True christian life?

[arunangelo]

Though Jesus was God he took the form of a mere human person and came into this world (Philippians 2:7) to proclaim good news to the poor, liberty to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind and to set at free those who are oppressed (Luke 4:18). The world however did not recognize him (John 1:10). He was therefore wounded for our transgressions, was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth (Isaiah 53: 5 &7). Furthermore, during his suffering and death he forgave his persecutors (Luke 23:34); and was concerned about the suffering they would bring upon themselves by their sins rather than his own suffering (Luke 23:28). Through his chastisement he healed us and set us free of sin; so that we too can love one another as he has loved us, quietly bear each other’s burdens, forgive without any limit and bind each other’s wounds. Christianity therefore is not about our rights, our feelings or our life. It is about sacrifice, undying fidelity, humility, obedience and forgiveness.

 

[Davy]

Hi arunangelo, that is a very interesting comment!

It is certainly true, Christ suffered and died for us to be set free from the condemnation of sin by means of exercising faith in Jesus Christ and following his example. But you mentioned that we should--"quietly bear each other’s burdens, forgive without any limit and bind each other’s wounds,"--and further that our life should be about--"sacrifice, undying fidelity, humility, obedience and forgiveness."

Although I agree with you for the most part, I must point out that Christians should not forgive without limits. Although Jesus did say in Matthew 18:21, 22, that we should have a freely forgiving spirit and not hold grudges. Take a careful look at what Jesus says when he is judging the Thyatira congregations in Revelation 2:21-23. (NIV) Jesus says: "I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds." Notice Jesus gives these clearly unrepentant ones time to repent, but if they do not repent, they will be repaid according to their deeds. Therefore, if they were not repentant Jesus would not forgive them. And if Jesus will not forgive them who is any human to undermine that perfect judgment and forgive when Jesus refuses to?

If a person does not repent from serious sin, not only will Jesus not forgive their rebellious sin, but according to Paul they should be put out of the congregation, until they repent. (1 Corinthians 5:1-5) Only if they are repentant should they be allowed back into the congregation. (2 Corinthians 2:5-8) That may sound harsh, but adultery and sex before marriage is wrong in God's eyes! True Christians should have the "courage," which you missed out, to stand up for God's standards and insist they stop or get married, otherwise they should be put out of the congregation.

 

[brakelite]

Davy, I don't believe that it is our prerogative to forgive any who have not transgressed against us. But Jesus calls upon us to forgive all who offend us personally...unhesitangly, unconditionally, and as many times as required. Except we do this, we will find no forgiveness ourselves.