ForgivER

Yes, I know I’ve written on forgiveness before… this topic always bears repeating. Besides, there are so many different aspects to the word - forgive. This point is – are you quick to forgive, requested or not? How good a forgiver are you? Are you a willing forgiver? Do you forgive and forget? What if your forgiveness isn’t sought… do you still forgive? Or... do you shackle yourself with unforgiveness? 

I’m inclined to think that the latter category of forgiving regardless of whether it is sought is the most important. There can be occasions when you haven’t been asked because the other person has no idea that they hurt you in any way so they don’t ask. Or maybe they feel that even if they had hurt you, you share in the ‘blame’ so why aren’t you seeking their forgiveness. And there are many variations on these themes. Point is – can/will you forgive? Do you ever ‘flip’ the coin and look at the situation from the other person’s view? If you were in the other person's shoes, would you seek to be forgiven?

We all know the scriptures that talk about God can’t forgive us if we don’t forgive those who, intentionally or not, caused us pain 

   "But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result

    that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not

    forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:15, AMP)

I sometimes wonder if this scripture wasn't my motivation to not hold grudges or release the other person from what they did to me. I do know that when I am in a situation and the other person asked for my forgiveness, I have no choice because holding on to those feelings isn't worth the price of separation from the Father. Besides... what do I gain by not forgiving?

   "I, only I, am He who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I

    will not remember your sins." (Isaiah 43:25, AMP)

   "As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions

    from us." (Psalm 103:12, AMP)

If I want the Lord to forgive and forget what I've done... then I have no cause to 'forgive but not forget'. Actually, we are only imprisoning ourselves by the baggage of unforgetfulness (yes I know it isn't a word, it should be). Because it is we who are burdened not the person we haven't totally forgiven because I've learned that part of extending forgiveness is forgetting.. I believe that forgiveness is a quality that should mark our lives - our words, our thoughts, our behaviors. We need to live lives as ForgivERs. We cannot do less than what we need, what the Lord gives us:

   "He shall again have compassion on us; He will subdue and tread underfoot our

    wickedness [destroying sin’s power]. Yes, You will cast all our sins Into the

    depths of the sea." (Micah 7:19, AMP)

A Believer

Does this define you? Is this how you describe yourself... a believer? 

   "Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, [as

    conformity to God’s will and purpose—so it is with you also]. So understand

    that it is the people who live by faith [with confidence in the power and

    goodness of God] who are [the true] sons of Abraham. The Scripture, 

    foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the good

    news [of the Savior] to Abraham in advance [with this promise], saying, “In

    you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then those who are people of faith

    [whether Jew or Gentile] are blessed and favored by God [and declared free of

    the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing with Him] along

    with Abraham, the believer." (Galatians 3:6-9, AMP)

If you do characterize yourself as a believer... big question... do you act this way? Or at least continue to try to? Some other questions... do you see yourself as righteous? Would the Lord? And if you believe that He does view you as righteous and you don't - what's happening for you that causes this difference? Did you see the phrase: it is the people who live by faith [with confidence in the power and goodness of God] who are [the true] sons of Abraham! When you act in faith, then you confirm your sonship. How great is this! 

"So understand that it is the people who live by faith ... who are [the true] sons of Abraham." (v. 7) ... so rather than looking at your deficiencies, how does knowing that you are a son/daughter impact how you are you in the day? Or is this the problem? Are you judging your own 'people who live by faith' and consider yourself not fulfilling this?  Do your words and behavior define you as a believer? You do realize that 1- God's not done with you yet, 2- yesterday was and you can always improve on your yesterdays... today. Read again verse 9. 

Let's shift our focus a bit. Consider the following verse: 

   "Now many Samaritans from that city believed in Him and trusted Him [as

    Savior] because of what the woman said when she testified, “He told me all

    the things that I have done.” So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they

    asked Him to remain with them; and He stayed there two days. Many more

    believed in Him [with a deep, abiding trust] because of His word [His personal

    message to them]; and they told the woman, “We no longer believe just

    because of what you said; for [now] we have heard Him for ourselves and

    know [with confident assurance] that this One is truly the Savior of [all] the

    world.” (John 4:39-42, AMP)

See what happened when the woman spoke, testified to those in her community! It had a pronounced affect and the townspeople were able to identify that her words began their understanding but their faith increased because of their experience. This can be your witness when you share the Lord with others. Wouldn't this be the behavior of a believer - a desire to share with others.? Perhaps our problem is that we think we have to do this on our own. Not. Remember Jesus words that tell us that apart from abiding in Him, we can do nothing (John 15:4-7).

There are 3 steps I would suggest if your problem is not knowing 'how'. 1. Ask a mature brother or sister in the Lord who you deem as reliable to help you, not tell you, help you find your 'how'. 2. Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit who was sent here to help us (John 14:16). 3. And, always ask the Lord to help you be a believer, He really does understand. Besides, He judges us by our hearts. Where's your heart when it comes to being an effective (fruitful) believer? 

One another

Giving credit where credit's due... I was listening to a teaching by Shelia Walsh which triggered this post. Perhaps the experience of the past 2 years has also influenced. Let's face it - we kept hearing that we should 'isolate' or 'stay at home' or 'quarantine', etc. which only separated us even more. This has been a difficult time.

   "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with

    me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with

    me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

    I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and

    you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” [Matthew 11:28-30, MSG]

I also believe that being separated from each other increases our sense of sadness, which only intensifies the separation. Somehow I don't think that the Father ever expected us to stay separated from each other. There are so many scriptures that tell us we need each other. 

   "Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of

    the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]." [Galatians 6:2, AMP but

    read 1-4]

   "Above all, have [a]fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love

    covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the

    best for others]" [1 Peter 4:8, AMP]

These are only 2 verses that speak of our relationship toward each other and how we should conduct ourselves. The problem is when we live in the society we are now experiencing... how do we accomplish this 'from a distance'? And we have a responsibility, an obligation to one another in light of Galatians 6:1. 

The one reality that I tend to cling to is that our current situation is not something that has surprised the Father. And since His Word is unchanging and stands forever... what would He want us to do to fulfill this charge? I suspect the question is... were we fulfilling this charge before society made a 180? Jesus gave us a command to love one another as He loved (John 13:35) and the second commandment (Matthew 22:39). 

If we feel frustrated and/or confused - the Word has not nor will it change. What we need to do is to discover and created new ways to fulfill touching lives, including our own brothers and sisters in the Lord, who also need encouraging during these times. As we act on and then share what we are doing we can also lift them up. Whatever the issue we face, as we turn to the Lord for His assistance, we will overcome these times of separation. We will be together.

Eternity

It's been said (by some in the church world) that we should live with eternity in mind. What does this mean? How do we do this? And what about the saying that the person was too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good. What does That mean? Are these 2 opposing views, and, if so, which one should prevail. If we focus on the former are we subject to the problems of the latter?

Paul, in his salutation in Titus says:

  "Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle (special messenger, personally

   chosen representative) of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God’s chosen ones and

   [to lead and encourage them to recognize and pursue] the knowledge of the

   truth which leads to godliness, based on the hope and divine guarantee of

   eternal life, [the life] which God, who is ever truthful and without deceit,

   promised before the ages of time began, and at the appointed time has made

   known His word and revealed it as His message, through preaching, which was

   entrusted to me according to the command of God our Savior—" )1:1-3, AMP)

Perhaps lengthy, but Paul identifies who he is and why he is writing and teaching what he does and the authority from which he is saying so that there are no doubts about his authority or commissioning. Relevant to this specific discussion are the words in bold: hope and divine guarantee of eternal life. Do you believe this for yourself? And if not - why? You can't earn it. You can't purchase it. But it is yours as a son/daughter of the most High God through your acceptance of the Lordship of His Son - Jesus.

How does having eternity on your mind, the understanding of where you will live after this life, affect how you live your life now? In every way...  But what ls eternal life? [To expand and more fully understand verse 3, read 17:1-10, and this begins to give us understanding about eternity and everything associated with it.]

 

   "Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true [supreme and

    sovereign] God, and [in the same manner know] Jesus [as the] Christ whom

    You have sent." (John 17:3, AMP)

In verse 3 notice that Jesus' prayer is for us to KNOW. I believe that He is inviting us to know Him and Father God. Know goes beyond and is an eternal and essential truth to understand. But what, exactly is eternal life? Romans 6:23 says: 

   "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable

    overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Believers receive the gift of eternal life... with Jesus and the Father. Expanding on this discussion is https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-eteral-life.html provides an excellent understanding on this topic.

I was taught that everyone ends up 'someplace' after their time on earth. Bottom line is EVERYONE goes to either heaven or hell. However, for the Christian we have the gift of eternal life with Jesus and the Father. The choice is ours. Never apologize for having the eternal on your mind because it affects who you are and how you act. Being 'eternally minded' means you have the security of your future so you can act now in boldness and compassion. YOU have the answer and as you share who you are now, you witness to what their choice is. 

Perhaps I haven't provided a broad enough statement about what 'eternity' is. Simply... it is a place where you choose to go after your time here on earth is finished. The only way to this place is By accepting the free gift from the Father by accepting His Son. As to the specifics of what eternity is... you, like I, will have to wait till we get there.

Though there are many scriptures in the New Testament, especially by John, that speak of eternity and eternal life, one of my favorites is when Jesus says:

   "“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the person who hears My word

    [the one who heeds My message], and believes and trusts in Him who sent Me,

    has (possesses now) eternal life [that is, eternal life actually begins—the

    believer is transformed], and does not come into judgment and condemnation,

    but has passed [over] from death into life." (John 5:24, AMP)

We means ME

Good news for Christians! When the Word says 'we', this means it includes ME! This is also true of when the word 'you' is used. Can you wrap your head around all that this means? This is fantastic... but it also comes with our, as in Our, responsibilities - not just benefits! It comes with knowledge, understanding, growth, applications, etc.  Yes, this typically means we have to do something, like believe, in order to see the blessings. But they are there.

Example: Hebrews chapter 11. Each sentence begins with: "By faith..." and then proceeds to relate the example of someone who lived by faith but didn't see the fruit of the faith, but believed. Then we read verse 6 (followed by other examples of those who lived by faith and how God saw this:

   "But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for 

    whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists 

    and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him."

The evidences from those who did not abandon their faith but stood fast even though they didn't see (tangibly) their reward should inspire us. I would also suggest that faith is our starting point in our process of discovering everything associated with believing, responsibilities, and rewards the 'We means Me' involves. It also helps us build our relationship with the Lord.

Did you realize that there are over 160 promises indicated in scripture that God has for us. 160! Personally I tend to believe that all promises come with requirement(s), but doable or we wouldn't be asked. A study by Victor Knowles:

   "The word promise appears more than 100 times in sacred scripture. One

    thousand promises are listed in "What the Bible Says about Praise and

    Promise". Thousands more are listed in Samuel Clarke's two-hundred-year-

    old classic, "Precious Bible Promises". Some have suggested that there may 

    be as many as 30,000 promises contained in Scripture."

I'm not so certain the number of promises there are is as important as the ones YOU know and are standing on for yourself or those people and things you pray for. There are untold numbers of promises, blessings that are available for the 'We' but it really is the 'Me' who implements them that makes any difference.

The point that I was attempting to make is that WE is ME just like ME is WE. What's in the Word tells us all that is ours when we make Jesus our Lord and all that we can do and be because Jesus is our Lord. He explicitly prays for His, that though we are in the world, we are not of the world - 2 little letters that make all the difference. The Lord does come to equip and enable us, He comes to protect and provide, He comes to give us our personal assignments, and He comes to warn us of our enemy and what he attempts to do - but that the enemy is defeated (and knows it) and we can overcome. 

In these days

I think there is little doubt, question that we are living in difficult times. The level of intolerance and violent reaction seems to only increase. For the Christian, we are battered with temptations, seductions, trials, tribulations, fears(?)… Are we in the last days? I would say ‘yes’ but I have only my understandings of the scriptural descriptions to use as my 'proof'. I look at what is happening in our society and the ‘values’ that are being projected. It’s enough ‘to make a grown man cry’! Who and where do we turn? 

There is no doubt... we need an unchangeable and truthful foundation from which to speak and act. For the Christian, we have this sure foundation. We have One that has the power, authority - it is the Lord. When we abide in Him, when the Word is our foundation we have the strength, the ability to be that witness in our world.

   "First off, you need to know that in the last days, mockers are going to 

    have a heyday. Reducing everything to the level of their petty feelings, 

    they’ll mock, 'So what’s happened to the promise of his Coming? Our 

    ancestors are dead and buried, and everything’s going on just as it has 

    from the first day of creation. Nothing’s changed.'” (2 Peter 3:3-4, MSG)

I would suggest that things HAVE changed... they've gotten worse. Matthew (10:21-22, AMP) says:

   "Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; and child-

    ren will rise up and rebel against their parents and cause them to be 

    put death. And you will be hated by everyone because of [your associa-

    tion with] My name, but it is the one who has patiently persevered and

    endured to the end who will be saved."

Wherever you read in the scriptures about the last days, the descriptions do appear to define 'these days'.  My problem is that 'patiently' has never been a quality I've learned. No tongue in cheek - I do believe that if this kind of behavior is met with fear, trembling, stuttering, or any of their ilk, we only exasperate the situation. It will be our patient perseverance that will mark us, as we endure.

I'm sure that 'in these days' is a description that not all would accept. However, when you begin to look at the evidences from what we see in the news, it's difficult to deny. And why should we? The 'End Times' have been talked about for ages. If we're not in them, we are certainly close to them. Point in all this is what WE do and say and act... and believe DURING these days. Scripture should always be our measure. In how we act. In how we understand what's happening. What prophecies from the Old Testament haven't been fulfilled... what prophecies from the New Testament mark these days? That's our judge.

Regardless of whether we are in the end times or not, the point remains - who are we and how do we go about being us? Again, those who endure to the end, who practice patient perseverance are the ones who should provide our example. The Book of Revelation paints a very vivid picture of what happens to our world. It really won't be as we've come to know it. It will be ravished. However, the Christian doesn't need to fear, doesn't need to quake at the wrath of God that will happen. Plus, I don't believe that we aren't there yet - close, but not completely there..

Is there hope for this world? These days will lead, quickly, to the last days. What are we to do?

   "Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is [indeed] plentiful, but 

    the workers are few. So pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out 

    workers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38, AMP)

We need to be about our Father's business... that's what we do.

THE Tithe

  "Bring all the tithes (the tenth) into the storehouse, so that there may 

    be food in My house, and test Me now in this,; says the Lord of hosts, 

    'if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you 

    [so great] a blessing until there is no more room to receive it. Then I 

    will rebuke the devourer (insects, plague) for your sake and he will 

    not destroy the fruits of the ground, nor will your vine in the field 

    drop its grapes [before harvest],' says the Lord of hosts." (Malachi)

That's quite an exchange! We are blessed far beyond the tithe we bring, so bring it with joy and love - it all came from the Father in the first place. This writing is Not going to be accompanied with the many scriptures that discuss the tithe... this focus is slightly different. My belief, thinking is that the tithe encompasses far more than the work of our hands our job. This word... tithe, evokes all sorts of reactions. Guilt. Anger. Embarrassment. and a host of other reactions. Then there are those who say concerning tithing... certainly, of course.

Personally, I do fall into this latter category - or so I thought. Personal story: I was brought up tithing. When I was a very young girl I received a weekly allowance, $.50. (Do know, that this amount went quite far back in 'those days'.) From that allowance I was to tithe ($.05) to Sunday School and save the same amount (in a pink piggy bank). The remainder of the money I could spend any way I wanted. However, we also bought our own (Christmas, Birthday) gifts for others ... with a little help from Mom.

The point is that tithing was always part and parcel when it came to money. Have I kept to this my entire life? For the most part - and that isn't a brag. 'Most part' is not 'always'.(OK, yes, it did verge on pride but never completely got there.) Earlier this year the Lord dealt with me about this  The point was, I consciously chose to tithe from my salary on the net not on the gross. Sadly, nowhere (though I thought I had a fairly good rationale for my thinking) in scripture does it say 'bring in the net tithe into the house..." (Malachi 3: 9-10). The Lord doesn't see our 'kinda obedience' in the same light as we do. Bottom line, I have started trying to 'make up' for my slight. No, He didn't ask me to, but it is the right thing because even this will never be sufficient.

All that to say... finances aren't the only thing we are to tithe! Tithing includes everything. Example: if we look at our day, how do we 'spend' those 24 hours? If you work then 8 are consumed in working, 8 for sleeping which means you have 8 hours at your disposal. Does 10% go to the Lord? Do you study, pray, become involved in those activities associated with the Lord? 10% of the net would be 48 minutes... on the gross would be 2.4 hours or 2 hours and 24 minutes (if my math is correct). Do you spend 2.4 hours a day on the things of the Lord? Actually... do you spend the net of 48 minutes?

Some of you go way beyond the tithe when it comes to your giftings, your charitable acts, and the time spent on the things of the Lord. Some... not so many. If you are upset with this, the question is - do you want to change anything? You really can spend as much time as you want with the Lord, on the things of the Lord. It is always your choice. But never do it out of sheer 'obligation' because you won't be doing it from the right motive - Love. I don't believe that the Lord is seeking reluctant children to spend time with. But I do believe He totally enjoys those who seek Him.

So, what do you believe about the tithe? That it's no longer an obligation or responsibility? That it's financial only? Or that tithing encompasses everything about - You.

 

Witness... Testify

In my world of words and definitions, these 2 words mean the same thing, the same act... the difference is the audience. 

Witness: we all know what this is - telling another person about Jesus and who He is in your life. There are always those who seem to do this effortlessly and then others who are very awkward. You know... sometimes it's the awkward person that is the most believable. However, it isn't our comfort and lack of that's the point - sharing Jesus is. Perhaps our witnessing is a bit Jonah-ish - done with reluctance (and the reason for this is as varied as the people feeling this way). However (again) that's not what's asked.  Matthew tells us 'Go'. That's all we have to do and be alert to opportunities to share the single most important person in our lives and what He's done for us.

Testify is kind of an old fashion word/'activity' in the church. It use to be one of the focal points in a service. This was the time when the congregation could share with the church how the Lord was working in their lives. Shouts of 'hosanna', Amen, Praise the Lord, preach it, would accompany the testimony. The point was to uplift and encourage the members (or attendees) of the service. Sometimes this was part of the Sunday morning worship service, but most often it was the core of the Sunday evening service. It was when we could 'brag' on the Lord. 

In today's church it is difficult to even get the congregation to corporately pray. Harsh? Probably... but also true.

   "What then is the right course, believers? When you meet together, 

    each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation (disclosure of special

    knowledge), a tongue, or an interpretation. Let everything be con-

    structive and edifying and done for the good of all the church. 
    (1 Corinthians 14: 26, AMP)

That verse begins Paul's instruction concerning the 'church' services. Duly note the 'each' word. Whether or not it was voiced, it was expected that every participant would be prepared and open to the Spirit's leading to share how the Spirit was leading. Testifying falls into this. Is there a greater 'witness' to the Lord and who and what He is then a fellow brother or sister sharing what the Lord has done in their lives?

The Holy Spirit is the main person in the Godhead during these times of witnessing and testifying. It is He who directs and empowers us to share... for the edification, encouraging, and benefit of all.

   "Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guid-

    ance of] the [Holy] Spirit. Do not scorn or reject gifts of prophecy or

    prophecies [spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or

    warning]. But test [a]all things carefully [so you can recognize what is 

    good]. Hold firmly to that which is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, AMP) 

Army of God

Context: 1 Corinthians 12: 14-21, Preparation/Equipping: Ephesians 6: 10-17, 2 Corinthians 10:4-6,  Purpose: Ephesians 4: 14-16

Do you consider yourself a soldier? Part of a vast army? Do you ‘take orders well’ – do you trust your training? Or do you think you shouldn’t be part of the front lines? One thing the foot soldier needs is trust in those in command and those mates to the right and left. Do you trust your leader? Your fellow soldiers? Is your leader following the One in charge? 

Or maybe you think that though you accepted Jesus as Lord, you didn't sign up for any army. Oh yes you did! What you need to realize is that this is no puny army you are a part of. This army is the Lord's ad we are equipped, trained, prepared to fight the enemy and defeat him. We have everything we need to be victorious.

When you accepted Jesus you became an enemy of the devil. He doesn’t want you saved, but if you are, he is going to do everything he can to make certain you aren’t fruitful. The devil and his agenda is made apparent in scripture and very visible in our day-to-days. Just remember that our equipping is designed to defeat and overcome any of his schemes. We are never in this battle alone, even when we get separated from the main our mates.

You will always be a soldier but also realize that you have everything you need to be an effective soldier. However, don’t take my words that being a soldier is a walk in the park. Every soldier has his/her responsibility and the effectiveness of the army is contained in how we each do what our assignment is. Take as your context 1 Corinthians 12: 14-21 AMP, verse 18 says:

   "But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts 

    in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the 

    best balance of function]." 

This is the best definition of who we are together as a body and as an army. Since this is the training and situation for us all, then if we trust our training, we can trust our fellow soldiers in theirs. We also need to remember

   "The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. 

    Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are

    destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that

    sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every

    thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ, being ready to 

    punish every act of disobedience, when your own obedience [as a church] 

    is complete." (2 Corinthians 10:4-6, AMP)

Ephesians 6 talks about our equipping – the full armor of God. (6: 10-17) We have all the necessary parts to be effective soldiers. But our 'enemy' is not other people, the purpose of God’s army is to touch lives but to do this we need to do what Ephesians 4:14-16 teaches:

   “let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the 

    Head—Christ. From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various 

    parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, 

    when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature,

    building itself up in [unselfish] love."

This is the description and definition of God's Army. Besides... if you read the end of the book (Bible) you'll see that we win because our Lord has 'finished' all that needs to be. He overcame so we could become overcomers.

Love the sinner... Hate the sin

This used to be the mindset of the church, in my opinion. The problem is that this belief/approach seems to have been expanded to also including … and accepting the sin. This approach is really untenable. If the church begins changing how God views sin, then we are replacing Him. No thank you. Sin is sin. The only resolution is to accept that as the basis. If there is no intent in acknowledging the sin or of repenting and changing- what, precisely are we doing? Exactly! We are allowing the sin.

That seems to be the mantra that the church has operated under for some time. I do appreciate that love should and needs to be the foundation for our actions. But... when does 'Love the sinner... Hate the sin' become enabling the sinner to continue in the sin? Isn't this what happens all too frequently? In our rush to spread the love of the Lord to all, we don't follow through/up on what is happening for that person. Are they seeking forgiveness? Is this what they want? The proof is in their willingness to give up the sin. If there is no fruit from acknowledging the situation, if they don't call a sin a sin, then is there any repentance? Is there any change?

When it is sin, we can't just allow (and our silence affirms acceptance) the continuation of the sin. If the sinner continues in their sin, have they accepted the Lordship of Jesus and follow the commandments? Isaiah 59:2, AMP:

   "but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,

    and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear."

Look at Exodus 32:33 - that to me really says it all. When we accept Jesus' Lordship we have to accept His Word and if He says it, that ends the discussion.

In some respects this is an issue of 'Who' is Lord? Is it our desires, wants, understandings, or the Lord's Word? It never is a matter of a 'lesser' sin, sin is sin - period. And repentance means departing from sin. Whether or not you believe the 'situation' has nothing to do with Lordship. It does. If you accept the Lord... you accept His word. And in accepting His word, it can't be equivocated, uncompromised, updated, 'modernized', ignored... His word is His word. And this is what's followed. Remember, we have a responsibility:

   "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual [that is, 

    you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to restore such 

    a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense of superiority or self-

    righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not

    tempted as well." (Galatians 6:1, AMP)

There are other books in the Bible that speak to this issue - Titus 3, Matthew 18, Ephesians, etc. Our responsibility is to confront sin in order to save the sinner... not allow the sin.

God doesn't want any of us to separate ourselves from Him. But He also allows us to do what we choose. If we choose Him... we have to choose all that is associate with Him. There's no picking and choosing, just as it is with the scriptures - they are truth, regardless of whether we like it or not. Remember the scripture which is both an opportunity and a responsibility:

   "My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you strays from the truth 

    and falls into error and [another] one turns him back [to God], let 

    the [latter] one know that the one who has turned a sinner from the 

    error of his way will save that one’s soul from death and cover a 

    multitude of sins [that is, obtain the pardon of the many sins com-

    mitted by the one who has been restored]." (James 5: 19-20, AMP)

Loving the sinner and hating the sin is not license to continue in the sin. Repentance has to accompany the situation. If the sinner refuses... then it is they who have the right to decide. We can pray. We can intercede. We can't choose for them.

 

Blessed?

Are you blessed? How do you know? Are you walking in the blessing of being blessed? How do you define 'blessed'? If you aren't living a blessed life... why? If you are... how? I could continue with the questions but what I'm trying to do is to have you consider the word and what it means and how it relates to you, The best place to start is in scripture. The Beatitudes are found in the first 12 verses of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5: 2-12 (AMP).

I considered these verses in light of Who was being blessed and What their 'reward' was. I never fully focused on the word - blessed. The who and what were fairly simple to relate but... blessed? What is 'blessed'? The Amplified Bible does a marvelous job of expanding our understanding of blessed and what is included and experienced. 

   "Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in 

    spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves 

    as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].

   
    Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over 

    their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin 

    is lifted].

    Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the

    gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they 

    will inherit the earth.

    Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure,] are those who hunger and 

    thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], 

    for they will be [completely] satisfied.

    Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they 

    will receive mercy.

    Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in 

    heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they 

    will see God.

    Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and 

    maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called 

    the sons of God.

    Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are

    persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the king-

    dom of heaven [both now and forever].

    Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s

    goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely 

    say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] 

    Me.     

   

    Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [abso-

    lutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets 

    who were before you."

Poor in spirit... those who mourn... gentle... those who hunger and thirst for righteousness... merciful... pure in heart... persecuted... associated with the Lord. The blessings are available to all who experience any of the above conditions. 

Jesus tells us and defines for us what being blessed encompasses: spiritually prosperous, forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace, inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, content, sheltered by God’s promises, anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature, spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor, comforted by inner peace and God’s love, morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness. These are the descriptive words for one who is blessed. Does this define you? If not, where are you not blessed? Do you know why?

Blessed is more than a word... somehow, in my world of definitions, it also something that we receive. I think the blessings are available but we have to accept them. We have to let the blessings define us not just the 'condition'. The blessings are our defense, our strength. Blessed also refers to how the Lord thinks about us - He loves us so much that He looks for ways to help us as we live our lives.