimes both spouses must die. To raise children who love God and his word, parents must engage in many small deaths of discipline and correction. To destroy generational curses sometimes we must avoid things other people don’t have to avoid and suffer so that the fruit of that suffering would be life to the generations to come.

Christians. As we suffer, and we will all suffer, be encouraged that if we suffer for doing good. If we suffer for righteousness sake, we will be blessed. Not only will we be blessed, but know this - we are joining Christ in his work. We - the once enemies of God -have been called by God, sustained by God, and empowered by God to tread the ground with the Son of God to bring about life to the praise and Glory of God. 

This is the context by which we should see all of life. Everything we see and do should be infused with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We should live lives of freedom - which for us looks like following in the footsteps of Jesus - regardless of what may happen to us and regardless of what is happening in the world.

When we do this, rest assured people WILL ask: “What is the reason for the HOPE that is in you.” When we suffer and count it a joy because we know we’re in Christ and sharing in the very suffering of Christ, people will be curious. No one else is free like we are in Christ. The more that we see that the stronger our hope will be and the more righteous our lives will be.

Nothing can happen today which will make you any less free in Christ. Nothing can happen to you today which can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Nothing can happen to you today which can shake the kingdom of God. Nothing can happen today which can in any way jeopardize your eternal hope. Do you know that? Do you believe that? Will you live that out?

What Can't the World See? Romans 1; 1Corinthians 2

If we are walking with a Spirit, and taking time to engage with God in His word, what we see, naturally, seems to us, obvious - so obvious, we cannot imagine anyone not seeing it.  This is why we are often surprised, even dumbfounded, when somebody we think should know - be able to see what we see, hear, and understand, cannot.  In fact, to us, their perspective can seem incredibly skewed and backward.

In 1Corinthians 2, Paul is speaking of the mind of the believer imbued with the mind of God, sparked by the Holy Spirit, and compares and contrasts the mind connected to the Spirit to the mind and thinking of the world, which is under the effects of the ruler of the king of the air, who Jesus describes me as “a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44).

How we see life, we will treat life; how we see life, will be the fruit of how we see God, who is life.  We have talked about life where it comes from, from Whom it comes, and with that, who has the right to define life when and where it begins, and the value of life - a person whose life has been thought of and granted by God:

• Life’s inception - the mind of God 

• Life’s conception - the person in the mind of God is coming to be

• Life’s realization - birth and maturation 

How we view life will determine how we treat life.  If we view life as God’s gift to us, imbued with intrinsic value, a reflection of God, in image and likeness, then we will be apt to treat life and the person who possesses it, with the greatest respect and dignity.  

If we do not, we will not.  We will treat life as ordinary and mundane, and a person, too often, as one who is there for us, to compete with us, or in our way - utilitarian - something to be moved out of the way, or used for our...

Then, there is another life, one that, you might say, has gone from “life to life”.  

That is, going from having been “made in the image and likeness of God” - Born of a mother and father, living, certainly reflecting, though dimly, God, in image and likeness but going through life, “dead”, “dead in our sins and trespasses…”.  Though living and animated, devoid of the life of God in us, separated from God by those sins and trespasses.  And with that, lacking the ability and capacity to see, hear, and understand God or what is truly, good. 

…to being “born again”, this time of God, by His will, in this description, we are going from life to life, actually from living dead to life, born again, “created in Christ Jesus”, “new creatures”, each person a new creation. Not only being given the gift of life itself, but now, the imputed righteousness of Jesus, and imbued with the Holy Spirit, and with Him, the mind of God - as to see, hear, and understand, God.

Why does the world not understand?  Why can’t the world see?

• God

• His wisdom

• What is right or true

We were, and “they” are of the spirit of this world.  We, now, are of the Holy Spirit, or, the Spirit of God 

Why can’t the world see?  Why can’t they understand?  From where we have fallen?  We were intended to walk with God, but…

Romans 1 Depravity and futility - refusing to acknowledge God, we begin a slide down away from God, and if away from God, away from what God intended us to be. (Romans 1:18-20)

From not acknowledging God, we begin to replace God - our “thinking became futile and our foolish hearts darkened”. (Romans 1:21)  In our stupidity, we not only refused to acknowledge God, or give Him credit, we exchanged the glory of God for images…” (Romans 1:22-23)

In exchanging the glory of God for images, we went further to “exchange the truth about God for a lie, and began to worship the images and idols, and He “gives us over to our lusts” and we slip further and further away from God, into deeper and deeper depravity… (Romans 1:24-27)

Then, we begin to resist or rebel against our being made - distinctly - in the image and likeness of God 

· Distinct from God - we are not God - though we think we are (at least equal to) 

· Distinct from the animals (as Adam would be led into seeing and realizing) 

· Distinct in our sex and the expression of that sex - male and female 

Finally, (mankind) acts inhumanely - going against the purpose of their making. (Romans 1:24-32)

If Jesus came as the perfect human and acted perfectly humane, as the righteous Son of God in the flesh, what He came to do was demonstrate for us what being human was, what being human, is supposed to be, and what we will look like in eternity.

Our depravity, then leads to “inventing ways of doing evil”  this is our being and acting inhumane, even inhuman, and leaving our (God's) intended way of being - to be like Him. 

• We no longer reflect God’s glory as intended, and so now only dimly reflect God’s invisible qualifies (1Cor 13:12)

It is Jesus and the gospel of Christ, that rescues us from this lot. (Romans 1:14-17)

• It is the Holy Spirit, God’s divine power, in Christ, that allows the believer to rise above THIS corruption, and “participate in the divine” (2Peter 1:4; Rom 8:4-7) or, regenerated humanness and humanity.  In other words, to look and act like Jesus (Phil 2 “will and act according to God’s purposes”, Romans 12:2 “transformed”, Eph 2 “created in Christ Jesus”, “conformed” Rom 8:29”, “new creature” 2Cor 5:17)

• Now in Christ, we more and more accurately, reflect God’s invisible qualities - as we go from “glory to glory” 2Cor 3:18

• Now with the Spirit, we are able to see, hear, and understand God, where we couldn’t before.

Everything said in Romans 1 is a study of Genesis 1-4.  Paul is asserting that sin has removed us further and further from God’s design and original intent - traveling the road away from the Garden, with Cain.  

And, as our sin increases, so does our depravity, as God “gives us over” to our sinful lusts, until we finally move from depravity to ever-increasing depravity, from futility - or - stupidity, to a “reprobate” or “worthless” mind - that everything we think, believe, say, and do, is “unapproved” by God.  (Romans 1:28-32)

If righteousness is what God approves of, then depravity is unrighteousness - what God does not approve of.

And that is what Paul is speaking to in 1Corinthians 2

Believers have the wisdom of God based on the truth of God, the Spirit of Truth, and Scriptures –  it is crucial we walk with God’s Spirit and engage with God in the word, prayer, and fellowship – it is here that we are able to see, hear, and understand God’s working and will.  And, even if something is beyond us to truly grasp, our hearts and minds are guarded and guided by the Spirit and Truth to trust God and His glory and goodness – which we can see!

If are not investing in our relationship with God this way…

…we can lose sight of God’s will and intentions, and begin to defend and justify our ungodly feeling, thinking, believing, speaking, and acting - our sinful behavior, as we are deceived (by our heart) about what is right and good and of God - even believing that if we have prayed about something (that is actually outside of righteousness)  and the opportunity is then afforded us, it is God’s gift and approval, His will, by His “answering my prayer” 

We must be careful… to take off the old, and put on the new, no longer acting like…

Christians can suffer from depravity and futility also if we choose to entertain and indulge the flesh (Rom 1;8;  Gal 5) and relieve their suffering in and through temptation, which we are called to exert self-control and endure and persevere (2Peter 1: 1Peter 4) - we must know that to suffer in the body, is to join Jesus in the resisting the urges of the flesh.

The Holy Spirit will (John 14-16)

• Remind us of the truth (in Christ)

• Guide us into all truth (in line with the scriptures) 

• Prompt and direct us according to the truth 

• Warn and convict us when we stray from the truth 

• Prick our conscience when we sin - giving warning gs pangs of guilt, shame, stricken conscience 

To not properly respond to the Spirit’s conviction and prompting and act according to Jesus’ righteousness (that we are (2Cor 5:12), or, to not “rise above… and participate in the divine”) is to then “grieve the Spirit” Eph 4:17-30-32

The world cannot see what we see, or know what we know, or interpret what we are able to interpret (2Cor 4:4-6; 10:3-4)

God’s Handiwork, God’s Love, God’s Good Intentions: John 1:1-18; 3:16-18, 32; Psalm 139:13-16

Life: All, Every, Each: God’s handiwork, God’s love, God’s good intentions: John 1:1-18; 3:16-18, 32; Psalm 139:13-16

What testifies, speaks of, and is a witness to, God and life?

The Word (Rom 1:16; 10:17; Heb 4:12) 

Creation (Gen 1; 2 ; Job 38-41; Ps 19; Rom 1:18-20; Col 1:15-17)

Making: mankind (Gen 1; 2; Rom 1:18-20)

The Prophets (Hebrews 1:1)

The Person (Hebrews 1:2-3)

The Spirit (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22)

What testifies to the world God’s light and love for mankind?

The mission and ministry and commission of reconciliation (John 3:16-18; Matt 28:18-20; John 13:35; 2Cor 5:14-21)

What is life?  Both physical (present) and spiritual (particularly future) existence.  All life, throughout the universe, is derived – i.e. it always (only) comes from and is sustained by God's self-existent life. The Lord intimately shares His gift of life with people, making each in His image which gives all the capacity to know His eternal life.

What is a life?  A person, one to whom life has been granted, given by God, that with the life they have been given, they reflect the invisible qualities of God - this is by grace to ALL. (Rom 1:18-20)

What is a person? Or, better stated, “Who is a person?”  Each One of ALL, made in the image of God, having been woven together, given the breath of life, whom God loves; that is EVERYONE to whom God has sent His Son to save, that EACH one who is saved is one who has received Jesus by faith for new life, quickened in and by the Spirit of God (Jo 1:12-14; 3:5-8,14-18; Rom 8:1-6-17)

From whom, therefore, does a person come?  God, Himself.

How does this person live?  By the very grace of God, able to stand, in spite of their sin, because of God’s mercy, expressed in His patience, and tolerance, that that kindness, might, lead them to repentance.  (Romans 2:1-7)

Where does a person go?  Eternity. To dwell wherever their faith determines. (Rom 2:8-16)

Life in Christ – John 3:36; 17:3; 1John 5:11

Life without Christ, separated from God – Matt 10:28; 18:8;  21:41-45; Mk 9:43-44; Luke 12:5

How might we view life?  All life, every life, each life?

All life - the Father, God “So loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son…”

Every life - the Son - that whomever, everyone, who believes in Him (the Son), will have eternal life...

John 1:12 …for whoever would receive Jesus, they would be given the right to become children of God…

Each life - the Holy Spirit

John 14:15-17  “If you love me, keep my commands. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate (parakletos) to help you and be with you forever— 17the Spirit (pneuma) of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

The value of all lives, every life, because each has been made by God

Psalm 139:13-16 13For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  16Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Life is from God because it is in God, of God, and granted by God. All people matter, every one of them, as each one is known and desired by God. 

Which brings us to the issues at hand:

1. The life of the unborn within the life of the one who carries them. We must care for them - each and both

1. The life of those in the Middle East, Certainly Israel, but also, and even, those who oppose Israel – remembering that this concerns the entire world. 

What do we do? These issues today are huge and overwhelming!  There are so many things happening, so many emotions, opinions, positions, and strife.

We ALL, EVERY one of us, must be careful to not lose the micro, EACH one, in the scope of the macro - ALL that is going on.  We can be so overwhelmed by what we see on the world’s stage - it is concerning, and concerns us all. God has instructed us what to do:

Matthew 24 - be alert, be aware, do not be alarmed, keep watch, be ready, serve the brotherhood… 

Psalm 122:6-9 Pray for Jerusalem - peace. 

1Timothy 2:1-4 “1I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

Jeremiah 29:4-9 Live peaceable, fruitful lives in the places you have been placed, with the brotherhood, being a blessing to that place you reside - to which you have been appointed, to whom you have been called and assigned ambassadors.

 How are we to live - speak and act?  By  ; each encounter, with all we come in contact with. 

Ephesians 5:15-16 “...making the most of every opportunity…”  Colossians 4:6 “...your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” 1Peter 3:15-16 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”

James 2:12-13 “12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (Mat 25:34-40; 1Cor 3:1-15; 1Pet 4:17; Rev 2:4-5)

Romans 12:11-21  “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Matt 5:38-48; Luke 6:27-38; John 16:33; Rom 8:28-38; 2Cor 2:14; 4:7)

1Peter 2:11-21; 3:8-18; 4:7-19 (Phil 1:27; Eph 4:1; 5:1)

What Are These Times We Are Living In? Ps 122

This is essentially 2 messages combined. Each with significant relevance to us, today: that all life, matters; everyone; that each might come to know God and gain eternal life.

Turn to: Ps 122 

Jerusalem: why has the world stopped and turned its attention to Israel?  It is, they are, the center of God’s attention, God’s people, God’s covenant, God’s heart, and God’s intentions for the world, go through these two things - Israel and Jerusalem: not, the USA.

Why?  How? Because everything revolves around Israel, everything.  Because it is Israel that God has chosen to impact, affect, and bless the world and to glorify Himself.

Deuteronomy 7:6 “For you [Israel] are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession”

Isaiah 42:6 "I the LORD have called unto you in righteousness, and have taken hold of your hand, and submitted you as the people's covenant, as a light unto the nations" 

Isaiah 49:3 “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified“

The world is alerted, why?  Israel is God’s chosen people through whom the Messiah will come to bless the world.

Genesis 22:18 “And through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me” 

Jerusalem is the place where God has designated:

First: His presence - 1Kings 8:10-11; Rom 9:4

Second: His chosen people, Israel, to worship and beseech Him - Ps 27:4; 42:4

Third: His peace offering and eternal dwelling place, with His chosen people through whom He has blessed the world, and those chosen people from the world, who would come to the Messiah - Isaiah the nations and kings will bring to God… 

Revelation 21:1-4 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

Why should these current events matter to us?  Because this is about our God and His good intentions for the world.  His faithfulness to His covenant, and His calling to Himself a people of His own choosing - for life: to go from life to life (Exodus 19:5-6; Deut 4:20; 7:6; John 1:12-13; 1Peter 1:2:9)

And because, as God’s people, we who are not Israel in the Hebrew sense, have been made part of Israel, wild olive shoots, grafted into the cultivated tree, Israel. 

Romans 11:11-36

Therefore, what is happening concerns us, the Church, as we are on the mission granted us, the privilege of bringing the good news of this Messiah to the entire world, for life.

This, whether the world is cognizant or not, effects the whole world, and as we can see, somehow, though they might not know why, they, the world cannot turn their eyes away. (1Cor 2:6-16)

Matthew 24:6-8 “6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains.”

Do not panic - such things must happen, God is sovereign, you, in Christ, are His beloved children

Do not overreact - saying “Here He is!”, “There He is!”, “Now, is the time!”  

Turn to: Luke 17:20-24 (25-37)

Recognize the times for what they are - the beginning of the birth pains, labor pains of sorts, ready yourselves

Respond in repentance, prayer, and joy - commune with God in word, prayer, fellowship, repentance - not going our own way, but God’s (Isaiah 58:13; Gal 5:13-18)

Respond with urgency in ministry to one another and mission to the lost - act as one who knows the days are short - “How would I live if I had a short time to live?”, “How deeply would I love if the time were short?”, “With whom would I share the good news of the kingdom?”  

And how then should we live in these times?

Turn to: 1Peter 3:13-22; 4:1-5, 7-18

Forgiveness: expectations and disappointment: Is our hurt and disappointment sometimes made worse by what we expected from another

Forgiveness: expectations and disappointment: Is our hurt and disappointment sometimes made worse by what we expected from another? Growing in discernment: knowing more that we might act wisely and respond kindly.

Could it be true that we are often hurt as much by our unmet expectations that we have of someone as by anything they may have said or done to us?   And oftentimes, we find, that our expectations of another may have been, or may be, out of place, or out of proportion with who they are, or who we are.   

Let us not be mistaken…

No matter what we do, there will be hurt, there will be wounds - this world is broken and fraught with peril.  No one goes through this world unscathed, unhurt, without wounds and the scars that follow.  We must also see, admit, and acknowledge, that all have the ability and capacity to speak and act in a way that harms another, and therefore, trouble, and harm will come - even in the life of another by our own hand (John 14:27; 16:33).  But, perhaps these times need not be as devastating and debilitating as sometimes are - by having a better understanding of ourselves and one another. (2Cor 1:1-2; 4:7-12)

Remember: scars are not as much to remind us of the wound suffered, but a constant reminder of the healing hand God and His great love for us. (Romans 8:28-39)

Loving self and others as we love ourselves, truly… 

How might we protect ourselves, and others, from disproportionate hurts and wounds, disappointments, that might have as much or more to do with our expectations of one another, as they things said or done?

Gaining perspective, growing in discernment…

If we were to take a step back, we might find, that most of the time, our expectations of others are founded on faulty assumptions, a lack of discernment on our part, that has formed our preconceived notions of that person and their role in our lives - setting expectations that are bound to be unmet, expectations that may have formed without proper knowledge.

You see, Jesus knew.   And we can know, and discern, too. 

John 2:24-25  “24But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all. 25He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.”

Entrust: have faith in, place one’s faith in, trust as to believe, and place faith in - to give oneself up to; put confidence in as to give oneself over to (as we would believe, have faith in, and entrust ourselves to Him, because of our being convinced of and confident in His character and nature, He would not, could not, because of knowing of man’s character and nature - to their fidelity)

• Give control of one’s over to

• To make vulnerable to

• To trust another enough to entrust or give oneself over to another

We do this by degree as we learn about someone and they earn our trust - we see this in Matthew 25 when the master entrusts his riches to those he “knows” or perceives. 

Knew: I am taking in knowledge, coming to know and learn: ascertain, realize - first-hand acquaintance

• To know, to perceive, especially through personal experience - to take note of 

• This is NOT “keeping a record of wrongs” as that would be a matter of judgment, hanging over one’s head, to dangling in front of to hold against, but wise annotating to establish an understanding as to how to navigate and set and reasonable and accurate set of expectations. 

• Love trusts all things - until shown otherwise: and understands it will be shown otherwise - this is human nature and necessitates patience, forbearance, and forgiveness, then a process by which someone might re-gain a level of trust as to be trusted 

How do we grow in discernment?

• The word of God - asking ourselves the following questions and looking intently, intensely, and prayerfully for the answers: turn to: Proverbs 2; 2Peter 1

• What does God say about…?

• Himself - His person, character, and nature 

• Mankind - His love for; His desire for;  and warnings to

• His description of those of the world, before being saved and/remaining in their sin (Isa 59; John 1; 3; Rom 1-3; 5; Eph 2:1-3; 4:17-19) 

• Those no longer of the world, after being saved (Ezek 11:19; 36:26-27; John 1;3;14-17; Rom 8; 2Cor 3; Eph 1;2;4;6; Phil 1; 2)

• Those who are saved and in the process of sanctification - our growth and maturity is a process, we are all works in progress - who still sin; who are still affected by past happenings - as well as old thinking, feeling, speaking, and acting (Rom 6:4; 7:6; 8:29; 12:2; 2Cor 3:18; 4:16; Gal 5;6; Eph 4:24; Col 3:10; Titus 2:14)

• The Holy Spirit - discerning truth from lie; what Spirit of God and our own - John 14:15-21, 25-27; Gal 5:13-18, 22-25; 6:8; Rom 8:1-17; Eph 5:15-20; 2cor 2:14; Jeremiah 17:8-10 (deceitful heart and flesh) 

• Fellowship of believers - speaking truth to one another:

• In love, phileo - brotherly affection 

• Uut of love, agape - for the well-being of the one loved 

Responding to God, Not Reacting to Man

Being generous with our discernment: being prudent, circumspect, not allowing our anger to flash, but exhibiting self-control (Ps 4:4; Prov 1:3-4; 14:8, 15, 17, 29; 15:1, 18; 29:22) discerning who it is who assails you, how, and why, and the possible reasons behind it.  We are to act with agape informed and fueled mercy (Mat 5:7; Luke 6:35-36) - loving mercy that empowers forgiveness, patience, and forbearance - enabling us to act kindly toward the one who has harmed us (Rom 2:4).  

All of this will lead us on the path of righteousness (Ps 23; 2Pet 1:1) - wanting God’s best for them: considering them as Christ Jesus considered us, me: empathy, leading to sympathy, leading to compassion, leading to comfort: 

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good, but even if you should suffer for what is right: you are blessed. 

1Peter 3:13-14 13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.”

Jesus is preparing us for this new way, the way of the kingdom, the way of God: this is not your father’s tooth for a tooth…. 

Matthew 5:38-42

Spirit-empowered self-control that leads away from a selfish, evil reaction, to a God-directed, loving response:  It does not mean we are utterly passive, it means we strive to not hold onto resentment and bitterness, or seek revenge or insist on being compensated, but we refuse to be enslaved by their attitude and behavior toward us by being possessed and consumed by their offenses and our “need” to see myself vindicated, and that, by my standards, according to my sense of justice.  (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

We are to resist evil: not only the evil perpetrated on us, but, our evil (reaction) toward them: Matt 5:39; 1Cor 6:7; 1Pet 2:19-23

Romans 12:17-21 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”  says the Lord…”.

We are to be careful not to take revenge…  to leave from for God’s wrath…  what IS His right just, and fair (Pr 1:3; 2:9 19:20)  justice  - according to what is true 

Romans 2:1-3 “1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.”

Instead, to those who know better, we can challenge their definition of righteousness in relation to their behavior - though still resisting avenging themselves.

• John 18:22-23  “22When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.  23“If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”

• Acts 23:1-3 “1Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” 2At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. 3Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”

And to those who do not know better, we bid them the Father’s forgiveness, and mercy, taking into consideration the nature of who they are, what it is, they know, and what are their compelling reasons, as wrong as they might be, and offer mercy.

Jesus on the cross to the soldiers bidding his father’s forgiveness

• Luke 23:34 34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

What does God’s righteous judgment, His wrath, look like?

Romans 12:20-21

“20On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”  21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

It is important that we see our heart’s intent - even in leaving room for God’s wrath.  Our motivation needs to be that God’s avenging us, will prayerfully, hopefully, lead to the offender’s repentance, redemption, salvation, and purification - not merely to see ourselves righted.

And that our mercy, our acting just like Jesus and our heavenly Father, Jesus’ character leaking from us, will lead them to conviction, leading them to sorrow and repentance (2Cor 7:10)- not gleefully looking for their punishment, but, humbly beseeching God on their behalf, that they might be forgiven and saved, and if saved already, restored and made whole.

Ezekiel 18:23  Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn't I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?

Ezekiel 33:11  Say to them: 'As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die

From the “Lord’s Prayer” Matthew 6:9-15 to life we are called to live in Ephesians 4:15-32: becoming what Jesus’ prayer, prays

From the “Lord’s Prayer” Matthew 6:9-15  to life we are called to live in Ephesians  4:15-32: becoming what Jesus’ prayer, prays: that we would come to see God as our Father, and trust His goodness, His loving kindness, and His wisdom.  

Daily, we face times and circumstances, and people that try us, that challenge us, and test our…, well, everything, including, our faith - our faith in God and His will, ways, wisdom, and purposes.  Not only do these things test our faith in God, but also, our faith in His word - sometimes causing us to doubt whether it, or, He, will do what it, or, He, promises to do.  So, very often, we balk at what it is He commands us to do in the face of such things and people - or - relationships.  

Why?  Because the things we face sometimes feel impossible to overcome, and His word, and commands, almost always seem to say, and command, the very opposite of what we feel, or believe to be so. 

If we are to grow in Christ and bear the fruit of His life in us, we must allow Him to help us overcome what seems impossible, it is then our eyes are open to see His miraculous power to transform us…

Back to Jesus’ prayer…

We must come to Know and trust our Father and His goodness and His good provision; to trust His good wisdom and ways more and more.  We do this by leaning into Him and His word - walking in step with the Spirit - to trust His guiding and prompting.  Not “merely” hearing or reading His word, but, showing our loving trust by obeying it, doing what it says, and trusting its and His outcome in our lives - not holding onto what we have imagined and now believe is sure.

To live the life to which we are called, we must be careful to not say or insist that “I can’t”, “I won’t”, or “He cannot”, in so, making a determination in our hearts and mind of what the outcome of these times to be - that they are fixed and sure - everything I imagine it to be.

Instead, we must be willing to say and believe that “it is God working in me…” (Phil 2:12-13), He WILL work out all things - THIS THING - for the good, because I love Him (Rom 8:18,26,28);  “...even if ‘I’ can’t, He can, for it Christ who lives in me… (Gal 2:20), God will finish His work in me that He has begun” (Phil 1:6); that though there is “trouble in this world, I need not be afraid, for Jesus has overcome this world and troubles. (John 16:33)”

Let us see and come to trust that these promises are not cliches, but the truth!  Truth that can be trusted AND lived by. 

With that, let us remember that these promises are ours because we have been made children of God by faith in Jesus - in so, we are a new creation, new creatures in Christ, created in Christ Jesus (2Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15).  That “it is God who works in us to will and act according to His good purposes”.  Thus, we are able to do all things through Christ who strengthens us” (Phil 4:13) - we are filled with His Spirit, empowered to lovingly obey the Father.  And given one another to encourage and strengthen one another to life and godliness, 

In this, we are not alone.  We have been filled with the Holy Spirit, and placed in a body (1Cor 12), loved by God, we are then given one another to love and encourage one another to be more like the One in whom we are being created to be like - Jesus, the Head (Eph 4:12-16). 

Jesus prayer realized, His word guides us in becoming all He intends for us to be… Ephesians 4:15-31 

4:15-16  To grow in Christ, to overcome the seemingly impossible, we must do this together - cooperating with the Spirit who is in us, and walking and working with those with whom He’s placed us.  

4:17-18 (remember, mercy, 2:1-10; Romans 1:18-; 2Peter 1:1-4)

4:19  - as they continue in their depravity they sink deeper into sin - remember again, “if were not for the grace of God, their go I, as they”

4:20 - “But… that is not how, or what, you learned about the Jesus, the Messiah” What is true about those outside of Christ, and what WAS true about you, is not what you are (by nature) today - 5:21 “...so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God”

4:21-22 

4:23  “...being renewed in the spirit of your minds” - to think and believe differently, to see the “old self” for what it was - sinful and rebellious, contrary to God and what we are coming to know about Jesus… and to gladly remove it, everything about it. 

And…

4:24 “...put on the new (now made like Jesus, righteous) self - the one created according to God’s likeness (Eph 2:8-10)

Practically, taking off what was, and putting on what is, and ought to be.  4:25-32: cleansing our hearts of what we were, to lay the foundation for what we are becoming - living and loving like Jesus. 

4:25 Take off the old: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood…”  Put on the new: “...and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”

4:26-27 Take off the old: “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold.”  Put on the new (implied): even if one’s anger is legitimate, put it aside, choose to not take offense, reflect on one’s own times of offending or angering another, look for an opportune time to resolve the conflict - do not entertain or indulge the rising feelings of resentment or the many imaginings that come with it, but, grant mercy and grace, guarding one’s self from the devil’s scheme - to separate and divide, to accuse and judge.  (James 1:12-15, 19-21; 3:17-18; Numbers 20:11-12; Prov 10:19; 14:29; 15:18; 17:27; Ecc 7:9)

4:28  Take off the old: “28Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer…” Put on the new: A. “...but must work…,” B.  “...doing something useful with their own hands…” good, legitimate, respectable work, bringing satisfaction of a job well done.  C. “...that they may have something to share with those in need.” being generous with God and others.

4:29 Take off the old:  “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths…,” put on the new: A “…but only what is helpful for building others up…”  B.  “…according to their needs…,” (1Cor 13) C. “…that it may benefit those who listen.” (Col 3:16; 4:6; Matt 12:26)

4:30 By remaining as you were: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God…,”. As you are a new creation, a new creature in Christ with the power to change:  “…with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Eph 1:13-14; 1Cor 1:30; 2Cor 1:22; Rom 8:1-17; 12:1-2; Eph 5:10)

4:31 Take off the old:  “31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”

4:32 put on the new: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Unmet expectations: whether accurate and reasonable or idealistic and unrealistic - either way, our expectations of another person are what we project onto them, and usually, without their realizing (or either of our realizing it)   our expectations of another person will dictate how it is we see and feel about them - no matter what they do or say and we will judge them accordingly

Forgive from the heart, to release the person being forgiven from our ire - whether that be anger and resentment, or, one’s feigned affections that are meant to cover one’s true feelings.  Certainly, it is never good to treat someone according to one’s anger, resentment, or bitterness - that is unloving, unkind, and rude.  To be passive-aggressive - as to 

But, neither is it good to be insincere, expressing affection, while secretly loathing them in the heart. 

What is best then?  To forgive. To truly see and recognize To release both of you from the bondage of unforgiveness.  

• They might not even know that there was an issue

• They may know, but not receive your gesture of forgiveness, It is not up to you if they receive it

• This does not mean that if you have been wronged, that your having forgiven them means that trust has been formed or reestablished and we are instantly restored as if nothing happened.  

• But it is that we must release the offender and be open to what God might do in you, in them, and/or between you both

Release them: granting them mercy and grace.  Giving them the time and space to realize and repent, 

one’s heart from the bondage of unforgiveness, which is sure to grow into resentment, and from resentment to an unforgiving and toxic bitterness infecting one’s heart with a stubborn unwillingness to forgive. 

What is bitterness?

What is the cure for bitterness?  Mercy, being in view of God’s own mercy. 

Unmet expectations… what 

We can imagine that Judas’ betrayal of Jesus had behind it a form of bitterness: a zealot who saw the Messiah as…, he had hoped He found the one who would not only liberate Israel, but thoroughly defeat and make subject all its oppressors, in particular Rome, and restore Israel to its rightful place, its former glory.

Judas had expectations established on inaccurate assumptions about the Messiah 

• Hope of the coming of the Messiah

• Invitation to “join the band”

• Three years, of waiting and anticipating 

• Growing discontent at the realization of Jesus’ not being what he thought he was

Forgiving: A path to forgiveness, healing, and freedom. “Forgive us our sin, as we forgive those who have sinned against us”.

Forgiving: A path to forgiveness, healing, and freedom.   “Forgive us our sin, as we forgive those who have sinned against us”.  First and foremost, God cares about you and your person - it is in you that His grace, given lavishly is demonstrated to all of creation - it is His glorious grace that the unseen world is astonished by.  It is His grace to us for salvation - by mercy expressed in His loving restraint, His patience and tolerance; and then His grace expressed in kindness for repentance (Romans 2).  

Romans 5:9-11 “ 9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

God, the Good Shepherd is leading us on a path of righteousness, and on this arduous path, as difficult as it can be, we can trust, as His rod and His staff, the tools of the Good Shepherd and His ever-present care, is always there with me.   Where does this path lead?  Right through the valley of the shadow of death, and yet, I will fear NO evil - as the Shepherd’s guiding guides us from life to life while purging from us those things that are a remnant of death.  So, what seems like death to me - is actually death to self, death to “my will, my way”, death to reliance on self, the world, or the world’s way.  

The death we are called to die isn’t the death we used to fear, but is actually life, as this death is death to sin and sin’s evil effect (Isa 53:1; 1Pet 2:24-25), death to the flesh and its desires that lead to death - these mere shadows are not death itself, as “death has been swallowed up in victory” (1Cor 15:54)!  

No, these shadows of death are the evils one’s attempt to distract us from the truth, that our death to self is actually life in Him (Mark 8:34), life in abundance (John 10:10) - and all of this for His name’s sake, that He and his mighty works of mercy would be renown (Ps 102:12).   Therefore, this path is a good path, of goodness, to accomplish good, because He, His name, is good.  From pastures to a table set before me to an eternity of goodness.

So let us come to trust, that what God wants for us, what He commands us, is good and will be good, as He is good. 

God’s commands, even the most difficult, are for our good BECAUSE He cares for us, He wants us to flourish and bear fruit (John 15:1-17; Gal 5:22-23; 2Pet 1:8), He wants us free from bondage and sin - to live and walk in joy (John 8:31-32,36).  So then, He gives us grace for living by His divine power (2Peter 1:3), remembering that our Father’s delight is to have this grace lavished upon us, working in us, and demonstrated by us, to show the riches of His mercy and grace to all who see. (Eph 2:4-10).

We can trust that God cares for us (Ps 38:18-22; 55:22; 95:7; 1Peter 5:7).  God cares for the one we are struggling with; those who may not have lived up to our ideal; who have disappointed us, or even more so, may have deviated terribly from even our most basic expectations (of which there is no justification, no fault of one’s own.  And yet, God would call us to forgive, to release them (from our minds and hearts), that we might (also) be freed from the hold their words and actions have had on us. 

Forgive us as we forgive others who have sinned against us… With that, we must (also) ask ourselves: Have we lived up to our own ideal?  Have we sinned against?  Have we lost sight of God’s grace in us and through us?  Have we forgotten God’s mercy toward us (Eph 2:4), even now, as His children, when our lives might not always reflect or represent our heavenly Father well (Eph 4:1; 5:1-2)?

A path to forgiving… 

Self-examination and honesty with one’s self - plank and speck - working through our being sinner and how we would want to be treated, how we long to be forgiven. And this is the glory of God, who guides us,  and who gives us life, life abundant, and who longs to free us from our debilitating fears, and our stubborn hearts. 

Here is this God, this Good Shepherd, who is glorious, and Whose word will restore us and refresh our souls. (Ps 23; John 10:3-4,7,9,11,17-18). Turn to: Psalm 19

Here is what God, the Good Shepherd, lovingly commands us to do, to follow His example of being generous with mercy and forgiveness.

Aware, acknowledging, and accepting our own humanity and capacity to sin against another - the realization of my not deserving God’s mercy and grace, yet receiving them. John 3:16-8; Romans 2:1-4; Ephesians 2:1-10 

Turn to: Luke 6:37-42

What kind of planks exist in our eyes?  Psalm 51

• Seeing someone else’s in and not ours

• Unforgiveness and unbelief in the power of forgiveness 

• Lack of belief in God’s word that it can or will accomplish what it, He, promises

• Holding a grudge. Holding fast against someone, refusing to let go

• Predetermined (expectation) of response or results 

• Seeing their humanity, but not our own humanity

And what does this Good Shepherd call us to do?  to imitate Him in the giving of comfort to others, to forgive. To comfort others the same comfort we have received: mercy and forgiveness, being honored, ascribed value by God (1Cor 2:1)

We can forgive, and should forgive.  We can hope for better things, and should hope for better things.  We can courageously allow God to ready us for His will to be accomplished in ways, that right now, we cannot imagine. In the meantime, humbly submit ourselves to His good leading, by His good word, to accomplish His good.

Progressing down a path to forgiveness:

Self-reflection - an honest appraisal of one’s self and my (own) ability to hurt others.  Psalm 32:5; 51; Phil 2:1-11

Be willing to offer:

Mercy:  To be merciful, (and to) forgive, is divine - showing ourselves to be a child of our Father - being patient with and bearing up another’s sin, especially against us, is being merciful toward them as God is me - Lu 6:36; Mat 12:7; 23:23; James 3:17

Empathize - using the results of our own honest self-assessment to put ourselves in the place of the other and ask ourselves: “How would I want to be treated here?” Matt 7:12; Luke 6:31; Gal 5:14; James 2:8 “Do I want to be forgiven when I sin?”  If so, why?  What does being forgiven do for me?

Sympathize - our hearts being sensitized, softened, toward another person.  Mark 10:21

Compassion - wanting to release them, as well as myself, I am moved with a visceral feeling of deep concern for us both and am moved to make an attempt to relieve us both of the burden.  Eph 4:32; Matt 14:14; 20:34; Mark 5:19; 6:34

Grace: the first grace being a willingness to forgive

Comfort - or - forgive, deeply, from the heart – 2Cor 1:3-5

Forgiveness:  remember that forgiveness and healing is a process, it takes time, courageous willingness, and persistent effort.  Expect the miraculous work of God in you as you forgive!

 Forgiveness happens in layers - many times, it takes time, willingness, persistence, and 

·  Whether they sin against you the same way, many times

·  Whether they sin against you in many ways, at many times

·  Whether they have only sinned against one time, but it inflicted long-term issues that rear their head regularly 

·  Whether they have sinned against you, but you can’t let it go - so that every time it rears its head, it's as if it just happened

·  They have sinned against you, and there are layers of depth of hurt that once one layer has been peeled back, there is another deeper or different layer 

·  They have sinned against us, but we are unable to see our own responsibility or sin in light of theirs - this may take time

Adjust our expectations - what is it that I can or should expect from this person?  

Shattering the ideal: Base one’s expectations on the real, an honest and accurate understanding of the person to be forgiven.

Trusting God, His goodness, and His good and wise commands - we act accordingly. “Taste and see that the Lord is good”

How can I ever trust? We may not ever be able to trust a person who has proven themselves untrustworthy, but we can trust  - God.  So while we are called to forgive those who have sinned against us, it does not necessarily mean we “entrust” ourselves again to someone who continues to harm us.  I entrust myself to no man because I know what is in a man.” Here’s the Paradox: people are depraved (Rom 1;3).  Yet, love… “always trusts” (1Cor 13:7), it believes good of all until they have proven otherwise - but then, even if their words and actions have proven them not good, it still loves (agapeos) and it loves by wanting God’s’ best for them, because love, also, “always hopes”: that they, like you, would find forgiveness, peace with God, salvation and eternal life, and so, this love calls for us to love, to forgive as we have been forgiven, to free as we have been freed, to place them in the hands of God (by prayer and intention, and be free ourselves to go and walk in peace.  So it is, that God commands us to love and forgive. (Prov 10:12; 1Pet 4:8; Luke 6:27-42; Matthew 18:15-17).  And, His commands are always, good. 

But we can, and should forgive.  We can and should hope for better things.  We can allow God to ready us for His will to be accomplished in ways, that right now, we cannot imagine. In the mean time, here’s a path to forgiveness:

Adjust our expectations - what is it that I can or should expect from this person?  

• Shattering the ideal 

• Base one’s expectations on the real, the accurate, and offer 

• Mercy

• Grace 

• Forgiveness: 

• Healing is a process, it takes time, as does forgiveness

• Empathize 

• Sympathize 

• Etc.

Now, can I, or, how can I, ever be reconciled?  Maybe, hopefully, trusting God’s healing power in me, and His redeeming power in them, perhaps.  Regardless, true and real healing, and any chance of reconciliation, will only come as we make God your refuge - resting in Him and His promises; receive His healing - which is rooted in the truth of His Person, Promise, and Power (the Holy Spirit’s work in you both) and who we are to Him, His dearly loved children.

• You heal, they have not been redeemed - “I am confident in God, my identity is rooted in Him, I trust His leading and guiding, I will move forward as He heals me, deepens and strengthens my faith, builds my trust in Him His love for me, and will lay “this thing” and what to do at His feet, and move forward, as He exhibits His power in me to withstand and overcome my hurt and doubts, my fear and anxiety” (as God reminds us 365 times in His word, one way or another “do not be anxious… do not fear, do not be afraid… cast your anxiety on me, I care for you”

• With all of this in mind, look back and remember, that at one time, I could not at all even consider the possibility of forgiving, then, God prompted me to try, and over time, God has been and is with me and I, with Him, can begin slowly, inch by inch, trust, and entrust to Him and His leading.  As we move, we should not expect anything different from the one we are praying for, do not expose yourself to further abuse or neglect, keep a safe distance, but be willing to see change.

• Pray - prayer bridges all gaps, soothes your own heart, allows you to agape from a needed distance, brings God’s perspective, God’s lenses to you to see what God sees

• Consider the possibility 

• Do not project on to tomorrow how you feel today - God is working and will continue to work the miracle of healing, strengthening… 

Repentance and reconciliation - if they do not rampant, treat them like a “sinner”  Matthew 18:15-17, 21-35

How would God have us treat a “sinner”?  We are not to be unequally yoked with them - to be in an “intimate” relationship of high influence and impact with them, but to pray for them and their salvation.  In the meantime, we are to be aware of who and what they are, what it is that we can, or should, expect from them - that they will act according to their nature - to not be surprised.  We are commanded to honor them with our hopes for them, to treat them with respect (1Pet 3) and the dignity afforded all persons made in God’s image.   We are to love them as Jesus loved us and show them mercy as our Father has shown us mercy Matt 5; Luke 6).  Whether that be close up in close proximity to them, or, from far away, a safe distance from any harmful effect they might have on us. 

Remember, the freedom of YOUR heart has everything to do with whether you, we, will trust God’s kind wisdom and loving commands and obey - forgive - “from the heart”.  Trust Him, trust His word, and let Him from you from the bondage of fear and unforgiveness, anger, resentment, and the root of bitterness.  Truly, let go, and let God do what He promises to do - heal you, give you life and joy, in the hope of Jesus, as a dearly, dearly, loved child. 

Give, as you have been given, that God may give you more - grace. Luke 6:38

Forgiveness can have several emotional, psychological, and even physical benefits, including:

1. Reduced Stress: Forgiving someone can reduce the stress and anxiety associated with holding onto anger and resentment. It can lead to a more relaxed and peaceful state of mind.

2. Improved Mental Health: Forgiveness is linked to improved mental health outcomes, including lower rates of depression and anxiety. It can lead to greater emotional well-being.

3. Enhanced Relationships: Forgiveness can repair and strengthen relationships by promoting understanding and empathy. It can create a healthier and more positive dynamic.

4. Increased Self-Esteem: Forgiving others can boost your self-esteem and self-worth, as it demonstrates your ability to rise above negative emotions and experiences.

5. Physical Health Benefits: Some studies suggest that forgiveness is associated with better physical health outcomes, such as lower blood pressure and reduced risk of heart disease.

6. Personal Growth: Forgiveness can be a catalyst for personal growth and development. It can lead to increased resilience and emotional maturity.

7. Reduced Negative Emotions: Letting go of anger, resentment, and bitterness can free you from the burden of these negative emotions, allowing you to experience more joy and positivity.

8. Inner Peace: Forgiveness often leads to a sense of inner peace and contentment, as it enables you to release the emotional baggage of past grievances.

9. Empowerment: Forgiveness can empower you by giving you control over your emotions and responses, rather than being controlled by anger or hurt.

It's important to note that forgiveness is a personal choice, and it doesn't mean condoning or excusing harmful behavior. It's about freeing yourself from the negative effects of holding onto anger and resentment. However, forgiveness can be a challenging process and may not be appropriate in all situations. It's a decision that should be made when you are ready and willing to engage in it.

Setting clear and healthy boundaries is crucial when attempting to reconcile with an abusive parent. These boundaries are designed to protect your emotional and physical well-being while allowing for the possibility of a healthier relationship. Here are some boundaries to consider:

1. Limited Contact: You can start by limiting the frequency and duration of your interactions with the abusive parent. This may mean reducing phone calls, visits, or communication to a manageable level.

2. No Tolerance for Abuse: Clearly communicate that abusive behavior will not be tolerated. Make it known that if abuse occurs, you will distance yourself or end the interaction.

3. Respect for Personal Space: Assert your need for personal space and privacy. Demand that your physical and emotional boundaries be respected.

4. Emotional Boundaries: Set boundaries around topics of conversation. Avoid discussing triggering or hurtful subjects if it's not conducive to a healthy interaction.

5. Supervised Visits: If you have safety concerns, you can arrange for supervised visits or interactions to ensure a safe environment for everyone involved.

6. Seek Professional Help: Make therapy or counseling a condition for reconciliation. Require that both parties participate in therapy to address underlying issues and improve communication.

7. Time-Outs: Establish a mechanism for taking a time-out or break during interactions if things become emotionally charged or abusive. Agree on a set process for reengaging after a break.

8. Consistency: Be consistent in enforcing your boundaries. Don't compromise on your self-respect or well-being to accommodate the other person.

9. Support System: Maintain a strong support system outside of the relationship. Lean on friends, family, or a therapist for emotional support and guidance.

10. Self-Care: Prioritize self-care and emotional well-being. Reconciliation should not come at the expense of your mental and physical health.

Remember that setting boundaries may not guarantee a positive outcome, and reconciliation may not be possible or advisable in all situations. Your safety and well-being should always be your top priority, and you should be prepared to reevaluate and adjust your boundaries as needed. Consulting with a therapist or counselor can be particularly helpful in navigating these complex dynamics and setting appropriate boundaries.

Forgiveness happens in layers - many times, it takes time, willingness, persistence, and 

• Whether they sin against you the same way, many times

• Whether they sin against you in many ways, at many times

• Whether they have only sinned against one time, but it inflicted long-term issues that rear their head regularly 

• Whether they have sinned against you, but you can’t let it go - so that every time it rears its head, it's as if it just happened

• They have sinned against you, and there are layers of depth of hurt that once one layer has been peeled back, there is another deeper or different layer 

• They have sinned against us, but we are unable to see our own responsibility or sin in light of theirs - this may take time

Honor: Honor begins with Mercy; Mercy demands Forgiveness

Honor: Honor begins with mercy; mercy demands forgiveness.  Therefore, to truly honor, IS to mercifully forgive as one has been mercifully forgiven - honored by the Master: 

God.  Mercy: Forgiveness begins here: What is mercy?  Where does it begin?  Personal reflection, appreciation, gratefulness to God for His mercy and grace – His honor.  We now do the same for others that He has done for us, and in particular, those closest to us, those we are specifically commanded to honor - our fathers and mothers.  

We express mercy in the following ways, with: empathy, sympathy, compassion, expressed by action – comfort – kindled by love, governed by the knowledge of our own poverty and our mourning over the realization of my own sin and the great mercy granted by to me by God in His forgiving us.  

Matthew 18:23-35

Mercy: pity, compassion; loyalty to God’s covenant (made with us, from him) by trusting and loving obedience to the spirit and conditions of the covenant: covenant-love and loyalty: I have had mercy shown me, I am now to show mercy

Mercy = God’s toward sinners - a readiness to help those in trouble - me: have we forgotten God’s mercy on me?  That, though I deserved wrath and judgment, He restrained Himself to give me time and space to see and respond to His grace offered in and by Jesus - thus granting us, me, grace, forgiveness, and eternal life?

Mercy = men toward men - having been shown mercy, we are to show mercy, and to not, is to be ungrateful to God for the mercy we’ve received, to take it for granted or even assume that I am somehow entitled to it - that God owed me.  When in fact, God’s mercy was given to me, in spite of me, instead of what I deserved from a holy God - judgment.  If this is how the Holy God treated me, how much more should I treat the person who sins against me - me being in the same state - having sinned against and hurt others?

Honor: Honor begins with mercy; mercy demands forgiveness.  Therefore, to truly honor, IS to mercifully forgive as one has been mercifully forgiven - honored by the Master: God.  Matthew 18:23-35

“Therefore, in view of God’s mercy, offer…” yourself… Honor God… Honor your mother and father…  Honor one another above yourselves… (Ro 12:1-3; Ex 20:12; Ro 12:10)

Honor. Honor begins with mercy: God honored and esteemed us, and ascribed value to us when the Father sent the Son to make His dwelling with us, to save us, and once saved, sent the Spirit to indwell us, to connect us to God forever. (Lu 6:36; Ps 119:58 Jo 1:9-14;3:16-18; 10:16-17,23,26; Ro 8:9)

Honor. We honor God in response to His mercy and love, eyes opened to see Him as glorious and good (1Jo 4:19)

Honor. God commands us to honor one another, in essence, as He has honored us - necessitating we express mercy - because not only do we hurt one another, we will, hurt one another.  (Gen 6:7; Ro 5:6-11)

Honor. Honor begins with mercy, mercy demands forgiveness.  Forgiveness is what happens when:

We see God’s merciful forgiveness toward us in response to our sin against Him - ascribing value and esteem to us as a  person over His right to retaliate, restraining His righteous judgment - this IS mercy. (Ps 103:8-18; Ro 2:1-4; 2Pet 3:9; Ps 130:3-4; Ex 34:6)

We see through or past the sin of another person against us, through to the person themselves - ascribing value and esteem to them - ascribing value and esteem to the person over the right to retaliate.

Ephesians 4:30-32 “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God… 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling (outcry) and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate, tenderhearted, to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Honor is what happens when we are merciful and forgive - when we see the person for who they are, not the sin they committed, and the hurt they inflicted… just like God did for us.  Me. 

Honor dies in the face of hypocrisy.  Knowing one has been forgiven the greatest of debts, to not forgive another, is to…

Why might honor, mercy and forgiveness be connected in this way?   Forgiveness is merciful.  “You sinned against me”, therefore, I have every right to retaliate.  We see this in the original law which states: Exodus 21:24

“An eye for an eye…; … the one who inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury…” Deuteronomy 19:21; Leviticus 24:20  

Mercy is difficult - mercy takes tremendous self-restraint, enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13-14,18-21; Gal 5:22). Jesus came, fulfilling the law, revealing, demonstrating, giving, and commanding a better, greater, way, a new law - the “law of love”, and treat others the way we would want to be treated (Mat 7:12; Lu 6:31):

Matthew 5:38-42 “38“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” 

We are, therefore, not to retaliate or seek revenge, but to extend mercy as God has extended mercy to us – mercy takes faith!

Romans 12:14-21 “19Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Mercy and forgiveness grant freedom - to the one forgiven AND the one who forgive, when we can forgive from the heart, thus creating a clean slate, a foundation for life and health - We are therefore to 

James 2:12-13 “12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (Matt 5:7)

And if we are to act this way with an evil person, or our enemy.  How much more, someone we love and are commanded to love - not only because they are a person, but because they are what they are in our lives?

What is it to honor?  It is to see and ascribe value and worth, to respect and esteem.  It is to see a person’s significance and value them as God values them. 

For some of us, honoring our parents is a…

What about hypocrisy?  Though the word is not used here, the definition and behavior are (18:32) What a strong word!  There are very few things Jesus railed against more emphatically or explicitly than hypocrisy. Why?  What is hypocrisy?  What is its effect on relationships?  Do you know a hypocrite?  If so, how do you view them?  Have you ever been called a hypocrite?  Is that a title you want or appreciate?  Why or why not?

The greater the sin-debt, the more mercy is magnified.  We must keep in view that we have been mercifully forgiven an unimaginable debt (Ro 12:1).  A debt so severe that Jesus gave His life for our ransom owed, paying the debt that we could not pay in a thousand lifetimes (Isa 3:10-12; Mt 20:28; 1Tim 2:6; Heb 2:17; 1Jo 2:2; 4:10; 10-18).  We need to recognize that we are this first servant mentioned here, with regard to the degree of debt owed before God - each and all of us, every single one of us. 

The second servant also represents each and every one of us - in the face, at the mercy of one another.  We are all indebted to those around us, as not one of us is perfect, there is not one of us who has sinned against another - each of us is in desperate need of mercy from God and one another, and to have received such mercy from God, having been relieved of such great debt, we ought out of great appreciation,  gladly, extend mercy to the one before us, no matter what we think they may owe us. 

Expectations, disappointment, and perspective…  time for a change.  Honor: In the context of honoring our parents, giving honor, choosing, deciding to honor - we are ascribing value.

Value as persons made in the image of God, loved by God, objects of His mercy

Value as those who are older and worthy (as persons of age) of respect

Value as parents becoming aware of, acknowledging, and accepting that God, in His wisdom, intentionally and purposely chose these two to be the stock from which we would be made - through whom we gain our most fundamental attributes - (also, in the image and likeness of God, as God has prescribed, ordered, and ordained)

Value as parents and the (weight of the) responsibility given to them to raise us and be the shadowy representation of God in our lives (if in no other way than to be the ones who provide for us, protect us, have power and authority over us, and to guide us into some sort of goodness.) 

Honor. What is it to honor?  As God is generous with His mercy, so we are to be generous toward all with ours.  How can I honor?

To honor, IS, a choice, it IS a decision.

Choosing to honor in spite of their inhumanity.  Why is this concept so important?  Because it is in our INhumanity that we sin and fall short of all God intended for us to be as one made in His image and likeness, that of being human.  We must remember that one of the things Jesus came to reveal to us, to show us, to demonstrate for us, was what “human” actually was meant to be in the beginning, and can be in Him.  Jesus came to be the perfect human and to show us what we will be in Him - fully human as God intended.

The fact is, when we sin, we are not actually “human”, we are acting “inhumanely”, as in, not as God intended for a human being to be, that is looking and acting as His image and likeness, reflecting Him and His person perfectly.  So, when we sin, we miss the mark of God’s good and righteous intention for us as that image and likeness, or, as Jesus, in His human state, being truly human as God intended - and being shown mercy, receiving grace, being a new creature - delighting God as we delight in Him. 

So, as we grow in Christ, and become more like Him, we are actually becoming less inhuman, and more human, not merely made to be so (tainted, perverted, and distorted by sin, but) now created in Christ Jesus in true righteousness and holiness.  And being transformed in mind, we now, are now able to 

• See, test, and approve of God’s good and perfect will

• Do the good works that were prepared in advance for us to do

To be merciful, (and to) forgive, is divine - showing ourselves to be a child of our Father - being patient with and bearing up another’s sin, especially against us, is being merciful toward them as God is me - Luke 6:36; Matthew 12:7; 23:23

To not be merciful makes us a judge who brings judgment upon ourselves “...forgive, and you will be forgiven, give and it will be given to you…”; “...forgive me, as I forgive others”

God’s counterintuitive wisdom: that His what it is He commands, and how it is we are to go about it, are always in direct conflict with what our heart would tell us, what our flesh would do, and what the enemy would 

James 3:17 “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere”

What does all of this call us to do?  Comfort others the same comfort we have received: mercy and forgiveness, being honored, ascribed value by God (1Cor 2:1)

Self-reflection - an honest appraisal of one’s self and my (own) ability to hurt others.  Psalm 32:5; 51; Phil 2:1-11

Aware, acknowledging, and accepting our own humanity and capacity to sin against another - the realization of my not deserving God’s mercy and grace, yet receiving them. John 3:16-8; Romans 2:1-4; Ephesians 2:1-10

Empathize - using the results of our own honest self-assessment to put ourselves in the place of the other and ask ourselves: “How would I want to be treated here?” Matt 7:12; Luke 6:31; Gal 5:14; James 2:8 “Do I want to be forgiven when I sin?”  If so, why?  What does being forgiven do for me?

Sympathize - our hearts being sensitized, softened, toward another person.  Mark 10:21

Compassion - wanting to release them, as well as myself, I am moved with a visceral feeling of deep concern for us both and am moved to make an attempt to relieve us both of the burden.  Eph 4:32; Matt 14:14; 20:34; Mark 5:19; 6:34

Comfort - or - forgive, deeply, from the heart – 2Corinthians 1:3-5

Trusting God, His goodness, and His good and wise commands - we act accordingly

“Taste and see that the Lord is good”

I can’t do this!  It will never work!  I could never…! 

We must be careful not to underestimate God: and His faithfulness to us, that He responds to our obedience with tremendous blessing. 

Am I glad for the mercy of God?

Can I imagine having God’s mercy withheld?

Can I see the privilege and power I have in being merciful (like our heavenly Father)?

Generous with Mercy: Learning to Forgive: Exodus 20:1-20 You Become What You Fear the Most

Turn to: Exodus 20:1-20 You become what you fear the most - fear God, revere Him - His persistent love for His children is committed to converting our hearts from “being afraid”, like the demons are, trembling in fright (James 2:19), to “fearing”, that is being overwhelmed by that which is most beautiful, things that are just “too wonderful for me” (Job 42:3; Ps 139:1-6; Pr 30:18-19), too hard, too much, too beautiful to believe.  And the enemy, the one who sees himself as being the “beautiful one” the “angel of light” (Ez 28:12-15; Is 14:12-14; Pr 16:18), hates God’s real beauty and will do everything in his power to draw our eyes away from what is actually beautiful to his counterfeit beauty (2Co 11:14) - where nothing lasts. (Matt 6:19; 1Cor 7:31; 1Jo 2:17)

What is “real”?  God’s loving truth.  And, if God is what is real, then the enemy and his world and ways are counterfeit - they appear to have life but actually lead to death and destruction. They appear to give peace, but actually anxiety and fear; safety, but actually peril; life, but actually death - to everything.  

John 8:44 “The devil… He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”)

What seems real, is not, and in fact, real is almost always the opposite, of what is seems…

If God is counterintuitive, it is not because He stands in contrast and contradiction to this world, but that this world and its ways stand in contrast and in contradiction to Him and His ways, the way of life - they are always in conflict with one another (Ro 7:15-18; 8:5 Gal 5:16-17)

Why is this important to know?  Because the enemy wants nothing more than to convince us that God is wrong, He does not better, that He is holding something back from us, and that His word is restrictive.  The enemy wants to know nothing about the benefits of forgiveness and peace with God, self, and others.  No, he wants us isolated and resentful, bitter toward God and others.  He wants us to be as ineffective as he can make us, and will try to convince us that the way to health is to hold on to…

You see, our Father in heaven wants something different for us: life and light, peace and freedom from encumbrances through being forgiven and forgiving - which is the essence of the kingdom.

I don’t know your story, but God does, and here is the beginning of relief: 

God knows, and He is good, and He cares, and He longs to relieve us of our burden (Psalm 55:22; 40:17; 34:15; Proverbs; Jer 31:25;  Matthew 11:28-30; 1Peter 5:7)

God knows and we can trust Him and His word… Jesus is imploring us to understand that we will not be released from the burden of our anxieties and fears, our most difficult struggles, and find true and lasting healing if we are able to place (a mustard seed of) faith in Him and His ways to have this “mountain” removed, this “valley” leveled, to have (Jesus) make for us a straight way. (Isaiah 40:3-5; 42:16; 49:11; 55:1-3; Lu 3:5)

What is that straight way?  The way of righteousness: turn to Psalm 23 (Ps 37:5)

Where does that straightway take us?  Take us…, take us…, take us…, you mean, this part of our journey? We are moving?  Yes, yes, and yes. Remember, although this Psalm may be about our journey, it is actually about the One who leads us on the journey.  Whose voice we hear, recognize, listen to, and follow?  It is about the “Good Shepherd”, who is actually, our Great Shepherd, our is the “Shepherd of ours souls… living.”  (Prov 12:28)

Yes, green pastures.  Yes, quiet waters.  Yes, on a path of righteousness… 

But, where does that path go?  Whose voice must we hear and trust, to Whom we listen and follow?  Right through the valley of the shadow of death, into, through, to… a table; an anointing; to fullness and life overflowing; to a greater, deeper, realization of our Shepherd’s goodness: love and life in Him; and the hope of eternal life, eternal glory.

Who is there with us?  Who is it that is leading us?  How is it who remains and is waiting in the end?  Who is it that set that table?  Who is it that anoints my head, gives of His goodness, out of His goodness, and grants me like now and for eternity?  Jesus, the Good Shepherd

Turn to: John 10:7-18

Listening to the wrong voice has happened before: listening to a voice other than God’s: Genesis 3:

·  The voice of our own deceitful heart?  The voice of our easily tempted flesh?

·  The voice of the accuser - we need to ask “Whose voice is that and what is he saying?  Who is he accusing?”

o  “This was your fault”

o  “You will never get past this”

o  They do not deserve to be forgiven

o  You can only control what’s happening if you hold on to this

o  You’re getting them back, punishing THEM by not forgiving them 

o  Grumbling, and complaining, as we try to win others over to our thinking by getting them to feel sorry for us, commiserate with us, and join us in our accusations against… God: the nature of His Person; His goodness and wisdom; His love and care; His commitment to His promises: the effectiveness of His word, the power of His Spirit, the good and necessary fellowship of believers…  the enemy wants isolated - to believe that the best place for you is to be separated from God and His ways, and alone—just the opposite of what God says and means. 

o  Accusing God: God’s way will lead to more hurt, more injury, more anxiety, more, more, more

Learning to discern the difference…  to who’s voice am I listening?  Here’s how to know:

·  The voice of God expressed through

o  His word

o  His, Holy Spirit, which always speaks in line with His word

o  The Body of Believers – those with whom we share the nature of God’s Spirit

Walking in faith, IS, learning to trust our Father’s goodness more and more, as we are more and more persuaded of the truth of His love…   Trust God at the most difficult place - giving God room to…  letting Him judge, and exert His wrath justly, goodly, faithfully, according to His truth

Do not fear forgiving… as strange as this sounds.  Forgiving is hard, because, sometimes, trusting is hard. 

Love God and immerse yourself in Him, His mercy, and His saving and keeping and sanctifying grace: Love sincerely - wanting God’s all-wise, all-knowing, all-powerful best for them; Hate what is evil - not only what has been done to us, but what is done to others; Cling to what is good - God’s grace and truth

And in the meantime, here’s where faith in God and His wisdom and grace comes colliding into our heart’s desire:  

Turn to Romans 12 - leaving room for God to do His work (Rom 2; John Jesus is the judge; therefore “do not judge, do not condemn (even we could), forgive and you will be forgiven (Luke 6:32-36; 11:1-4): Love your “enemy”; Feed them; Give them drink; Clothe them – let mercy administer justice…

Though God and His ways are most real, in our world, they seem, counterintuitive…. This is God’s counter-intuitive nature, the counterintuitive nature of the kingdom of Heaven, and we, truly are citizens of that Kingdom, under that King

What in my context does this look like?  Who is that person?  How do/I love them here and now?  What is my fiery step?  We honor by being patient, bearing up, and being kind.  And honor God by trusting Him and His word enough to take a first step of faith - and that will be different for each one of this.

The first step: Be merciful, just as your heavenly Father is.  Then, and only then, do we show ourselves as His children doing the very, good, works that He is creating us in Jesus - His only begotten Son - to make us, His adopted children like imm - to do golf works prepared in advance for us to do - these very works, according to God's very good and wise and loving word

The second step: put your trust in God., knowing that: (Prov 8:8)

·  God never commands us to do anything that he himself has not done… He has forgiven.

·  God never commands us to do something unless it’s good and right and just - for the forgiver and forgive

·  God never commands us to do something he has not equipped, enabled and empowered us to do

·  God never commands us to go a place alone, but in fact, promises to be with us 

We need to see that, forgiving is something God wants for us - and the idea that I will be forgiven as I forgive, is a profound statement - though I reside with God, hidden in Christ, forgiven, may, justified, the effects is the consequences of not forgiven bind me to the effects and to the one I refuse to forgive. 

God knows the brutal effect of not forgiving, or being unwilling to forgive, and longs to release us from our not-forgiving