Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

One of the most important things that a follower of Jesus can do is to reflect his image. When we consider Peter and his journey from being a harsh aggressive fisherman to being a writer of two books to be included in the bible, we must conclude that everyone who follows Jesus sincerely can be transformed.

forgiveness allows restoration to occur

For all of us, the transformation will not occur overnight and there will be periods when we get it wrong. Peter got it wrong over and over again.  Like Peter, many of us fail to get it and live our lives always thinking and acting for ourselves. The attribute that underpins our ability to reflect the image of Christ, is our ability to forgive. Jesus says this, ‘if someone sins against you, point out their faults alone, just the two of you and if the individual listens, you have regained your friendship and the matter is resolved’ (Matt 18:15).  However, if they won’t listen then take two others along with you so that every word may be confirmed. This process is one where all efforts are made to bring healing and restoration. In the same passage Peter asked Jesus the question, how many times should I forgive someone who sins against me? Here he was asking, when do I end this forgiveness lark? Or do I just keep on forgiving!

Jesus’ response is a lesson for all of us his followers. Not seven times, but seventy times seven, meaning that our acts of forgiveness should be on-going. Our Christianity must be a faith where we are always prepared to forgive. This means that our lives then are governed by our ability to repent, forgive and be restored. Note forgiveness is not equal to forgetting.

Today let us think about the famous passage in 2Chronicles 7:14, which states that ‘if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves…. for us to reflect the image of Christ, we should not go past the humbling in this often quoted scripture and learn to give and receive forgiveness.

Read 1Peter 2:11-17 and live as free people but do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil, Peter, AD 60.