(09/15/2020) As Your Father Forgave

A depiction of the Prodigal son acknowledging the forgiveness of his father.

Today, reply is on forgiveness that demonstrates sovereign authority, grace, power, and restraint. As with judgment, redemption and salvation, forgiveness pertains more to revealing that divinity is justified, rather than mankind. Because forgiveness is a divine act and process to convey love, sinners do not have to beg for forgiveness so much as they are to acknowledge a sacred gift shared because of divine righteousness and unselfishness. Even so, it is correct to perform importuning and to repeat petitions and requests during private prayer that center on forgiveness and the mercy that may be shown to those found guilty in judgment. It is written: Matthew 12: 30-32, King James Version (KJV): 30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. 31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. The fighter who uses the ID “watchmaybewatch” (Level 1 with 55 points) in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum on Religion & Spirituality posted the following:

Christians, when God says forgive as your Father forgave you, doesn't that mean to forgive only if that person asks you for forgiveness?

I have recently gone back to church, but there has much hurt from Christian "friends" in the past. Some do not feel like they did wrong, but they did. I am being told I HAVE to forgive them no matter what. What is your take on this? (Non-believers, do not respond. I already know your answer)

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. (Psalms 51: 1-11, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Outcomes Of Judgment (06/28/2020); The Justification Of Divinity (04/06/2020); That Not Of Yourselves (08/13/2019); Blaspheming the Holy Spirit (05/08/2019); How Are We Justified? (03/05/2018); Called, Justified, and Glorified? (01/08/2017); Justified Through Christ? (08/26/2015)

“watchmaybewatch”, mature Christian believers may think and speak of forgiveness as a freely-given gift from GOD provided to express divine prerogative, eternal purpose, and the sovereign will of GOD. Divinity does not practice forgiveness as a result of tribunals for judgment, as an outcome of affection, emotion and feelings, or to carry out punishments, rewards, and sanctions provided within the sacred law. Forgiveness appears as the manifesting of consecrated grace, and is another inseparable aspect of the divine fullness (we also say, divinity; the Godhead; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Thus, forgiveness pertains to the makeup of GOD along with such elements as balance, commitment, faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Forgiveness is not “all we need” to be free of sin and to know the fullness of salvation. The believer also must engage atonement, confession, repentance, and sanctification. Gifts from the Holy Spirit are provided to further permit forgiveness to establish the Christian believer as one who shares with divinity through the resurrection life of Jesus Christ, and who is to exist as the new creation of GOD. Christians are to resemble, reflect, and reveal the character, likeness, and presence of Jesus Christ on the earth. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible, and Rescue, a selection from the music ministry of Acappella:

(1.) Isaiah 55: 6-8, King James Version (KJV): 6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

(2.) Romans 15: 1-5, KJV: 1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

(3.) Colossians 3: 12-14, KJV: 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPSt7tynaBk.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 3:33, PM September 14, 2020 @ https://prayersroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Father-I-have-sinned-against-Heaven-and-against-You-Luke-15-18.png

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(09/23/2019) Believers Minister Through Prayer

Today, reply is on practicing intercessory prayer as a necessary ministry among all Christians. As with praise, prayer is not a work completed apart from Christ, and without the Holy Spirit. Within the church founded by Jesus Christ, sharing praise and unselfish prayer are among the highest forms of service. While still on the earth, before his crucifixion, the Son of the Highest prayed that his followers would be made one with himself and with the Father. Believers are to take on a consciousness that goes beyond expressing individuality, self-promotion, or their own desires, emotions, lusts, and needs. There must be shared accord and action to accomplish the objectives of divine law, eternal purpose, mercy in judgment, and the sovereign will of GOD. It is written: Romans 8: 26-27, King James Version (KJV): 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information appears) posted the following:

Why do Catholics say, "Pray for me"?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. (Hebrews 7: 23-28, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Make Me A Servant (04/08/2019); How GOD Speaks Today (12/10/2018); Anything We Ask For? (09/12/2018); Duties of a Christian? (03/13/2018); Benefits of the Rosary (02/14/2017); The Power in Prayer? (08/22/2014); The Rosary and Other Prayers? (08/23/2014)

“Anonymous”, within the church of Jesus Christ, prayer is not supposed to be a work carried out only by the clergy. In the same way many Christians have grown up being familiar with and reciting the Lord’s prayer, yet, not also studying the Bible or regularly performing other sacred practices, many Christians are familiar with the prayers of the Rosary that include language requesting the Mother of Jesus will provide ministry through intercessory prayer. Many object that Mary can not serve as a mediator between GOD and mankind; however, as one of the saints who first received the gifts of the Holy Spirit within the upper room, Mary can serve as a mediator with her son. The ability to properly approach divinity with compassion, sincerity, and unselfishness on behalf of others only becomes possible in the life of sinners through endowments of life essence (breath; spirit; word) imparted from the makeup and substance of GOD, and through operations of the Holy Spirit. The power in prayer does not appear by importuning and humbly repeating ones requests so much as by ones return of spirit content from GOD (e.g., commitment, longsuffering, lovingkindness, personhood, wisdom, wrath against sin). In the same way an anointed pastor (shepherd) or ordained priest is a caretaker who must continually provide guidance, instruction and preaching that nourishes and strengthens the full congregation, all the members are to acknowledge an accountability for offering prayer, and a duty to pray for one another. Even those having limited resources and talents, and those who are recently become part within the community of faith, can make their voices heard in group and private prayer that petition for comfort, edification, and zeal (i.e., outpouring of the Holy Spirit; prophecy). Consider again the following that uses language from the Rosary, the Bible, and a presentation from the music ministry of Steve Amerson:

1. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amoung women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen

2. Philippians 4: 6-7, King James Version (KJV): 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

3. 1^st Timothy 2: 1-6, KJV: 1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended (for example, 4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBHzNGdigtY). Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 6:02 PM, September 22, 2019 @ https://i.pinimg.com/736x/94/2d/e5/942de590f92432e9108921bb8776e3f8.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC