Former location of "The Kingdom of the Heavens" blog, written by an incurable fool who is trying to become a holy fool!
I will now, in my own heart, become a hypocrite because others in authority say I should. I must overlook the continued existence of a justified grudge another believer holds against me and return to ordinary service in the church. But I will not cover up my hypocrisy. I hereby declare my hypocrisy openly.
Amarguita. Un poema — una soneta triple. Una personalización de Mateo 18:23-35 siguiendo la manera de Franz Kafka. por Ian Bruce Johnson, 11 de Abril de 2025. ¿Me pasa solo un muy mal sueño, /Que por mi mal eres atado conmigo? /Quiero huirnos de la cárcel contigo /Pero ¡la llave te cierras en el puño!
1. God’s Reconciliation toward Me This aspect of reconciliation is almost identical to the Atonement. From the beginning, God loved me so much that he gave his unique Son Jesus, who was one with him from eternity, to provide for forgiveness of my sin, give me true life, and to make me one with him. Colossians says that, until this…
Read more
In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus gives what appears to be a simple command, though one that is almost never obeyed: before I may offer worship to God before other people, I must see that any offenses which I am aware that others hold against me are being reconciled and have been reconciled at least to some degree. This post quotes and discusses commentaries on this passage and its subject.
As I said on Part 1, Jesus’ command to go and be reconciled is stated in Matthew 5:23-24, which is a single conditional sentence even though it is divided into two verses in modern Bibles: [Reference Link: Matthew 5:23-24 (WEB)], The part of this sentence that is placed into verse 23 is the protasis, or “if” clause, of the conditional…
Read more
In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus gives what appears to be a simple command, though one that is almost never obeyed: before I may offer worship to God before other people, I must see that any offenses which I am aware that others hold against me are being reconciled and have been reconciled at least to some degree. This post covers Jesus’ extreme example of this—the need to interrupt even a Temple sacrifice ritual to go and be reconciled.
My human nature, people around me and even the world’s “experts” tell me that I should insist on my “rights,” hold grudges forever, cut people off, deny all mercy and all forgiveness, particularly when I have been hurt badly. But God’s wisdom tells me to show his grace, mercy and forgiveness, and to set people free. Jesus promised—and warned—that I will receive back even more of what I give, good or bad. But becoming like Jesus is a learning process I am still far from completing.
choosing not to forgive, Discipline or Correction, Divisions in the Church, Forgive as we forgive, Forgiveness and Unforgiveness, God's purpose for us, Love each other, Repentance, Repentance in community, Restoration of God's Image, Restoration of our Relationships, Salvation, To live in unity, What is sin?
In just the same way that showing love toward those who hate me is acting like my Heavenly Father does, being supernatural. so being kind toward evil people and merciful toward all who need mercy is also showing God in my life. I cannot be free while judging other people worthy of bondage for their offenses against me. I will only find freedom by setting others free.
Application of the Golden Rule: When I love and do good to my enemies, I am doing what my Heavenly Father does for me.
And I am showing myself to be his child. I am being supernatural rather than merely natural.
I will now begin to apply an extended passage from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plain,” recorded in Luke 6:27-40. Jesus’ message in this passage can be summarized as: The passage starts: Luke 6:27-30 (WEB) Here we are given a list of commands about how to treat those who hate, oppose or use us. But, by Jesus own words. these commands…
Read more