Tag: Love

Forgive and Love Your Enemeis

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

How Can You Forgive and Even Love Your Enemies

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Introduction

Forgiveness is a cornerstone of Christian faith. We are called to forgive those who trespass against us, and then to go beyond forgiveness and demonstrate love for our enemies. This can be very difficult concept to grasp as it goes against our self-centered human nature which pushes for preserving our own interests and demands retaliation when we are attacked. We are called to rise above this earthyl orriented instinct and embody divine love. Jesus teaches us why this is important and demonstrates by example how to do it. It is essential to conquer this challenge to gain the benefit of Jesus’ work of salvation for us. I have come to appreciate some key points and perspectives to help us tackle this challenge. This post will explore what forgiveness is, why it is necessary, how we can practice forgiveness and go even further to love our enemies.

What Is Forgiveness?

Forgiveness is the purposeful act to pardon someone for a debt they owe without compensation.

To get a proper understanding of forgiveness it helps if we take a brief peek at the concepts of Justice, Debt, Mercy and Love.

Justice:

Justice demands that everyone be treated fairly; people should respect each other and not cause harm to each another. The Judeo/Christian concept of Justice is based on the biblical principle that every human being was formed in God’s image and deserves to be respected and treated fairly.

“Let us make man in our image”. Genesis 1:26-27.

“The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both”. Proverbs 22:2

“For God shows no partiality.” Romans 2:11

Debt:

The administration of justice requires a system of accounting to keep track and resovle injustaces. Someone who does something to harm or adversely impact another person, must compensate or repay the victim for the impact they caused. Until the instigator completes thier compensation, they are said to owe a debt to the victim or creditor. There are several systems of justice to hold people accountable and a debt could take may forms:

Financial – A financial obligation – n outstanding loan, an unpaid bill for services recieved, or a recievable for services you have rendered  

Material – Something borrowed or taken but not yet returend, or something returned damaged. Debt paid in like kind or fiinancial compensation.

Civil – Actions which harm another person. Debt sometimes paid in like kind, an eye for an eye. 

Criminal – Actions which violate laws of the government, Debt is paid by a combination of fine and time served.

Moral  – A thought, word, or action that violates God’s moral law. Debt is paid by substitutional blood sacrifice. 

Forgiveness / Mercy / Love:

Forgiveness is a act of Mercy, and Mercy is an act of Love.

Forgiveness is pardoning an outstanding debt without repayment.

Mercy is withholding punishment or harsh treatment that is otherwise deserved. 

Love is sacrificing your own interest for the benefit of another.

If you forgive someone for something they have done agasint you, you are releasing them from the debt they owe you. If you are forgiving them so they avoid punishment or advsere consequences it is an act of mercy. When you have compassion and forgive someone, you give up your right to be compensated for the damage they inflicted on you, this is a sacrifice and and act of love. 

God demands justice so each person is treated fairly in the big picture. We each have sinned against God and His kingdom and we deserve eternity in Hell. Jesus loves us so much He sacrificed His life for us. Jesus paid the debt for our sins by suffering on the cross. Jesus is willing to be merciful to us and allow us to avoid eternal damnation if we are willing to follow Him. He is willing to forgive the debt of our sins if we are willing to forgive the sins of others agaisnt us. That is the deal, and it is a great one.

Action motivated by sacrificial Love is a powerful force for good. Christians are taught to go beyond mere forgiveness and actually demonstrate acts of love for the folks who are intentionally doing us harm.

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27-28

The concept of loving your enemy can be very difficult to embrace and execute if we are looking at the situation oly from our earthly perspective focused on the pain we have experienced at the hands of others.  It only starts to make sense and become possible when you start to see things from God’s perspective. We will explore this in the following sections.

Why Should We Forgive?

There are many reasons to forgive the trespasses against you and to love your enemies, let’s go through my top 10:

  1. To Be Obedient and in Compliance With God’s Commands

God loves and blesses those who love Him and follow His commands.

“Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments” Deuteronomy 7:9

“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” John 14:21

You are called to forgive those who trespass against us.

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matthew 6:12

“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:25

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” Matthew 6:14

You are called to love your enemy, because loving your friends is not a big deal.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,…” Matthew 5:43-45

  1. Forgive Others so You Can Be Forgiven

We are all sinners, we each face eternity in hell, we each require a savior to forgive us and grant us access to heaven.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

If we wish to be forgiven of our sins and seek eternal life with God, we must first orgive others of their sins against us. This is not an optional requirement; it is stated directly.

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15

  1. Forgive, so You can follow Jesus’ example, imitating Him, becoming like Him, perfecting God’s love.

You are called to imitate Jesus, and become like Him, sacrificing your earthly self so you will be able to be bold on judgement day.

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2

To forgive, you must be willing to sacrifice your own earthly interests to serve a higher purpose, loving and serving God the Father, yielding to the Father as the ultimate just judge, acting in love and serving your neighbor, and acting in faith to invest in your our own eternity. Jesus serves as the role model for each of these.

Jesus yielded His own human interests and did only the father’s will.

“Not my will, but yours be done” Luke 22:42,

Jesus humbled himself and became a servant for others.

“But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:7-8

Jesus yielded to God the Father as the just judge over His situation.

“When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:23

Jesus forgave His enemies on the cross

“Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’” Luke 23:34

Jesus loved His enemies – To love is to sacrifice. We were His enemies, and He suffered and died for us.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

We are to perfect the flow of God’s love by recognizing God’s Love in the sacrificial actions of His son, receiving love in the form of forgiveness for our sins, and then passing His love on to others by sacrificing ourselves for others by forgiving them.

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.”1 John 4:11-12

“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:44-48

  1. Love Your Neighbor, Serve Them By Sacrificing Your Interests For Their Sake:

You are called to love your neighbor as yourself. This means treat them as well as you would like ot be treated, and to come to their aid in a time of need.

“And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” Matthew 22:39

A neighbor in this case is anyone you come across who may be in need.

“Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?  He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise.;” Luke 10:36-37

You are also called to love your enemies, bless them and pray for them. They are each innocent children lost in this fallen world and need help finding the path back to God’s love.

“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:44-48

Your acts of mercy and love will help their eternal soul by giving them a taste of the kingdom of God. Acts of goodness/kindness are like pieces of hot coal on an evil soul getting their attention

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Romans 12:20

Just as you benefit from receiving forgiveness, so do those you choose to forgive.  Feeling valued and loved despite their mistakes, avoiding condemnation, getting a second chance. This is an echo of God’s unconditional love and can open the door for Him. Forgiveness is an act of love that can inspire the forgiven person to live differently.

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

  1. Sacrifice Now To Earn Rewards in Heaven:

A willingness to forgive debts and take actions to love and serve enemies requires understanding of the bigger spiritual picture. A conscious decision to sacrifice now in this life for the sake of the God’s longer term higher purpose is an act of faith. Acts of sacrifice and service towards enemies in faith earn rewards in heaven.

“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.” Luke 6:35

  1. Avoid Playing Into the Devil’s Agendas

You have an active adversary and he is roaming around looking for whom he can destroy.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Satan works in some very predictable ways and we would be wise to avoid them.

“…so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” 2 Corinthians 2:11

He likes to divide people and get them to work against each other, this works directly against God’s agenda of love and peace. The more people react to undesirable circumstances and spiral into cycles of counterproductive emotions of resentment, bitterness, and hatred, and take actions of vengeance and revenge, the more of God’s love we divert and waste, and the harder our hearts get.

We need to step up and break the cycle.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

  1. Support Your Own Transformation:

By humbly working through this process with intention and reflection, you will identify and address self-centered barriers currently limiting your transformation and effectiveness.

We are to deny ourselves, and be willing to suffer when needed for God’s higher purpose.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’” Matthew 16:24

Counter to earthly logic, Giving up our self-centered interests in our earthly life for God’s higher purpose, actually enables prosperity in our eternal life.

“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” John 12:25

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” Mark 8:35

We are to love others, and sacrifice our own interest in service of them, all to serve a higher purpose.

“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

Working through this process of self sacrifice will help you transform your thinking, get you out of short term worldly behaviors,  and help you find and embrace the will of God

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

  1. Be A Role Model, an Ambassador, a Beacon for the Kingdom:

By forgiving those who trespass against you, and loving your enemies, You will stand out from folks who are stuck in short term, self-centered, erthly thinking, and set an example for others, helping to deploy God’s kingdom on earth.

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

“You are the light of the world….let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

  1. Defeat The Devil

The devil is defeated by the Jesus sacrifice for us (the blood of the lamb), the testimony of followers who receive the benefits and share thier stories with others, and believers not loving our lives to the point of death. 

“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” Revelation 12:11

Forgiveness is an act of self sacrifice. Each voluntary act of forgiveness and/or act of love for your enemy requires you to sacrifice some peace of our own earthly interest in furtheranc eof God’s agenda. Each step undoing our sefl-centered life is a step towards reestablishing God’s perfect image inside each of us and a step toward undoing Satan’s power and influence over us.

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9

  1. Experience Peace/Joy:

Your voluntary sacrifice in faith and transfering your trust to God for eternal justice will enable you to experience kingdom emotions in this life.

“…the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” 1 Peter 1:7-8

How Can We Forgive Tresspasses, and Love Enemies?

Here are a few things you can do to be more successful in Forgiving Trespasses and Loving Your enemeis

  1. Pray for Strength:

Forgiveness, especially of enemies, often feels impossible in our human frailty. Turning to God in prayer can help you gain perspective, understanding and persevere through this process you are called to execute.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Example: Lord, this is a difficult situation for me. Please soften my heart and help me see things from Your perspective.  Help me understand what is going on, Help me understand you intentions for each person involved, Help me align myself with Your will, Help me put judgement in your hands and not mine, Help me put my interests aside and serve your interests in this situation. Help me forgive those who trespass against me and help me bring your kingdom into place on earth as it already is in heaven.”

  1. Remember God’s Love, His Acts of Sacrifice, and His Forgiveness of Us:

Reflect on the depth of God’s sacrifice and forgiveness toward you. Our sins have not been ignored; God always demands justice and Jesus stepped up and paid the price for our sins with His suffering and death on the cross. He died so we could have eternal life. When we grasp the magnitude of God’s mercy in our lives, it becomes easier to extend that mercy to others.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” Colossians 3:12-13

  1. Pray for Wisdom, to see this situation from His perspective

Seek to understand difficult or complex situations for God’s perspective. You can be assured that the spiritual forces influencing the situation are deeper than what appears from an earthly perspective, and that resolution will require acting differently than the path earthly logic would take you.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5–6

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death”  Proverbs 14:12

You can be assured that He loves all of his children even when they are lost and distracted by powers of the enemy.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

Ask the Lord what is happening behind the scenes in this situation? What might His various children be struggling with? What intentions would He have for each of these children? What is the devil doing to disrupt God’s agenda?

Ask Him directly and specifically for insight and input in prayer and journalling.

   “Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord” Ephesians 5:6–10

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” James 1:5:

  1. Leave Justice to God:

Forgiving does not mean excusing or ignoring injustice. Instead, it involves entrusting the administration of justice to God, who is the ultimate judge.

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” Romans 12:19

God promises that wrongdoers will get exactly what they deserve.

“Now I will soon pour out my wrath upon you, and spend my anger against you, and judge you according to your ways, and I will punish you for all your abominations. And my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. I will punish you according to your ways, while your abominations are in your midst. Then you will know that I am the Lord, who strikes.” Ezekiel 7:8-9

Jesus showed us by example, He entrusted justice for all that was being done against Him to God the Father

“When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to Him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:23

Delegate justice up, and state Your forgiveness and positive intentions for those who trespass against you:

Example: “Lord, I have been harmed by this unfortunate situation and this person currently owes me a debt. Lord, you call me to forgive those who trespass against me and I will comply. You suffered and died as a sacrifice to forgive my debts, I hereby sacrifice my stake in this debt In your name. It trust you will administer justice as appropriate for this situation and for your long term plans for this person. I speak the best for this person, may they find you, your love, and your plans so they can enjoy you for eternity.”

  1. Pray for your enemies, those who systematically are working against you

You can be confident that God has positive intentions for each of His children who are currently lost. He wants each person to discover the flaws in their ways, come to repentance, discover the truth about Jesus, get on the right path in this life, and spend eternity with Him.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

“Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4

Pray God’s will for your enemies

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Luke 6:27-28

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:43-44

Example prayer:  “Lord I approach you in righteousness and speak for this lost child. I know you formed them in the womb and put them here for a purpose.  I know you have plans for them, plans for hope and a future. I rebuke the evil that has distracted them from your intentions, and I hereby speak success for them for their benefit. Lord, help them find repentance for their past actions, help them find you and your purpose, help them transform and become the person you intended them to when you put them here; A person of love with life in abundance who will enjoy eternity with you in heaven. I ask this in Jesus’ name to bring the Father glory. Amen”

  1. Act In Love Toward Your Neighbors, Anyone In Need, Including Your Enemies:

Find ways to act in kindness and love for your enemies. Acts of love can soften hearts and pave the way for reconciliation.

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44,

“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.” Proverbs 25:21-22

Ask the Lord directly for input on what to do .  Use Journalling to gain specifics

Example: “Lord, I want to be of best service to you in this difficult situation. I know you have a path forward for this precious lost soul. I know you have given me gifts and resources. Please help me see what I can do to help this lost child find your path for them.”

Write the response you get, test it for credibility, and execute it in faith.

Conclusion

Forgiveness is a divine mandate and a profound act of love that propagates God’s mercy through His children. It frees us, heals relationships, and bears witness to the gospel. As we choose to forgive those who trespass against us, especially those who are actively working against us, we emulate Christ’s example, bringing glory to God and experiencing the peace that surpasses understanding. Forgiveness done well is merely a onetime act but becomes a way of life, rooted in the unfailing love of God. By understanding what forgiveness is, why it matters, and how to practice it, we can rise above our flawed human tendencies and experience God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

References:

Forgiveness is an act of Spiritual Warfare:

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/forgiveness-is-spiritual-warfare

 

Forgiveness Is Not Optional

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Forgiveness Is Not Optional

We are Called To Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us, Especially Our Enemies

We are called to forgive those who trespass against us.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32) 

Jesus modeled this desired behavior by forgiving those who were in the process of crucifying him.

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Forgiving those who trespass against us, especially our enemies, is both a divine command and an essential act of spiritual growth. This essay post explores what forgiveness entails, why it is necessary, and how we can practice forgiveness, particularly in the context of our adversaries.

What Is Forgiveness?

Forgiveness is the act of pardoning someone for their wrongs, whether they have sought forgiveness or not. Forgiveness is not merely an emotional feeling or mentally forgetting an offense; it is an intentional decision to sacrifice our position in the situation, absorb what ever wrong we have suffered, and release the perpetrator from the debt of their wrongdoing.

We are to forgive others just as God forgives us.  Our forgiveness is a reflection and embodiment of God’s mercy, offered to us through Christ’s sacrifice. 

Despite mankinds rebelion and rejection of God and His commandments, God decided to send His son in the flesh to rescue us.

Jesus gave up his position in heaven and came down to earth as a baby in the flesh.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”John 1:14

He lived a sinless life and then sacrified that life to pay the price for our sins. It is a rare person who will give thier life for someone else, especially if that other person was workign against them..

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. (John 15:13)

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ( Romans 5:8)

Forgiveness of others is required for our sins to be forgiven.Forgiveness is not optional. It is a demonstration of our understanding of the calling to love others, and our willingness to do what God asks of us. 

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15,

We are also called to love our enemies, as outlined in Luke 6:27-28, where Jesus commands, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Forgiveness is a transformative act that liberates both the forgiver and the forgiven.

Why Should We Forgive?

  1. Obedience to God’s Command:
    Forgiveness is an act of obedience. Jesus exemplified this on the cross when He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). As followers of Christ, we are called to imitate His example and extend grace to others, regardless of their actions toward us.
  2. Healing and Freedom:
    Forgiveness frees us from the burden of anger, bitterness, and resentment. Unforgiveness can imprison us emotionally and spiritually, hindering our relationship with God and others. In forgiving, we experience peace and healing. As Ephesians 4:31-32 reminds us, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger… Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
  3. Reflecting God’s Character:
    Forgiveness mirrors God’s character and love. By forgiving others, especially our enemies, we bear witness to the transformative power of God’s grace. This act becomes a testimony of the gospel, showing others the possibility of reconciliation and renewal.

How Do We Forgive?

  1. Pray for Strength:
    Forgiveness, especially of enemies, often feels impossible in our human frailty. Turning to God in prayer is essential. Philippians 4:13 assures us, “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” Ask God to soften your heart and empower you to forgive.
  2. Remember God’s Forgiveness:
    Reflect on the depth of God’s forgiveness toward you. In Colossians 3:13, Paul exhorts believers to “forgive as the Lord forgave you.” When we grasp the magnitude of God’s mercy in our lives, it becomes easier to extend that mercy to others.
  3. Act in Love:
    Forgiveness is often accompanied by acts of kindness and love. As Jesus instructed in Matthew 5:44, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Acts of love can soften hearts and pave the way for reconciliation.
  4. Leave Justice to God:
    Forgiving does not mean excusing or ignoring injustice. Instead, it involves entrusting the situation to God, who is the ultimate judge. Romans 12:19 reminds us, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath.”

Conclusion

Forgiveness is a divine mandate and a profound act of love that reflects God’s mercy. It frees us, heals relationships, and bears witness to the gospel. By understanding what forgiveness is, why it matters, and how to practice it, we can rise above our human instincts and live in obedience to God’s call.

As we choose to forgive those who trespass against us, especially our enemies, we emulate Christ’s example, bringing glory to God and experiencing the peace that surpasses understanding. Forgiveness is not merely an act but a way of life, rooted in the unfailing love of God.

 

 

Deny Yourself, Pick Up Your Cross Daily, Follow Jesus

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Deny Yourself, Pick Up Your Cross Daily, Follow Jesus

We are called to Follow Jesus. Jesus is the shephard, we are His flock. We are to hear His voice and follow Him. We are called to follow in His footsteps and walk as He walked.  We are to imitate Him and become like Him. 

Jesus came here in the flesh as the expressed image of the Father. That means HE is Love. We are to imitate Him, and become love.

In order to imitate Him you need to open your eyes and begin to see things from His perspective. You need to look at how He lived His life and understand what He was trying to do.  You then need to figure out how to apply that understanding to your life. As you do this, you will get to “know Him” and He will get to know you.

He provides very direct instructions in how to do this in a robust way: Deny Yourself, Pick up your cross daily, and follow Him.

Deny yourself means to set aside your own self-conscious identity and cut off the selfish agendas that drive us. We need to realize this life is not all about ME and my ego, it is about allowing God to operate through ME to flow His love to others. God’s love is perfected when it flows through us to others. Self-centeredness gets in the way of this flow, it diverts and hords God’s love in ourselves rather than letting it flow through us to others. We need to flow God’s love through us, you can dable in this by finding ways to helping others. This, at least, gets you moving in the right direciton.  

Deny yourself is a critical step to truly becoming love.

Love does not try to draw attention to itself. It does not brag about how good things are going or complain about how bad things are going. It remains focused on how best to serve and help others.

Love does not try to build itself up or parade itself around. It does not seek credit for what it has or what it does. It doesn’t matter what your car looks like, it doesn’t matter how big or fancy your house is. It doesn’t matter if anyone notices when you spend time or money doing something nice. You need to shut down your ego and get it out of the way for God’s love to flow through you to others.

Love does not build itself up by putting others down. We are each God’s children and deserve to be treated with love. He promises to treat you exactly as you have treated others. Don’t build yourself up at the expense of others.  Don’t tear others down just to build yourself up. Find ways to lower yourself and serve others; the last will be the first in His kingdom.

Love is not focused on money or material  things. Love is focused on using our gifts, talents and resources to do good works for other people. Find ways to be nice to people, loving others, helping those in need physically, mentally, and spiritually.  

Love does not worry about what others think or say or do to it. It does not get puffed up when people say nice things, it does not take offense when someone treats it badly. Don’t seek credit for doing good; Don’t let the left hand know what the right hand is doing.

Love is content.  It does not envy what others have or take actions to maliciously pursue or take it.

Picking up your cross challenges you and helps you become Love:

Love is willing to sacrifice and suffer for a good cause. God sent His son even while we were rebelling against Him as sinners. Jesus was willing to suffer and die on the cross for us, even while He was being rejected by the very people He came to save. He not only was willing to suffer for us, He said nothing while it happened and forgave those who did it to them.  God knows exactly what has happened to you and what you think, say, and do to others. He promises rewards in heaven for suffering wrongs in this life without retaliating.  

Love forgives and does not hold grudges. Love sees the best in people. Love sees each of us as God’s children struggling in a fallen world.  Love forgives them of misguided actions and is willing to move forward. You are called to absorb wrongs and forgive 70×7 times. You are even called to love your enemies, pray for them, and bless them. You are to overcome evil with good.

Follow Jesus and love will blossom into faith and bring Him glory:

Love is focused on the hope of eternal things rather than the trials and tribulations of our individual earthly life. Jesus focused on the Fathers work, and He did the Fathers will. Stay focused on God and His purpose for our life. We are here to bring God glory. What can we do to serve Him and bring Him glory in our earthly life and how can our earthly lives help others gain an eternal life with Him.

Love has hope and high expectations for God’s divine purpose and plan, Jesus was willing to pick up his cross and die for us on the promise of resurrection on the third day. We trust in Him and His plan even when things are not going well for us in this life.

Please take seriously the opportunity to deny yourself, pick up your cross daily, and follow Jesus. Imitate Him and become love. Walk as He walked, Become the light as He was in the light.  Become a bright beacon for His kingdom. Stand boldly on judgement day because you have become like Him in this life.

Hope this helps.

 

Receive God as your Father

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Have you Received God as your Father?

 

Life in this fallen world involves many struggles, plenty of suffering, and eventually death. This can easily become overwhelming without some perspective. Two of the most powerful forces to help us get through the challenges in life are love and family. Many people focus primarily on our earthly physical family and are highly dependent on how others chose to express their love. Once we expand our view to include our spiritual family, and how God expresses His unconditional love, it brings a higher perspective and release remarkable power;  The power required to get us through the challenges we face in this life. This post looks at God’s love and how you can harness it to get through the challenges you face now, and set you up for success for eternity.

God loves you more than you can even imagine

He formed you in your mothers’ womb.

“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 129:13)

He has plans for you – He wrote your book before your first day on earth.

“Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.” (Psalms 139:16)

He knows you inside and out.

“O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.” (Psalm 139:1-4)

He loves you as a father.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!..“ (1 John 3:1)

“I will be a Father to you and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18 & 2 Samuel 7:14)

He wants to help each of us individually in this life and set us up for the next.

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:12-14)

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11-12)

He works to improve you as you go through your journey

“O Lord you are our Father.  We are the clay, you are the potter; we are the work of your hands.” (Isaiah 64:8)

“Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? (Hebrews 12:9)

Sin separates us from Him

You were born as a sinner living in a fallen world. You are personally responsible for your sins. Sin separates you from the Father and that has consequences. Without a savior, you will continue to suffer now and forever.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)

“The wages of sin are death” (Romans 6:23)

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12)

“The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” (Ezekiel 18:20)

“But your iniquities (sins) have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face (protection) from you, that he will not hear (your prayers for help).” (Isaiah 59:2) 

Acknowledge Jesus as your savior

He loves you so much He sent His son to save you from sin and its consequences – long before you were born.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Accept Jesus as your lord and savior.

“…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)

Receive His love

Accept his unconditional love –

“By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.” (1 John 4:9)

Accept His loving gift of forgiveness,

“I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Jesus died on the cross so you can move forward without sin – You can forget the past and move forward – There is no condemnation – only love  

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1)

“For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him.” (2 Chronicles 30:9b)

Once you accept Him nd what He did for you, His blood removes your sin –  He presents you to the the Father as if you had never sinned.

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)

“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled  in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight” (Colossians 1:21-22)

You are born again, Reunited with the Father, and Seated on the thrown of heaven with Jesus.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:20:21)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Apply His Love

Extend the same love by Forgiving others.

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)

“Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” (Colossians 3:13)

“And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)

Invite the Holy Spirit inside you – and accept His help and guidance.

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:15-17)

“But we have this treasure (The holy spirit) in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)

Accept that you are now an adopted son – a child of God – a brother of Jesus.

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)

“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:29)

Transform your mind so you can walk as a child of God.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

  1. Seek first the kingdom of God – Get to know God through Jesus – The expressed image of the invisible God.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

  1. Have a healthy fear of the Lord: You are accountable for your thoughts, words, and actions.

 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)

“So then each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12)

“I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.” (Jeremiah 17:10)

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37)

  1. Turn from evil as sin against God

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

“By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.” (1 John 3:10)

  1. Crucify / Deny your self-conscious /self-serving interests – Focus on flowing God’s love to others.

“If anyone desires to come after Me (Jesus), let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life (His own agenda) will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 16:24-26)

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-5)

“Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.” (1 Corinthians 10:24)

“For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” (James 3:16)

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

  1. Do not focus on short term self-centered “pleasures” and “things”

“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15)

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.  So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:5-8)

  1. Live a life worthy – Jesus paid a heavy price to save you from sin and its consequences.

“I…beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, (Ephesians 4:1)

“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6:20)

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

Become His Love

Become love in action (thoughts, words, actions) – The body of Christ – His arms and legs on earth.

“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)

“We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1 John 4:16)

Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. (John 14:23)

Release the power of the Holy Spirit that lives inside you – to bring glory to the Father

“Now to [the Father] who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Become the Glory of God through Jesus, union with the Father, and through His pure love.

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (John 17: 20-21)

Become the perfect flow of love to others – Be perfect as the Father is perfect

“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48

Become a beacon – Your life becomes as a showcase – Allow people to see Him through you.

“That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” (Philippians 2:15-16)

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

My Prayer:  

Heavenly Father, Thank you for everything;  You are the source of everything good in this world. Thank you forming me and setting plans for me. Thank you for sending your son to save me from sin and its consequences, I embrace Him as my lord and savior. I am a sinner and I am grateful for His generous gift of forgiveness; I embrace His love and forgive all who have sinned against me. I am committed to turn from evil and live a life worthy of the price Jesus paid. My spirit is born again and am now an adopted son/daughter of God and a member of the Holy family. You are my eternal Father, your love powers the universe and is inside of me; Your truth brings order out of chaos and and saves me from destruction. I thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to teach me and guide me.  My body is a temple for your spirit and I will make it a place worthy of your dwelling.  I submit myself as a vessel for your use – This life is no longer my own. I am the body of Christ – your arms and legs on this earth. You are my Father; I will seek to know you through your word. I will talk to you often and listen carefully for your input. I will flow your love to others in any way I can. I will use the gifts you have given me to help your kingdom in any way I can. I have the power that raised Jesus from the dead living inside me and I will release it in your name, to do your will, and bring you glory. I will walk as a child of God and be a beacon for your kingdom.  I thank you for all you have done for me, and I ask for your continued guidance as I learn and execute this life for you.  In Jesus Name, AMEM

Is God’s love perfected in you?

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Have you perfected the flow of God’s love through you?

 

Thought for the day: Have you perfected Gods’ love in you yet?

1 John 4 is a powerful chunk of scripture once you unravel it – Love is indeed the answer!
God is pure love. We know Him through His love. He “abides in us” when we acknowledge He loves us so much He gave His son to save us. We are “born of God” and we get to “know God” when we flow His love out to others. Our challenge is to get our own self-centered interest out of the way of the flow. For example: If we harbor any hate in us, we do not love God. We need to purposefully reflect on our thoughts and actions, figure out what is in the way, and make changes to maximize the flow of Gods love through us and out to others. As we improve the flow, His love becomes “perfected” in us. When we “are” God’s love in action, we can have confidence on judgement day.
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7)
“…God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.” (1 john 4:16-17)

Key scriptures:

  • At His very essence God is pure love:

“God is love” (1 John 4:16)

  • He loves us so much He gave his son for us

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

  • We bring God’s love alive inside us when we acknowledge His love and what you did for us.

“Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:15)

  • We begin to “know God” when we love others

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)

  • It is your love that enables us to love others

“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

  • His love becomes alive in us when we flow love to others, The chain of love is “perfected”; from Him to Us to Others

“No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:12)

  • We are to do “Everything” in love, not just some things

“Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)

  • Our mission in this life is to recognize and receive God’s love, bring it to life in us by flowing it to others, and “become” God’s love in action in this world.

“…God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.” (1 John 4:16-17)

  • The ultimate goal is to “become” pure love – like God

               “…God is love…. as he is so also are we in this world.” (1 John 4:16-17)

My prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me and never giving up on me. I thank you for helping me understand that Love is the answer. Your love is in me as I acknowledge the sacrifice you made for me. I am committed to becoming Your love in action in this world. Help me see things from your perspective, Help me hear your word and know how to apply it to my life. Help me to identify and remove the self-centered things impeding the flow of your love through me. With your continued help, I will make my life a bright shining beacon bringing glory to you and your kingdom. Please help others gain an appreciation of your love, and recognize the opportunity they have to set their own self-interest aside and maximize their flow of your love to others. By perfecting your love in them, they can have confidence in the inevitable day of judgement. I ask this in Jesus’ holy name.

 

Act like you Believe

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Do you act like you believe?

 

Do you believe in God? Do you act as if you believe in God? Both matter.

Many people claim to “believe” only because they think it will get them into heaven. They don’t act any differently than those who don’t believe. They will be disappointed when they are not on the access list at the pearly gates.

Believing is necessary and it is a great starting point.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Believing starts in your head when you acknowledge that you understand the sequence of events in the bible and you accept they are true. The next level is to comprehend the significance of those events and their ramifications. The next level is to understand your role in the story, what Jesus did for you, and what you need to do as a result. The next level is to embrace your role and become committed to the journey; That commitment to doing is what it means to “believe in your heart”. 

“…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

Many current church programs miss the mark: They market Christianity with an exclusive focus on getting into heaven. They get peoples heads believing then rush them into a confession of salvation and declare success. Not a good long term strategy for the kingdom.

Once you properly understand the Gospel, you discover it is not about speaking a promise so you are qualified to get into heaven someday, it is about doing the work of transforming yourself today so that you can bring heaven to earth hear and now.

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

Jesus never asked anyone to make a pledge of belief just so they could get into heaven someday. He asked them to stop focusing on themselves in this earthly life and then to be willing to suffer any consequences now for the promise of eternal life in the kingdom with Him.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.’ ” (Matthew 16:24-26)

He made it clear that believing in your head is not enough, you must be committed to self reflection and adjustment to turn from sin and gain alignment with God’s principles.

“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ ” (Matthew 4:17)

“Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3, 5)

Let’s see what true belief might look like:

If you genuinely believe there is a God, then you will live in fear (respect) of the lord, knowing He is watching your thoughts and actions, knowing you will be judged on the day of reckoning, and knowing you will suffer or be rewarded based on how you lived your life.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Cor 5:10)

“If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth” (1 Peter 1:17)

If you genuinely believe, you know that Jesus paid a huge price for your eternal life, and the least you can do is live this life worthy of that price.

“…let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27)

“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:20)

Jesus made it clear that merely believing is not enough, nor is going through extensive religious motions; To get into heaven, you must change and come into alignment with God’s will.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ ” (Matthew 7:21-23).

What does it mean to do the will of the Father? Or for Jesus to ”Know You”? Or to not practice lawlessness? The answer is pretty simple: You must keep His commandments!

“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” (1 John 2:3)

The two great commandments are to love God first and foremost, and to love your neighbor as yourself. You must bring yourself and your life into alignment with these two big rules to get into heaven.

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:36-40)

Many folks view the commandment as restrictions, what they don’t realize is they are wonderful tools. They help us discover and overcome the flaws in our inner nature. We live in a fallen world; We are each born with self-centered, self-serving agendas in our heart. Generally, they sound a bit like “It is all about me here and now”. Those self-serving agendas tend to cause problems for us and others as we go through life; They are the roots of all sin and can rear up and get ugly if we allow them to continue to live in us. They also limit us; We cannot reach our full potential until we discover them, root them out, and move them the out of our way.

In order to accomplish God’s will and comply with the commandments, we must change or focus from earthly or worldly things, start to see things from His heavenly eternal perspective,  and then modify our behavior to align. 

“…do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

I find it most helpful to look at this is as a flow; A flow of Love. Love is the answer. The entire spiritual world is driven by love.  The Lords love must flow through us to get to others and to attract them to His kingdom. When there are kinks in our pipes, we impede the flow of His love, and limit His reach. God is Love (1 John 4:8). He loves us (John3:16). His love flows into us (1 John 4:16). We love others because He loved us first (1 John 4:19). His love is perfected when it flows through us (1 John 4:12). Everything we do is to be done in Love (1 Corinthians 16:14). 

The Lord has given us a life, talents and gifts, a network of family, friends and associates, a bunch of worldly resources, and many opportunities. How we use what we are given is up to us. When our ego gets in the way, or we hoard the resources or squander the opportunities He provides us, or we get wrapped around the axil on petty selfish concerns, we impede the flow of His love into us or through us to others. So the challenge is to find the kinks in our pipes and straighten them out.

I offer A couple of exercises to help you:

  1. Look at your activities: Go through your typical day or week, Ask yourself Why you do each of the things you do. Is it for God? Is it for someone else? Or is it for you? If it is for you, is it just for you, are you really the only person benefiting? Those are opportunities. Many times it is a mental connect the dots activity. ex: I am exercising 3x per week. Why: so I can stay healthy. OK Why? Because I want to live a long life. OK why? So I can be of service to others? Now we are getting somewhere! What is your root motivation for doing the things you do… start connecting each activity either to serving God directly or enabling you to serve others and it will shift your focus. If you are spending energy on things and you can’t connect to a higher purpose, you have a kink to work out.
  2. How do you view God? Is He the creator, the source of all that is good in the world, your provider, your shepherd, your savior, your redeemer, your healer? How much do you know about Him? Can you see His hand in your life? Do you know him personally? Do you talk with him often? Do you hear His voice? Do you feel His presence? Are you letting Him lead you? If not, you have a kink on the incoming side and are not getting the full load of His love into your life.
  3. How do you view other people? Are they obstacles to deal with as you go through your day? Are they resources to help you get things done? Are they each God’s children struggling to live in a fallen world? How you think of them shapes how you interact with them. Do you have any kinks in the outflowing side of your love? Become His Love in action.
  4. How do your view your material possessions? Are they fancy things to acquire and show off? Are they God’s resources you are prudently managing to be of service to yourself and others? Are there any kinks or plugs in your internal pluming. How is His love flowing through your resources?

Your life is an interview for heaven. How is it going so far?

Remember: Believing is only a start; Love is the answer. Reaffirm your commitment to keep the commandments. Recognize the opportunities to get “yourself” out of the way, ask the lord for help to root out your selfish interests.

Find ways to flow some of His love today: Smile, Be pleasant, Be supportive, Be encouraging, Be helpful, Be generous, Become God’s love in action.

God bless you, and may God bless the USA

 

Who do you love more God, or yourself?

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Who do you love more: God? or  Yourself? It does really matter

 

Thought for the day: Who do you love more God, or yourself? It really does matter.

I have come to appreciate that we each have 4 main types of love competing inside us: Love of Yourself, Love of the World, Love of God, and Love of our neighbor. The sooner we get them sorted out and into the right priority order, the better for ourselves and those around us.

Love of yourself is your self-centered focus on “ME”: what I look like, what I can do, what I have accomplished, what others think of me, how I compare to them. You need a level of self-awareness and self-confidence to function effectively, but If this love is driving your life, you end up focused on doing things to make yourself look good compared to others, at least in your own mind.

Love of the world is focused on your experience in this earthly world: physical pleasures, amassing wealth, collecting fancy possessions, etc.. If this love is driving your life, you end up with a bunch of “stuff” you can’t take with you when you die, or running the rat race to get ahead or stay ahead, often at the expense of others.

Love of God is recognizing His love and His truth, Recognizing His Creation, The Bible, His son, The gospel (The Fall, His virgin birth, sinless life, innocent death, resurrection, ascension, redemption, and salvation). You commit to live your life worthy of the price He paid for it; Looking forward to Him telling you He is proud of you when your time comes to stand before Him.

Love of your neighbor is treating everyone in the world with love and respect. Because God loves you, and you love God, you love all his children; You see them as His creations struggling to live in a fallen world, and you help them in any way you can with your gifts and resources.

As an exercise, go through an inventory of what you do during your typical day/week and ask yourself why you really do those things. If answers comes back “for Me” rather than “for God” then challenge yourself. For each “for ME” item, can you connect it to something useful you are doing for God and His kingdom? Ex: I am exercising 3x per week. Why? Is it so I look really good? Or is it so I am fit enough to continue doing things for others. If you can’t connect the dots to God with each of your activities, you have some opportunities to improve. There is a big difference in the root of our motivation if you can connect the dots, and it all starts in how you think; Change your thinking and you will change your being.

My prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and never giving up on me. I thank you for sending us the Word, first in written form, and then in the flesh. I Thank you for releasing the Holy Spirit as a teacher and guide. I thank you for helping me understand our self-centered human nature and your intention for us to transform by renewing our minds. I thank you for helping me sort out my life; I love you, and I am committed to living a life worthy of the price Jesus paid. I thank you for continuing to help me root out any selfish self-centered agendas that are still at work. It is my intention for your love to flow through me to others unimpeded by any selfish agendas. I pray all your children develop eyes to see things from your higher perspective, may they develop ears to hear your word and learn to apply it to their lives and their specific situations, may they develop hearts receptive to your love and to seeing all others as your creations worthy of their respect and love. May they get their loves into the proper order so that You and Your kingdom of first, as you commanded. I ask this in Jesus’ Holy name. AMEN

Supporting scripture 

The greatest commandments are to Love the Lord and our neighbors above all

“’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39)

To do that we need to get our own self-interest out of the way

“For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” (Galatians 6:3) 

“For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” (James 3:16)

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24 )

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)

We need to focus on Him and His Kingdom rather than the things of this world.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.” (1 John 2:16)

We are to live a life worthy of the price He paid

You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men (or this world).(1 Corinthians 7:23)

“I beseech you therefore… present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.(Romans 12:1)

Transform by the renewal of your mind:

“…do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”(Romans 12:2)

The ultimate goal is to get your “ME” out of the way and let Christ and His love live through you

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Hope this helps

 

Spiritual Process Improvement

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

Spiritual Process Improvement

 

Intro:

I spent over 36 years improving processes in the business world. Now He has me working on processes as they operate in the spiritual world. It is exactly the same but totally different. He has helped me develop a wonderful understanding of His grand design, some of the processes at work on earth and in heaven, and how to align with those processes to get better results. The following discussion shares some insights into how this works, some key process principles, and how you can lead a better life by aligning with them.

Proceess Improvement in the Spiritual world

Folks who work process improvement in a manufacturing environment have the advantage of being able to touch the product and observe the physical step by step process with their eyes. Folks who work business processes often claim it is harder to see the process; It sometimes takes a bit of imagination to see those processes as a sequence of steps with flow. The spiritual processes take even more imagination to envision, and they take inspiration to understand. 

Some aspects of the spiritual process are explicit in the bible, but others require insight. He tells us in James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”  And just as you are instructed to let the Lord lead you through life, I let Him lead me into an understanding of His kingdom and it has been a wonderful experience.

Just like in the physical world, there are process that control how things work. He has led me through development of dozens of process maps and flow diagrams to describe several aspects of His kingdom. I’m not sure any of those specific diagrams would help others, but they helped me understand His will, key principles that control its execution, forces that help it work better and those working against it.

Several Key Spiritual Process Principles

Building faith is a process

The Bible provides information about the kingdom in the form of stories, prominent characters, parables, commandments, and proverbs/psalms. Each piece has surface meaning when read, There are layers of meaning available to those who choose to objectively dig deeper.

We turn information into knowledge by choosing to study it, listen to others share what they have learned, choose to actively discuss it with others, and reflect on how it all fits together.

We turn knowledge into wisdom by reflecting on how our understanding fits with reality and then choosing how to apply that knowledge to our life.

This process requires an interaction between our free will and our brain; We have to choose to read/study, we have to choose to listen and discuss, and we have to choose to reflect. Without this purposeful choice to invest our discretionary personal energy we do not build a deep understanding.

This process accelerates with inspiration as soon as you ask the Lord for insight and open yourself to receive it. The word Inspiration describes something literal flowing in from the spirit. He has direct connections to your Mind and to your Heart. He will point you to sources of information as you start to seek it; He will help your mind organize the infomraiton and build useful images as you contemplate how it all fits together.

 We are designed with a receptor in our heart. This receptor resonates when you are contemplating a truth. It is our “knower”.  You know when you know that you know.

Looking beyond the surface and finding the deeper meaning in the bible is called “Having eyes to see”.

Receiving and accepting Gods inflow in your mind and in your heart is referred to in the bible as “having Ears to hear”.

Belief is formed when we know in our heart that something is true. Faith is formed when we choose to act on a Belief; Speaking or Doing.

The flow of value is a useful lens for the spiritual world.

Value is defined in terms of “Usefulness”; Things that provide a practival benefit.

The flow of value takes follows a basic equation of the form:   “Love” flowing through “Truth” generates “Usefulness” and then “Growth”.

Love is the source of power for all things. God is love (1 John 4:8).  God’s love is the power created the heavens and the earth. God’s love powers every breath you take.  

Truth is the structure necessary to convert Love into constructive action. Truth is the master craftsman that turned chaos into the heavens and the earth (Proverbs 8:30). Truth is structure, knowledge of right from wrong, wisdom and discernment. The opposite of Truth is Falsity.

Usefulness is the desired result; Goodness that allows someone to benefit and improve.  Our individual value comes by being useful to others; by doing Good works that benefit others.

“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter (dishonor), he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:20)

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

This equation operates as a cycle,  the more you choose to flow Love through Truth to generate Usefulness, the stronger the flow becomes, and the more Love becomes available to flow into the next cycle; That is where we experience Growth. It is not a closed system; it is an expanding system. 

Free will is a really big deal and is key to the entire cycle.   In order to achieve the desired growth, You have to make a conscious choice to initiate the flow of love.  If you are forced to take the action, you are not vested in the entire cycle, and will not experience the growth to expand the cycle.  

Pushing truth without love creates resistance or animosity. This is a classic failure mode of highly committed folks who impose thier interpretation of truth on others rather than finding a compassionate way for otheers to discover the truth. 

“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13)

The opposite of Truth is Falsity. Love operating through falsity creates a false impression of goodness, but will end with undesired consequences. Adding another layer of nice new pavement on top of a flawed roadbed will feel like progress but will spend a lot of money and just make deeper potholes.    

The opposite of Love is Hate.  Hate operating through falsity creates destruction.  Hitler hated the Jews, He propagated a falsity that they were an undesirable element of society and should be eliminated. That combination cost 6 million lives.  

You can tell if we are on the right track, The fruit of your labor will not lie.  If there is goodness flowing and growth, the Love was operating through Truth.  If not, either the Love or the Truth was not pure. 

Our job is to ensure our motivations are rooted in pure love.  Then make sure we have the Truth to convert that love into productive actions.  

There is a spiritual pull system.

Your spiritual development is pulled by the goodness of love. If you attempt to push you create waste.  If you push Truth without Love you become a zealot and force your version of doctrine on others; If you push Love without Truth you end up with well-intentioned efforts which are often counter-productive. It is only when you pull truth with the goodness of love that you get sustained flow of usefulness for others and the desired growth. In practical terms, people need to appreciate the goodness that can come from doing things which help others before they become receptive to discussion of spiritual truths. This becomes an interesting framework to view the world to see some of where/how/when we get off track

We live in an expansive system not a closed system.

 Each cycle of generating usefulness reinforces the process and makes more fuel available to further increase production of usefulness. The system continues to grow and expand as it operates.

 

The Game of Life

Posted on by jakirkgasser10439

The Game of Life

 

Ever play a game: A card game? a board game? a video game? a sports game?  a role play simulation?

There are usually specific rules for how to play. There is usually a goal or criteria for winning: Score the most points, Get rid of your cards, etc.  Often there are rewards for making good choices, and consequences for making bad ones. There is often a tension element:  A time clock, or competition for  limited resources.  Some games are just for entertainment, but others are educational… you walk away from the game smarter than when you started, having learned something through the experience.

Did you consider that you are playing a game right now?  A really big game.  A game with realy really big consequences. A game that will change you for eternity  You are playing the game of life. 

  • The purpose of this “game” and this life on earth is for you to develop your eternal soul
    • Your conscious rational mind
    • The passions feep in your heart
    • Your volition, will or conscience.
  • God has established a high stakes game of “Truth and Consequences” to facilitate our learning. 
  • He places us in the middle of an epic battle between Good and Evil. 
  • The game takes place on two planes
    • On a physical level, It looks to us like life on earth
      • Many challenges as you go through life
      • Many choices to make along the way
      • Good stuff happens, bad stuff happens
      • Sometimes you can connect the dots between a choice and a result; Sometimes you can’t
      • The physical world rewards you for gathering resources for yourself and your family (money, property, things)
    • On another level, It is a Spiritual battle for your eternal soul
      • It is the epic battle: Good vs Evil; God vs the Devil; Heaven vs Hell
      • The spiritual world rewards you for becoming self-less and your physical resources to others (time, money, things).
      • You must learn/be taught about the spiritual world.  It is hidden and not inherently obvious
      • You have free will to make decisions
      • The first key decision is to accept that there is a spiritual aspect to you, that there is a force bigger than yourself, and that you should invest some of your resources to learn about it (time, brain power, listening, discussion). 

  • There are two arch rivals: God and Satan

    • The Devil does everything he can to defeat you
      • Tempt you and encourage poor choices, then condemns you when you make them.
      • Attacks you and those around you to make things hard for you.
      • Harm you mentally, emotional, and physically
      • Get you to doubt rxistance of God, or to blame him for bad things.
    • God offers every opportunity for you to succeed. 
      • He provided a rule book, but it takes some work to really understand it.  
      • He sent His son as a living example of how to follow the rules, fight the devil, and win.
      • He placed clues in you about where your best resources are (Talents and Passions).
      • He sent you a personal co-pilot/navigator; but you have to listen to Him
      • He continuously sets up opportunities for you; but you have to be open to them (People, Places, Situations, Decisions) 
    • Finding God in your mind and heart is the winning solution
      • He protects you from attacks if you follow his rules (Avoid bad desisions, Avoid adverse events you otherwise would be exposed to)
      • He helps you recover from an attack if you experience one if seek his help and follow His lead. (Positive artttude, See bigger picture / Long term game, See opportunities in front of you, Strength to overcome) 
      • He gives you authority over the enemy if you learn to use it (Quiet the adverse voices, Protection from bad things that otherwise would be affecting you, physical healing) 
      • He will help you see the plays unfolding if you ask Him, Listen for His input, and Follow Him.

  • Life is easier when you understand the game and its rules

The Spiritual Game of Life – Helpful hints

  • Good and Evil is very real

    •  Adam ate from the “tree of knowledge of good and evil” – (Genesis 2:17)

  • We have choices all day, every day, and they each have consequences 

    • You have a choice between Good and Evil, Blessings and Curses, Life and Death – Choose Life and follow God (Deuteronomy 30:19)

  • You do not create all of your own consequences, some  come from sins of prior generations – you live in a fallen world

    • “…their own iniquities and the iniquities of their fathers together” (Isaiah 65:7)

  • The Devil, Satan, executes consequences of sin

    •  “hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh” (1 Corinthians 5:5)
    • “…, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme” (1 Timothy 1:20)
    • All bad things come from the devil – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10)

  • Evil is everywhere and it is very well organized

    • “…we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high place” (Ephesians 6:12)
    • There are many devils working against us – “we are legion” (Mark 5:9)
    • The devil actively schemes to defeat us: “For we are not unaware of his schemes.” 2 Corinthians 2:11

    • Who is the Devil / How does he work >>> Click here to learn more<<

  • God wants you to learn that it is better to do things for others than to serve yourself. 

    • “…God is love” (1 John 4:7)
    • He put you here to be usefull to others
      • For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
    • When you love others and do things to serve them, you are flowing His love through you to them. His love is in you and protects you from attack
      • “…If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us” (1 John 4:12). 
    • When you love yourself more than others, you push Him away, and expose yourself to attack by the devil.

  • The winning solution is to build an active personal relationship with the Living God, focus on manifesting His love through your daily life, and enjoy His blessings now and for eternity.  >> Click Here <<<

The Gme of