Former location of "The Kingdom of the Heavens" blog, written by an incurable fool who is trying to become a holy fool!
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.
Links: This post read as a YouTube video. Full playlist for this series. The point to be made by this post is really quite simple: Jesus’ statement that the things we bind on earth will be bound in heaven and the things we set loose on earth will be loosed in heaven was made in a very specific context, namely,…
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Preliminary outline of two series dealing with mutual imprisonment by unforgiveness, God’s goal of reconciliation, and praying for those who don’t want my prayers using constructive, New Testament prayers.
A God who Speaks, Changed treatment of each other, choosing not to forgive, Confession and Repentance, Confession of Sin, Discipline or Correction, Divisions in the Church, Forgive as we forgive, forgiveness and mercy, Forgiveness and Unforgiveness, God is Love, God Speaks to Us, God's Existence and Nature, God's purpose for us, His Friends, In prayer, In the Church, Leaving Our First Love, Love each other, Meaning of Unity, patience, Quarrels, Reconciliation, refusal to repent, Repentance, Repentance in community, Restoration of God's Image, Restoration of our Relationships, Salvation, The universal Church and local churches, To be his ambassadors, To bear fruit, To live in unity, What is sin?
The reasons I believe Scripture now bars me from nearly all church activities, service and giving until offenses two other believers hold against me are fully resolved–if that ever happens–and what I plan to do now.
Changed treatment of each other, choosing not to forgive, Confession and Repentance, Confession of Sin, Consequences, Desire to have our own way, Discipline or Correction, Forgive as we forgive, forgiveness and mercy, God is Love, God Speaks to Us, God's purpose for us, His Friends, judgment, Love each other, patience, Repentance, Restoration of our Relationships, Salvation, Sin, The Bible, Through others, Through the church, To live in unity, Trusting sight over God's words, What is sin?
The opposite of love is indifference, not hate. Indifference is love that has grown cold. The modern pop psychology concept advocating “cutting off” people who have hurt us teaches the advisability of indifference. It is unscriptural if understood to dehumanize or dematerialize the person cut off, making them non-entities beyond hope of repentance.
The passage from Hebrews 12:11-17 discusses the Lord’s discipline and how believers should support one another through it. Discipline, though painful, leads to righteousness and peace. This unified response showcases peace and holiness, helping others to see the Lord through our lives. Holiness and peace are essential for believers.
A God who Speaks, Changed treatment of each other, Confession and Repentance, Confession of Sin, Discipline or Correction, God Acts by Speaking, God Speaks to Us, God's purpose for us, His Children, In the Church, Love each other, Meaning of Unity, Repentance, Repentance in community, Restoration of our Relationships, Salvation, Through others, Through the church, To be his ambassadors, To bear fruit, To live in unity, Unity
Hebreos 12:11-17 se centra en la disciplina del Señor y nuestra respuesta junta. Dios nos disciplina para mejorarnos y hacernos justos. Debemos apoyar a otros creyentes en su disciplina, promoviendo paz y santidad. Esto permite que otros vean al Señor a través de nuestras vidas. La clave es Hebreos 12:14.
A God who Speaks, Changed treatment of each other, Confession and Repentance, Confession of Sin, Discipline or Correction, God Speaks to Us, God's purpose for us, His Children, In the Church, Love each other, Meaning of Unity, Repentance, Repentance in community, Restoration of our Relationships, Salvation, Show us the Way of Truth, Through others, Through the church, To be his ambassadors, To bear fruit, To live in unity
A root of bitterness is a grudge that spreads to uninvolved parties, planting contempt for the accused and hindering God’s grace. It leads to unforgiveness, rumor embellishment, and division among believers. To combat this, individuals should forgive offenses and avoid spreading resentment, while the church follows scripture-based conflict resolution without gossip.
Changed treatment of each other, Divisions in the Church, Forgive as we forgive, forgiveness and mercy, Forgiveness and Unforgiveness, God is Love, God's purpose for us, In the Church, Love each other, Meaning of Unity, On speaking terms again, Quarrels, Reconciliation, Repentance, Repentance in community, Restoration of God's Image, Restoration of our Relationships, To be his ambassadors, To live in unity
Una raíz de amargura es un rencor que, al difundirse, contamina al oyente y crea actitudes de desprecio hacia el ofensor. Los rumores empeoran y se propagan exponencialmente, dañando irreparablemente las relaciones. La única solución es perdonar y buscar la reconciliación, evitando siempre los chismes.
Changed treatment of each other, Confession and Repentance, Divisions in the Church, Forgive as we forgive, forgiveness and mercy, Forgiveness and Unforgiveness, God is Love, God's purpose for us, In the Church, Love each other, Meaning of Unity, On speaking terms again, Quarrels, Reconciliation, Repentance, Restoration of God's Image, Restoration of our Relationships, To be his ambassadors, To be in his image, To live in unity
El texto explica que Dios no puede perdonarnos los rencores entre nosotros, ya que solo nosotros somos los dueños de esos sentimientos y debemos decidir perdonar. Jesús enseña que si no perdonamos a otros, Dios no nos perdonará. Dios valora la reconciliación y nos llama a vivir en el perdón.
Changed treatment of each other, Consequences, Divisions in the Church, Forgive as we forgive, forgiveness and mercy, Forgiveness and Unforgiveness, God is Love, God's Existence and Nature, God's purpose for us, His Friends, In the Church, judgment, Love each other, Meaning of Unity, patience, Reconciliation, Repentance, Repentance in community, Restoration of God's Image, Restoration of our Relationships, Salvation, Sin, To be his ambassadors, To live in unity