If we are to walk in His virtue it is essential to understand
and acknowledge that the virtue is present in us in Christ. We must believe it
is there if we are ever to use it. Acknowledging what God has done in us is key
to so much of our faith. Acknowledging the King’s mercy, the wicked servant
would forgive a fellow debtor. (Matthew 18) Acknowledging God’s mercy, suggests Peter, keeps
God’s virtue flowing in us. “But
he that lacks these things … has forgotten that he was washed from his old sins.” (2 Peter 1:9)
Acknowledging God’s love, Paul tells us, instills a “peace that surpasses understanding that
guards our hearts and minds.” (Philippians 4:7P
Acknowledging God in our ways, Solomon says, keeps us on the
right path. (Proverbs 3:6) In this
letter to Philemon, Paul refers to acknowledging our gifts in Christ Jesus. He
told his friend that he was praying: “That the communication
of your faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing
which is in you in Christ Jesus.” (Philemon 6)
Forgiveness is a communication of our faith. It will take
effect as we recognize it in the indwelling Christ. We forgive by first
confessing that in Christ Jesus, we have forgiveness. It is there because He is
there. No one bothers to look in the fridge if they think its empty, but if
they know there is pie in there, the door
utility light turns on. We open to forgiveness
as we acknowledge the love that is in us in Christ.
As we take stock of what He is in us, let us also consider what
we are in Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment