“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” -Matthew 27:22, NIV Sin is serious stuff! It is not the sort of thing that God sweeps under the rug. God does not turn a blind-eye to sin. His character requires justice is done. The debt must … Continue reading “Good Friday, Proof That Sin Is Serious Stuff!”
Category: Forgiveness
Misreading “The Unmerciful Servant Parable”
“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants….” -Matthew 18:23, NIV This is the opening verse to a famous parable Jesus told to illustrate our need to forgive others. It is often labeled something like “The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant” or something like that. Here … Continue reading “Misreading “The Unmerciful Servant Parable””
A Picture Of Repentance From Jonah
7 Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city: “No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at all. 8 People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop … Continue reading “A Picture Of Repentance From Jonah”
Forgiving My Ex
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Yesterday’s passage (John 20:21-23) and post has led me to rethink the question of whether or not I have forgiven my ex-wife. When I was going through my ecclesiastical trial to retain my minister’s license, this was one of the questions being asked of me. Namely, they asked me if I had forgiven my … Continue reading “Forgiving My Ex”
Forgiveness Power
Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” -John 20:21-23, NLT (emphasis mine) This authority Jesus … Continue reading “Forgiveness Power”
Speaking The Uncomfortable Truth
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in … Continue reading “Speaking The Uncomfortable Truth”
Acceptance And Forgiveness
All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said, “I will continue to mourn until I join my son in the grave.” So his father wept for him. -Genesis 37:25, NIV Much confusion surrounds the ideas of grief and forgiveness. I maintain that what is a … Continue reading “Acceptance And Forgiveness”
Book Review: THE SUBTLE POWER OF SPIRITUAL ABUSE by David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen
–A Book Review– The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse: Recognizing and Escaping Spiritual Manipulation and False Spiritual Authority Within the Church by (Pastor) David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen Much of my work on this blog is dealing with spiritual abuse surrounding infidelity discovery and its aftermath including divorce. The literature for Christian faithful spouses on … Continue reading “Book Review: THE SUBTLE POWER OF SPIRITUAL ABUSE by David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen”
God Does Not Pursue Forever Either!
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels….’” – Matthew 25:41, NKJV Somehow evangelical theology has become so twisted as to promote a distorted picture of God. This picture states that God is always in pursuit … Continue reading “God Does Not Pursue Forever Either!”
Narrative From Pastors Needs Changing
“‘If a man divorces a woman and she goes and marries someone else, he will not take her back again, for that would surely corrupt the land. But you have prostituted yourself with many lovers, so why are you trying to come back to me?’ says the Lord.” -Jeremiah 3:1, NLT “If another believer sins, rebuke … Continue reading “Narrative From Pastors Needs Changing”