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Friday, March 10, 2006

Faith and Forgiveness: Part III – Transgression, Trespass and Trust

The need for forgiveness arises from a violation of trust and because men are untrustworthy the need is great. From the very beginning men have violated God’s trust. Adam was first when he disobeyed God and ate the fruit from the tree of knowledge that God had entrusted to him. He chose to trust Eve rather than God and men have continued to betray God throughout history. Men violate their trust in each other as well and their covenants and agreements are breeched without thought simply because it satisfies their lust or their pride for the moment. None of us are immune, “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”.

The cost for these violations is great and there’s nothing we can do to compensate God or anyone else for our misdeeds. Without forgiveness our relationship with Him and with others is permanently severed and we are only fit for destruction. From the first violation death came upon man and God told Noah that He would require our blood and our life. Hebrews 9:22 states that without blood there is no remission of sins. Forgiveness is not something we are due and there’s nothing we can do to earn it. It is nothing less than a gift from the giver of all good things, offered through the blood of His own Son because of His love for, and in order to restore us to Him.

Others who are truly forgiving also offer an unmerited gift of love. The nature of men is to exact vengeance. The rule is, “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” and every transgression will be punished. Through Christ we learn to “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:” and that “if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:” The power to accomplish this is only available through Jesus Christ.

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15 Comments:

Blogger Seeker said...

And the next verse:
"But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions."
Lest we forget.

3/10/2006 08:49:00 AM  
Blogger Matthew Celestine said...

Sound stuff, Kc.

3/10/2006 11:02:00 AM  
Blogger Gordon said...

The power to accomplish this is only available through Jesus Christ.

This is the key to the whole matter. When you think about it, forgiveness goes against human nature. Often we feel as if we are yielding our personal rights if we forgive.

The ability to truly forgive is a God-given ability through Christ.

Good post.

3/10/2006 01:22:00 PM  
Blogger Kc said...

Karen thanks. I hope we can study in great detail the consequence for failing to follow our Lord's command. I'm very glad PR is well ;-)

Thanks Matthew. ;-)

Gordon Amen! I hope to be able to show how every aspect of all our relationships should be centered in Christ. Thanks for the support. ;-)

3/10/2006 05:36:00 PM  
Blogger Kitty Cheng said...

Great insight and reminder. Thanks KC.

3/10/2006 08:17:00 PM  
Blogger Kc said...

Thanks Sis. ;-)

3/11/2006 05:43:00 AM  
Blogger Timothy said...

KC,
Good piece...
I think what we miss today is a real clear understanding of the shedding of blood for sin. Ever since the first sin, there has been innocent blood shed on behalf of the sinner for forgiveness. For Adam's sake, it was the sheep the God used for their skins. Here the lamb had to die, pointing them forward to the coming of the Lamb... but the message was clear, an innocent has to die in your place. That is the only way true forgiveness with the Father can come about... The innocent is Christ... His sufferings bring our forgiveness...
sorry, don't mean to be preachy...
Blessings

3/11/2006 08:48:00 AM  
Blogger Kc said...

Titus Amen! Thanks and feel free to get "preachy" all you need after all isn't that what preachers do? ;-)

Hope you're much better today.

3/11/2006 03:37:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Only through Him! Why do we try so hard to achieve what He Himself says only He can do? I do it all the time, and hold onto my anger, resentment with both hands, not giving Him the chance to work His love in me. This is a great post, a great reminder of why we need to be in the word every single day. To remind ourselves of our helplessness and His holiness. Thanks so much for this!!
Karyn

3/11/2006 07:30:00 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Hi Kc,

The power to accomplish this is only available through Jesus Christ.

Amen!

I give up quicker on the forgiveness issue and realize it is only by His arm that I forgive people from the heart.

Warmly in Chriat,

Jodie

3/11/2006 09:51:00 PM  
Blogger audrey` said...

Good post, KC!

It's very important to forgive.
However, it's very difficult to forgive in some cases.
It's so much easier to just forget about it and move on.

3/12/2006 12:01:00 AM  
Blogger Kc said...

Karyn welcome and thanks for the kind words. It's really a blessing to have your thoughts here and I look forward hearing your perspectives. May God bless you and your family. ;-)

Hey Jodie! So true, when it comes to works of faith we can only get "the right stuff" from Jesus. ;-)

Audrey it's so good when you bring Son shine around here! ;-) Yes I think we would always prefer the easy way out. Dank je zuster! (hehe)

3/12/2006 08:49:00 AM  
Blogger Rose~ said...

KC,
Great thoughts. Forgiveness can be hard, especially if the offender is not sorry, or if he/she keeps doing more of the offense. Thanks for posting on this.

3/12/2006 09:23:00 PM  
Blogger Rose~ said...

Then, just think about what the Lord puts up with from us!

3/12/2006 09:24:00 PM  
Blogger Kc said...

So true Rose, thanks. ;-)

3/13/2006 07:20:00 AM  

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