Front Page Easter Sunday 2006
I was reminded a couple of weeks ago in a newsletter from Conference about the ministry of forgiveness. It was from a reflection by John Gilmore on John 20:23 "If you forgive anyone his sin, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven" This verse highlights two situations that we can find ourselves in; firstly the ministry of giving forgiveness or secondly in the ministry of retaining forgiveness. When we forgive we set people free to expereince grace and release, when we do not forgive we withold that grace. Retaining sin or not forgiving can be expresessed in many ways such as gossip, by being closed in attitude and spirit, harbouring feelings of anger and resentment, refusing reconcilliation and relationship with another etc. Which ever way unforgiveness is manifested, someone suffers; and usually it is the one who does not forgive who is often in bondage to bitterness and to a spirit other than God's Spirit.
As the preceeding verse in John Chapter 20 indicates, it is when we are filled with the Holy Spirit that we can exercise the ministry of forgiveness, conversly it is reasonable to assume that ministry of retention is without God's Spirit.
As we celebrate this Easter time, particularly this Resurrection Sunday, we can all give thanks and praise to God the Jesus Christ, full of the Holy Spirit, exercised the ministry of forgiveness of sin. It was not just a once off forgiveness, but a once for all time single act of sacrifice when He suffered and died on a cruel cross for our sin, past present and future. Because of that one single selfless act, we are redeemed and forgiven people. Praise God!
In light of that, which of these two ministries described in John 20:23 best describes your life?
Easter can be seen as a time of celebration (quite rightly) but unless we are challenged by what Jesus did for us and apply that to our own life, we can sometimes miss the point of what we are celebrating.
Have a happy Easter and may God continue to bless each of you as you follow His exampe in forgiveness.
Blair
As the preceeding verse in John Chapter 20 indicates, it is when we are filled with the Holy Spirit that we can exercise the ministry of forgiveness, conversly it is reasonable to assume that ministry of retention is without God's Spirit.
As we celebrate this Easter time, particularly this Resurrection Sunday, we can all give thanks and praise to God the Jesus Christ, full of the Holy Spirit, exercised the ministry of forgiveness of sin. It was not just a once off forgiveness, but a once for all time single act of sacrifice when He suffered and died on a cruel cross for our sin, past present and future. Because of that one single selfless act, we are redeemed and forgiven people. Praise God!
In light of that, which of these two ministries described in John 20:23 best describes your life?
Easter can be seen as a time of celebration (quite rightly) but unless we are challenged by what Jesus did for us and apply that to our own life, we can sometimes miss the point of what we are celebrating.
Have a happy Easter and may God continue to bless each of you as you follow His exampe in forgiveness.
Blair
posted by Pastor's Pen at 5:14 PM
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