This is the final message on “Finding Freedom In Forgiving Others.” Last time, we began a consideration of our text by noting how Jesus speaks to us about the nature and the benefits of gracious living.
Jesus says gracious living is non-judgemental, accepting, forgiving, and giving. Such a life will be characterized by relationships with others that are blessed.
Let’s consider two other things our Lord tells us about gracious living.
3. The requirement for gracious living - vs. 41-42
What is required to live the gracious life Christ calls me to?
An awareness of my own faults!
It is only when I have first dealt with my own faults that I am in a position to help someone else deal with theirs. We are to help one
another deal with faults, but we are to do so graciously, not judgmentally. We need to be careful to be aware of our own faults and shortcomings as we seek to help others out with theirs.
A serviceman wrote about something funny he witnessed in the army. In happened during a company inspection at the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. An inspection was being conducted by a colonel. Everything had gone smoothly until the officer came to the man standing next to the soldier who recalled the incident.
The colonel stopped, looked the man up and down, then snapped, “Button that pocket, trooper!” The soldier, more than a little rattled stammered, “Right now, sir?” “Of course right now!” Was the reply. Whereupon the soldier very carefully reached out and
buttoned the flap on the colonel’s shirt pocket.
We need to check out our pockets before we can help others button theirs.
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)
4. Our motivation in gracious living - v. 39-40
Our motive in living graciously with others is that as we learn to do so, we are becoming more like Jesus!
“Contrary to what you may have heard, God’s highest purpose for you is not to make you comfortable, wealthy, and happy. If you have put your faith in Him, He has something far more wonderful in mind for you - He plans to conform you to the likeness of His Son.” - Ken Sande
We are never so like Christ as when we are non-judgmental, accepting, forgiving, and giving of time, talent or treasure to bless others.
“God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending His Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.” - John 3:17 (The Message)
The Father sent Jesus into the world not to condemn, but to save. Therefore, the life of Jesus was one that demonstrated the love and grace of God to others. We are called to be the same way in our relationships with one another.
The world today is turned off by Christians who will not get along. Who bicker and fight, who demand their own way, who will not forgive and who will not reconcile, even if it means that churches split and people go to Hell. The world easily sees the hypocrisy of such living by those who profess to follow Christ. Why can’t we as Christians recognize it as well?
No wonder Jesus describes His followers who do not live the gracious life He calls us to live, “blind.” Blinded by our self-centeredness, we are absolutely incapable of leading anyone else, whether they be a person who needs to believe or a believer who needs to grow any closer to Jesus! Oh, may our eyes be opened to see the need for us to learn to live in a gracious way toward one another!
“Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, ‘Follow me.’” - John 21:19 (NLT)
Do you realize that our Lord has done the same thing for us as He did for Peter? He has let us know by what kind of death we will glorify God. It is death to self.
“And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also].” - Luke 9:23 (Amplified)
I once had a lady in my church who was bedfast (Mrs. Howe). But she was very faithful to pray for me and to intercede for our church.
Once, when visiting with her, she gave me this little article, entitled, “What Does It Mean To Die to Self?” I want to share it with you today.
When you are not forgiven, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you sting and hurt with the insult and the oversight, but your heart is happy because you count it worthy to suffer for Christ: that is dying to self.
When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice is disregarded, your opinions are ridiculed, you refuse to let anger rise in your heart or even defend yourself, you take it all in patient, loving silence: that is dying to self.
When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, or any annoyance, when you can stand face to face with waste and folly and extravagance and spiritual insensitivity, and endure it as Jesus endured it: that is dying to self.
When you’re content with any food, any offering, any clothes, any climate, any society, any solitude, any interruption by the will of God: that is dying to self.
When you can never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendation, when you can love to be unknown: that is dying to self.
When you see your brother prosper and have his needs met, and honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and unmet: that is dying to self.
When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself, and humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising in your heart: that is dying to self. And that is gracious living!
Conclusion:
God never calls to something that He, by His grace, will not enable us to do.
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” - 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
Conclusion: She was # 66130. Her father died in a German concentration camp as did her sister, Betsy. Her freedom & dignity were stripped away by those who imprisoned her, yet she survived.
They robbed her of all she possessed but couldn’t rob her of the one who possessed her, Jesus. She found in Ravensbruck, a chance to minister others more needy then herself, and then, one day, she was released. As suddenly as she had become a prisoner she was freed, and her solitary aim was to minister to others.
When the war was over she began traveling and testifying for Christ. Then one day, something happened that shook her to her core. I let her tell you in her own words. You probably don’t know her as # 66130. But you might know her as Corrie ten Boom.
“It was at a church service in Munich that I saw him, the former S.S. man who had stood guard at the shower room door in the processing center at Ravensbruck. He was the first of our actual jailers that I had seen since that time. And suddenly it was all there, the roomful of mocking men, the heaps of clothing, Betsy’s pain blanched face. He came up to me as the church was emptying, beaming and bowing. “How grateful I am for your message Fraulein,” he said. “To think, as you say, He has washed my sins away!” His hand was thrust out to shake mine. And I, who had preached so often about the need to forgive, kept my hand at my side.
Even as the angry vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man: was I going to ask for more? “Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him.” I tried to smile, I struggled to raise my hand. I could not. I felt nothing, not the slightest spark of warmth or charity. And so again I breathed a silent prayer. “Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me your forgiveness.” As I took his hand the most incredible thing happened. From my shoulder along my arm and through my hand a current seemed to pass from me to him, while into my heart sprang a love for this stranger that almost overwhelmed me. And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that this world’s healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself.”
Where and how do you need to be more encouraging? More accepting? More forgiving? More giving? As we die to self and
surrender to God, He will give us the grace we need to be gracious toward others.
