2 Words in 1

 

Forgiveness Through the Eyes of Christ

Too often, even today, within our Churches and congregations, we hear brothers and sisters who, with barely concealed resentment, claim they cannot forgive this or that person, because what was done to them is unforgivable.

Here we are talking about Believers — people who claim to know Jesus but carry resentment, bitterness and unforgiveness within.

The tangible proof of a true Believer is the strength of the love of Christ within that allows them to embrace forgiveness towards others as a vital and necessary aspect of their identification as a Christ Follower.

The world demands a sign of Christ’s existence.

Forgiveness and the resulting love for those who have hurt us is one of the most sublime proofs that God the Father can give this world through us.

I was one of these people who could not, or more accurately, “would not” embrace the necessity of releasing forgiveness towards those who had wounded me.

For a long time, to use a phrase from Paul, “I resisted the goads”, because I felt justified in my stance. (Acts 26:14)

The wrong, the pain, the suffering that had been inflicted on me, I considered unforgivable …. until I began to pray for my enemies, as Scripture teaches us.

At first, I could barely bring their names to my lips, then I discovered that if I first wrapped them in God’s love and mercy, that I was able to freely present them before God the Father, in the same way that Jesus wrapped me in His mercy and love.

Through His ultimate gift of forgiveness I have been set free from the weight and bondage of sin! How could I not release the same forgiveness for those who have committed transgressions against me!

Jesus loves us, and that is why He can act as our Advocate and High Priest at the Throne of Grace when the enemy comes to accuse us. (Hebrews 4:16)

Let us remember that our enemies are no less worthy than we were before God the Father, yet while we were still His enemies, He sent Jesus to die for us. (Romans 5:8)

The same mercy that was shown to us, we must extend to our enemies, accusers, and detractors.

We are called to be imitators of Christ, who in the bloodiest moment of His life cried out to the Father to forgive those who were crucifying and mocking him.

One thing that pierced me so deeply was discovering that Jesus was crucified naked, as was the Roman custom.

This was the absolute and final humiliation suffered by our LORD.

He allowed Himself to be stripped of everything for us, and He did not disdain forgiveness for those who were inflicting all this evil upon Him.

Very often, in order to forgive, we must climb up to the Cross and look at our enemies through the eyes of Jesus.

There our pretensions melt away like snow in the sun.

Forgiveness is essential for both our spiritual and physical lives, as they go hand in hand.

Derek Prince used to say that many people who attended healing and deliverance meetings were instantly healed of illnesses that had plagued them for years when they granted forgiveness to those they had caged in their bitterness and hurt.

Once we have granted forgiveness, we can continue to shower our past enemies with God’s mercy, resisting the taunts of the enemy who would instead like to have us relive over and over the injustices and humiliations suffered at their hand.

When this diabolical enemy comes again to mentally afflict us, let us show him that every sin and fault has been paid for and erased by the precious Blood of Jesus Christ. (Colossians 2:14,15)

Prayer

Merciful and Wonderful Father,

Once again we approach the Throne of Your Grace to ask You to investigate and search the depths of our hearts.

We recognize that too often we fail because we desire Your mercy but are reluctant to give this mercy to our enemies.

Father, we know that forgiveness is a choice.

Today we choose to forgive all those who have harmed us, spoken ill of us, mocked us, humiliated us, and cursed us. We do this freely, because You have freely forgiven us.

We want to be like Him — The Christ — whom You sent to this earth to manifest Your immense love and Your profound heart.

Father, reach out to all those whom we have held as prisoners in our hearts because of our pain at their hands.

Let us join with You and pour out mercy upon them, and let mercy work in their hearts to bring them to eternal salvation.

Through Jesus Christ, you have taught us how You want us to act and move on this earth.

We are thankful because You have not left us or abandoned us to ourselves. Knowing our difficulties,

You sent us the Paraclete, Your Holy Spirit, who guides and helps us always and everywhere.

Father, in these difficult and chaotic times, guide your Remnant to the Mount of your Holiness to restore them, strengthen them, and instruct them, and then send them out to gather the lost sheep of the House of Israel.

Father, give us the eyes of Christ to see

We ask that we see the good. We pray the Hands of Christ to touch them, heal them, and free them, and above all, the heart of Christ to love them with an inexhaustible and powerful love.

Today is the time for your children to manifest themselves through the love you have placed in us, because everything good and just proceeds only from your Throne of Grace.

Thank you, Father.

Work | Act | Help — in every time and circumstance.

In Wonderful Name of Jesus our Redeemer, Savior and LORD we pray,

Amen and Amen

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Never Stop Praying

“…. pray without ceasing,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

It is written, “Never stop praying!”

When our hearts are filled with anxiety: let us pray.

When everything seems to be going the wrong way: let us pray.

When we feel alone and helpless: let us pray.

When we no longer know what to do: let us pray.

When we see no way out: let us pray.

When hope seems to have abandoned us: let us pray.

When we feel our bodies faltering under illness and infirmity: let us pray.

When we see only misunderstandings: let us pray.

When peace seems to have given way to discord: let us pray.

When hatred seems to have replaced love: let us pray.

When union seems to have crumbled, leaving separation: let us pray.

When darkness seems to have covered the light: let us pray.

When families are divided: let us pray.

When the enemy disguises himself as an angel of light: let us pray.

When it is difficult even for us to pray: let us pray.

When the wait has become unbearable: let us pray.

When we have stopped looking up: let us pray.

When we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death: let us pray.

When it seems that everything around us has been destroyed: let us pray.

For better or for worse, in laughter or tears, in joy or despair, LET US PRAY!

Because He is attentive to the cry of His children… and so are we.

 

~ Tecla Grazia, Italy.

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Tecla Grazia, Italy.

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