SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, it’s certainly exciting that we didn’t see our names and/or pictures in the obits this morning. Praise the Lord! That means we have another day on earth to enjoy God’s blessings and to do His will. What more can we ask for down here eh? Not much. And for those of us who celebrate the Sabbath on Sundays, it’s extremely important that we get out and fellowship and worship Almighty God with other believers this morning. Hopefully, those who celebrate it on Fridays and Saturdays have already done so. My brethren, it’s imperative that we come together at least once a week with fellow believers to socialize and cast our hands, heads and hearts heavenwards in reverence to our God, Creator, Provider and Protector. This enables our faith to be nourished and regenerated, and assures that all the doubts, anxieties and fears generated in our sinful hearts by the enemy is expunged by the Holy Spirit, and a clean heart and right spirit renewed in us. But my people, though all that’s said above is very important, perhaps the most important attitude, or aspect of our faith is forgiveness. And I believe that right now, in this bitter, angry, confused, war-torn, resentment filled world, that’s our NUMBER ONE problem. That’s because a lot of our problems are caused by unforgiveness. Many are the violations of life that are perpetrated because one person, one family, one group, one nation did not forgive another for whatever wrongdoing they believed was done to them. It’s a proven fact my brethren that wherever unforgiveness lives, resentment and bitterness are easily bred. However, where there is forgiveness, lives run much smoother. And if you don’t believe me, try it now, in your own circle of friends, family and neighbours. Hence the extreme urgency of Jesus’ words in Today’s Bit. ‘I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.’ Selah! Jesus was so big on teaching forgiveness that it prompted Peter to ask Him: ‘Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?’ (Matt.14:21) Just imagine the surprise and consternation of the disciples when Jesus said not a mere seven times, but seventy times seven occasions. To Jesus, seven times was way insufficient, though to some of us supposed believers seven times is way too much. But as far as Jesus was concerned, His disciples were to be characterized by unlimited forgiveness. Now that’s obviously difficult to accomplish in this earthly life, but there’s one great reason that we should forgive. It’s a proviso Jesus laid down after He taught the disciples ‘The Lord’s Prayer.’ At the end, He told them, in no uncertain terms: ‘For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses.’ (Matt.6:14-15) Simple and straightforward Friends! You forgive others, the Lord will forgive you. You don’t forgive, neither will the Lord forgive you. That’s not rocket science Friends, yet why is there still so much unforgiveness in our crazy world eh, especially amongst friends, families and close neighbours? Many of us think that bearing grudges against those that hurt us is healthy, and think that by so doing we’re getting revenge. But Friends, the truth is that we’re only causing ourselves irreparable harm by keeping the anger and resentment fuelled within us, which only brings us unnecessary stress and eventually physical and emotional sickness. What makes it even worse, is that oftimes the person(s) we’re not forgiving doesn’t even know, or for that matter care that we’re holding an unforgiving spirit against them. We need to remember that whenever God tells us to do something, it’s usually for our benefit, not for anyone else. And that’s the very essence of forgiveness; it makes us feel better; free from anger and hatred, and also allows the Lord to forgive us. There’s much more to say on this controversial subject, but time and space dictate that we end here today. And we’ll do so with some more warning words from Jesus. After Peter’s question on how often to forgive, Jesus told them the parable of the ungrateful servant, (Matt.18:23-34) where his master forgave him a large sum, but he went and threw his fellow servant in jail over a comparable pittance. Obviously when the master heard of his unforgiveness, he threw him in jail too. Jesus ended by saying: ‘So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.’ (Matt.18:35) Please Friends, I’m asking us today to release all the accumulated hatred, bitterness and unforgiveness we have stored up in us, so that the Father will also forgive us, our world will improve, and we’ll be true disciples of Jesus. Much LOVE!…unforgiveness…a sure way to remain unforgiven…