If we don't
forgive, we won't be forgiven. In the Lord's Prayer, we are taught to pray
'forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.' Matthew 6:14,15 - Mark 11:25 & 26 - Luke
6:37 – Luke 11:4 – Luke 17:3 & 4 In 2nd Corinthians 2:1-11
Paul
talks about forgiveness and Satan's devices. So, you see how important
forgiveness is in the life and spiritual health of the believer!
We need to
be aware that we need to avoid temptations that we know we are weak in.
Satan is the liar, thief and destroyer. James 1:12-17 Says this:
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is
tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to
them that love him. (13) Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of
God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (14)
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and
enticed. (15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and
sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (16) Do not err, my beloved
brethren. (17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and
cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness,
neither shadow of turning.
We all know
what temptation is, but did you know it is as subtle as the sin of pride?
Where does pride come from and how does it work. How easy is it to be
puffed up, to think I am better than that person or smarter? Pride causes
us to think that we may even be more holy than others. When we are too proud
to forgive, thinking that we are right and they are wrong, where does that
leave us?
Peter came
to the Lord thinking he would impress him by overstating what he thought
was more than an adequate amount in forgiveness and he asked Jesus in
Matthew 18:21
…Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I
forgive him? Till seven times? (22) Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto
thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Right after
those verses starting in Matthew 18:23 is the parable of the servant who
owed his master ten-thousand talents, at the end, his servant wouldn't
forgive his fellow servant of a hundred pence, and what was the outcome?
That wicked servant was delivered to the tormentors, till he should pay all
that was due to him.
This friend,
is a parallel picture of what we will suffer if we do not forgive
men…God will deliver us to the tormentors and we will pay the highest cost.
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All of this websites King James Version MP3 bible verses are provided
for you from a free download from http://www.firefighters.org
My hope for you is that you have had a prayer of salvation,
and if you haven't and you want to ask Christ into your heart and life,
then I offer these words for you to repeat,
but only if your heart is sincere,
because God knows it if you're not.
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Dear God, I now know
I have needed you and have
rejected your calling, so today, right now,
I ask Jesus Christ to come into my heart and my life,
and forgive me from all past sin and Lord cleanse me from
my unrighteousness. I want you forever more to be my
guide and I want to follow you as a believer. I ask for
your strength to change my heart and my earthly
ways so that I can become a better child in
your kingdom. Show me how to depend
on you in all things. I thank you
and pray this prayer in
the name of Jesus
Christ, Amen!
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May 5th, 2009 - 9 rev.
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