Our Problem & God's Solution

Romans 5:13b-18

Paraphrased:

Sin, the condition of being less than the ideal, was in the world, but is not taken into account, not considered wrong, when there is no law or rule or command against it. Nevertheless, death reigned, everybody died anyway from the time Adam introduced sin into the world all the way up to when Moses actually gave the Law, that pointed out the many ways we fall short of God's ideal for us.

But God's gift is not like the trespass. Everybody died as the result of the one transgression, with no conscious decision or awareness. So much better is that God now offers His grace-gift of justification for all the trespasses, rebellions and insufficiencies, for anyone who would be willing to receive God's abundant provision of grace and His grace-gift of imputed (applied to our account) righteousness through the one Man Jesus Christ.

To sum it up: Just as the result of one trespass brought condemnation to everybody, so also the one act of righteousness brings the offer of life, Eternal life, to everybody.

Personal Advice from Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 9:7-10

Personalized, what my Father is saying to me:

Oh, Bonnie, I want you to eat the good food I provide, enjoy your meals. Now is when I will favor the things you do. 

Always dress nicely and fix your hair every day, to look your best whatever you think the day will hold--don't let yourself go. 

I want you to enjoy your life, whether or not I have another husband for you, Bonnie; you've worked all your life, and I'm not finished working through you for others' benefit, either. 

This is the lot I have given you, Bonnie, do what you can while you live, because after you die you'll have nothing more to do with life in this world any more. Make your mark now, while you can. Whatever I give into your hand to do, Bonnie, I want you to do it to the best of the ability I've given you, because you're the one I've chosen to do it, no one else.

Forgiveness

Matthew 18:21-35

Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"

Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

"For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a certain king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.

"And when he had begun to settle them, there was brought to him one who owed him ten thousand talents.

"But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made.

"The slave therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will repay you everything.'

"And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.

"But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred pence; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, 'Pay back what you owe.'

"So his fellow slave fell down and began to entreat him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you.'

"He was unwilling however, but went and threw him into prison until he should pay back what was owed.

"So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened.

"Then summoning him, his lord said to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you entreated me.

"Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, even as I had mercy on you?'

"And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him.

"So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart."

What do I see here? Let's probe this passage:

Sin? Yes, the servant's refusing to forgive his fellow servant.

Promise? A scary one: "This is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

Attitudes? Two opposite attitudes: the lord took pity on the slave, but the slave had no pity for his fellow slave.

Command? Yes: "I tell you, not seven times, but seven times seven times."

Example to follow? Yes, How the Master had compassion on the slave who owed more than he could ever pay.

An error to avoid? Yes, The slave's harshness to his fellow servant.

A Truth to believe? God is always just and fair, and also compassionate when He can be.

Something to praise God for: O my Father, I thank you for your grace and mercy to me. Help me to always and continually remember your generosity to me, far greater than anything I will ever have need to forgive anyone else.