Mercy and Forgiveness (day 53)

Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.

In Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus teaches us what is commonly called the Lord’s Prayer. In verse 12 he says, “And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” Here is another part of The Lord’s Prayer that we are inclined to just read or say without thinking. I especially have a hard time thinking of it when someone cuts me off in a line, or when someone is rude to me or someone I care about. But just a little later in verses 14-15 Jesus nails the lid on this one.

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Mercy is that quality of life that gives kindness when condemnation is deserved.

Mercy is never deserved and everyone needs mercy often.

God is Mercy to the very extreme. Throughout His word we can see God being extremely merciful to those who did not deserve it. Preserving a rebellious nation, forgiving a murderer, sending Jesus to redeem a world lost because of rebellion and sin.

That mercy is offered freely to all who ask for it. At the same time, we see that God is just. There is judgement for those who refuse mercy.

It is God’s mercy that redeems me and causes me to be Born Again. It is also God’s mercy that gives me grace to become like Jesus.

What can a just God do with someone who refuses his grace?

Jesus says “… if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

This is extremely serious!

Not only is it serious, but as with all of the blessings the condition is followed by a promise of tremendous value to someone who recognizes their need for mercy.

Father in Heaven, Father of Mercy thank you for this wonderful promise. Thank you for the truth that is revealed here. Thank you that as I learn to become merciful, I am becoming more like Jesus, my Lord and my Savior. That I might become a glory to His name. Amen.

A Discipleship Course

Many years ago a young man complained that he wanted someone to disciple him but could not find a minister or anyone who would do it. I’m not sure he really wanted someone but it got me started thinking. Sometime later someone sent me a discipleship work book. I had expressed an interest in it. I found it to be full of doctrines of a specific denomination and didn’t really speak to the matters of Jesus’ teaching. At least it seemed that way to me

In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus says; “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

I am especially interested in that last verse. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

I have been in the Christian Church in one form or another since I was about 3 weeks old. That was a long time ago! I am fairly serious about my relationship with God. I spent 2 years and a little in Bible College. This matter of making disciples and teaching them to observe Jesus’ teaching is something I have seen very little.

Over the last several years I have been more and more aware of my own lack in this area and at the same time I have been discovering things that are helping me to become more of a disciple of Jesus.

Over the last few years I have been trying to organize what I am learning in order to share it with others so that it might be a help to them. I am sure that what I have put together will smell a lot like me, and I can only apologize for that and hope it’s not too distracting.

Therefore, I would like to offer to those who read this blog what I would call a beginning discipleship study guide.

A few people have already used this guide and say it has been helpful.

If you will email me at beginningdisciples@gmail.com and request a copy of the discipleship book, I will be happy to send you a PDF copy of the study.

There is no charge for this and I will not be sending you any other requests or advertisements. This is the one thing I have been focused on for the last few years and it is about all I have to offer.

I would only request that if you use it and find it helpful or have suggestions to make it more helpful. Please write back and let me know how I might make it better. If you don’t think it is any good, please let me know that too with your reasons. You might really be on to something.

Thank you very much 

Rick