pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: forgiveness


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Heaven-focused

Reading: Philippians 3:17-21

Philippians 3:19 – “Their lives end with destruction. Their god is their stomach, and they take pride in… earthly things.”

Photo credit: Aaron Burden

Paul, in much of his writing, is pretty black and white. There is some gray, but not a lot. For Paul, you are a follower of Jesus or you are not. You love God and neighbor or you do not. You live out grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness or you do not. Paul is arriving to paint a picture of faithful living that is 24/7. While we know this is the goal and we strive daily to reach the goal, we also must acknowledge that we are not perfect. We sometimes fail to always live out the example set by Christ.

In today’s passage Paul invites the Philippians to “use us as models.” Paul and companions strive to follow Jesus’ example. He then draws a contrast with those who “live as enemies of the cross.” Of these people Paul writes, “Their lives end with destruction. Their god is their stomach, and they take pride in… earthly things.” Do you know folks who live for pleasure and/or simply to fulfill their own desires and wants? Do you see people like this on social media and on other media? Were you once there?

Paul contrasts the life of a Christ-follower with those focused on earthly things. A Christ-follower is focused towards heaven and towards Jesus Christ, the one who will one day “transform our humble bodies” to be like his heavenly body. While Paul definitely encourages living the faith out in this present world, he also longed to be transformed. This is the “now and then” of our faith. Day by day may we live as Christ, each day growing closer to what we will be when we too are transformed.

Prayer: Lord God, you call us to walk the walk of faith all of the time. Our spirit is willing but the temptations are real too. By the power of your Holy Spirit, build us up, strengthen and encourage us to faithful living. And, Lord, when we stumble, draw us quickly back to you. Amen.


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One to Exalt

Reading: Isaiah 2:10-18

Isaiah 2:17 – “People’s pride will be brought down and human arrogance humiliated. The Lord alone will be exalted on that day.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

We return to the beginning of Isaiah again this week. In chapter 1 we read about Judah being far from God, turning to idols and foreign powers to save them. The leaders were taking advantage of and oppressing the least among them. Even so, God offered grace and mercy, forgiveness and restoration – if the nation would humble themselves, confessing and repenting of their sins. If only…

Turning to verse 10, Isaiah suggests that the people “go into the rocks” to hide from the Lord’s terror. The sin of Judah will be dealt with. The people’s “proud gazing” and “humanity’s arrogance” will be brought low. The day is coming, says the prophet, when all that is prideful, haughty, and lofty will be “laid low.” These sins have led Judah to the precarious place that they find themselves in.

Next we find a list of some of the things that humankind’s pride can be rooted in: natural resources, man made structures, the means of war. In our day, does the list look much different? Pride and arrogance continue to drive many of the sins and evil of our day. Again speaking of the difficult and painful day soon to come, in verse 17 we read, “People’s pride will be brought down and human arrogance humiliated. The Lord alone will be exalted on that day.” It is good and right to that God alone is exalted, that God alone is worshipped. It is a choice that we can make. May it be so in our lives. Yes, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, it can be so easy to look around, to see others with ‘things’ we’d like – power, status, possessions. Once there it is an easy step to lust and envy, to greed and want. But to desire and pursue these things us to move in the opposite direction of you. The world is all about self, elevating self, gathering things. In that arena, pride and arrogance are rampant and infectious. Shield us from these desires. Lead us to find our worth in you. Guide us to seek you above all else. Center our lives on worshipping you alone. Amen.


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A Hand Always Extended, Always Giving

Reading: Isaiah 55:6-11

Isaiah 55:9 – “Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my plans than your plans.”

Today we turn to Isaiah 55, at the end of what is known as ‘Second Isaiah.’ This middle section jumps to the time in exile in Babylon, which is drawing to a close by chapter 55. This chapter is titled “An Invitation to the Feast” – an invite to return to covenant relationship with God. Verse 6 begins our reading today with “Seek the Lord when he can still be found.” God is extending a hand to Israel. Will they take God’s hand? Do we take it when God extends it to us?

The wicked are invited to abandon their evil and selfish schemes. If willing, they are then invited to return to the Lord, “so that he may have mercy on them.” This too is God extending a hand. Yes, all are invited into relationship with God. Why? “Because he is generous in forgiveness.” Being in relationship is more important to God than holding onto past sins. How gracious!

And how unlike us. Yes, God is not the same as us. God’s plans are not our plans. Our ways aren’t naturally God’s ways. That is why we must work at being in a relationship with God. In verse 9 we read, “Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my plans than your plans.” We must work at our relationship with a God who we’ll never fully understand or comprehend.

The passage for today closes with an illustration of verse 9. God designed creation so that the rain and snow water the earth, providing for humankind’s physical needs. In the same way, God’s word doesn’t return empty. It has purpose. God’s word enters in and settles into our hearts and minds, providing for our spiritual needs, accomplishing God’s purposes. Sometimes the word is like a seed, planted until the time comes for it to take root and grow. Other times God’s word gives us just what we need in the moment – encouragement, hope, comfort, peace, strength… So generous! Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, your hand is always extended to us in love. In all situations and at all times, you desire to be present and to give us what you know we need. Help us to understand and accept your provision, especially when it is your will and way, not ours. Humble us to walk in covenant relationship with you. Amen.


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Because God Loves Us…

Reading: 1st John 4:7-21

1st John 4:12b – “If we love each other, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us.”

Photo credit: Shane

Our passage begins with John imploring us, “dear friends,” to love one another. The foundation for this charge is built upon two things. First, love is God. Love comes from God. God is love. Second, those who practice love are born from God and know God. There is a relationship formed as a believer professes Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This relationship is grounded in God’s love.

All relationships are two-way. The apostle John first establishes proof of God’s love for us in the fact that God sent Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. John also reminds us that God has given us the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This is the second proof. This is how God’s love remains in us and enables the relationship to be two-way. We next read about how we offer proofs of our love of God through our love for one another.

In verse 12 we read, “If we love each other, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us.” John Wesley picks up on this idea in what he called ‘going on to perfection.’ Wesley understood the Christian faith as a process of unending growth. Loving more and wider changes the believer for the good, maturing and deepening our faith. Now, this call to love and the process of maturing in our faith – they are not easy.

John reflects this as he writes these words of encouragement: “Perfect love drives our fear.” To love one another as God loves us will call us to risky places, to challenging conversations, to situations where we lie self on the line. Yet we do not go alone nor do we do these things by ourselves. Because God loves us, God goes with us into these places, situations, and conversations where we are called to be love and light, hope and peace, trust and justice, grace and forgiveness. Through God’s unconditional and faithful love, may we seek and strive to love all of our brothers and sisters just as God loves us.

Prayer: Lord God, emboldened by your love, guide us to step out in faith, without fear and without concern for self. Bring us into all the places and lives that need to know your love. Empowered and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, lead us to practice your love well so that others may come to experience and know your love in their hearts. Amen.


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Faith Always

Reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Deuteronomy 6:6 – “These words that I am commanding you today must always be on your minds.”

Photo credit: Milo Weiler

Today’s verses begin with a call to attention: Listen! This is followed by the ‘great commandment’ to love God with all of one’s “heart… being… strength.” The words of reminder that we read today are set within the giving of the Law. The Ten Commandments and the rest of the Law were given to govern all aspects of the personal and social lives of the Israelites. Many years later, as he worked out the core tenets and practices of Methodism, John Wesley would call these two ‘sides’ of our faith personal and social holiness.

In verse 6 we feel the completeness of the call to love God: “These words that I am commanding you today must always be on your minds.” As implied in the great commandment, faith is to guide all areas of our lives. Faith is not just part of our life, lifting up a prayer now and then, loving God or neighbor when it is convenient… Faith is to be lived out 24/7, to be “always” on our minds and in our hearts.

‘How’ we do this is unpacked in verses 7-9. We are to teach the way of faith to our children. We are to talk about our faith when we get up, when we lie down, and in between. We are to write key verses here and there. Today we do so with sticky notes, bookmarks, posters, wall art, mugs… All are ways to remind ourselves to live out our faith always.

Why is all of this necessary? To be honest, we by nature are selfish and inwardly focused. Left on our own or even practicing a sometimes faith, things like greed, power, jealousy, control, lust… begin to guide our lives. In this constant battle we need reminders of who and what we are called to be: people who live God with all that we are.

Prayer: Lord God, when we become tempted, whisper your love into our heart. When the temptation leads to sin, pour your grace, mercy, and forgiveness over us. In our daily lives, Lord, remind us again and again of your truths and if your call to walk in your ways. Amen.


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Even Then

Reading: Hosea 1:7-11

Hosea 1:10 – “In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ it will be said to them, ‘Children of the living God.'”

Hosea is a prophet to the northern kingdom , to Israel. He is the only such prophet with a book in the Bible. As Hosea speaks God’s word, Israel is in its last days. Their pride and idolatry are the causes of the coming downfall. Judah, the southern kingdom, isn’t too far behind. But Judah is currently more faithful than Israel.

While God’s compassion for Israel is gone, the prophet tells them, “I will have compassion on the house of Judah.” To relate this, it would be like living in the North during the Civil War and hearing God say, ‘I will bless the South.’ God goes on, through Hosea, to tell Israel that God will save Judah. The sweeping tidal wave called Babylon will only pour in over Israel.

We then read that Hosea’s wife Gomer will have a third child. This one is named “Not My People.” And God declares, “I am not your God.” While this sounds really bad, and it is, this is not the end of the story. In verse 10, God through Hosea says, “In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ it will be said to them, ‘Children of the living God.'” And not only that! Israel and Judah will be reunited under “one head.” God’s plan has a beautiful conclusion, just as our story does. But for now Israel has some difficult refining to go through. Such is the case for us at times too.

Prayer: Lord God, there are and will be times when we wander down a wayward road. There are times when we must make you want to walk away from us. Who could blame you? But even then, even then O God, you love us through the darkness, calling us back to the light. You offer the grace that leads to mercy and forgiveness. What a wonderful God you are. Thank you. Amen.


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Walking Closer

Reading: Psalm 51:1-13

Psalm 51:12 – “Return the joy of your salvation to me and sustain me with a willing spirit.”

In this Psalm David circles his need for forgiveness and cleansing. This need has been brought on by Nathan’s confrontation around David’s sins with Bathsheba. Many were his sins: lust, deceit, adultery, conspiracy, murder… It is the realization of and the weight of these sins that are driving the depth of David’s pleas for mercy…

We also circle our need for forgiveness and cleansing – often. Our sin is like David’s in that it separates us from God. Whether lust or gossip, deceit or a little white lie, adultery or pornography… all sin separates us from God. No matter the sin, to be made right with God, we too must seek mercy, compassion, cleansing, and forgiveness.

To receive these graces of God we must begin where David began: confession. He admits his sin and acknowledges that God is justified in seeing him as guilty, as unclean. David then longs to be cleansed and purified, to be made whole again. Then he can rejoice in God’s presence. David knows, as we do, that God alone is capable of this restoration and redemption.

David also pledges repentance. This is the necessary second step if being made right with God. Confession is not worth much at all if not accompanied by a commitment to walking in a new way. David longs to know God’s truth and wisdom. He wants to have a willing heart. In verse 12 David asks this if God: “Return the joy of your salvation to me and sustain me with a willing spirit.” From this place of contrition and commitment, David will help others to walk closer with God. May this be the path that we seek to walk daily.

Prayer: Lord God, lead us to a time each day when we can reflect on our lives and the heart within. By the power of your Holy Spirit reveal our sins and failures. Guide us to a place of humble confession and genuine repentance. In that place, cleanse us and restore us, equip and encourage us to walk closer with you. Amen.


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Our Great High Priest

Reading: Hebrews 10:19-24

Hebrews 10:19 – “Brothers and sisters, we have confidence that we can enter the Holy of Holies by means of Jesus’ blood.”

Hebrews 10 begins with a description of Christ’s “once-for-all” sacrifice. The author explains that Jesus, through his sacrificial death, put an end to the old sacrificial system. This system was unable to “take away our sins.” In addition, the mechanics of the system prevented a personal connection to God. The priest heard your sin and offered the atoning sacrifice on your behalf. There was also a second barrier to God. The Holy of Holies, the space which held the ark (God’s presence,) was separated off by a huge curtain. The high priest alone entered this most intimate and sacred space just once a year, seeking forgiveness and blessing for the people of God.

Verses 19-24 are a summary of what Christ’s sacrifice means for us. In the first verses we read, “Brothers and sisters, we have confidence that we can enter the Holy of Holies by means of Jesus’ blood.” As Christ breathed his last breath the curtain in the temple was literally torn in two, top to bottom. The physical barrier was removed. Christ opened the way, “a new and living way,” so that we could have a personal relationship with God. Christ is our new “great high priest” that invites us to draw near to God with a genuine, cleansed heart. Forgiveness and cleansing are ours every time we confess and repent of our sins. Jesus’ blood was and is the “once-for-all” sacrifice that stones for our sin. Hebrews also reminds us that we can “hold onto the confession of our hope,” because Jesus is faithful. We have confessed Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. It is only in and through him that we can remain faithful too. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the new covenant, one written on our hearts because Christ’s Spirit dwells in our hearts. This personal and intimate connection is a great gift. You are with us always. Lord, lead and guide us to live out our faith, encouraging one another in love. May this love lead us to be and do good in the world, drawing others into the new and living hope that we have in you. Amen.


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Loving Others, Giving of Self

Reading: John 19:25-27 and 33-35

John 19:34 – “One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.”

Photo credit: Milo Weiler

On the day of Jesus’ death there are a handful of women and “the disciple whom he loved” at the foot of the cross. The women include Jesus’ mother, her sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. John is there too, the beloved disciple. Looking down from the cross, Jesus employs a Jewish law, entrusting his mother’s care to John. Jesus created not only a new family but also the community of faith. Loving and caring for one another as a family does will be a mark of the early church. It is the mark of Christ-following communities today.

In the second part of our reading the soldiers are making sure that Jesus is dead. The religious leaders were concerned that the killing of an innocent man was completed before sundown – so that they could properly honor God and the Sabbath. In verse 34 we read, “One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.” John, a gospel rich in symbolism and meaning, keeps Jesus’ legs unbroken, an unblemished lamb slaughtered for our sins. The water and blood that flow – like the living water of Jesus Christ that we experience in baptism and throughout our journeys of faith. The blood, like the blood poured out for many, cleansing us of our sin.

Today, as we remember the palm parade, joyously celebrating the Messiah, the one who came in the name of the Lord, let us also remember this Jesus in the cross, the one who died as he lived: loving others, giving of self.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the faithful witness of John, for his presence in these moments and so many others in Jesus’ life. He testifies to the truth and shares his Jesus with others. May we do the same, O God. Amen.


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So Many Times

Readings: Matthew 6:14-15 and 18:21-22

Matthew 6:14 – “If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

Today’s two passages from Matthew are about forgiveness. This practice is essential for all of our relationships. We are, by nature, sinful and selfish creatures. Because of this nature, we will harm, hurt, anger… one another. Sometimes this is unintentional. Sometimes we don’t even know that we hurt one another.

Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 are an addendum to the prayer that he teaches the disciples to pray. We know this prayer as the Lord’s Prayer. These words are really just a restatement of verse 12: “Forgive our sins as we…” So why repeat it? Why again say, “If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you?” Maybe because that’s the only part of the prayer where we have an active role. God’s got the other stuff. But us? Yes, Jesus knows how hard it will be for us to forgive as God forgives us.

Chapter 18, verses 15-20, contain Jesus’ teaching on how to deal with a brother or sister who sins against us. The questions from Peter, “How many times?… Up to seven?” comes from his thoughts on this teaching. These are questions we ask ourselves. Jesus’ answer and the parable that follow illustrate how God forgives us and remind us that forgiveness is a two-way street. Jesus tells Peter, “Not just seven times, but rather as many as 77 times.” Seven was extravagant – way above the Jewish social norms. In practical terms, Jesus is saying, “Every time.” Forgive a lot and then forgive lots more. Like God’s forgiveness of us, our forgiveness of one another should be without end. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, yes, it can be hard to forgive. Really hard. But then I think of the many times when others have had to forgive me for my hurtful words or my harmful actions. And then I think of the millions and millions of times that you’ve forgiven my sins – how gracious and loving you are! Lord, empower me this day and every day to reflect this kind of forgiveness in my life. Amen.