As we approach towards Good Friday and Easter, our hearts are fired up and most of us are focused on remembering everything that Jesus did for us on the cross. Let us remember the reasons for the season as we approach towards Good Friday and Resurrection day. One of the reasons Jesus became atonement for our sins was to adopt us back to the kingdom of God. We were made in the image of God but our sins separated us from him.
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15
There is a place for you and I
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Mark 2:17
Jesus spoke these words at the time he was questioned by the Pharisees about sitting with tax collectors and sinners.
No one is exempted from his table. He has invited you and I at his table to dine with him. Something that I love about the table that Jesus has prepared for us is that he makes us dine with him irrespective of our pasts. The tax collectors, sinners, adulterous woman, fisherman, lowly and weak of this world, outcasts of the society – everyone can sit and dine with him. He has place for everyone. He does not look at our pasts, guilts, shame, and sins. He invites us at his table just as we are. We might feel like we are unworthy but he has shown us our worth by dying on the cross for us.
John 3:16 says: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
It means that everyone in this world is welcomed at his table. When he did not exempt us from His table then who are we to exempt ourselves from the table of grace and mercy. The table filled with his riches.
Forgiveness and living united
A house divided can not bring any good. We are saved by his grace and mercy and are called to extend this mercy to others. Division is one of the strategies enemy uses to make Church of God ineffective. Glory to God that this scheme of the enemy also fails as God said that gates of hades can not prevail against the Ecclesia of God. Division destroys the house but unity helps in expanding. Unforgiveness in the hearts is one of the reasons for the division.
In the greatest commandment God asked us to love each other just as God has loved us. One of the attributes of love is that it forgives easily and does not keep records of wrong. It is impossible for someone to love and not forgive. Love and forgiveness go hand in hand.
Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 22:37,38
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:13
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
1 Corinthians 13:5
Jesus on the cross extended forgiveness for our sins and he keeps no records of it. The one who has all the rights to punish us for our sins choose to forgive. We are supposed to extend this forgiveness and mercy to everyone who wrongs us. Our unforgiveness will not change the fact that God loves each one of us. Our unforgiveness will not make him love them any less. Unforgiveness does not allow us to live freely in the love of God.
Prideful people do not forgive. Humbled heart knows that they have been forgiven and saved by grace so they are no one to hold an account against anyone. Unforgiveness also does not allow a person to humble themselves before God.
His family is made perfect through love and unity.
He loves us, we love him and extend his love to others in the family.
The heart that is filled with gratitude for all that God has done for them and humble themselves before God extends love, grace and mercy to others.
Let us examine our hearts as we approach towards the good Friday and Easter.
Have I fully received the invitation to the table of grace and mercy? (The one who has received it in fullness lives in humbleness, love and unity)
Is there anyone I need to forgive (any member of our spiritual family, biological family, friends, someone at workplace or anyone else)?
Is unforgiveness is causing the division and affecting the Ecclesia of God?
Is my heart humbled before God?
Pray this prayer if you need to forgive someone:
Dear heavenly father, I am sorry to hold on to every wrong that has been done. I am sorry Lord for being so prideful to not let it all go. Father God, this day I release (name of the person) at altar and choose to forgive them. Lord take away the pain and hurt that they have caused and heal me by your stripes. I plead the blood of Jesus over my heart and I believe that every bondage of unforgiveness is crushed into pieces. I am set free by the blood of Jesus. In Jesus’ name I ask this, Amen.
Pray this prayer if you have never accepted the invitation at his table:
Dear heavenly father, you have been knocking at the door of my heart and I did not open it. Father God forgive me and take me to this table of grace and mercy. I want to sit and dine with you for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Prayer: Dear heavenly father, I pray for your grace and mercy over every reader. I pray for the hearts to humble down and reunite with you. May the heart of readers receive your invitation of grace and live in the riches of your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Maybe you are reading this and never knew about the Lord who is a compassionate and loving father who discipline and cleanses us; want to give your life to him; Read this prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I ask you to come into my heart and forgive my sins. I receive you as my savior who died and was resurrected for me. Come and do what you want to do in my life. I surrender my heart, mind, and soul to you. In Jesus name, Amen.
“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Heb. 13:20-21)
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