RIGHTEOUSNESS – 11

RAISING A STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – (I)

Isaiah 59:19 – So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will LIFT UP A STANDARD AGAINST HIM.

• Special note: Raising a standard against the enemy is part of the wonderful work of the HOLY SPIRIT! God is a GOD OF FORGIVENESS. When we confess our sins, He is FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE us of our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS (I John 1:9).

When we are cleansed through the blood of Jesus (I John 1:7) our sins are forgiven, and His RIGHTEOUSNESS imputed to us. He takes away our UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, and exchanges it for HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS (2 Corinthians 5:21).

THE STANDARD OF FORGIVENESS

Luke 11:4 – Jesus taught us to pray – “… and forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

WE MUST FORGIVE

Matthew 6:14-15 – “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

WE MUST not only FORGIVE, but OFTEN AND MULTIPLE TIMES

Matthew 18:21-22 – Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord,how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” ²² Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

FORGIVING OFFENSES

We are all human. Life happens. Human beings can be easily hurt, and hurtful to others. Relationship injuries are very painful, and difficult in the midst of life. It is often challenging and difficult to forgive others, and forgive ourselves.

• Special note: I would like to share with you something I have personally found very helpful, relating to FORGIVENESS. If you ever find your mind going around and around, over and over again concerning a grievance, or offense that you have difficulty shaking off and forgetting about – here’s what you might want to consider doing. Make a resolute determination to forgive the offense, and then speak that out loud. Name the person, offense, or situation. Say verbally “I forgive_______,”. Then pray for them, and bless them. Trustingly leave it with the Lord who is our righteous and final judge. It is amazing what a big difference that can make. The deep hurts and wounds might not totally disappear immediately, but if you determinedly persevere with that, as it comes to mind, over time the Lord can heal your hurts, wounds, and broken heart. The Lord will take away the pain, and rescue you from developing a bitter attitude.

BITTERNESS

Some people hold on to offenses, develop grudges, and then hurts turn to bitterness.

Ephesians 4:31 – Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

Hebrews 12:15 – …looking carefully (diligently) lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled…

FORGIVENESS IS A CHOICE

When we willingly choose to forgive someone, cancel a debt, and release a person who has wronged us, it pleases the Lord.

Forgiveness is a good choice – it is the best choice! It is the pathway of living a happy good life! Allowing hatred, revenge, anger, offense, and bitterness in our life make life miserable. God has a much better way to live. It is the way of love & forgiveness.

When we freely forgive, we choose not to take revenge ourselves, but trustingly leave the situation in the Lord’s hands. We can experience life, healing, and wholeness instead of bitterness, resentment and anger!

Forgiveness is not optional! It is a command (Mark 11:25)! It is absolutely necessary for living a life that is pleasing to the Lord!

• Mark 11:25 – …whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

May we always remember this — if we don’t forgive others, God will not forgive us (see Matthew 6:14-15 above). The Lord has forgiven all of us so much! Let’s be willing to pass along forgiveness to others as well.

DEALING WITH UNFORGIVENESS

Unforgiveness is a root cause of so many problems! Someone may get hurt. Hurts are very real. That is not necessarily an incidental matter. In fact, things can become so hurtful and dreadful at times they seem life-changing, and cause someone to lose heart! We’re not talking about things that are easy for any of us. A lifetime challenge for all is to try to respond rightly, when we face devastating circumstances that happen.

In the midst of it all, may the Lord help us not to try to justify reactions of anger, resentment, self-pity, or any other sins. According to the Bible, reacting that way is just the opposite of what God wants us to do. He wants us to be willing to confess our sins (I John 1:9).He wants us to cover the offenses of others with love (James 5:20; I Peter 4:8).

• Special note: If we try to justify ungodly reactions to offenses, that can often lead to unforgiveness and bitterness.

DEFINITION OF “FORGIVENESS”

• To give up resentment against. I Corinthians 13:5 – (love) …does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil… AMP … It is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured.
• To give up the desire to punish and to stop being angry with.
• To cancel or remit a debt.

THE TRUST FACTOR

If trust is violated, it makes it hard to continue to trust a person, thinking they may hurt you again in the same way. When you can’t trust someone, it is difficult to maintain a close relationship. That is why maintaining TRUST in a relationship is vital. Living in a way that is trust-worthy helps alleviate potential offenses. It says in Proverbs 31 that the heart of the husband of the virtuous woman “safely trusts in her” (Proverbs 31:11). She lived in a TRUST-WORTHY manner.

STORIES about forgiveness

Parable of the unforgiving servant

Matthew 18:23-35 – Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵ But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. ²⁶ The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ ²⁷ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. ²⁸ “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ ²⁹ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ ³⁰ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. ³¹ So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. ³² Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. ³³ Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ ³⁴ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. ³⁵ “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

• Special note – As seen in verse 27 – the forgiving person will be moved with compassion; will have pity on the other person; will release him and forgive the debt. As seen in verses 28-35 – the unforgiving person becomes angry; is impatient; unkind and unmerciful. The result of unforgiveness is torment. It brings certain judgment.

• Special note: If we are not careful, we can sometimes put ourself and others into kind of an emotional, mental or physical prison by holding on to unforgiveness.

JESUS SET US AN EXAMPLE OF FORGIVENESS ON THE CROSS

Jesus forgave those who crucified Him, and interceded for them, while on the cross. Luke 23:34 – …Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

FOLLOWING JESUS EXAMPLE

I Peter 2:21-24 – Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:²² “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”; ²³ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously…

• Special note: We are to follow His good example of forgiveness, and follow in His steps even when it may not be easy to do so.

Colossians 3:8-13 – …put off the old man… put on the new man… -put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another: even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Matthew 18:27 – … the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him (cancelled) the debt.

THE CREDITOR and 2 debtors

Luke 7:41-43 – “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” ⁴³ Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 

THE WOMAN WHO ANOINTED JESUS FEET

Luke 7:44-50 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. ⁴⁵ You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. ⁴⁷ Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is FORGIVEN  the same loves little.”  ⁴⁸ Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”⁴⁹ And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

• Special note: Forgiveness for a lot produces a lot of love… JESUS is the source of FORGIVENESS. He has forgiven us so much. He deserves a lot of love in return!

Joseph

If there was ever someone who deserved to take vengeance upon his brothers for the wrongs that were done to him, naturally speaking, it was Joseph. Joseph was just being helpful, going about dutifully to follow his father’s instructions. His brothers rudely threw him into a pit, and sold him as a slave. He found himself imprisoned, and in a strange country. How demoralizing! In the midst of that difficult trial of his faith, Joseph maintained godly perspectives and a humble, forgiving heart.

JOSEPH WAS FORGIVING AND KIND TO HIS BROTHERS

Genesis 50:15-21 – ¹⁵ When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.” ¹⁶ So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying… please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. ¹⁸ Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” ¹⁹ Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? ²⁰ But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. ²¹ Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

• Special note: It is interesting that Joseph not only forgave them, but also acted and spoke kindly to them. It is one thing to forgive someone. It is quite another thing to actually go the second mile, so to speak, turn around and treat them GOOD when they have wronged you and been mean.

Prodigal son’s father

Luke 15:11-23 – ¹¹ Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. ¹² And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. ¹³ And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. ¹⁴ But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. ¹⁵ Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. ¹⁶ And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. ¹⁷ “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! ¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, ¹⁹ and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ ²⁰ “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²² “But the father said to his servants, Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. ²³ And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; ²⁴ for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

THE FATHER WAS FORGIVING

• Special note: When his son came to his senses and repented, came back home, and asked for forgiveness, the Father not only lovingly forgave him, but welcomed him back. The father was loving and compassionate. He not only forgave him, but celebrated. They rejoiced and had a party because his lost son was found.

David’s sins

David’s life was not a perfect example. Not only in his affair with Bathsheba, but in numbering the people, the Lord was highly displeased with David. There were major consequences for those foolish, unwise decisions that David made which he needed to live with. However, when David humbly repented and asked forgiveness, the Lord was merciful and forgiving.

Psalm 51 – A Prayer of Repentance – A Psalm of David after his affair with Bathsheba

ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS

Psalm 51:1-4,9,10 –Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. ² Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.³ For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. ⁴ Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight—…⁹…blot out all my iniquities.¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God…

• Special note: When David humbly acknowledge his sins, repented, and asked forgiveness the Lord mercifully forgave him

THE NUMBERING OF THE PEOPLE

2 Samuel 24:10 – David’s heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O Lord, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.”

• Special note: In this case, although David was repentant, asked forgiveness, and was FORGIVEN, some dreadful consequences were experienced in the nation because of his mistake. God is merciful and forgiving, but also just in His judgments upon sin. We need to always walk in the awesome fear of God, and not presume upon His mercies.

THE “GOOD NEWS” IS THAT JESUS CAN SET US FREE FROM UNFORGIVENESS

• Some helpful things to remember: (in review)
  • To forgive is a decision that we must make;
  • To carry out that decision is an act of our will;
  • We must feel so contrite over our sins that we repent, and make the firm decision to change;
  • Ask God to FORGIVE us, receive His forgiveness, and then thank Him for FORGIVING us.
    • Philippians 4:6 – in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
  • Choose to forgive the other person, and forgive ourself.
  • Pray for the person we have forgiven. Ask God to bless them. If we are able, do acts of kindness for that person.
• Rely on God’s Word. The Lord promises to help us do all that we need to do. (Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”).
• Fight a good fight of faith. (I Timothy 6:12 – Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession …)
• Resist the devil, and everything that is from of the devil. (James 4:7 – Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.)
• Fix our eyes on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:2 – …looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…)
• Set our mind on heavenly things. (Colossians 3:2 – (Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth).
• Think about good things, and do good things as well. (Philippians 4:8-9 -Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you).
• Since “forgiveness” means to “cancel or remit a debt” we must remember that no one who has offended us owes us an apology or anything else… (although it is to be greatly appreciated when willingly offered from the heart).

FORGIVENESS SHOWS KINDNESS

Ephesians 4:31-32 – And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.

OTHER related SCRIPTURES

Overcome evil with good

Romans 12:21 –  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

If your brother has something against you – go to him and be reconciled

Matthew 5:23-24 – Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

The wrath of man does not produce righteousness

James 1:20 – …the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Don’t judge the speck in your brother’s eye when you have a beam in your own

Matthew 7:3-5 –“Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. ³ And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

when your brother repents, forgive him over and over again

Luke 17:3-4 – Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. ⁴ And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.””

press toward the goal – don’t give up

Philippians 3:13-14 – …one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

people will know we are true disciples by our love and forgiveness

John 13:34-35 – A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Love one another – like God loves us

I John 4:7,8,11 – Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. ⁸ He who does not love does not know God, for God is love… ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing shall offend them (causes them to stumble)

Psalm 119:165 – Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing shall offend them (nothing causes them to stumble).

Keep your heart diligently – it is the source of life

Proverbs 4:23 – Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.

THE LORD IS FORGIVING, AND HAS PROMISED TO FORGIVE us

2 Chronicles 7:14 – …I will forgive their sins…

Psalm 86:5 – You O Lord are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy…

Psalm 103:1-3 – Bless the Lord…who forgives all your iniquities…

Psalm 130:4 – …there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.

Jeremiah 31:34 – …I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.

I John 2:21 – …your sins are forgiven you for His names’ sake.

I John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins…

Psalms 78:5-38 – But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not….

Exodus 34:7 – Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, …

Numbers 14:18 – ‘The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, 

Acts 13:38 (also 28:18) … through this man (Jesus) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.

Ephesians 1:7 – In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

Colossians 2:13 – And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,

James 5:15 – …and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

FORGIVENESS IS A BLESSING

Romans 4:7 – Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

reflection and APPLICATION

Let’s pass along forgiveness to others. Let’s choose to love others even if they have wronged us. Let’s bless and not curse them!

When we are hurt or offended by a close family member or friend, what should we choose to do? FORGIVE THEM! It is possible, with God’s help, and by a determined choice to FORGIVE, even though we may not feel like FORGIVING, at times.

Extending Forgiveness does not necessarily mean that what was said or done was ok. There are certainly consequences for decisions, actions, and words that are said. We release everything to the Lord’s righteous judgment, and continue to love in spite of it all.

Forgiveness is sometimes a process that takes time, and develops when we make daily choices to forgive, release anger and bitterness, and surrender the situation to God.

By choosing to FORGIVE, we can help keep ourselves from getting angry or bitter when we are wronged. We can pray and ask God for his help to be a forgiving and merciful person.

Are we willing to make the good decision to forgive – even when we don’t feel like forgiving?

Are we willing to go to those you may have wronged and apologize? It is very important that we are humble and sincere. When we ask for their forgiveness, it is helpful to be specific for clarity. Say, “Please forgive me for __________” (Specifically mention the wrong that you are wanting to make right, for good understanding of the issue). Pray that God will heal and restore the relationship.

There are a few words that are very difficult to say from the heart – “Please forgive me” & “I forgive you”! However, when we are willing to humbly say that for our offenses and to our offenders, unforgiveness can be overcome, and relationships healed. Praise the Lord!