Faith, Prayer And Forgiveness Series

When we pray believing this, we keep moving forward…we keep trusting…we keep believing…our words and our actions say the same thing…

James begins his letter with just such a challenge:

JAMES 1:2-8 (p. 847)

God never tempts us…Satan does…but God will test us. Faith is persevering through the trial…believing God is working. Asking you to trust Him…praying with that belief.

Having faith in God doesn’t mean I can use prayer to get everything I want. Having faith in God means I don’t wither away like a barren fig tree…I grow more complete…I get more mature and I produce fruit to the glory of God.

Jesus’ entire point is…live as if God is answering your prayer to move the mountain…believe you’ve already received His answer…and He is working it for your good and His glory…Have faith in God…and live a life that shows it to the world.

It’s the very reason He ends this teaching with these words…“When you stand praying if you hold anything against anyone forgive them, so that your Father in Heaven may forgive your sins.”

The biggest obstacle…the highest mountain, we have to deal with in our faith and our prayers is:

III. OUR STRUGGLE TO FORGIVE OTHERS

If you are praying and you hold anything against anyone…Forgive them.

And Jesus tells us why…“So your Father in Heaven may forgive your sins.”

Does He really mean this?

Because I really believe He does…

How can you and I live in the forgiveness of God…if we aren’t extending this same forgiveness to those who hurt us…

There are only 2 choices…Hold it against them…hate them…hope they experience pain…Hold onto the debt that they owe you until it’s paid in full…and maybe slander them and gossip about them in revenge…Let the cauldron simmer…the poisonous bitterness take hold…or

Pray for them with the hope of grace…Begin to ask God to move the mountain of hurt into the sea of His forgetfulness…It’s really an act of faith where I’m asking God to change my heart more than the other persons.

This isn’t convenient Sunday morning religion…It’s the core of Christianity…It’s the largest mountain of faith we’re asked to climb…It’s Calvary and it leads to a cross where I die to self.

It doesn’t mean you continue to be a doormat…It doesn’t mean you continually put yourself in the place to be abused…There might need to be separation…and distance.

But forgiveness seeks peace and unity…forgiveness forgets what payment should be demanded for reparation…and cancels the debt.

I hope the person whose hurt you says, “I’m sorry” and really means it…and changes. But that seldom happens and when it doesn’t we still have to deal with the pain.

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

(Matt. 5:43-44)

We might read this scripture and wonder “Could I ever do that?” If so, you’re asking the wrong question…The right question is can I answer Jesus’ call to follow Him as a disciple…because if we answer that question we automatically answer, Can I forgive?