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Ask God: Forgiveness pleases God and offers peace, joy, and love. Jesus encouraged all followers to forgive each other. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

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Good Evening Reader,

I hope you are well. God loves you and offers his blessings each day.

Forgiveness leads to joy. Forgive as God has forgiven us; For this glorifies God.

May We Give God the glory.

Elvin

The Power of Forgiveness

The "wonderful healing power of forgiveness" is the ability to let go of resentment and bitterness towards someone who has wronged you. The act of forgiving can significantly improve your mental, emotional, and even physical health by reducing stress and anxiety, and it will promote overall well-being.

Recent studies show that people who practice forgiveness are less angry, more hopeful, and less depressed. Forgiveness leads to greater physical well-being. It is a gift that anyone can give to themselves.

Where was Jesus, and Who was He Teaching?

The events and teachings recorded in Matthew 18 occur after Jesus' transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13) and before His final journey to Jerusalem. Matthew 17:24 places Jesus and His disciples arriving in Capernaum and would have been in the final six months before His crucifixion. Jesus was instructing His disciples and probably a few other followers.

The chapter begins with the disciples asking Jesus, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" Their question reveals that they were still thinking about an earthly kingdom.

In response, Jesus brings a child before them and teaches that true greatness comes through humility and dependence on God, like a child. Jesus said, "So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 18:4).

Gathering Believers in the Kingdom of Heaven

In the kingdom of heaven, the greatest is not the most influential person or even someone of the highest position. They are people who have come to understand the importance of childlike faith, the responsibility to love and care for their neighbor, and the necessity of reconciliation and forgiveness in Christian relationships.

In addition to being childlike, Jesus uses three illustrations of coming into the Kingdom of Heaven.

First, Jesus told the parable of the lost sheep. The shepherd was willing to leave the 99 sheep to look for the one lost sheep. To the shepherd, leaving the 99 at risk of being scattered while the shepherd was away. But Jesus saw this as a loving act for that one who had strayed. He wanted believers to realize just how vital one stray was to Him. It was a lesson for believers to go to the Christian who had strayed to bring him back into the flock.

In a similar line of thinking, Jesus expressed the same importance to the brother who has gone astray. A believer should go to the brother to reconcile their differences. If a private meeting does not accomplish reconciliation, carry a believer with you to talk to him. And finally, if this does not work, take the matter to the church.

The purpose of this process is not punishment but restoration and reconciliation. Even one who has gone astray is important to Christ.

Jesus also assures that when two or more gather in His name in agreement, He is present among them. The power of prayer in reconciliation is powerful in resolving conflicts.

Finally, in answer to Peter's question about how many times he must forgive a person, Jesus illustrated forgiveness by telling the parable of the servant who owes the king a massive debt (10,000 talents). The servant begs for forgiveness, and the king mercifully forgives the debt. Afterward, the servant refuses to forgive a fellow servant who owes him a much smaller amount.

"Then, the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn't you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?' Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt" (Matthew 18:32-34).

Then Jesus turned to His followers with this warning. "That's what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart" (Verse 35).

God goes to great lengths to bring His children into His fold.

1. Humility and Childlike Faith: True greatness in God's kingdom comes through humility and dependence on Him.

1. God's Pursuing Love: Like the shepherd seeking the lost sheep, God never gives up on His children.
2. Restoration in the Church: Jesus gives a model for dealing with sin in a way that prioritizes reconciliation.

4. Forgiveness is Non-Negotiable: Since we have received abundant mercy, we must extend that mercy to others.

What has God Done for You?

If you were to start a list of things God has done for you, the list would go on and on. Each day, new items would be added to the list. To name a few of the reasons we should seek God and follow His commandments:

• God has given you the gift of salvation. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
• We all need all the help we can get, especially spiritual help, which guides us into truth. "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth..." (John 14:16-17).
• We are no longer strangers to God but His beloved children; we have access to His presence, love, and inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven. "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father'" (Romans 8:15).

Why Should We Forgive Others?

· God has forgiven us of an unpayable debt, our sins. God has shown mercy to us. Therefore, we should show mercy to others. When we refuse to forgive, we deny the grace we rely on. Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

"And Colossians 3:13 says, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

• Unforgiveness leads to bitterness, anger, and resentment—which can poison our hearts and relationships. Forgiveness frees us from this burden and keeps us in the right relationship with God and others. Jesus said in Matthew 6:14-15, "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
• Jesus teaches that forgiveness is tied to our relationship with God. If we hold on to grudges, our prayers can be hindered. But when we forgive, we remain in God's grace and blessings. Mark 11:25 says, "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."

In Summary

God has forgiven us, and we must extend mercy to others since we have received mercy. Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. It is an act of faith and obedience that allows us to live in freedom, joy, and peace.

Unforgiveness is a serious spiritual barrier that can hinder our prayers in several ways. The Bible teaches that our relationship with others affects our relationship with God. If we hold onto bitterness, it can block the blessings and answers we seek in prayer.

Elvin

The Wonders of Prayer?

Ask God For Help

Christian faith

Reader,

Hosea said his people were destroyed for lack of knowledge. Knowledge give believers and non-believers a choice. When a person does not know, they cannot choose.

Feel free to forward this lesson to your friends and family.

Grow in the knowledge of God.

Elvin

Send your comments to elvin.aycock@AskGodForHelp.net and let me know what you think of the lessons.

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