2025-08-29
Good morning, Dear Ones,
We’ve never left the overarching topic of the gifts of the Holy Spirit from GA 5: 22-23. This week, although forgiveness isn’t listed, it is most certainly implied in the ramifications of this list. Last week, the Holy Spirit directed me to begin with mercy, a tacit part of this list: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (humility), and self-control. The Holy Spirit knows well we were created with the ability to demonstrate these gifts, those He gives all to who believe in Him, even the tacit ones.
The nature of our fallen world is that we often find ourselves amidst arguments, continuing quarrels, disagreements, unwanted opposition, lack of cooperation, and greediness. While we can’t assume others will be on the same page with us, we can control how we react to unfriendly behavior. What causes this is the breaking of the original Ten Commandments from EX 20: 1-17. Greed, jealousy, aggression, grudge-holding, and other adverse behaviors have their origin in the original sin of Adam and Eve, which all of us have inherited. Because of this inheritance, we heap our own sins on top of it. That is the sinful nature of mankind. God’s predicament, since He loves each of us and created us in His own image [GN 1: 27] is He had to help us find a way to overcome this sinful nature. In His own omniscient way, He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to the cross (a huge and no doubt painful sacrifice of Christ’s physical life), so that we could choose to use our free agency to come to faith in Him and be saved for eternity [JN 3: 16].
That’s basic Christianity. Our cooperation with God is essential to salvation. Our God knows that some humans are going to disappoint Him. Some people will choose evildoing over salvation. Because our God is a loving God, one can only imagine the painful disappointment of this for Him. Let me share from my own experience as a believer in Jesus Christ. EPH 4: 32, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, As God in Christ forgave you.” That’s easy to write or say but sometimes hard to do. I was teaching a class on Romans several years ago and a well-known person happened to be in it. We were discussing a hot topic upon which this person vigorously disagreed with what I was saying, argued the point with me, and then got up and left the room. I heard nothing from him for several weeks after that and thought I had failed him as a leader. Then, I received a note from him apologizing for his behavior and asking if he could return to my class. I was floored! I contacted him, saying, “Of course, you can return.” He apologized to me and explained that an important bill had not gone through, putting him in a terrible frame of mind before coming to class. 1 JN 1: 9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” What I had done by not losing my temper at the time was to give the emotions of the moment a chance to die down, so that God could be at work in both our hearts. I was very pleased to know that when this student came back to me, he had kept himself on his own up to date with the work he missed during the time he wasn’t in class with us. All the years that I have been leading classes on the Scriptures have taught me that a student and a good leader should be prepared to have the self-discipline to study them on their own, but all of us should allow the Holy Spirit to do the real instruction as we meet in classes. We need the encouragement and thought-provoking discussion that goes on in a group.
Most of you have read the story related in my writing about the pastor taking a cruise among the Greek islands. He meets a woman who complains to him that nothing is going well in her life, and she doesn’t know why. Further discussion between them revealed that she held a grudge against her mother for many years. The ship this pastor was on would return in a few days to this same port, and he suggested she work things out with her mother and see if that helps. Then, they could talk again. She took his advice, and things were suddenly different in her life. MT 5: 23-24, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember another person has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to that person; then, come and offer your gift.” In the example above, the lady’s mother forgave her, and things began working out in both their lives.
PRAYER: O Lord, we appeal to You to know the love and reverence we have for You. We are imperfect but want to be more Christlike in our lives. We come to You to confess our sins and to stop whatever thoughts or behavior has made them a habit. King David expressed our attitude in PS 51: 10-11, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take the Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grand me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” You are a forgiving God, one Who wants us to be peaceful followers of Your Son, Jesus Christ. It is in His name that we offer You praise and thanksgiving for listening to this and all our prayers. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: Mercy and forgiveness are too important to have covered them in only two weeks. The Holy Spirit directs me to discuss the question: What should we do when the other person (s) refuses to forgive or settle a matter? So, that will be the subject of next week’s devotion. In the meanwhile, let’s spend some time thinking about PR 28: 13, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” There is nothing like the love our Lord has for us. Praise and thanksgiving be to Him.
Grace Be with You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2025. All Rights Reserved.
<-- Back to Archives