Galatians
5:19-21 “The acts
of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity
and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord,
jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn
you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God
Our Friday
night small group Bible study is continuing through an in-depth examination
into the godly virtue of “Forgiveness”. An easy subject, when we are talking
about God forgiving us for our sins of commission (the thoughts, words and
actions that we did) and sins of omission (the thoughts, words, and actions
that we should have done, but didn’t). Today’s problem is that “easy believism”
pretty much ignores the sinful desires and acts of the fallen flesh, and the
consequences of that lifestyle which is contrary to the Word, Will and Way of
our Almighty Creator Lord God, which is judged and set aside for the righteous wrath
of God in true justice of unrepented and, therefore, unforgiven sin. The "from" in the term "saved from".
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 “Do you not know that the unrighteous
will not inherit the kingdom
of God kingdom of God
In the
final analysis, when we clearly see and understand the devastating affects of
sin and the just penalty to pay, only then can we realize, comprehend and
appreciate the unmerited mercy of our Heavenly Father in sending Jesus Christ
to pay that price on the Cross in our place and, thereby have our sins forgiven
and inherit the kingdom of God. The "to" in the term "saved to". But, what did we pay in this? What was our cost? This
is not a debt paid by us, but a debt of ours forgiven. Paid by Jesus, our Redeemer, Savior and Lord.
Ephesians 5:3-6 “Let there be no sexual immorality,
impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are
not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person
will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an
idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be
fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on
all who disobey him.”
Ephesians 2:1-5, 8-9 “And you were dead in the
trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this
world, following the prince
of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of
disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions
of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the
mind, and were by nature children of
wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in
mercy, because of the great love with which
he loved us, even when we were
dead in our trespasses, made us
alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can
boast.”
“In which you once walked” is the key phrase. In
accepting the free gift of salvation and eternal life in heaven through Christ’s
atoning death for us on the cross, by the grace that flows out of God’s mercy,
we are forgiven. There is a choice to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord, and a change
from unbelief to true faith. In that exchange from death in sin to life in
Christ, there is a new nature from a new heart in the new birth from above that
regenerates our spirit. Because we are set apart from the god-rejecting world
system, we belong completely to God. That is what these Bible verses are
saying.
Colossians 3:1-15 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is,
seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on
earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once
lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice,
slander, and filthy language
from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its
Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people,
holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of
you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on
love, which binds them all together in
perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as
members of one body you were called to
peace. And be thankful."
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of
you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Remember
Jesus’ words in the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us for our sins,
just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us.” - Matthew
6:12.
Realize that forgiveness is
a choice, not an emotion. In reality, when we forgive another person, we’re
just one sinner forgiving another. As English Reformer and Martyr John Bradford
stated: “There but
for the grace of God go I”. Jesus is our example and set the standard for
forgiveness. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Be forgiving.
In Christ,
Brian
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