Thankful
Thanksgiving comes from an attitude of gratitude in which we express appreciation. Thankfulness is rooted in grace and comes from consideration of the benefits received. We are not to be thankful because we should appreciate what we have, but because we understand the value of it and therefore express our gratitude for it. When we want more in our lives it is because we are not realizing the value of what we have now. We live in a fallen world that brings grief and despair that leads to a state of mind in which we can so desire something else that we may even seek death itself. However, rather than succumbing to the grief that the world brings, we should be looking at why it has come upon us. Yes, the things of this world are enjoyable, bring instant gratification, appease our desires, but in the end, they just bring grief. Godly grief is going to bring us to repentance, where the world’s grief seeks death. Repentance is a change of the mind. It is a result of seeing the truth and choosing to follow it and rejecting the previous beliefs that were built upon lies. Grief comes because we are rejecting what God wants for us and seeking to fulfill our own desires without consideration of who we are and how damaging some of these wishes can be to us. God wants us to be happy. Not a fleeting happiness like the world brings, but true happiness. A happiness that starts deep down inside of us and produces a sense of well-being within us. This is where thanksgiving comes from. This type of happiness can only be obtained by taking God at His Word. Christ died for our sins and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. Those actions that we have done that are bringing us grief, these are the things Christ paid the price for to free us from the part of us that seeks to continually do what is wrong and bring calamity into our lives. The world put Him to death because by His actions they saw their own wickedness, but God raised Him because He was righteous. Now God offers that righteousness to us through faith by grace so that we can walk in newness of life among a fallen world. We cannot offer anything to God to gain this benefit, for it is by grace and therefore given without consideration of merit. The only way to receive it is to believe God when He stated that through Christ’s death for sins and resurrection we have been freed from sin and are now able to walk in newness of life before Him. This new life is one lived with an attitude of gratitude because we understand what He has given us and how we are now able to live apart from the negative influence of this world as a result of salvation. Today, let us pause and give consideration to what God has done and what we have in salvation, and through understanding truly express appreciation, not with words, but with how we live out our lives while enjoying the benefits God has so graciously given to us in Christ.
The Mysteries of God The Blindness of Israel
And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: “Hearing you will hear and will not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.’ – Matthew 13:14-15
For I do not desire for you to be ignorant, brethren, of this mystery in order that you are not alongside yourselves in a frame of mind, because hardness from a part to Israel has come until which the fullness of the Gentiles has come. – Romans 11:25
The nation of Israel has been blinded due to their unbelief for a short time while the Gentiles are being offered reconciliation. God uses an example of a cultivated olive tree to show that the Gentiles are now able to partake in the benefits that belong to Israel, but due to her unbelief she has been cut off until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in.
Therefore, you say, “Branches were broken off in order that I on my part should be grafted in,” Well, by unbelief they were broken off, and you by faith stand not having a high frame of mind but respect. – Romans 11:19-20
The placement of sons, expressing a proper opinion of God, the covenants, the legislation, the religious service, and the promises belong to Israel. The Church does not replace Israel in these, but rather is allowed to partake in the benefits of being in Christ.
For I vow for myself that I myself were separated from the Christ on behalf of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom [is] the placement of sons and the glory and the covenants and the legislation and the religious service and the promises, of whom are the fathers and out from whom the Christ, according to the flesh, the one who is over all, God well-spoken of into the ages, amen. – Romans 9:3-5
Yes, Israel as a nation has been cut off; however, those individual Jews that believe in the death concerning sins and resurrection of Christ are grafted back in and therefore partake of the benefits of being in Christ along with the Gentiles.
and those ones also, if perhaps they do not remain in unbelief, they will be grafted in. For God has the natural ability to again draft them in. – Romans 11:23
The Gentiles do not take the place of Israel, and therefore neither does the Church. For God will save Israel, the nation, because He made a promise to do so.
And thus all Israel will be saved just as it stands written, “The Deliverer will come out of Zion and turn away the ungodliness of Jacob.” – Romans 11:26
The Mystery of the Blindness of Israel is that the Gentiles are now being reconciled to God because of her unbelief. However, this blindness will only last until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in, at which time Israel will see the Messiah, Jesus, for Who He truly is and will be saved. Therefore, do not be ignorant of this mystery or high minded against Israel, for she belongs to God and He will save her.
Three Times – Do You Love Me
After the resurrection of Christ, during His third appearance to the disciples He spoke with Peter about tending to those who would become Christians.
Therefore, when they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon of Jonah, do you love Me more than these? – John 21:15
Peter, along with some of the other disciples, went back to their fishing business after Christ’s death. However, Christ did not stay in the grave, for He was righteous and therefore God raised Him three days later, just as the Scripture stated. As they come to this realization, Jesus visits them multiple times, showing undeniable proof that He was raised. However, it was not time for the Kingdom to come in, now was the time of Grace. When the disciples realize the reality of what happened they begin to spread the word of the resurrected Christ. Peter, who had denied Christ because Satan persuaded him to be a coward, of which Peter was not, needed to be restored, so Jesus specifically speaks to him about caring for other saints.
In response to Jesus asking Peter if he loved Him more than fish, Peter replies, “he said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, you intuitively know that I am fond of you.’” Jesus then instructed him to feed His lambs. This word used for lamb is actually one specifically used of those who are prepared for slaughter. As, unknown to the disciples at this time, persecution was going to come upon the Church because they were speaking the truth.
Jesus then asks Peter again if he loves him.
He said to him again a second time, “Simon of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord you intuitively know that I am fond of you.” He said to him, “Shepherd My flock.” – John 21:16
Later in Peter’s life we see that he followed Jesus’ instructions and was a pastor.
The elders, who are among you, I encourage, the elder and witness of the suffering of Christ and the partaker of the about to be revealed proper opinion (glory), shepherd the flock of God among you, being overseers (bishops) not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not greedy, but willingly, not as lording over the ones entrusted, but becoming an example of the flock – 1 Peter 5:1-3
Then Jesus said it again a third time.
He said to him the third time, “Simon of Jonah, Are you fond of Me?”. Peter was grieved that He said to him the third [time], “Are you fond of Me?” And said to Him, “Lord, you intuitively know all things. You experientially know that I am fond of you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” – John 21:17
Jesus was asking if Peter loved Him, Peter responded with his fondness for Him. It was not until the third time that he was asked that it grieved him, not because Jesus asked a third time, but because He asked Peter if he was fond of Him. Each time prior Jesus had asked if Peter loved Him, so the change in quality of love is what grieved Peter.
This is actually a very good question. Are we loving God? Are we willing to sacrifice for the benefit of other saints, or are we just fond of God and really want to take care of ourselves? We can learn from Jesus’ questions to Peter and examine ourselves. Are we only fond of God, or are we truly loving Him? For it is by loving the saints (fellow Christians) that we truly show our love for God.
If perhaps someone says, “Love the God” and is indifferent to his brother, he is a liar. For the one not loving his brother whom he can see, how does he have the ability to love the God Whom he has never seen? And this commandment we have from Him, in order that the one loving the God also loves his brother. – 1 John 4:20-21
Revelation Casting Crowns
And the four living creatures, one against one having each six wings, out from encircled and within being full of eyes. And not having rest day and night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord the God, the Almighty, Who continually was, and Who is and Who is to come.” And whenever the living creatures gave glory and honor and thanks to the One seated upon the throne, the One living into the ages of the ages, the twenty-four elders fell down before the One seated upon the throne and worshiped the One who lives into the ages of the ages, and cast their crowns before the throne saying, Revelation 4:8-10
Colossians The Mystery
the mystery, the one hidden from the ages and from the generations but now is revealed to His saints, Colossians 1:26
Being Gracious Towards Others
In English the word “forgive” is defined as, “to stop feeling angry towards or blaming someone, or to stop requiring a payment for something”. This is not equal to how Scripture uses the word “Forgive.” The main meaning of the word “forgive” in Scripture is “to send away”. It can be used for a husband and wife, or not leaving anything behind; however, when it comes to sin it is specific to only God Who is the One forgiving, for sin is only against God.
And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce (send away) him. – 1 Corinthians 7:13
You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left (sent away) nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. – Hebrews 2:8
Therefore, leaving (sending away) the discussion of the elementary principles of the Christ, let us go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, – Hebrews 6:1
Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. – Psalms 51:4
Unlike in the Old Testament, which only offered the covering of sins (atonement), the blood of Christ forgives (sends away) our sins. And without payment for sin there is no forgiveness.
And almost all things are cleansed by blood according to the law and apart from shedding blood forgiveness does not come – Hebrews 9:22
In Him we have redemption through His blood; the forgiveness of trespasses, according to the riches of His grace – Ephesians 1:7
in whom we have redemption; the forgiveness of sins. – Colossians 1:14
If a Christian sins, then to restore fellowship with God that sin needs to be verbally called out – literally verbally agreeing with God that the action is sin – so that it can be dealt with. When we do this, God is faithful to forgive us of the sin.
If perhaps we should confess our sins, He is faithful and just in order that He should send away our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
When it comes to our relationship with others, we are actually never told to forgive. This is very unique to the Church. But do not think that means we can hold something against another person, for we live by a higher standard. However, in other dispensations they are instructed to forgive. During the Millennial Kingdom, humans are instructed to forgive the obligations and trespasses of others so that they will be forgiven. And since restitution is required for forgiveness, it is the releasing from an obligation after compensation has been paid. Not holding it against that person after reimbursement has been received. In Matthew chapters five through seven, Jesus is giving instructions to the Jews concerning the Kingdom of the Heavens. In these instructions they are told to forgive others.
And forgive us our obligations, as also we forgive our debtors. – Matthew 6:12
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. – Matthew 6:14
As far as forgiveness of others today, we are actually instructed to be gracious towards each other. Grace is an attitude by which we give a benefit without consideration of merit. As a result of this attitude, we can stop feeling angry towards or demanding payment from a person who has wronged us.
bearing one another and being gracious to yourselves. If anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ was gracious to you, thus also you – Colossians 3:13
And be kind to one another, compassionate, being gracious to yourselves, just as also God in Christ was gracious to you. – Ephesians 4:32
Let us properly understand the concept of forgiveness and apply it correctly within our lives. God forgave us of our sins because Christ paid the debt on the cross. Forgiveness is not something given without payment. We are not instructed to forgive anyone; however, we are commanded to love one another and therefore a manifestation of that love will be an attitude by which we give other saints a benefit without consideration of merit, which will result in releasing our anger against them for wronging us. This is an important attitude to have because we do not want to give Satan an advantage over us because we are not being gracious towards other saints.
Now whom you are gracious concerning anything, I also. For if indeed I have been gracious concerning anything, I have been gracious because of you in the presence of Christ, in order that we should not be taken advantage of by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his working of the mind. – 2 Corinthians 2:10, 11
Often the term “forgiveness” is used very loosely. We are encouraged to forgive others by pastors and speakers. Although often it is not out of love that they encourage this because it is about the person – that is, you forgive so it does not impact you. And this has to be done without restitution, which means forgiveness is being given without payment and this is not how forgiveness works. Rather, what we should be doing is being gracious towards others. Not because they deserve it, but because of who we are in Christ and the fact that God, in Christ, was gracious to us. This act of grace will be a result of loving them, which shows we are truly loving God. And let us not take this lightly, for someone wronging us can be very painful in many different ways. Forgiveness is not ours to give, that is something they need to deal with God about. However, we can be gracious towards others and release our anger, resentment, and pain without allowing them into a position to again harm us, so that we do not carry the burden of their actions or cause undue stress to those who truly are remorseful for their behavior and have repented. And that is not saying “sorry”, but a true change of the mind that results in actions to correct, if possible, the wrong and never do anything like that to anyone again.
Why are we not told to forgive? We, of the Church, have a higher standard by which we live. We live by grace, out from faith. The grace of God brought us the sending away of our sins, not just covering them up. By being gracious towards others we can also give them a benefit, not based upon their actions but because we are manifesting who we are in Christ and therefore graciously deal with being wronged by them. Therefore, we can release them from their debt without demanding restitution, just as God did for us in Christ.