Grace Bible Church
Pastor Teacher
Robert R. McLaughlin
Friday December 1, 2017
Forgiveness that is real, divine in its nature has a soft heart at its very core. It is sensitive to failure of not only others but self, sensitive to fragile humanity and weakness that is just under the surface of all us.
Salvation occurs when we first grasp the concept of our fallen nature; we are sinners beyond our own human recovery. Therefore within true salvation is a deep hungry for forgiveness.
Jer 17:9-10 The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.
Notice God is always interested in the inner part of man, our thoughts or motivation. That is why God searches the heart & mind (Jer 17:9-10). It is the inner man that becomes callous first.
Col 2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,
Col 2:2 KARDIA- (heart) the inner most part of the soul, the seat of understanding, the fountain or area where intellect springs up. (Right lobe of the brain).
Notice the interest and focus is on what the Bel thinks, the motivation & understanding.
Col 2:2….in love…and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding,
resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself
This speaks of unity in the body, a unity from knowledge but coupled with unconditional love.
Col 2:6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
You received Christ through salvation, forgiveness. You walk in Him by seeking forgiveness first (rebound).
We acknowledge sin to be cleansed and filled with the HS, but acknowledging sin takes an open heart (softness) that recognizes a need for forgiveness.
Gal 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
This speaks to a continued
effort inside the PPOG.
We do not get a grateful heart, overflowing with gratitude without a softening deep within that recognizes all that The Lord Jesus Christ has done for us and continues to do.
Col 2:8 is talking about all the intellectual and science or educational principles that appeal to the OSN & cosmic system. This viewpoint ensures a harden heart and deaf ear toward truth.
That softened heart of forgiveness starts with yourself and then can branch out to those in your periphery. It can’t be done from the flesh or minus the truth of Bible Doctrine.
Act 9:13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man (Saul), how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem;
Ananias gets a first-hand lesson on the forgiveness of God.
Act 9:17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Ananias & Barnabas both had to open their hearts up to forgiveness concerning Paul. This is the man that was their sworn enemy and now they were assigned (by God) to be under his authority.
God will often use uncomfortable situations and even people we do not like to soften our hearts, teaching us true forgiveness.
Until you allow your soul to soften & accept forgiveness, develop a compassionate nature entrenched within you, the word of God will never penetrate deep enough to make lasting changes.
Mar 11:25 Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.
Luk 8:15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
Mat 12:34 “You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
What is deep within a heart eventually comes out of the mouth under pressure.
A bitter, hard heart will always fight against truth and forgiveness, even when it is blatantly wrong!
Mat 12:37 “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
The Lord is telling the legalistic crowd that what you believe eventually comes out of your mouth…they believed good works, not Him, could save them.
Luk 7:47 For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
Eph 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Mat 15:19 “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.
Rom 2:12 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Rom 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
Col 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Eph 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.