Hebrews 11:1-3 (NKJV) Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

The Hebrews author speaks of a company of people he calls “cloud of witnesses”, who were ordinary people who did extraordinary exploits for God. They were who they were because of their faith in God. In Chapter 11 we are told who these “cloud of witnesses” are – some by name, some by the miracles they experienced.

• By name: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses
• By their miraculous experiences: subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

We want to ask some important questions: What made them who they were? What was the environment that produced their experiences? What was their faith?

They all shared an understanding about faith that consisted of these three elements described in Hebrews 11:1-3. Before the author of Hebrews begins his rendition of the men and women and their exploits, he assumes that we have come to a similar understanding; just like these giants of faith – “by faith we understand.” These are the three elements of faith we are invited to “understand”.

 

1. Experiencing what’s hoped for

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for… (NKJV)Faith shows the reality of what we hope for … (NLT)

Faith makes hope tangible and real. Faith enables a person to experience “now” what he or she is hoping for, until what is hoped for eventuates and becomes a reality. Without hope, faith cannot exist. Hopelessness quenches faith. Faith requires hope. Faith thrives in the environment of hope. Faith makes hope experiential. When the need or vision is so big, where do we start? One small miracle at a time. Faith shows the reality of what we hope for. Suddenly what we are hoping for starts becoming a possibility as we see small prayers answered, little steps closer to what we are hoping for. Our hope increases and faith thrives in the environment of hope.

We need to dwell in an environment of hope. Focus on what God has done and believe he will do it again. We can’t have hope, we must do hope. In other words we must create an environment for hope to exist and thrive. The only way to ensure hope is present in our lives is to do hope with others. Who are your “cloud of witnesses?” Listen to testimonies, read a biography, go to the characters in the Bible, hang out with people who live, value and project hope. Dwell in an environment of hope. Have this mindset in you – “If you did it for them, Lord, you will do it for me.”

 

2. Evidencing what’s unseen

Faith is “the evidence of things not seen.” (NKJV)
“It’s our handle on what we can’t see.” (Message translation)

The second element that was present in these giants of faith was that they began to seek out evidence of things that wereunseen. Faith takes us beyond the mirage of the visible to the reality of the invisible.

Our eyes deceive us. We are dupe to believe that the seen and the visible is the only reality. If you cannot see, hear, touch, smell or taste, then it doesn’t exist. You must Google “The McGurk Effect” and watch the video on YouTube. We are shown how what we see overrules what we hear. When there is a conflict between what we see and what we hear, the brain decides that what you see is more real than what is heard and overrules the auditory process.

Much of what we are relying on are illusions. We think they will last forever – our money, our health, our jobs, our world we have created. The truth is, the unseen which is eternal is more real and everlasting than the seen and the visible. What we see is actually a mirage compared to the unseen world where God exists.

2 Kings 6:1-17 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

The story of Elisha and his servant is a clear example of this truth. What was visible presented itself as formidable and the only response was fear. But when the servant had access to visualise the invisible forces, fear dissipated and faith arose. As the apostle Paul pointed out:

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

WHEN THERE IS A CONFLICT BETWEEN WHAT YOU PHYSICALLY SEE AND WHAT GOD HAS PROMISED YOU – PRAY FOR THE ABILITY TO SEE BEYOND THE MIRAGE OF THE VISIBLE INTO THE REALITY OF THE UNSEEN.

The two elements in the life of faith – Experiencing what’s hoped for, evidencing what’s unseen.
Now let’s look at the third element.

3. Engineering a God shaped world

Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. (NKJV)

By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see. (MSG)

These men and women mentioned in Hebrews 11 posessed a worldview/reality that was framed by the word of God.

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God.

Genesis chapter 1 wasn’t just an account of creation. It presented a worldview on how “worlds” were framed. “God said”,and “it came to pass”, and “it was good”. We see these phrases repeated for each of the first six days of creation. God calls worlds into existence by His Word. The “cloud of witnesses” believed that literall, and they framed their worlds by the Word of God.

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God.

The word “understand” in the Greek is “to exercise the mind”. It isn’t just a one-time change in our mindset. It’s a continuous exercising of the mind to shape our understanding towards that worldview or mindset.

The worlds were framed by the word of God.

The word “framed” – “katartizo” – means to complete thoroughly, to repair or adjust, to fit, to frame, to make perfect, to restore. When faced with the conflict between the circumstances and the Word of God, these giants of the faith chose to frame their minds with the word of God. Even though their brain was defaulting to the physical reality, they chose to go beyond the seen and frame their world by what God had promised them through His word.

How do we frame our world based on God’s word? You frame your world by speaking God’s word – you confess His Word.

Romans 10:10-11 (NKJV) Now with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

OUR CONVICTIONS INFLUENCE OUR CONVERSATIONS. OUR CONVERSATIONS REINFORCE OUR CONVICTIONS.

According to psychologist Jerome Bruner, the way a person sees and speaks of self “become so habitual that they (the self talk) finally become recipes for structuring experience.” Your speech patterns become your recipe on how you will frame your world.

Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV) Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 2 Peter 1:4 (NKJV) …by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Through God’s exceeding great and precious promises – you partake in the divine nature. Frame your world by the Word of God. Take hold of God’s promises and use them to change your ways of speaking about self, others and your circumstances. Shape your “world”, the world you live in, by speaking God talk and creating an environment where faith thrives and you see the miraculous happening on a daily basis.

The three elements of faith that must become our “understanding”:

• Experiencing what’s hoped for
• Evidencing what’s unseen
• Engineering a God shaped world

Focus on what God has done and believe he will do it again.

Go beyond the visible world and believe in God possibilities.

Change your habitual ways of speaking into God talk. Frame your world by the word of God.

Today we look at Acts 4:5-13. In this passage we see the first miracle brought about through Peter and John after Christ had ascended to heaven. We get an insight into the disciples understanding of the power of Jesus name and how they used His name in their ministry. As we reflect on this passage, we are wanting to focus on the question the religious leaders asked Peter and John – “By what power or by what name have you done this?”

 

The context – The healing of the lame man

 

In chapter three of the book of Acts, we read an event that occurred not many days after Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples and all who were in the upper room. We are told that Peter and John are on their way to the temple for prayers and see a lame man begging at the gate of the temple. This was a daily activity of the man as it was his only means of income. We can assume this was not the first time Peter and John would have encountered the man begging at the gate. I don’t think it is too much of a stretch to even assume that the man was begging at that same spot when Jesus went in and out of the temple. If it is true, how amazing to think that this very day was the God ordained moment for this lame man to encounter God and receive his healing.

Acts 3:6 (NKJV) Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

It is human nature to focus on what we do not have. I think Peter was being honest when he said he did not have any money to give to the man. What he did have however outweighed anything money could buy. Whenever we are faced with the challenge to minister to someone in need. I wonder how often do we rely on our physical resources to help or meet their needs. While ministering to the physical needs of someone is of utmost importance, let us never be satisfied to just meet physical needs. As we position ourselves to be a community that serves the needs of others, let us never forget that we have something greater than mere physical resources.

“What I do have I give you”. Peter recognised that what he possessed was far more than what the lame man was expecting. The man would have been satisfied with a few coins to help him get through another day. The reality was that the lame made needed something more than silver or gold. What he needed was to be made whole. The world is crying out for wholeness but most do not realise that the only answer to their needs go beyond physical resources. Peter made a distinction between resources available on earth and resources available supernaturally from Jesus Christ. “in the name of Jesus Christ” – Peter offered the lame man something that was going to transform him for eternity.

 

What’s in a name?

Acts 4:7 (NKJV) And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”

Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet makes this profound statement. “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” You can call a rose whatever you want, it wont change what a rose is. The flower gives the meaning to the name. It’s the person behind the name that makes the name. When Peter spoke the name Jesus, he knew the man behind the name and therefore experienced the power of that name. Saying the name of Jesus is not a mantra. Who you believe Jesus is, will determine your experience with the name Jesus Christ.

 

The person behind the name Jesus?

Look at Peter’s response and you see what the early church believed about Jesus. The apostles along with the believers in the early church believed 2 things about Jesus:

• He had ultimate control over human condition

Acts 4:10 (NKJV) let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.

• He had ultimate control over human destiny

Acts 4:12 (NKJV) Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

The importance of knowing the person behind the name

The religious leaders recognised that there was an intimate connection between Peter and John’s relationship with Jesus and the use of His name – “they had been with Jesus”.

Acts 4:13 (NKJV) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

God has no grandchildren. You cannot have a second hand experience with God. You cannot share the encounters of someone else. You need to have your own personal experience with Christ in order to experience the life of Christ. Beware of a relationship with Jesus “twice removed”. Remember the sons of Sceva?

Acts 19:11-17 – “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”

Acts 19:15 (NKJV) And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”

Just using the name of Jesus without an intimate relationship with Him has no value. TO KNOW THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME, WE NEED TO KNOW THE PERSON JESUS CHRIST

Jesus the ultimate cure

 

Each time we use His name, let us remind ourselves of the person behind the name. Look at some of these amazing Scriptures that speak of who Jesus Christ is. Every time we pray in His name, let us remember what that truly means. Each time we use His name, let us remind ourselves of the person behind the name.

 

He is the ultimate authority

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

He is the ultimate salvation

1 Corinthians 6:11 … But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

He is the ultimate access to God

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

He is the ultimate key to answered prayer

Jn 14:13-14 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

He is the ultimate defense from demonic oppression

Luke 10:17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

He is the ultimate healer

James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

 

NEXT TIME YOU PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS REMEMBER THIS:

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ULTIMATE SAVIOUR

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ULTIMATE ACCESS TO GOD

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ULTIMATE ANSWER TO ALL OUR PRAYERS

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ULTIMATE PROTECTION FROM DEMONIC OPPRESSION

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ULTIMATE HEALER AND WORKER OF MIRACLES

 

Jesus christ is truly the ultimate cure for this broken world. You’d better believe it.

 

The early church vs The modern day church

 

Some say that the early church never met in buildings. They only met in homes. That is not true. They met in the temple and they met house to house. As the numbers grew, Christianity was made illegal in many parts of the Roman Empire and Christians were persecuted. The church was not recognised as a legal entity and it had no political power. Things changed when Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in AD313, which gave the church legal status and reprieve from persecution. Within 10 years Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. My concern is that the modern day church draws most of her ideas of doing church and ideas about God from the third century onwards.

I’m suggesting that we return back to the 1st Century ideas of being and doing church. Can we go back to living like the early church? I don’t think that is possible. We have got so used to modern day comforts and technology that it will be quite impossible to return to first century lifestyle. I doubt anyone wants to give up their mobile phones and social media. I’m not interested in recovering a way of living. What I want to do is to look at the activities of the early church in order to recover the values they held. By looking at “why they did what they did?”, I want to recover what really were the essentials of the early church.

What made the early church so effective as agents of change in their society? I want to challenge our ideas of church and strip away unhealthy concepts we hold on to that are hindering us from being the change agents God wants us to be.

JESUS’ DESCRIPTION OF THE CHURCH

Matt 5:13, 14 (NKJV) – You are the salt of the earth; You are the light of the world

Jesus called us salt and light. Salt and light are both agents of change. They change the environment they are in. Have we changed the world or has the world changed the us? It is time we went back to our original purpose. The church exists to transform society. Time we went back to the drawing board.

Let’s look at what the church looked like in the book of Acts when they took Christ’s mandate seriously and existed only for one purpose – to be agents of change.

Acts 2:42-43 (NKJV)

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

FOUR DISTINCT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EARLY CHURCH

1. THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO THE APOSTLES’ TEACHING – A NEW FOUND LOVE FOR GOD’S WORD

The Apostles lived 24/7 with Jesus for three and a half years. They had a radically new way of reading and interpreting Scriptures which were influenced by the life and teachings of Jesus, His death, His resurrection, His ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The early Christians were learning to read the Scriptures the way the apostles were reading scriptures. Luke describes them as being devoted to the apostles’ teachings. In other words, they were devoted to the interpretation of the Scriptures by these ones who were taught by Christ Himself and now being directed by the Holy Spirit.

→ Holy Spirit directed interpretation

John 14:26 (NKJV)

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

→ Holy Spirit directed application

2 Tim 3:16-17 (NKJV)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

They began to see the law and the prophets in a new light – through the lenses of Jesus the Messiah. They were taught how to interpret the Scriptures and apply the them in their daily lives. The first thing that we must recover is a love for the Scriptures. Not old and new testament divided into various genres and historical divisions in an attempt to make the Bible relevant and applicable to modern day readers. While this may have it’s place but the early church was learning to read Scriptures the way the apostles were reading Scriptures – through the lenses of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

2. THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO THE FELLOWSHIP – A NEW FOUND LOVE FOR GOD’S PEOPLE

The word fellowship is the greek word “koinonia”. It means partnership. The word includes ideas around communion, participation, agreement and unity. The Jewish community were a divided religious community during New Testament times. Among the many sects and religious orders 3 major sects polarised the Jews.

→ The Pharisees. They traditional, orthodox. But they became very legalistic and self righteous. They focused on the doing. Jesus was very critical of them.

Matthew 23:4 (NLT) They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.

→ Sadducees. These were skeptical, rationalistic, and in the eyes of the other sects they were worldly-minded. Focused on the thinking and reasoning.

→ The Essenes – this group were the mystics and were ascetic. Lived monastic lifestyles. They focused on feelings (experience).

Churches and Christians are divided in those lines even today. The traditionalists or conservatives who focus on doing only and face the danger of legalism. The liberals who focus on thinking and reasoning only and face the danger of compromise and conforming to the worldly ideas and philosophies of men. The mystics who focus on feelings and experiences only facing the danger of shallow and wavering faith.

→ Paul addressed these tendency in the Corinthian church:

1 Corinthians 1:11-13 (NKJV)

… that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

→ The early church valued koinonia. They dedicated themselves to ensuring that division and disunity were eradicated through genuine love and care for one another. They devoted themselves not only to a partnership with God but also to one another.

THE IMPORTANCE OF KOINONIA

True Christian fellowship – a community in union and in partnership – creates an environment for transformation to occur:

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP PURIFIES OUR WALK

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

There’s a life giving, Spirit cleansing experience that is accompanied by true Christian fellowship.

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP REFINES OUR INTIMACY WITH GOD

1 John 4:20-21 (NKJV) If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

True Christian fellowship strips away any residue of religious pretense when we approach God. We are instructed to love our neighbour as ourselves. We cannot love the world until we first learn to love each other in the Body of Christ. IF WE LEARN TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER, WE WILL LEARN TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOUR.

3. THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO THE BREAKING OF BREAD – A NEW FOUND LOVE FOR GOD’S GRACE

The third activity the early church devoted themselves to was communion. the act of “breaking bread” together is not just a symbolic one. It’s what our Latin Fathers of the faith called sacrāmentum (sacrament). It is a “visible sign of an invisible grace”. C S Lewis described the taking of communion this way. “Here a hand from the hidden country touches not only my soul but my body”. Paul put it this way:

1 Cor 10:16-17

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

In this passage, Paul uses the word “communion” – same Greek word koinonia – as he describes the act of taking the Lord’s Supper.

– Partnership and unity with His life-giving blood

– Partnership and unity with His resurrected body manifested in and through us

The Act Of Breaking Bread Reminds Us That Our Christian Faith Rests Totally On The Grace Of God. It is by grace we are saved. It is by grace we are transformed. We contribute absolutely nothing to the process of salvation apart from our willingness to submit ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Communion reminds us of that. Let us break bread together more often, so that we remember.

4. THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO PRAYER – A NEW FOUND LOVE FOR GOD’S PERSPECTIVE

Prayer is the most mentioned activity in the book of Acts (32 times). Prayer preceded nearly every significant event in the book of Acts. I want to look at Paul’s letter to the Philippian church to gain some insight on how the early church viewed prayer.

Phil 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Paul, writing from prison, during a time of great persecution for the church, addresses a valid emotion Christians were experiencing – anxiety. Prayer is our garrison that protects us from fear and anxiety. Prayer with a good dose of thanksgiving. Prayer isn’t coming to God with a whole list of things you would like Him to do, as if He were a waiter taking our orders or a servant awaiting instructions. Prayer is me coming to Him in all my frailty, trusting He will reshape my thoughts and my feelings, subjecting it to His perfect will for my life. Prayer gives me an opportunity to see His thoughts and His will for my life and creates a desire for me to align myself to them.

We Need To Recover The Importance Of Prayer. A God Perspective – Helps Us See From His Vantage Point And It Produces The Peace That Guards Our Feelings And Our Thinking.

We see in verse 43 the effects of recovering these 4 values – Scriptures, fellowship, communion and prayer.

Acts 2:42-43 (NKJV)

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

“Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.”

These four essential acts the church participated in, developed among them a healthy respect and awe for God. That reverence and fear allowed God to have free reign among them which resulted in signs and wonders following them wherever they went about preaching the Gospel.

THESE FOUR THINGS ARE THE ONLY ESSENTIALS WE NEED TO FUNCTION AS A CHURCH.

A LOVE FOR GOD’S WORD

A LOVE FOR GOD’S PEOPLE

A LOVE FOR GOD’S WORK OF GRACE

A LOVE FOR GOD’S PERSPECTIVE THROUGH PRAYER

EVERYTHING ELSE? MERE ADD-ONS.

One of the greatest deceptions in our faith journey is the perils that come with having abundance. Both the Old and New Testaments are full of passages warning us of the pitfalls of self-sufficiency.Proverbs 30 provides us with a good summary of what the Bible teaches us about money and possessions.

Proverbs 30:8-9 (NIV) keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

In this passage, the wisdom writer makes two requests – to be protected from deception and to be provided only what is sufficient for his daily needs. The connection the writer makes between deception and self-sufficiency is quite significant. In his prayer for contentment in what has been allotted to him, the writer identifies two possible deceptions that are faced when one is either in poverty or in wealth.

The deception of poverty

“I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”

Poverty deceives a person into thinking that they have no other options apart from taking measures into their own hands and acquiring their needs through illegal activity. Poverty deceives us into believing that our needs justify the means of obtaining it, even if they contradict Biblical principals.

Poverty says, “God won’t help me; I must help myself.”

The deception of wealth

“I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?”

Being in the position of wealth carries with it the danger of another form of deception. Along with wealth comes an abundance of options. Being in a position where one is presented with numerous options and possibilities, God can become an unnecessary restriction to someone spoilt for choice. It becomes burdensome to seek God’s best when I have all I need to pursue what’s best for me.

Wealth says, “God does not need to help me; I can help myself.”

Proverbs 30:8-9 is a prayer to remove all the earthly facades that the world says we need. When we pray this prayer, we are seeking to rid ourselves of the deception of poverty with it’s enticement to be free from Divine rule, and the deception of wealth with it’s enticement to be free from Divine accountability.

When we pray this prayer, what we are really praying for is our “daily bread”. We are praying to be content with being sufficient for today. It us a prayer that keeps us in this narrow path of truth – free from the deception that comes when in want or in abundance.

In a world where wealth has been equated to prosperity and happiness, it is so important for us as believers to embrace the Christian life promoted and lived by the great apostle Paul.

Philippians 4:11-13 (NKJV) Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Forgiveness is a very sensitive subject for many. When such a topic is brought up in a crowd, inevitably we end up seeing the group polarised. There will be a group who end up feeling guilty or condemned because they are struggling to forgive those who have done great harm to them. Then there will be a group who become defensive and feel they are justified in their actions because of the injustice that will occur should they forgive someone unconditionally.

The second of the three petitions in the Model Prayer Jesus taught his disciples is around forgiveness. Asking our Father to forgive us our sins isn’t the challenge. It is the connection Jesus made between God’s forgiveness and our forgiving others that makes the prayer a little more arduous. At the end of the prayer in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus further emphasises this connection between God’s forgiveness and our forgiving.

Matthew 6:14-15
“for if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses.”

At first glance it would seem like Jesus is suggesting a trade off. “If you want forgiveness from God, you better forgive others.” Some may even read it with a legalistic tone – “forgive others or else…”. I’m not convinced Jesus was teaching that the Father’s forgiveness had a quid pro quo element to it. I believe Jesus was showing us the close connection God’s forgiveness has with our ability to forgive others. The Message translation seems to elude to this.

Matthew 6:12 (MSG)
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us forgiven, keep us forgiving

To be forgiven and to be forgiving are two sides of the same coin. We cannot experience forgiveness if we aren’t experiencing forgiving. The act of receiving forgiveness is inseparable from the act of giving forgiveness. The two are intrinsically linked together. Once we see the link between the experience of receiving love and the experience of giving love, the explanation Jesus gives in Matthew 6:14-15 begins to make sense.

Matthew 6:14-15

“for if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

This is how I read the text in light of the connection between experiencing forgiveness from the Father and our ability to release forgiveness to others. If you want to experience true forgiveness, draw from your experience of receiving Divine forgiveness.
As you experience forgiveness from the Father, let it overflow through you by experiencing the act of forgiving another. The more we allow ourselves to experience forgiveness from the Father, the greater our ability to release forgiveness to others. In the same vein, when one chooses not to release forgiveness to another, that person restricts himself or herself from experiencing the forgiveness from the Father.

Excerpt from “The Model Prayer”,  Andrew Kulasingham