Christian Tract Outreach

    “Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness meekness and patience, forbearing one another, and if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other. As the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. Above all these, put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

    In reading that scripture I am very challenged, realising that while this whole walk with the Master is directed and guided by him, and that I can only do everything in his power and strength, it is nevertheless a very proactive way of life. While I can do nothing of eternal value outside of him (John 15:5), yet I must move on, knowing that, “I can do all thing in Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13)

    Too often many of us seem to be of the opinion that the Lord Jesus did everything for us and there is nothing left for us to do other than to sit back and enjoy the ride. We seem to think that we have been saved so that we can go to heaven and not end up in hell. And while those things are very true for those who have experienced the wonderful salvation which the Master has won for us on the cross, yet they are really nothing more than amazing fringe benefits. God’s real purpose in bringing us from darkness to light; from the power of Satan to the “glorious liberty of the children of God” (ROM 8:21); is that we may bear fruit for his glory, as we walk in obedience to his word. (Rom 7:4, John 15:1-11)

   Then we look at forgiveness, which is very central to what is requires of and by us. Firstly, by us; before we can have any relationship with this great God we must first fully avail ourselves of the salvation/forgiveness/new birth which is offered to those who wholeheartedly believe and accept what God has done for us in his Son Jesus (John 3:16, John 3:3&5). Secondly, of us; to confirm our salvation/forgiveness we must totally forgive any and every offence committed against us by walking in our new nature, turning away from our old self-centred ways. Read Jesus’ views on this in Matt 18:23-35, where he ends with the words, “So too will my heavenly Father do to every one of you if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” WHAT A CHALLENGE!!