Today,
reply is on forgiveness as a response on behalf of divinity more than
a response by sinners to one another in human displays of contrition,
humility, and regret for bad conduct. Jesus affirmed “the law and
the prophets,” yet, he could not extinguish the sin that gripped
the High Priest and elders of Israel, the Sanhedrin court, Pontius
Pilate representing the government of Rome and all mankind, or the
betrayal by multitudes who gladly had received healing and miracles
from his ministry. As a sacred practice, forgiveness does not
eliminate sin; even so, forgiveness may operate on the earth within
human consciousness and self-will to establish opportunities and
possibilities for mankind’s
spiritual growth and transformation. Where guilt, shame,
uncertainty, and fear of judgment appear with sacred law, forgiveness
centers in expressions of divine personhood that include humility,
impartiality, longsuffering, lovingkindness, and respect.
Forgiveness appears as an act of GOD that encourages continuing
exchange, reconciliation, renewed covenant relationship, repentance,
and fruitful social interaction. While forgiveness displays active
presence and other inseparable aspects of divine spirit,
forgiveness does not convey the full authority and power of
atonement, redemption, godly restraint, and salvation. Thus, no one
openly asked that Jesus forgive them as the heirs of Adam whose
cruelty, disbelief, irreverence, and scorn were displayed throughout
his arrest, trial and crucifixion. Jesus prayed from the cross that
men would be forgiven of their transgression against his Father in
heaven, rather than their offense against himself. It is written:
1st John 1: 5-10, King James Version (KJV): 5 This then
is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that
God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we
have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not
the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we
have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his
Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we
deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our
sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned,
we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. The fighter in the
“Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who
uses the ID “Regwah” (Level 7 with 131,610 points) posted the
following:
When
you forgive, do you just forgive, or wait until forgiveness is humbly
requested?
THE
GOLDEN ARROW: And when they were come to the place, which is called
Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the
right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father,
forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his
raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the
rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others;
let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. (Luke 23:
33-35, KJV)
THE
DOUBLE DAGGER: Believers Are To Forgive (05/17/2020); Spiritual
Integrity and Maturity (05/12/2020); Pray For Your Enemies?
(01/03/2020); The Many Divine Gifts (12/03/2019); Now Are Ye Light
(09/18/2019); Our Displays of Divinity (06/19/2019); The Workings of
Divinity? (01/15/2019)
“Regwah”,
both as a duty to GOD and a benefit to others, Christians are to
practice forgiveness. Among mature Christians, forgiveness is to
make visible the grace of GOD who is immortal, incorruptible, and
invisible. Grace may be understood as undeserved, unmerited favor,
and a feature of the full image of GOD provided to mankind. Thus,
forgiveness is an expression of divine prerogative, eternal purpose,
sacred law, and the sovereign will of GOD. That we forgive is more
than a matter of expressing our own affection, our desires, or our
emotions. Divine fullness (we also say, divinity; the Godhead; the
Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) is manifest and present within all
sacred process and spirit substance. Sinners who repent receive a
fresh endowment of the life essence (breath; spirit; word)
that was granted to Adam in Creation. Inseparable aspects of
divinity are imparted to those who become “born again” that
includes balance, faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness,
oneness without sameness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Christian
believers are the new creation of Jesus Christ; and his
followers are to resemble, reflect, and reveal the character and
likeness of Jesus in their lifestyle and daily routines. Forgiveness
is a first step toward ending conflict, healing, peacemaking,
reestablishing trust, resolving dispute, and accomplishing full
reconciliation. Consider again the following that uses language from
the Bible, and a selection from the music ministry of Steve Amerson:
(1.)
Matthew 6: 9-15, King James Version (KJV): 9 After this manner
therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy
name. 10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is
in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us
our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and
the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men
their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But
if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father
forgive your trespasses.
(2.)
Ephesians 4: 31-32, KJV: 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and
anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all
malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving
one another, even as God for Christ’s
sake hath forgiven you.
(3.)
Matthew 18: 15-22, KJV: 15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass
against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone:
if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he
will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that
in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the
church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee
as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you,
Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and
whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as
touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of
my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered
together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 21 Then came
Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against
me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I
say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times
seven.
There
is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually
apprehended. (For example, (4.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5frx0hqWVqw.) Even
so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according
to your faith.
Image
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THE
BLACK PHOENIX
Washington,
DC
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