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Thursday, June 30, 2016

P3 - How Every Christian is Retaught the Revelation of the Father

Ephesians 1:1-2 "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Introduction:
Over the past two days we have been considering how God progressively re-wires the Christian's understanding of "father". We've noted that Satan has conspired to distort and destroy this concept among the human race. All of us have or had experienced fathers: whether good ones, bad ones, absentee ones or fathers who have passed away. Fathers function as an illustration and image of God to their children (see Luke 11:13). This function of being a "God-image" of sorts was unfortunately marred by the fall of man into sin. Many relational, social and psychological dysfunctions stem somehow from a mis-represented concept of "fatherhood".

In salvation, God's goal is to transform Christians not only in their spirit and heart, but also in their minds and understanding (Romans 12:1-2). The Divine design of Christian discipleship entails bringing to the Christian this revelation of God the Father from the scriptures. The Person of the Son, Jesus Christ, brings to us the presence of the Father (see John 14:8-10; Hebrews 1:1-2). The Person of the Holy Spirit brings to the Christian the Person of the Father by way of His progressive sanctification of the Christian (see John 16:8-12; Ephesians 1:17-20). Today we want to consider how the Scriptures bring to the Christian the paternal power of the Father. 

The Bible brings to us the Paternal power of the Father
When we think about how God, in the Person of the Son and in the Person of the Holy Spirit brings to us the Person and Presence of the Heavenly Father, we discover that this truth is done so in connection with the scriptures. We find the full-orbed revelation of God in the Person of the Father unfolded in nearly 10 places in The Old Testament and over 140 places in the New Testament. To know the Father's Person and Presence entails experiencing His Paternal power through the scriptures. 

Prior to salvation, man knows about God - but does not know Him. At salvation, God makes Himself known to the sinner by means of the scripture through the agency of the Holy Spirit. The "Himself" is with reference to "The Father". James tells us that the Father begets sinners in the new birth through the scriptures (James 1:17-18). The Apostle Peter likewise indicates that the Person of the Father uses scripture as a means of bringing about the New birth to sinners who, in turn, respond freely in saving faith (1 Peter 1:3-5, 23). The Baptist Faith & Message 2000 summarizes this point in its article on "The Father": "God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men."

Bringing together the importance of God the Father to the Christian life
Knowing the Person of the Father by the Spirit's working, the presence of the Father by the Son's revelation and the Paternal power of the Father through the scriptures, we find an accurate picture of the Father. Outside the work of the Spirit, the revelation of the Son and the words of scripture, the face of the Father is hidden. As we close out this study, let me offer three applications for Christian living that correspond to the three points brought out in the last few days:

1. Having the presence of the Father ensures that I never am alone, orphaned or without assurance. Only the Lord Jesus Christ, in His finished work at Calvary and His continuing mediation for the Christian in heaven can minister this profound reality.

2. Having the Person of the Father available to me as a Christian means I can enjoy all the benefits of adoption in sonship. The Holy Spirit ever reminds the Christian that they are a child of God through adoption (see Romans 8:14-16). My own sense of identity in a world where my earthly father no longer resides is securely anchored in the Person of God the Father by the Person and work of the Holy Spirit.

3. Having the Paternal power of the Father through the Bible gives me strength for daily living. The desire to pray and talk to my heavenly Father is fed by the scriptures. When I find myself under His Fatherly discipline, I'm reminded of His unfailing love (see Hebrews 12:4-5). 

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

P2 - How Every Christian is Retaught the Revelation of Father

Luke 11:1 "It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” 2 And He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.
3 ‘Give us each day our daily bread. 4 ‘And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’”


Introduction and review: The Son brings to us the presence of the Father
In yesterday's post we began considering how God must reteach every Christian the concept of "father". All of us have or have had a father. Some were good. Some were not so good. Some were never in our lives. Some are no-longer here. Whatever the case may be, when salvation occurs, the revelation of God in the Person of the Father begins to be taught to Christians by the Person of the Son in how He brings the presence of the Father to us. We understand from other scriptures (2 Corinthians 5:15-20) that the project of redemption is to reconcile sinners to the Father. For the unbeliever, God as Father is estranged from them. Christians are remade into God's image in Jesus Christ so as to bear forth a representation of who He is. Satan is out to destroy all people due to the fact that unbelievers in their fallen condition still bear the image of God (see Genesis 9:6). 

More specifically, within all families, the father functions as an illustration of the Heavenly Father (see Luke 11:13). When people are brought to a saving knowledge of God through Jesus Christ, the presence of the Father is brought home to them by the Person of the Son. From thereon the revelation of God in the Person of the Father is being pressed forth in how the Son makes Him known to the Christian. In short, the Son brings to the Christian the presence of the Father. Today we want to consider a second way in which every Christian is retaught the revelation of the Father - namely, how the Person of the Holy Spirit brings to us the Person of the Father.

The Holy Spirit brings to us the Person of the Father
Christian theologian and apologist James R. White writes in his book: "The Forgotten Trinity, page 15: "To know Christ truly is to know the Trinity, for God has not revealed himself in such a way as to allow us to have true and balanced knowledge of the Father outside of such knowledge of the Son, all of which comes to us through the Spirit." 

As Jesus was teaching His disciples in Luke 11, he made known to them two vital teachings: prayer and the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. As we consider Jesus' teachings on these two truths, we find the Person of the Father connected to both. The famous "Lord's prayer" in Luke 11 begins with these words: "Our Father, who is in heaven". All prayer, whether we realize it or not, is directed at the Father. Is it no wonder that the enemy of our souls aims to destroy our prayer-lives - because he hates the Father. We then find the second teaching on the Holy Spirit as being connected with the Father in Luke 11:13, which reads - "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” 

The Person of the Holy Spirit's task within the Trinity is to manifest the Persons of the Son and the Father. Jesus teaches this point in John 16:13-15  "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you." 

The Apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesian Christians with respect to grasping a better understanding of God in the Person of the Father through the ministry of the Spirit in Ephesians 1:17-20 "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places."

So as we think about the effort God does in reteaching every Christian the revelation of Himself in the Person of the Father, we find that such an insight does not come by naturally - but supernaturally. All of us come into salvation with incomplete, inaccurate or missing conceptions of "father". Our natural man, as it were, has been radically affected by the fall. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit's work of sanctification progressively reteaches us this crucial revelation of God as Father from the Bible. Just as the Son brings to us the Father's Person, the Spirit works in concert with the Son to crystallize to the Christian the Personhood of the Heavenly Father.

More tomorrow.........

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

P1 - How every Christian is retaught the revelation of "Father"


Galatians 4:6-7 "Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God."

Introduction:
Every reader has a father or had had one. Some readers had good dads, others had absentee ones. Some reading this post today may have had bad experiences or none at all. For others, perhaps your father passed away. Mine has been gone for two years. I miss him. In my Christian-life at least, I have found my own conception of "father" being constantly taught. Whatever the situation, everyone has had some experience of fatherhood. 

Oftentimes I come across Christians who have no issue connecting with Jesus as Savior and Lord. Moreover, when it comes to the Person and work of the Spirit, many Christians are receptive to His aids and comforts. However, when it comes to the First Person of the Trinity - The Father - there is often that disconnect. 

Every Christian from conversion onward is being retaught about the concept and identity of "Father"
In the above opening verse of today's post, we find the Holy Spirit's ministry of aiding the Christian to verbalize God as "Abba" or "Father". As I said a moment ago, all of us have had some sort of experience with fathers. Even if one's experience was a good one, a "good dad" is still imperfect. There are times where even good dads will falter and fail. By nature, the father in human families functions as an illustration of the "Heavenly Father". Sadly, because of the fallen condition of our world, that "Father image" is expressed in broken ways. As Jesus teaches in Luke 11:13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” It is this blogger's conviction that Satan's tactic is to undermine the concept and revelation of "Father" as much as possible, since knowing God the Father is so central to salvation.

More often-than-not, our human fathers give to us a certain image of father that we bring into our salvation experience. To experience salvation is to come to a true knowledge and relationship with God in the Person of the Father. Jesus defines what it means to have eternal life in John 17:1-3 "Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said,“Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, 2 even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. 3 This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."

Henceforth, the remainder of the believer's sanctification (that process whereby the Holy Spirit is conforming the Christian to the attitudes and actions of Jesus Christ as they co-operate with Him) is all about re-learning Who and what the Father is all about. 

How God the Father has designed our Christian life to re-learn Who He is
When we take some time to think about how all of us must be retaught the meaning and revelation of God as "Father", we understand that this truth does not come naturally. In the natural realm, the concept of fatherhood is clouded, warped or utterly destroyed. As Christians, we come to appreciate the revelation of the Person of the Father as we come to terms with Who He is through the following:

1. The Son is needed to bring to us the Presence of the Father. 
We find the following conversation between Jesus and one of his disciples in John 14:6-10 "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” 8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?" For Phillip, who was a Jew, the concept of "Father" was viewed mainly in national terms - that is, Jehovah God relating to the nation of Israel as a Father to a son (Theologian Geerhardus Vos lists the following passages: Exodus 4:22; Deut. 1:31; 8:5; 32:6; Isaiah 1:2; 63:16; Jeremiah 3:19; Hosea 11:1; Malachi 3:16). Geerhardus Vos further expounds this point in his book: "Biblical Theology, Old and New Testaments", page 366: "the idea (of God's fatherhood) is in the Old Testament limited in its range, being applied to Israel only, and that in a collective capacity, not individually to single Israelites." Undoubtedly Phillip's mind must had been "blown" so-to-speak.

Jesus' point is this: unless He, the Son, had become incarnate, there would had been no way people like Phillip could have interacted directly with God in the Person of the Son. Moreover, as the Son shares eternally in the same undivided nature with the Father, His role within the Trinity is to manifest what would otherwise be the invisible glory of the Person of the Father. Jesus Christ, the Son, God incarnate, brings to us the presence of His Father "who dwells in light unapproachable" (see Jude 1:24-25). 

More tomorrow.......

Monday, June 27, 2016

What makes for a good testimony - 1 John 5:1-9

1 John 5:9 "If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son."

Introduction:
In our car we have a little strip of numbers located under the speedometer. Those little strip of numbers display how many miles the car has traveled over the course of its use. Such a strip of numbers are called an "odometer". When I look at how many miles are currently on our vehicle, I imagine all the places the car has traveled. One could conceive of the stories that car could tell if it had the capability of speech. The "odometer" functions as a testimony of that vehicle's travels. When we consider the Christian life, there is the faith of the Christian and the testimony that follows from his faith. One cannot see faith. It is an intangible, supernatural ability given by God and grasped by the Christian for trusting in what Jesus has done. A testimony functions as the "odometer" of faith. Every digit on your testimony and mine speaks of obedience, triumph, failure, pain, sorrow, joy, insights, setbacks and perseverance. The Apostle John speaks of "testimonies" here in the opening fifth chapter of his short letter. What makes for a good testimony?

1. Faith. 1 John 5:1-4
Notice 1 John 5:1-4 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." At the end of that string of numbers on an odometer is a special number that can be seen moving and marking off "tenths-of-a-mile". Every mile we go in our car, that little number at the end is seen "ticking by". 

Do you know every decision, every trial and every opportunity that is presented to us is a choice between faith and unbelief? Every time we trust God, our little number of faith records a small step forward. Now it may not seem like much, however, over the course of one's faith-life, it adds up to a glorious testimony of God's grace. Faith is a must in every good testimony. This is why John brackets his remarks with reference to faith. What else can we say about what makes for a good testimony....

2. Foundations. 1 John 5:5-9
As one reads on through 1 John 5:5-9, three foundations necessary for a testimony are noted:

God's love. 1 John 5:9 speaks of the "testimony of God concerning His Son". Elsewhere we see how God "so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son" (John 3:16) and "demonstrated such love" (Romans 5:8).  

Christ's blood.  Three times we find reference to Christ's blood. Without the blood of Jesus, no Christian would have the power nor grounds for any testimony.

The Spirit's working. Here we find the Holy Spirit bearing witness to the Christian and to the world concerning the reality of the Christian faith. The terms "water" and "blood" represent the bookends of Christ's earthly ministry - from his baptism to his cross. It is the righteousness of Jesus Christ that is credited to me at salvation, all due to the Spirit's working. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit bears witness continually that I as a Christian am adopted by God because of Christ (Romans 8:14-16). Finally, the Spirit is continually sanctifying or cleansing me to make me progressively more like Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:30; 6:19-20).

Any good testimony will include the work God has done and is doing in that person's life. The odometer records how far I've gone in the car, not how fast I've traveled. With that said, the odometer could not move without a motor, a transmission, wheels and a driver. In like manner, my testimony tells others how far I've traveled. However, unless I had God's love, Christ's blood and the Spirit's working in my life, I would have no testimony. Henceforth we see that Faith and Foundations make for a good testimony. Lets see one final ingredient....

Form. 1 John 5:10-11
1 John 5:10-11 give us the two-fold form for a testimony: before and after. All good testimonies describe what life was like before Christ, the moment of saving faith in Christ, and life following after salvation. In testimonies pertaining to God's provision or extraordinary moments wherein God has been seen moving, we find out what life was like before that moment and life thereafter.

The odometer is an amazing instrument when you think about it. It only records how far the vehicle has traveled. Its readings are limited. A Christian's life is of course far more robust. The testimony's form is shaped by Jesus. There was life before Christ (b.c) and there is life after Christ (a.c). Before and after. Who I was and whom I am. 

Closing thoughts
We have considered briefly what makes for a good testimony: faith, foundations and form. God is working forth His testimony, by His Word and Spirit, in our own. He desires to change the Christian from the inside/out. May we be yielded to Him and walk forth the walk of faith - adding miles to the journey!

Saturday, June 25, 2016

P3 The freeing benefits of forgiveness: The freedom to pray and to walk in God's power

Philemon 1:8-9 "Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus."

Introduction: 
Two days ago we began considering the freeing benefits of forgiveness. We first noted how forgiveness frees one from walking in offense or bitterness . When we walk in offense, we grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30-31) and operate under a closed heaven. We find ourselves walking around with the feeling of rejection and increasing levels of never being satisfied. Only forgiving as the Lord forgave us can free us from such a prison. Then in yesterday's post we considered how forgiveness frees us to enjoy God's forgiveness. God's forgiveness of the believer in Christ provides the logic of forgiveness (see Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32). The "logic of Calvary" is the only way in which we can see forgiveness go from being a duty to delight. In today's post I wanted to deal with two final refreshing benefits of forgiveness, namely how forgiveness frees us up in our prayer-life and thus to walk in the power of the Spirit.  

Forgiveness grants freedom to pray. Philemon 1:21-22
Paul indicates his confidence in Philemon's response to his appeal in verse 21. He also indicates in verse 22 that Philemon is a praying man, since Paul's hope to see Philemon is predicated on Philemon's prayers for his release (Paul was imprisoned). It is no accident then that the confidence of Philemon forgiving Onesimus and mention of Philemon as a man of prayer are linked together. 

Anytime we forgive, our prayer-life is freed from the shackles imposed by a bitter heart. James 4:1-3 warns what happens when unforgiveness clashes with our prayer-life - "What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain;so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures." The freedom of forgiveness setting our prayer-life free is illustrated in Colossians 3:13-15 "bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful."

Forgiveness grants freedom to operate in God's power. Philemon 1:20-25
We read in Philemon 1:20-25 "Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say. 22 At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you. 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." The refreshment that comes from forgiveness frees the Christian to put down offenses, enjoy God's forgiveness and to pray. But how about walking in the power of the Spirit? You and I dear friend have been called by God to not only walk by faith and walk by the Word but to also walk in the power of the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-17 and 25 state - "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 25 "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."

Closing thoughts
We've spent the last several days considering the refreshing benefits of forgiveness. We saw how forgiveness frees us to put down offenses, enjoy God's forgiveness, pray and walk in the power of the Spirit. May we take to heart what the Spirit of God intended Paul to write in "The Book of Forgiveness" - Philemon. 

Friday, June 24, 2016

P2 The freeing benefits of forgiveness - Freedom to enjoy God's forgiveness

Philemon 1:8-9 "Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus."

Introduction: 
For the last two days we have been considering the freeing benefits of forgiveness. We noted how forgiveness frees one from walking in offense or bitterness. When we walk in offense, we grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30-31) and operate under a closed heaven. We find ourselves walking around with the feeling of rejection and increasing levels of never being satisfied. Only forgiving as the Lord forgave us can free us from such a prison. In today's post I wanted to deal with how forgiveness frees us to enjoy God's forgiveness.

Freedom to enjoy God's forgiveness. Philemon 1:16-19
Often times I think Christians forget how awesome God's forgiveness truly is in their lives. I say this a matter of experience. It takes episodes in my life of having to exercise forgiveness whereby I'm caused to once again see God's forgiveness in a fresh way. Paul notes to Philemon in 1:15-16 "For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord." God's providence was clearly at work in Philemon's life and Onesimus. 

Onesimus' freely ran away from his master, having stolen from him. He then ended up in prison, only to come across Paul, whom God used to lead Onesimus to saving faith. Meanwhile Philemon has space and time to deal with what was going on in his heart toward Onesimus. Whatever exactly Paul meant by these remarks, it is clear that the time was ripe for Paul to make the appeal for forgiveness. It is assumed that Philemon himself might had been converted under Paul's ministry. Taking him back to those tender days would cause him to see God's forgiveness anew.

Then we read this comment in Philemon 1:17-18 "If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account." The precious doctrine of justification by faith is illustrated in this passage, namely the teaching that in saving faith, God no-longer credits us with the guilt and just-punishment due to our sins, but rather credits us with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. God's forgiveness orbits around justification. Jesus Christ, on the cross, was credited with my sin, guilt and shame and treated as if He had been me, so that I at saving faith could be credited with His innocence, perfect obedience and righteousness (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). To realize that as a Christian, I stand relationally and legally in the right with God is truly comforting. Paul's allusion to these truths is especially seen wherein he tells Philemon that he can "charge him" with the cost of whatever former debts Onesimus may had accrued. 

So forgiveness frees me to put down offenses (Philemon 1:10-14) and to enjoy anew God's forgiveness (Philemon 1:15-19). Tomorrow we will consider how forgiveness enables one to have the freedom to pray. 

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Don't be offended

Matthew 18:7 "Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!" (KJV)

Matthew 18:7 "Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!" (NASB)

What it means to take up offense

Yesterday we began to look at how forgiveness frees us to put down offense. http://www.growingchristianresources.com/2016/06/p1-freeing-benefits-of-forgiveness.html 

We briefly described what offense was and noted how forgiveness defuses its corrosive effects. I felt it necessary today to explore this concept of "taking up offenses" a little bit deeper before moving onto the other "freeing benefits of forgiveness". This malady of offense is a strategic device used by our enemy to "shut-down" the lives of God's people. 

What is Jesus referring to here when he warns about "taking up offences" or "stumbling blocks"? The Greek word used for "offenses" and "stumbling blocks" in this passage is the word "skandalon" from whence were derive our English word "scandal". Offenses are those events or words that hinder or greatly diminish belief in the Lord. To take up offense means to perceive the crossing of a line in a response of anger or bitterness. 

Oftentimes such a crossing of the line has occurred. Those who bring the offense can more often-than-not be intentional in their hurting of other people. However, there are those occasions where misunderstandings happen and where the offender may not know that their actions or words resulted in hurting other people. 

When we take up offense, its another way of saying that I retain resentment, rather than forgiveness. Offenses or stumbling blocks caused by the wrongdoing of others are by nature contrary to God's word. Thus, in taking up an offense, my heart's responses to spiritual truth will be affected - often leaving me with a  limited ability or no ability to appreciate Christ and His word. As Proverbs 18:19 reminds us - "A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a citadel."

In what circumstances do offenses occur?
Often a stumbling block or offense occurs when a misplaced word or mis-perception of a person's actions or words results in you and I being bitter rather than forgiving. Jesus is telling us here in this passage that "in this world it is inevitable, there will be offenses". If you have not ever had the opportunity to be hurt, or be at the
receiving end of thoughtless words and deeds - just wait!

In the parallel account of Luke 17:1-2 Jesus says: "He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! 2“It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble."

So, its not a matter of "if offenses will come". Instead, it is more a matter of "when they will come". You and I cannot control what people will say or what events will come into our lives. We also are not living in a fair world, since our world is a fallen one. Older Bible teachers often refer to what are called "the noetic effects of sin", meaning the collateral damage caused by our sin, including broken relationships, mis-understandings, damaged emotions and other various spiritual, psychological and physical maladies that affect the human race.  

You and I must come to terms with the fact that we cannot control our environment nor the way people will treat us. The only thing we can control is our response. The question is: will you be bitter, or better? Will you retain a grudge, or forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13)? Unless the cross is in our center-line of vision, the vulnerability to taking up offenses will be pretty high.

Those Christians who serve the Lord in positions of leadership or who are involved in key areas of ministry are the most vulnerable to offense. Why? Because this malady is a strategic weapon used by the enemy to cripple the body of Christ at large and the Christian life in particular. Christian leaders deal with a wider-volume of potential opportunities to take-up offense, due to their frequent dealings with all sorts of people. All Christians must be on their guard against offense, however, Christian leaders must be ever more watchful. Practicing forbearance or the virtue of patience in the face of provocation is key. Galatians 5:22 lists forbearance as one of the fruits of the Spirit.

An illustration of someone taking up an offense
One day a man decided to take his friend from overseas to see a football game. The friend had never been to a game, nor was he familiar at all with football. As they were up in the stands, watching the game, the crowd around them was cheering, and the man himself was whooping and hollering, for the home team was winning. However his friend sat motionless with a scowl on his face.

After the game was over, the excited man asked his friend: "So what did you think of your first football game"? His friend sharply responded: I have never been so offended in all my life! Those fellows in the striped shirts kept ever-so -often getting together in the middle of the field, stopping the players from playing. And you know what, I think they were talking about me!"

Now this illustration conveys the truth of what Jesus is teaching. The friend in our little story perceived a line had been crossed. He came to the game, not knowing what to expect. As he watched, he began to draw conclusions about what he thought he saw. All we know is that the man chose to respond in anger and bitterness, resulting in his inability to appreciate the effort of the other man in treating him to his first football game.

The warning about taking up offense

Now Jesus is not dismissing from responsibility the one who says careless words or does thoughtless deeds. Often when an offense is taken up, a legitimate hurt has been committed, and not just merely a misunderstanding. Certainly those who are careless or reckless in their treatment of us should be held accountable for their actions. The key of course is by whom should they be held accountable - us or God?

Jesus is warning us who have been at the receiving end to be careful not to "hold bitterness" or "take up offense". Again in Luke 17:3 we read - 3“Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4“And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

Final thoughts
So in this world of ours, and even in the church, the likelihood of someone saying something wrong, or not saying something that should had been said, can yield in us a response of anger or bitterness if we're not careful. If we have taken strides to guard are hearts through reflecting on God's Word and God's forgiveness in Jesus Christ, the chances of taking up offenses will be greatly diminished. 

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

P1 The freeing benefits of forgiveness - Freedom to put down offenses

Philemon 1:8-9 "Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus."

Introduction: 
In today's post I wanted to deal with the refreshing benefits that come when we forgive in the manner the Lord forgave us in Jesus Christ. The source of these benefits will derive from Philemon 1:10-25. After Paul makes the appeal to Philemon to forgive his former slave Onesimus in Philemon 1:8-9, we note the following freeing benefits of forgiveness:

1. Freedom to put down offenses. Philemon 1:10-14
When we operate in unforgiveness, it is due to us at some point doing what the Bible refers to as "taking up an offense". To "take up and offense" means to respond in bitterness and anger rather than in forgiveness. Jesus warns of taking up offenses in Luke 17:1-5 "He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” 

Stumbling blocks or offense can prevent otherwise good, godly people from being effective in their Christian walk. When we harbor unforgiveness, we find ourselves incapable of receiving any further spiritual insights from God. In Mark 6:3, we find the people in Jesus' home town of Nazareth being "offended because of Him", perceiving a line having been crossed, and thus ultimately rejecting His ministry.  

In Philemon, the Apostle Paul points out that in receiving Onesimus, Philemon would operate in freedom. Forgiveness is after all rooted in the human will freely exercising itself in release from retention of bitterness. This is why Paul writes for example in Ephesians 4:31-32 to "put away from ourselves" things such as anger, malice and the like and instead "take up forgiveness". This fits in line with our definition of forgiveness - namely to "let go". So we find that when we forgive, we can put down the offenses and stumbling blocks that imprison us in bitterness of heart. 

Tomorrow we will look at a second benefit of forgiveness.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

New Hope Podcast: P3 How Jesus Christ's Resurrection Guarantees Permanent Hope


1 Timothy 3:15-16 "but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. 16 By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness:

He who was revealed in the flesh,
Was vindicated in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Proclaimed among the nations,
Believed on in the world,
Taken up in glory."


Introduction:
Today's post will introduce the reader to the New Hope Podcast. Recently I did a three-part series of podcasts dealing with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today's post features the third and final episode in this series, with the link included below. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead guarantees three realities:

1). Proclamation of the Gospel
2). Purpose in Life
3). Permanent Hope

http://media4.e-zekiel.tv/Assets/Media/6D2AC4C0-1C57-4B12-8EA2-D56AF5E331E0.mp3

In all, three episodes cover this important theme of: "the guarantees of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead". My hope and prayer is that these last few posts have encouraged all who read this blog site or listened to the podcasts. These podcasts, and a few other episodes, are featured on the website of the church that God has blessed me to pastor: http://www.newhope-ny.org/. May God be glorified in these podcasts.

Monday, June 20, 2016

New Hope Podcast: P2 How Jesus Christ's Resurrection Guarantees One's Purpose in Life


1 Timothy 3:15-16 "but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. 16 By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness:

He who was revealed in the flesh,
Was vindicated in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Proclaimed among the nations,
Believed on in the world,
Taken up in glory."


Introduction:
Today's post will introduce the reader to the New Hope Podcast. Recently I did a three-part series of podcasts dealing with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today's post features the second of these episodes, with the link included below. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead guarantees three realities:


1). Proclamation of the Gospel
2). Purpose in Life
http://media4.e-zekiel.tv/Assets/Media/C3811E6F-B57A-4D61-A0CB-C27836B11391.mp3
3). Permanent Hope


In all, three episodes cover this important theme of: "the guarantees of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead". These podcasts, and a few other episodes, are featured on the website of the church that God has blessed me to pastor: http://www.newhope-ny.org/. May God be glorified in these podcasts.

Sunday, June 19, 2016

New Hope Podcast: P1 How Jesus Christ's Resurrection Guarantees the Proclamation of the Gospel

1 Timothy 3:15-16 "but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. 16 By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness:

He who was revealed in the flesh,
Was vindicated in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Proclaimed among the nations,
Believed on in the world,
Taken up in glory."


Introduction:
Today's post will introduce the reader to the New Hope Podcast. Recently I did a three-part series of podcasts dealing with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today's post features the first of these episodes, with the link included below. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead guarantees three realities:

1). Proclamation of the Gospel

2). Purpose in Life
3). Permanent Hope

In all, three episodes cover this important theme of: "the guarantees of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead". These podcasts, and a few other episodes, are featured on the website of the church that God has blessed me to pastor: http://www.newhope-ny.org/. May God be glorified in these podcasts. 

Saturday, June 18, 2016

How morality and the problem of evil point to God's existence

Acts 14:14-17 "But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; 17 and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”


Introduction:
Would there be no morality if God did not exist? Can we be good without God? Such questions are addressed by one of the most effective arguments for God's existence: the moral argument. 
The moral argument, which is perhaps the most life-practical of all the various theistic arguments, is expressed below: 


Premise #1: If God does not exist, objective moral values and duties don't exist. 

Premise #2: Objective moral values & duties exist. 

Conclusion: Therefore, God exists. 

This particular version of the argument is found on the website: www.reasonablefaith.org and has a helpful video that captures it quite clearly and powerfully here: http://subspla.sh/489e02a

The point of this argument is to show that without God, there is no grounding for moral obligations nor ethics. Because God exists, we have the reality of objective moral values and duties. As an interesting side note, this particular argument can be used in responding to those who attempt to critique Christian theism by appealing to the problem of evil of suffering. If we but add one more premise, namely the reality of evil and suffering, we find that evil ironically reinforces, rather than dismisses the existence of God.

Premise #1: If God does not exist, objective moral values and duties don't exist. 

Premise #2: Evil exists

Premise #3: Objective moral values & duties exist. 

Conclusion: Therefore, God exists.

How opponents of Christianity attempt to get around the moral argument
Opponents of Christianity will often claim that there is a logical contradiction between the assertion that an all powerful, all-good God exists on the one hand, and that evil and suffering exist on the other. The underlying assumption is that God can create any world He chooses, and that He is too good to allow evil. Yet, evil and suffering are clearly in our world. For those who use such reasoning, they contend that evil's reality cancels out any supposed proof of God's existence.

Why the moral argument for God's existence and the problem of evil still do not disprove the existence of God
However, does evil's existence cancel out God? Three responses can be given. First, God can create any logically possible world, however He cannot create a world where logical contradictions would abound (say, the existence of a married bachelor). The laws of logic exist because of God's inherent character as an all good, consistent God. Just as God cannot nor would not violate His Holy character, neither can He violate the laws of logic, since God by nature is a coherent Being. 

Second, God would not create a world populated by free-will creatures that would involve Him making them freely choose anything. Grace is indeed necessary for salvation, since His grace sets the will free from its bondage to sin, and the human will responds freely since it sees the alternatives. The creation of a world with free-will creatures includes the notion that God has morally sufficient reasons for permitting the existence of evil. No argument in the history of philosophical thought has ultimately shown there to be a logical contradiction between God's existence and the reality of evil and suffering. 

Then thirdly, if for nothing else, the fact God chose to create a world including the historic crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth meant He permitted what He hated (evil, rebellion by free-moral agents) in order to accomplish His ultimate good ends (the revelation of His glory, the salvation of those who responded freely to His gracious offer of salvation). The Bible itself indicates that God, though not being the Author of evil, yet chooses to include the sinful choices of free-moral agents in achieving His greater purposes (see Genesis 50:20; Acts 2:23-24; Romans 8:28). 

Closing thoughts
Today we considered the moral argument for God's existence. We provided links to a video that features this argument. We also noted that even in the face of the problem of evil and suffering, such realities don't cancel out God's existence, but only reinforce the reality of God. We may not be able to comprehend why evil and suffering occurs in all circumstances, yet to paraphrase C.S Lewis: if one did not know what a straight line was, then one would not recognize a crooked line when they see it. So it is with our universe and the reality of an underlying moral/ethical structure. Because we live in a moral universe, with a moral law written into our consciences, then it stands there is a Moral law-giver. Moreover, this Moral Law-giver has provided the remedy for our brokenness through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Life-practical considerations and benefits of forgiveness


Philemon 1:20 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

Introduction
For the past few days we have been exploring the major theme of forgiveness in Paul's short letter to Philemon.  If we were to outline Paul's little letter around the theme of forgiveness, we could do so in the following way:

1. Christian identity is expressed by forgiveness - Philemon 1:1-3


2. Christian love (rooted in God) drives forgiveness - Philemon 1:4-9

3. Christian delight grounded in the cross grants the logic for forgiveness.  - Philemon 1:10-19

So when we think about Christian identity, love and delight relative to forgiveness - we discover that forgiveness is not an option, but rather the only effective way to deal with experienced hurt and injustice. We've thus seen what forgiveness is and why for the Christian, it makes sense. Today's post aims to see the benefits that result from forgiveness. 

Considering the benefits of forgiveness
As we saw in the above verses, Philemon's positive response to Paul's appeal to forgive Onesimus will undoubtedly "refresh" Paul's heart.  Forgiveness benefits both the forgiver and the forgiven in the following ways:

1. Godly living will flow from delight, not just duty. 
As Paul writes in Philemon 1:20-21: "Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say."  We have already mentioned this benefit - but it bears repeating. When you and I regularly forgive - the Christian life becomes more of a delight rather than a drudgery.  

2. Godly insights will become more available.
Philemon 1:22 tells us: "22At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you." Have you ever noticed how your "spiritual-sky" is overcast during those seasons of bitterness? We know what we ought to do and yet don't. We hear sermons or Bible lessons and take in the truth intellectually, yet there is a log-jam blocking the passage-way between the head and the heart. Forgiveness grants the benefit of breaking up the clouds overhead and the log-jam in between the head and the heart. 

3. Godly fellowship will grow sweeter.
We read in Philemon 1:23-24: "Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24as  do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers."  Notice all of the wonderful people that can be opened up to us when we forgive.  It is no accident that the Bible talks about forgiveness in contexts where there are family members, church members and friends. Jacob and Esau needed to forgive one another. In the New Testament, we find Paul urging church members to get right with one another. Forgiveness opens our lives up to let the light of the Lord shine into them. 

Sweeter fellowship with people not only results when we forgive, but also fellowship with God. I'm certain every Christian, if not now, perhaps in the past, has been mad at God. Only at the cross can situations be made clear. When it comes to one's relationship with God, the perception of injustice on God's part is always do to mis-perception, since God is always just. Through the hurt we find God drawing us closer to Himself and our hearts being healed to where we embrace Him all the more. The marvel of forgiveness is recognizing that we have no grounds to exercise vengeance (even though we'd like to). When forgiveness occurs, the fellowship of other Christians becomes more sweeter and precious.

4. God's grace will operate more freely.
We discover in Philemon 1:25"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit". When you and I forgive, its not that we have to beg God for the grace needed to live with whatever consequences or whatever cost forgiveness may have to absorb.  Rather, by forgiving, we are stepping into grace already available. 

Final thoughts in practically exercising forgiveness
Drs. Timothy Clinton and George Ohlschlager are certified Christian counselors who have written a marvelous book entitled: "Competent Christian Counseling". In gleaning insights from pages 239-240 of their book, we can draw together all that we have considered in these last several posts on forgiveness. Their four-step process in practicing forgiveness is very apropos. 

1. Engage in lamenting. 

This has to do with engaging God in emotional honesty. They write: "lamenting means mourning the adverse effects of broken relationships and entreating God to bring divine healing and restoration." When I read these words, I think of Jeremiah and his book "Lamentations". His lament over the sins of His people made him raw. However, we would discover the hope of the New Covenant, the basis for God's salvation in Jesus, of which Jeremiah would be used of God to predict in the prophecy bearing his name (i.e the book of Jeremiah, chs 31-33).  

2. Encourage humility. 

Clinton and Ohlschlager write: "Humility allows a person to move beyond simply feeling the pain and anger of victim status to being able to empathize with the 'antagonist'. It also helps clients see their own contribution to the relational trouble." Certainly the authors' second step must be applied with delicacy. When considered in light of the 'logic of Calvary" that we have discussed in these last few posts, we find how forgiveness can oftentimes become a two-way street of healing.

3. Rehearse forgiving and apologizing. 

The authors note: "During a counseling session, have your client engage in a forgiveness event or ritual that may or may not include the other person". This particular step causes us to go from being spectators of forgiveness to becoming ready to forgive. 

4. Extend narrative horizons. 

In this last step of the process of forgiveness, Clinton and Ohlschlager note how this last step: "allows the client to see God's larger purposes of character development and spiritual maturity in the suffering and the forgiving." 

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

A dedicatory post to an enriched 20 year marriage: 9 Ingredients for an Enriching Marriage

Ruth 1:16 "But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God."

It is hard to believe that today marks 20 years since my wife and I exchanged wedding vows. This morning my wife had commented on how over the years, though life has been difficult, she could not imagine doing life without me. I can echo those same words too. The above opening text appeared on the front cover of our wedding program. Ruth the Moabitess had to make a choice: would she return back to the land of her family, or would she remain with her mother-in-law and enter into a land she did not know and trust in the true and living God whom her own people had never worshipped? Ruth's resolve was to forsake whatever she knew and forge ahead into what she did not know by experience but was sensing deep down to be the correct course of action.

As I think back over the last 20 years of marriage, I can recall what I was like as a 22 year-old young man. It is only by God's grace that I was able to enter into a life-time commitment that neither my wife nor I had ever faced. We both love Jesus. Back then, as well as today, we both retain the sense of God's call on our lives. As one saying goes: "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called".  God called us to Himself as individuals in salvation and then called us to live life together as husband and wife. I love my wife more than breath itself. The institution of marriage is a God-designed arrangement. Only in Jesus Christ can the aim and purpose of marriage be fully realized. For me, being married to my wife is more delightful, more lovely and more beautiful than the day we exchanged our vows. 

I dedicate this post to my wife, Debi Smith, as a public declaration of how blessed I am to have been given two decades of life with her. This morning I prayed that God would give us many more. 
As I reflect on our twenty years of life together, it seems only appropriate to mention what has made our marriage so enriching. It's interesting how this week in our church there will be two wedding events. We attended a wedding the prior week.  I'll be doing a vow renewal for one couple who is celebrating 50 years of marriage and our Associate Pastor will be performing a wedding for another couple. Whether a couple has been married for 20 minutes, 20 years, 50 years or more, there are elements that make or break a marriage. I am sure as the years go by, the following ingredients will be further verified or perhaps grow in number. I'm sure for many readers, more suggestions could be added. As a way of closing out this dedicatory post, I list nine ingredients for an enriching marriage, that is to say, nine ingredients that I find in scripture as well as elements I think have made our marriage, and can make any marriage truly enriching.

1. Center yourselves on God. Ephesians 5:22-33

2. Celebrate one another. 

3. Keep short accounts 

4. Comfort one another in sickness, in health, in sorrow and in pain

5. Keep praying for one another and pray together

6. Cherish each other above all others

7. Communicate your love to one another before your children
8. Communicate clearly and never assume

9. Cherish each other and teach the children to the do the same

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Why love and forgiveness go hand-in-hand



Philemon 1:9 "yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus."

Introduction:
These last several posts have been dedicated to exploring the Biblical teach on forgiveness through Paul's letter to Philemon. We could nick-name the Epistle to Philemon as "The Book of Forgiveness". We saw in the last post how true, effective forgiveness must arise from delight touched by grace, rather than sheer duty. It is one's duty to forgive, however, only in Jesus Christ can such a duty be seen as a delight. This doesn't take away the difficulty of forgiveness. If anything, to rely upon the logic of Calvary and God's grace to exercise forgiveness is impossible to do in the flesh. When we have gripped hold of the cross - only then will we "let go" and desire to forgive. Today's post will go a step further in expounding on how love and forgiveness go hand-in-hand. In short, we will not only see how both go hand-in-hand, but also why they do.

Why forgiveness and love go hand-in-hand
What does Paul say he is doing instead in Philemon 1:9 - "yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you."  It is love, based on the ultimate love of God at Calvary that governs the logic of forgiveness (Romans 5:8).  Grace - God's Riches AChrist's Expense, is the chiefest motivation for wanting to forgive those who outside of grace only deserve justice. At the cross, we see God's love and forgiveness explaining the activity of Jesus Christ on behalf of the sinner. John 3:16 tells us "For God so loved the world....". Yet again, we find these words in Romans 5:8 "For God demonstrated His love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." 

God's love is clearly expressed at the cross along with the act of such love - namely forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7 states clearly - "in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins". Or again, the same words are repeated in Colossians 1:14

This is the logic of Calvary. We know that forgiveness and love go hand-in-hand at the cross, but the question is: "Why"? Christ is the visible expression and revelation of the invisible Father, who is Divine love (see 1 John 4:8). Moreover, Christ forgives as the Father forgives, since Jesus Christ is God in human flesh, the visible expression of the Father who is invisible, spirit and the forgiver of sinners reconciled to Him through Christ in saving faith (see Colossians 3:13). True love and forgiveness derive from God, who in turn, instills it and commands it to His people (Ephesians 4:32).  

Difference between non-Christian and Christian expressions of forgiveness
In light of what we just observed in Philemon 1:8-9, we can understand the difference between non-Christian and Christian expressions of forgiveness.  When a non-Christian forgives, they do it because of duty. All human beings are made in God's image (Genesis 1:26) and henceforth can express in shadowy form moral and ethical actions. God by nature is a forgiving and loving God. As those made in His image, human beings can express a form of forgiveness and love. However, until people are re-cast in the image of Jesus Christ at saving faith (see Ephesians 4:23-24), forgiveness will only ever be an obligation, rather than a God-centered desire. 

Unbelievers who exercise forgiveness and love express the form without the true substance. They do it because: "its the right thing" or "I know it will help me feel better" or "I know that it will benefit everyone for me to do it".  In the world outside of the cross, the mouth that utters "I forgive" has beneath its breath: "however". Why?  Because outside the cross forgiveness makes no sense.  

For those outside of a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, forgiveness is viewed as the best of options. Often the preferred option is vengeance. However, for a person who has been brought to the cross by grace through faith and believed on Jesus Christ - forgiveness is the only thing that makes sense.  Forgiveness based upon what God did in Jesus Christ is not a duty.  Instead, forgiveness is an expression of love.  If anything - vengeance is cancelled out at Calvary.  All grounds of accusation and litigation are taken away at the cross (Romans 5:6-10; Colossians 2:11-15).  Christian forgiveness not only changes the state of the guilty in the eyes of the forgiving person, but the forgiving person is changed too.

The one who has been forgiven much will love much
A wonderful illustration of the heart of forgiveness is seen in the account of the woman anointing Jesus' feet in Luke 7:40-50.  She came to Jesus. She was a woman with a checkered past.  She came, crawling on the ground, hair unfurled, dragging on the ground.  She came - sobbing, weeping, trembling, bent in humility.  She began to wipe Jesus' soiled feet with her hair.  Her love was without bounds.  Why? Jesus stated that she loved much because she has been forgiven much (Luke 7:47).  The love of the cross reached backward in time to her.  She by grace believed the promises of God and grabbed hold of Christ the Person of those promises.  The accomplishment of Calvary reaches forward in time to us.

What compelled God to work forth forgiveness at the cross?
How much has God forgiven us through Jesus Christ?  What did we do that compelled the sinless Savior to go to the cross?  Nothing. Forgiveness, like love, is not compelled. It is an act of the will influenced by love. I often tell people that no matter what someone has done to you to bring about your circumstances, it can never compare to what you and I did. If God could forgive the likes of us through His Son out of sheer love, then cannot His love working through us result in us desiring to forgive that other person?  

Why the heart behind true forgiveness is love
In going back to Paul's comments in Philemon, why did he choose love as the basis of his appeal to Philemon? Because in order for forgiveness to be real and effective - it has to be a choice.  Only one other expression matches that set of criteria - love.  As already mentioned: if love is coerced, then it is not love.  Love is the hand and forgiveness is the glove.  Love is the pond and forgiveness the fountain.  Love is the flower and forgiveness the scent.  Paul was trusting completely in the sufficiency of the Spirit's inspired words flowing through him, and out of that pen on paper to soften Philemon's heart.  Forgiveness is influenced by love - and love is the cause of forgiveness, which results in change and transformed lives.