Forgiveness

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Daniel 3:25, 34-43 | Psalm25 | Matthew 18:21-35

FASTING + FORGIVENESS = ?

“My heavenly Father will treat you in exactly the same way unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.” - Matthew 18:35

After Jesus fasted forty days, He came out of the desert in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14). After our Lenten discipline, we too are to be moving in the power of the Spirit, in a new Pentecost.

However, the flesh (our fallen nature with its selfish desires) will oppose the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). Lack of forgiveness is the cause of many works of the flesh, such as “hostilities, bickering, jealousy, outbursts of rage, selfish rivalries, dissentions, factions, envy” (Galatians 5:20-21). Therefore, a lack of forgiveness is one of the main ways we stifle (see I Thessalonians 5:19) and grieve (Ephesians 4:30) the Spirit. Consequently, if Lent is going to lead to Pentecost, we must accept God’s grace to forgive 70 x 7 times (Matthew 18:22). We must forgive from our heart; otherwise, our time of discipline will not result in freedom (see Isaiah 58:6) but in torture (Matthew 18:34). ‘Fasting’ (in our case, the taking up of a disciplined time of prayer and study during Lent), without forgiveness is not crucifying the flesh (see Galatians 5:24) but merely indulging the flesh in a more subtle way.

When you fast, forgive. When you forgive, pray for the Spirit. You will receive a new Pentecost.

Prayer: Father, by Your grace I decide to forgive. Thank You for the miracle of forgiveness.