First the Question: The Nation of Israel will be saved because the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. True or False?
Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day
And now the answer to the LLM Question of 7-10-2012
Question: No matter what the circumstance, are we, as members of the Body of Christ, to forgive those that hurt us? Yes or No?
Answer: YES! Whoever comes to mind that you are having trouble loving or forgiving, lay this problem at the feet of our LORD and seek His divine help in doing what we all ought to do, and that is...FORGIVE NO MATTER WHAT! Now, out of the 703 responses we received to this question, I am very pleased to see that 100% of you got it right! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at...
Love and Forgiveness
Did you know that there is one book in the New Testament dedicated to the matter of LOVE and FORGIVENESS - it has only one chapter of 25 verses - the Book of PHILEMON. We believe that he was a man of some means as he not only had “slaves” like Onesimus (who is mentioned in the book) but his home was large enough for the church to meet there. His wife’s name was Apphia, and their son was Archippus whom Paul addressed in the last chapter of the Book of Colossians. Here is what you might call the “TWELVE STEPS OF LOVE TO FORGIVENESS” from the 25 verses of the Book of Philemon.
Step 1 - REMEMBER to pray for those involved - Philemon 4-6, “I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus."
Step 2 - REJOICE in how God can use them in spite of the problem you may have with them - Philemon 7, “For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother."
Step 3 - RELATE to others with proper motives - Philemon 8-9, “Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ."
Step 4 - RECOGNIZE the changes which God can make in a person’s life - Philemon 10-11, “I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me"
Step 5 - RESPOND with compassion - Philemon 12-13, “Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel"
Step 6 - REALIZE the importance of a willing heart to forgive - Philemon 14, “But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly."
Step 7 - REMIND yourself of God’s will and purpose in the difficult circumstances you face - Philemon 15-16, “For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?"
Step 8 - RESOLVE to correct whatever needs to be done - Philemon 17-19, “If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides."
Step 9 - REFRESH the hearts of others by forgiving - Philemon 20-21, “Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say."
Step 10 - REFUSE to separate from the fellowship of another believer - Philemon 22, “But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you."
Step 11 - REFER to others who would be blessed by your forgiveness - Philemon 23-24, “There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow laborers."
Step 12 - RELY upon the grace of our Lord - Philemon 25, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen."
The best way to relate to the above 12 steps is by having your Bible in hand as you review these steps. The standard is clear, and can be found in Ephesians 4:32, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Grace gives us what we do NOT deserve, and Mercy holds back from us what we do deserve!
Whoever comes to mind that you are having trouble loving or forgiving, lay this problem at the feet of our Lord and seek His divine help in doing what we all ought to do, and that is - FORGIVE NO MATTER WHAT!
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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry
Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)
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