Pastor Marlow's Blog

Sharing through forgiveness… October 3, 2011

What is the model our Heavenly Father used to share the Gospel with the world?  We write books, we pen pamplets, we memorize 3,5,7 point presentations, carry our pocket Bibles, use our ipads, smart phone technology, text encouraging words…, but what is God’s eternal plan in sharing His love with a lost humanity?

Ephesians 2:8-10 teach us the relationship God the Son has given us through grace by faith, yet there is more to learn in these verses as we study.   He teaches us that Jesus has paid for all of humanity’s sin and hanging on the cross he cried, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  Luke 23:34  What did he mean in that final cry?  Was there more for us to see than just a plea for forgiveness?  Was there a model He desired us to see and live out? 

I believe so.  God’s eternal plan is best delivered when a true born again believer agrees with God about forgiveness.  If when we confess our sin and He forgives us unconditionally, isn’t that a model for how we should forgive?  And if so, what will the world think about a person who forgives, in identical fashion to a God who forgives.  What would a lost person think of a true believer who simply forgives?  Would there be any interest from that lost person as to why the believer forgives – doesn’t hold a grudge, isn’t bitter, just completely forgives.  

It seems to me God is teaching that if we are to be effective in sharing the Gospel of Jesus, His love for humanity – we must understand the world isn’t going to hear anything we say if, what we say isn’t modeled by how we live.  And, it’s high time for the church to begin with forgiveness – forgive one another no matter the costs, no matter the pain, no matter the horrible conditions of the offense – forgive.

Then the world will know we are Christians by our love for one another — and if I love someone (the lost humanity), I must forgive them.  Something to think about…