If you sensed a definite Spiritual breakthrough today we would appreciate hearing from you with any details you may have. Simply email us at unity153@gmail.com
If there is nothing definite… no worries. It may not be a “corporate” breakthrough but since we are approaching the fall Feast days (21 days from the Feast of Trumpets) we wanted to check in with our readers.
The ego uses the past to keep us in bondage by retaining unforgiveness in the heart toward other people and their past acts. This unforgiveness creates stress in the spirit, soul, and ultimately the body. Once it affects the body then it is a matter of time before there is a malfunction and disease occurs. In Matthew chapter 18 Peter asked Jesus about forgiveness and Jesus answered him and then shared “the parable of the unforgiving servant":
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
Jesus did not dispute the reality of the brother sinning but He instead focused on our response as the victim. Jesus used a very specific number of 490 times (7 x 70) in His response because this number represents “Jubilee” in Scripture. In the simplest terms Jubilee represents release, rest, and restoration. Until the Jubilee occurs, we are held in bondage and are unable to fully walk in these benefits ordained by FATHER. We cannot change the past but it can continue to have a negative effect in our daily lives until we have fully forgiven those who have sinned against us. When our brother or sister has sinned, done something wrong against us, been offensive toward us in some manner, or has been inconsiderate, we are given a very specific directive by Jesus (and FATHER) to forgive him or her. This does not mean that FATHER is condoning their actions, quite the contrary. HE will deal with them according to HIS Divine Intent. He wants us to be free from the bondage of the past. We are the ones to walk in Jubilee independent of the brother or sister who sinned. Until we have cleared away any unforgiveness harbored toward another person, we will be unable to walk totally unhindered in our calling. Jesus continued:
23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
This is a perfect example of unconditional Love. The servant had sinned against the king in a huge fashion yet the king forgave him of the debt. We were all sinners accumulating debt we could not pay yet FATHER forgave us all our debt and has restored us to HIM. What was included as debt or sin? It is anything contrary to the Word and Its Divine Intent of Love. It is anything, no matter how small, that affects our brother or sister in a negative manner. If you have adversely affected your brother or sister by your words, actions, or inaction then you are guilty. The brother or sister who has been victimized is specifically directed to forgive you thus allowing FATHER to convict you of your sins. Both parties have a responsibility: the sinner should seek forgiveness from the victim and the victim should forgive and release the sinner from his debt.
28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’
34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
The above passage describes FATHER’S judgment against the one who not only sins but also retains unforgiveness toward others. We expect FATHER to forgive us yet we can’t seem to find it in our hearts to forgive others who sinned against us to a lesser degree? By retaining unforgiveness in our hearts, we subject ourselves to judgment by FATHER. If we fail to heed this warning by Jesus then we should understand that we will face unnecessary difficulties going forward.
If we demand an apology by the sinner and they do not respond in a genuine fashion then nothing has changed. An apology is “a regretful acknowledgment of an offense or failure.” Unless the apology is initiated by the sinner, unforgiveness increases in the life of the victim and forms bands of bondage to the past. Let’s face it, we have all been victimized and that will continue until Agape Love spreads throughout the earth. The past becomes the enemy of the present and we must not let the past hinder our walk any longer. Let us walk in a perpetual state of “Jubilee” where we are able to be released of the anger toward the sinner, rest in the present, and restore unity where possible. We must understand that if the sinner had a revelation and walked in Agape Love, there would be no issue. People are at different levels of maturity and revelation thus we should not expect others to interact with us in a perfect fashion. We need not promote division by using their sin as justification for us to break ties with them but instead promote unity by walking in a constantly forgiving state as Jesus directs. Let FATHER deal with the sinner and our life will be much simpler and fulfilling. We should be the example that the sinner looks to as they seek a change in their life.
In the Revelation of Jesus Christ chapter 21 it is written:
3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
If FATHER is willing to make all things new, shouldn’t we? HE is willing to fully forgive us and restore us to HIM and at the same time HE wipes away our past sins by declaring the former things have passed away. Have you been victimized more than Jesus? Are the wrongs which have been done to you greater than those Jesus suffered? Unforgiveness keeps us from walking in the fullness of unconditional Love and it may be the most subtle wall to tear down in our heart. Let each of us seek FATHER concerning unforgiveness and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal any issues which must be addressed. Each of us has been on both sides of this issue for we have offended our brother or sister and we have also been the victim. We cannot change the past but we can and should respond to the past according to Jesus’ directives. Once we have forgiven those who have sinned against us in the past… simply let it go.