The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Matthew 18:35,
"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart."
Peter, Jesus' outspoken disciple, asked how many times he should forgive a brother or sister that might sin against him. Jesus answered with the poignant "Parable of the Unmerciful Servant."
Jesus' answer of not seven times (that Peter offered), but seventy-seven (or seven times seven) was meant to make clear his followers need to always forgive and never stop forgiving. However, it is the very last three words he used to explain himself that separates the men from the boys when it comes to forgiving: "from your heart."
It must be from the heart! We do not come into this life with such hearts. Our hearts are dominated by a sinful nature that precludes an ability to forgive others when they have harmed us in some way. At least that was the way I came into this life. Maybe you had a different experience.
I had to have a "heart transplant" to meet the expectations the Lord has of those who are his. When I embraced Jesus Christ in faith the Holy Spirit took up residence in my heart to bring about a much needed change. We read about the kinds of things the Holy Spirit does in our hearts when he comes to dwell within, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23. Along with these are other qualities, such as an ability to genuinely forgive others when they have wronged us.
I am reminded of Colossians 3:12-14, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart."
Peter, Jesus' outspoken disciple, asked how many times he should forgive a brother or sister that might sin against him. Jesus answered with the poignant "Parable of the Unmerciful Servant."
Jesus' answer of not seven times (that Peter offered), but seventy-seven (or seven times seven) was meant to make clear his followers need to always forgive and never stop forgiving. However, it is the very last three words he used to explain himself that separates the men from the boys when it comes to forgiving: "from your heart."
It must be from the heart! We do not come into this life with such hearts. Our hearts are dominated by a sinful nature that precludes an ability to forgive others when they have harmed us in some way. At least that was the way I came into this life. Maybe you had a different experience.
I had to have a "heart transplant" to meet the expectations the Lord has of those who are his. When I embraced Jesus Christ in faith the Holy Spirit took up residence in my heart to bring about a much needed change. We read about the kinds of things the Holy Spirit does in our hearts when he comes to dwell within, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23. Along with these are other qualities, such as an ability to genuinely forgive others when they have wronged us.
I am reminded of Colossians 3:12-14, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
These things are the matters of a redeemed heart. We might try to fake it. We can have outward appearances of such things. But when the Lord says "from your heart", you simply can't fake that.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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