Tag Archives: forgiveness

The Point of the Cross

Posted on September 27, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In the Old Testament, initial commandments, laws and principles were passed down through word of mouth from one generation to the next.  Until Moses arrived upon the scene, there was no written word of God.  As one of the forefathers of Israel, God spoke directly to Moses, usually in the mountains on either Mount Horeb and or Sinai.  One of the messages delivered to Moses is that there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood.

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life, Leviticus 17:11.

In the early first century, Jesus built an earthly ministry using disciples.  Prior to his death of the cross, Jesus revealed the purpose for his human sacrifice.  Befuddled by Jesus words, many of his followers thought he would become an earthly king.  Thus, it wasn’t until resurrection Sunday when the disciples began to connect the dots.  The apostle Paul writes several of his epistles about the point of the cross.  Jesus who had no sin became sin for us so that in Christ, we might become the righteous of God.

He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world, 1 John 2:2.

An entire chapter of 1 Corinthians is devoted to Jesus’ relationship to the cross.   According to 1 Corinthians 15, Jesus conquered sin and death with his resurrection.  In a letter to the church at Colosse, Paul talks about how Christians are buried with Christ in their baptism and raised with Him through the resurrection.  So what is the point of the cross?   Life begins at the cross, Matthew 16:24-26, as you deny yourself, take up the cross and follow Jesus as a servant and vessel of love.

by Jay Mankus

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Why Some Don’t Get Over the Hump?

Posted on August 2, 2016 by expressyourself4him

There have been times in my life that I wanted to know, “why me Lord?”  Whenever you experience disappointment, failure or rejection, its not selfish to want understand why you have to endure yet another trial.  The Bible is full of servants questioning God for the hand each has been dealt.  Yet, I recently came across a passage which might explain why I haven’t gotten over the proverbial hump.

Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism, Colossians 3:25.

According to the apostle Paul, individuals are repaid for each wrong doing committed.  While the world is full of favoritism with many getting free passes on past transgressions, the Bible has a different standard to live by.  Subsequently, heartaches I have faced could be directly or indirectly related to prior poor choices made by me.  Whatever the reason for the rough stretches I have undergone, maybe I need to ask God for forgiveness before I point the blame toward heaven.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows, Galatians 6:7.

Perhaps, this is what the apostle Paul is referencing above.  A growing number of people pass the buck today, blaming others or situations instead of taking personal responsibility for their own actions.  Despite this attempt, God can’t be mocked.  Thus, until Christians recognize the sowing principle, they won’t be able to get over the hump.  When you come to this realization, practice the words of James 5:16.

by Jay Mankus

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A Reunion of Sorts

Posted on June 9, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Time has a way of healing wounds from the past.  Although things will never be the same, when you run into an old face, its nice to reminisce.  If you have the opportunity to talk long enough, you may even encounter a reunion of sorts.

Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence, Isaiah 43:26.

Unfortunately, human emotions struggle to overlook transgressions of the past.  Some people may never recover from the heartache they have endured in life.  Thus, forgiveness is sometimes an empty word spoken as bitterness causes individuals to hold grudges.  Subsequently, until reconciliation occurs, a true reunion will have to wait.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, Acts 3:19.

While interacting at a graduation party over the weekend, I learned a painful lesson.  Before you can move forward, you have to let go your past.  It may be a tough pill to swallow, but repentance without acts of contrition is meaningless.  Therefore, bury the hatchet now while there is still time so that a full reunion can be completed.

by Jay Mankus

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The Best Place to Start

Posted on May 28, 2016 by expressyourself4him

When you know someone experiencing or going through tough times, its hard to know where to stop.  In most cases, the best thing to do is ask questions and listen.  If you are the type of individual who tries to fix people, you can only do so much.  According to the apostle Paul, the best place to start is with forgiveness.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you, Colossians 3:13.

During his earthly ministry, Jesus developed a pattern prior to healing someone.  First, Jesus wanted to know if a person in need wanted to get better as some tend to embrace the victim card.  Second, after probing patients, taking an assessment of the situation, Jesus turned his attention toward forgiveness.  During a dispute with Pharisees, Jesus tried to prove a point using logic.

Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? – Matthew 9:5.

In the Lord’s prayer, a condition is placed upon forgiveness.  If you forgive others, you will be forgiven.  However, if you hold grudges and fail to forgive others, God’s won’t forgive you.  Nearly 2000 years later, this concept still applies.  Therefore, if healing, restoration or recovery is what you seek, the best place to start is with forgiveness.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Creatures of Instinct

Posted on May 16, 2016 by expressyourself4him

If you have ever read about or studied the spiritual climate prior to previous great awakenings, morality tends to move in cycles.  When individuals experience the happier days in life, human beings can forget about the Creator above who brought good tidings and great joy.  If this trend continues, it won’t be long before your flesh leads you to become creatures of instinct.

But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish, 2 Peter 2:12.

Although each previous generation claim they had it harder, those who lived during periods of self-control were likely spared from the beast of lust.  For those born in ages of disobedience or sexual revolutions, the forces of temptation are magnified.  As complacency, justification and rationalization kick in, the desire to indulge intensifies.  Thus, many become pawns of the sinful nature.

For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world, 1 John 2:16.

When the dust settles, creatures of instinct find a valley of sin standing in their way from God’s hands of forgiveness.  As the apostle Paul states in Galatians 5, an opposing force acts as a sparing partner.  Free will adds to this equation, placing a priority on decision making.  Thus, if you follow in the footsteps of Moses, choose life before a creature of instinct leads you down the wrong road.

by Jay Mankus

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Blood that Speaks a Better Word

Posted on April 21, 2016 by expressyourself4him

To have blood on your hands often refers to being guilty.  Blood is symbolic of life, necessary to keep a human being alive.  However, sometimes an accident, mistake or minor transgression can end the life of an animal, human being or possession.

For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things, Isaiah 59:3.

Another saying refers to being guilty as sin.  In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah found the nation of Israel in denial.  Instead of coming clean by repenting, justification took over.   When caught red handed, most become defensive regardless of how guilty one may be.

To Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel, Hebrews 12:24.

The author of Hebrews uses a unique connotation of blood.  Abel was innocent and pure when jealousy caused his older brother to take his life.  Yet, Jesus, who brought a new covenant introduces this concept.  Instead of going to a great high priest to atone for your sins, Jesus died once and for all sins.  Therefore. his blood speaks a better word, one of forgiveness, redemption and a promise of a new life without guilt or shame.

by Jay Mankus

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Freewill, Destruction and Restoration

Posted on April 14, 2016 by expressyourself4him

One of the best visual illustrations of freewill can found in the last book of the Bible.  While on the Island of Patmos, John compares freewill to a door with a special feature.  This door does not have a handle on God’s side.  Thus, God can call and knock, hoping individuals will hear His voice, but only you can let God in.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me, Revelation 3:20.

Unfortunately, disobedience is a common response to God’s calling.  According to the apostle Paul, people have a tendency to set their hearts and minds on the flesh.  Those who become distracted by the world regularly ignore, reject or put God on hold.  Jesus warned his followers of falling into this pattern, referring to a broad road that leads to destruction.  Moses in his farewell address simplifies this concept by proclaiming that each day individuals have the opportunity to select life or death by the choices you make.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires, Romans 8:5.

Fortunately, those who mess up by sinning are given a second chance.  Lamentations 3 provides a promise for those longing for forgiveness as God’s grace is available day after day.  Therefore, when you utilize freewill, opting for disobedience over obedience, there is hope for those who are facing destruction.  Yet, God is not holding your hand, forcing you to do what is right.  The choice is yours.  In view of this, lean of God’s mercy the next time you fall down, followed by acts of contrition as a sign of penance.  Choose wisely.

by Jay Mankus

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A Shadow of Good Things to Come

Posted on March 27, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In Hollywood, hype is a popular form of promotion.  Thus, when producers believe their project is going to be a hit, money is invested in commercials to wet the pallet of consumers.  Sometimes this is an effective tool, but its not a blue print for success.  When a film, product or show does live up the the expectations based upon the hype, disappointment follows.  This is not the case for those who witnessed Resurrection Sunday.

The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship, Hebrews 10:1.

For the Jews, this day was like a catch 22.  The tradition of an earthly temple and priest offering sacrifices for sin was thrown out the window and flushed down the toilet.  Thus, Jesus threatened to remove those in power from their lofty positions.  On the other hand, the social outcasts, those forced to move outside of the city gates because of being labeled as unclean were provided an open door, direct access to the king of kings and Lord of lords.

For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit., Ephesians 2:18.

Easter Sunday is the culmination of years of prophecy fulfilled.  Thus, the promises of the Bible are no longer just a shadow, they are reality.  According to the apostle Paul, one of these good things is a clear connection to God the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Although, temptation and the power of sin still exist, grace, forgiveness and mercy is available day after day.  Therefore, as you experience another Easter, may the good things of Christ keep bringing you back week after week.

by Jay Mankus

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Putting Grace on the Map

Posted on February 28, 2016 by expressyourself4him

There are certain types of characters, individuals or professions that make the average person feel uneasy.  Appearance, dress and modesty or lack there of sends a message.  Yet, some read more into this, judging someone’s character without ever meeting.  In the Old Testament, those who lived near the city gates symbolized wealth.  Thus, if you visited Jericho, you would find a brothel run by Rahab, a well-known harlot who made a living by entertaining those looking for a good time.

Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there, Joshua 2:1.

Despite her reputation and past, the Lord choose to use a prostitute to accomplish his will.  Beside putting grace on the map, this story in history sends an important message to those who feel unworthy.  Regardless of what you have done, God extends his mercy to those who are open to being a vessel of the kingdom.  In fact, this one act did not go unnoticed.  Rather, this woman of the night eventually becomes part of the lineage of Jesus and enters the Hall of faith in Hebrews 11.

Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, Matthew 1:5.

So what is a whore doing in the family tree of Jesus?  Well, we may never know the answer for sure.  However, that doesn’t mean we can’t speculate on why.  According to the author of Hebrews, God is the builder of all things.  Thus, if sin reveals the fallen nature of mankind, forgiveness by a Savior who died on a cross to atone for our mistakes brings new life.  Therefore, the next time you hear Satan whisper, “God will never use you.”  Remind the devil of the Creator of life who put grace on the map.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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A Day of Laziness

Posted on January 1, 2016 by expressyourself4him

While some individuals will be making last second New Year’s resolutions, there is an invisible obstacle that tends to sneak up on the unassuming.  Commercials such as “you deserve a break today” feed into this mindset.  Thus, if you let your guard down, become complacent or careless, a day of laziness can be the beginning of the end of your dreams.

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied, Proverbs 13:4.

As I reflect upon what is left of 2015, I’m ashamed to say that I’ve been a victim of days of laziness.  Somewhere along the way, a laissez-faire spirit entered my body.  Sleeping in here and a lack of discipline there has resulted in a luck luster year.  Before I could mount a comeback, compromise has stalled my momentum, leaving sorrow and pain in my heart.

The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor, Proverbs 21:25.

Unfortunately, my spiritual state is like a lukewarm bottle of water on a sunny spring day.  Poor decisions on days of laziness have led me to a tattered soul.  There is no one else to blame but me.  The only blessing is that tomorrow is another day filled with God’s mercy, forgiveness and grace.  Therefore, I press on, hoping to avoid days of laziness in 2016 so I can begin to take hold of that which God has prepared for me in advance to do.

by Jay Mankus

 

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