Post by Zac Loh on Aug 10, 2010 4:57:14 GMT -5
Many of the teachings of Jesus were prophetic (I said `many' and not `all' because I haven't surveyed by looking into each one). For example, Jesus' teaching on being `born again' in John 3:3-15; we know that it could only happen after His resurrection (John 20:22).
Matthew chapters 5 - 7 formed a single sermon commonly called The Sermon On The Mount. Matthew 6:20 talked about heaven. We know it had to be after the ascension (refer John 14:1-3). And reading through Matthew 7:15-23, we know it was about the future.
So when we read about divine forgiveness as in Matthew 6:14-15, we know its application would come in light of the cross; because without the sacrifice made, God's righteous anger would not have been satisfied. We ask God's forgiveness in order to have a real spiritual close relationship with Him. Otherwise, we miss the point.
In Acts 2:22-39, Peter preached the ministry, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Christ. Acts 2:36, Peter preached Lord Jesus Christ crucified. Acts 2:37, the people were convicted and therefore it necessitated the need for divine forgiveness within their heart. It is beholding the cross, that we are being convicted, and needing forgiveness.
Acts 2:38, Peter's answer to them, in a gist, was first to repent, leading to remissions of sins. And you know that unforgiveness is also a sin because it is akin to hatred. Conviction leads to the need for forgiveness. Repentance leads to forgiveness. Therefore, it flows right with Matthew 6:14-15 to say that we need to forgive before we can be forgiven.
But it is beholding the cross that everything comes into perspective. Many of Jesus' teachings were to come into reality after His crucifixion.
It is through beholding the divine work of the cross, that we are convicted and empowered. For unbelievers who are unable to forgive because of internal damage or spiritual bondage, it is the power of the cross that will enable them to forgive, and to be forgiven, both virtually at nearly the same moment.
For believers, it is also the cross, and it is still the cross. As Paul said, "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Philippians 3:10). It was after He was nailed to the cross, hanging there, that Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:33-34) No wonder we are instructed by our Lord to partake the bread and the wine, as often as we can, to remember Him, that He hung there for our forgiveness.
Matthew chapters 5 - 7 formed a single sermon commonly called The Sermon On The Mount. Matthew 6:20 talked about heaven. We know it had to be after the ascension (refer John 14:1-3). And reading through Matthew 7:15-23, we know it was about the future.
So when we read about divine forgiveness as in Matthew 6:14-15, we know its application would come in light of the cross; because without the sacrifice made, God's righteous anger would not have been satisfied. We ask God's forgiveness in order to have a real spiritual close relationship with Him. Otherwise, we miss the point.
In Acts 2:22-39, Peter preached the ministry, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Christ. Acts 2:36, Peter preached Lord Jesus Christ crucified. Acts 2:37, the people were convicted and therefore it necessitated the need for divine forgiveness within their heart. It is beholding the cross, that we are being convicted, and needing forgiveness.
Acts 2:38, Peter's answer to them, in a gist, was first to repent, leading to remissions of sins. And you know that unforgiveness is also a sin because it is akin to hatred. Conviction leads to the need for forgiveness. Repentance leads to forgiveness. Therefore, it flows right with Matthew 6:14-15 to say that we need to forgive before we can be forgiven.
But it is beholding the cross that everything comes into perspective. Many of Jesus' teachings were to come into reality after His crucifixion.
It is through beholding the divine work of the cross, that we are convicted and empowered. For unbelievers who are unable to forgive because of internal damage or spiritual bondage, it is the power of the cross that will enable them to forgive, and to be forgiven, both virtually at nearly the same moment.
For believers, it is also the cross, and it is still the cross. As Paul said, "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Philippians 3:10). It was after He was nailed to the cross, hanging there, that Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:33-34) No wonder we are instructed by our Lord to partake the bread and the wine, as often as we can, to remember Him, that He hung there for our forgiveness.