(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

(06/19/2015) Saved While in Church?

Today, a BATTLEAXE is presented continuing with Scripture points on martyrdom, suffering and tragic incidents that occur among Christian believers.  As surely as Pharaoh resisted the messages, opportunities and warnings shared by Moses, there are many who sit through a bible study or sermon whose hearts are hardened, rather than delivered out of darkness.   Unknown to those outside of the sacred household established in Jesus Christ, the salvation of GOD goes beyond “saving” a person’s mortal being and “physical” life.  To be saved is to be set apart (we say, sanctified) for divine use.  All created beings and living creatures may be preserved, recovered and rescued from corruption, the operations of sin, and perdition.  Those now embraced by GOD through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, will not be disheartened, frightened, threatened, shocked, or overwhelmed by having to meet the many challenges of life and death upon the earth.  One of the writers at “Yahoo! Answers” with questionable intentions who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no other data shared) posted the following:


Why didn't God save the charleston shooting victims?

Hmmm?

Christians open your minds.


THE BATTLEAXE:  Shot While in Church? (06/18/2015)—(6.)  2nd Corinthians 4:  1-8, King James Version (KJV):  1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;  2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.  3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:   4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.  6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

(7.)  Psalms 27:  1-3, KJV:  27 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.  3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear:  though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

(8.)  Luke 12:  4-5, KJV:  4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.  5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear:  Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

(9.)  2nd Kings 6:  15-17, KJV:  15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?  16 And he answered, Fear not:  for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.  17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw:  and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually taken into account.  (For example, (10.)  Revelation 20:  4-6, KJV:  4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them:  and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.  6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection:  on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
 Washington, DC