Yahweh has many descriptive titles attached to His name.
These titles describe not only who He is but what He is, and what He does. One
of these is Yahweh Rapha. This, in English, means Yahweh our healer. His healing
power has no limits. He has the power to heal physically, spiritually, and
emotionally if you will allow Him to work with you. In this study we will
explore an aspect of Yahweh's healing power that may be overlooked. This is the
healing of relationships between neighbours. According to Yahweh's principles,
our neighbour is anyone we come in contact with in our daily lives, including
spouses, children, coworkers, and yes even strangers that we may encounter for
various reasons.
When a problem arises between us we cannot go back and right
all of the wrongs that were done, and we cannot go back and start again where
we left off with all of the same problems we had before. There must be a new
start, a fresh beginning. In all that we do as believers, and followers of
Yahweh, the bible must be our guide. Scripture sets us principles to go by.
At one time, all of us were in the position with Yahweh that
we often find ourselves in with each other. Isaiah 59:2 but your iniquities have made a
separation between you and your Elohim, and your sins have hid his face from
you so that he does not hear. There was a separation between us that we
could not close or heal. When Yahweh called us to follow His Son Yahshua, we
were His enemies. He was not our enemy, we were His enemy, and He wanted to
have us as His friends, since the whole purpose of His creating us was to love
us. This He does without measure. John 3:16. However, our sins
separated us from Him. A reconciliation was necessary between us.
A reconciliation was not possible with us in the condition that we were in. We
could not go back and undo all of our sins or make right all of the wrongs that
we had done. We were all under an eternal death sentence. Romans 6: 23
Yahweh, in His wisdom and mercy, made a place from which we could have a new
beginning, a fresh start with a clean slate. Yahweh made the initial call
which began the reconciliation process. John 6:44.
Through Yahshua, He forgave us, wiped out the past, and set a
point at which we could begin again. Colossians 2: 13 And you, who were
dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, Elohim made alive
together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.
Note this, forgive is a “verb” in Hebrew, Greek, and
English. A verb requires action to complete it. Yahweh took this action. John
3: 16 For Elohim so loved the world
that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but
have eternal life. 17 For Elohim sent
the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be
saved through him. Colossians 2: 14 having
canceled the bond which stood against us with its legal demands; this he set
aside, nailing it to the cross. This is the action that completed the
verb, forgive. Yahshua is the evidence of Yahweh's forgiveness. It is through
Yahshua that our debt was marked paid and our slate wiped clean.
There is another aspect of Yahweh's forgiveness that
We must note at this point. He also put the wrongs of the past out of His mind.
Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and
I will remember their sins no more. He does not keep a record of our
wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:5 [IGNT] Last part, setting us an example.
(More about this later.) Yahweh has the power to do this and we can take Him at
His word. Yahweh, in His love and mercy, has created a new point from which we
can start. The past is forgotten. From this point forward we must strive not to
repeat the wrongs of the past.
Yahweh has initiated and brought into reality forgiveness
and reconciliation. However, this is not just a one time forgiveness. Since we
are still carnal we will sin occasionally. ( These are inadvertent sins that He
will forgive. Intentional sin is covered in Hebrews 6:1-8 and Hebrews
10: 26-31) When we do sin
inadvertently Yahweh is faithful and will forgive us. 1 John 1:7-10 and 1
John 2:1-2 How many times will he forgive us? This question will be
answered in the following sections of this study.
Yahweh's Principles
Yahweh has set the principles of
forgiveness and given us an example by using them in forgiving us. It is these
same principles that He expects us to use in forgiving others who have wronged
us, both those in the faith and those in the world. Why those in the world?
Yahweh's forgiveness through Yahshua is not just for us (followers of “The
Way”) but for the whole world. 1John 2:1-2
Our forgiveness must be the same way.
Love, the First Step
Let us begin now to apply these
principles to ourselves in our dealings with others. The first step in
forgiveness is love. If we do not love we cannot forgive. The word used most
often for love in Hebrew is “Aheb” and in Greek it is “Agapao”. These words are
both verbs that denote action to complete.
Can we truly love someone who has
wronged us? We are commanded to do so. (More on this shortly) There is a very
important point that we must understand. Mankind, on his own cannot meet the requirements to love and forgive as
Yahweh does. Why? Romans 8:7
Because the carnal mind is enmity against Elohim; for it is not subject
to the law of Elohim, nor indeed can be. 8
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please Elohim. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the
Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of Elohim dwell in you. Now if any man have
not the Spirit of Messiah, he is none of his.
It is the Ruach Ha Qodesh, the Holy
Spirit within us that will enable us to obey the commands to love and forgive.
Yahweh, through the Holy Spirit, is our teacher and source of our power to
obey. He is love. 1 John 4:8 He
who does not love does not know Elohim; for Elohim is love. Romans 5:5 and hope does not disappoint us, because Elohim’s
love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been
given to us. 1 John 4:19 We
love, because he first loved us. 2
Timothy 1:7 for Elohim did not give
us a Spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control.
Believers have an advantage that those in the world do not have. They have
Yahweh as partner and adviser in their life walk together. In the world “two’s
company, three’s a crowd”. In Yahweh's way of life, “Two’s company, three’s a blessing”,
Yahweh is the third partner in every relationship we have as believers.
Since the above is true, it is the
responsibility for converted recipients of the Ruach Ha Qodesh to follow the
principles of love and forgiveness, set by Yahweh and exhibited in Yahshua, and
to show that example to those we encounter during our lives. In doing this we
are accurately representing our heavenly Father and His Son, and are faithful
ambassadors.
Since love is the first step in
forgiveness, let’s investigate Yahweh's definition of love. We will find it in
the book of Corinthians.
Spiritual Mirror
The bible is
our spiritual mirror. When we look in it we must look at how it reflects us
personally. It reflects to us what we should be and what Yahweh wants us to be.
Our goal in this life walk with Yahweh is to grow to the point that this mirror
will be an accurate reflection of us as it is of Him and His Son. In the love
chapter we have Yahweh's definition of love. 1 Corinthians 13: 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it
is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily
angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but
rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes,
always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. When we look at the different
points in the above scriptures we can see how accurately they reflect Yahweh's
love for us. We must look at each of these points and ask how accurately they
reflect our love for others. One point I would like to bring to your attention
is; it keeps no record of wrongs) Yahweh does not keep a record of
our wrongs. Remember; Hebrews 10:17 "I will remember their sins
and their misdeeds no more." We must be as willing, as Yahweh is, to
forget the wrongs committed against us. When we do this it opens the way for a
new beginning. Yahweh has given us this point of new beginning and we also must
give this point of new beginning to others as well or this scripture is not a
true reflection of us.
Fruit of the Spirit
Another excellent scriptural mirror to look into is
the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such there
is no law. This is the fruit that the Holy Spirit within us must be producing.
Notice that the above points are not “fruits” but are all a part of one fruit.
If one ingredient is lacking the fruit is not complete. Note that the first
ingredient in this fruit that is mentioned is “Love”. Also note from 1
Corinthians 13:13 that of the three things that abide forever, faith, hope,
and love, that the most important of these is love. This is because Yahweh is
love. 1 John 4:8 He who does not
love does not know Elohim; for Elohim is love. I would like to point out
an ingredient in this fruit; Patience. This could be the most difficult
ingredient to let grow within us. Please note that the first point mentioned in
the love chapter is patience. Perhaps it is mentioned first because it
is the most important point in showing true love. Without patience with others
it is nearly impossible to reflect the rest of the ingredients in both
scriptures. With Yahweh's Spirit within us, let us look at the two great
commandments, realizing that we do have the power to obey them. Again 2
Timothy 1:7.
The Two Great Commandments
The first and greatest commandment
is to love Yahweh above everything. Matthew 22: 36 "Teacher,
which is the great commandment in the law?" 37 And he said to him, "You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all
your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment, 39
And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. We will
fulfil the first great commandment in obeying the second. 1 John 4:20 If any one says, "I love Elohim” and
hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he
has seen, cannot love Elohim whom he has not seen.
There is something here to take
careful note of. The command is to love our neighbour as we love ourselves, not love our neighbour as he loves us. We are to love our neighbour
whether he loves us or not. Yahshua tells us this very thing. Matthew 5:46 For if you love
those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the
same? Luke 6:32
"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For
even sinners love those who love them. How do we show this love even if they
don’t? Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you,
Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you; Luke 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. This is not a principle exclusive to the new
testament. Yahweh does not change. Exodus
23: 4 "If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going
astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. 5 If you see the donkey of one who hates you
lying under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it, you shall
help him to lift it up. The apostle John tells us not to love in words only. 1 John 3:18 Little children, let us not love
in word or speech but in deed and in truth. Ephesians 2: 10
For we are his workmanship, created in Messiah Yahshua for good works, which Elohim prepared beforehand, that we should walk in
them.
Let us look for a moment at what we have learned about the
principles of forgiveness as applied by Yahweh. He desired to forgive us. This
desire sprang from the great, all encompassing love, He has for us. We were His
enemies, disobedient and hostile to Him, yet He forgave us. He reconciled with
us while we were His enemies. Take very careful note of this; Yahweh did not
require a penalty to be paid by us for our sins. Yahshua paid our penalty.
This concept is very important in
our forgiveness of others. The carnal nature wants to get back at those that
wrong us. We want to exact a penalty from them. We desire vengeance. This is
why there are arguments, assaults, and murders etc. According to the principles
of forgiveness set by Yahweh and exhibited in Yahshua, we cannot require a
penalty to be paid by those who wrong
us. We must leave it in Yahweh's hands. Consider the following; Proverbs
20:22 Do not say, "I’ll pay
you back for this wrong!" Wait for Yahweh, and he will deliver you. (NIV) Romans
12:17 Repay no one evil for evil,
but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that none of you repays evil for evil,
but always seek to do good to one another and to all. 1 Peter 3:9 Do not return evil for evil or reviling for
reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you
may obtain a blessing.
1 Peter 2:12 Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so
that in case they speak against you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds
and glorify Elohim on the day of visitation.
The title of
this study is, Yahweh's Principles, Our Standards. In this section we will come
to understand that it is us who set the standard that Yahweh
will use in forgiving us. Yahweh set the principles but we set the standard. There
are many scriptures that verify this, following are a few. Matthew
6: 14 For if you forgive men their trespasses,
your heavenly Father also will forgive you; 15
but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father
forgive your trespasses.
Notice the prayer outline that Yahshua gave when asked how
one should pray, especially,
Matthew
6: 12 and forgive us our shortcomings, as we also have forgiven those who have failed in
their duty towards us;
(Weymouth Translation, which makes the meaning much clearer.) Note that we are
to even ask that Yahweh forgive us with the same standard that we use to
forgive others.
This is a very serious matter not to be taken lightly. If
someone has wronged you and you do not forgive them. you have made the judgment
that they are not worthy to be forgiven. Consider this;
Matthew
7:2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will
be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. If we wish to
be shown mercy and be forgiven by Yahweh, we had better set our standards very
high in dealing with our fellowman. Note the following; James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no
mercy; yet mercy triumphs over judgment.
The parable of the unmerciful
servant has a wealth of instruction on this subject. Matthew 18: 23-34. Pay careful attention to verse 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if
you do not forgive your brother from
your heart. From the heart means that you not only must
forgive, but you must want to forgive. This want or desire
to forgive comes from the love that we must have for our fellow human.
Remember, we have Yahweh's love within us through the Holy Spirit and it is
this love that empowers us and that we reflect to our neighbour.
Since Yahshua’s disciples were
still very much carnal minded, they asked a question that is natural to all of
us. Matthew 18: 21 Then Peter came up and said to
him, "Master, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive
him? As many as seven times?" 22 Yahshua said to him "I do
not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” If one wishes to do the
math and spend his time counting the wrongs done to us by individuals, then one
must forgive an individual four hundred and ninety times. However, keeping in
mind that the measure we give others is the measure Yahweh will give us in
return, if we are going to count our neighbours sins against us, we most
assuredly must be counting the number of times we sin against Yahweh. If we count
our neighbours sins, Yahweh will count ours. Consider this scripture; Psalms 32:2 Blessed is the man
whose sin Yahweh does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.
Let us strive to follow Yahweh's example and not remember our neighbours sins
against us. Jeremiah 31:34, Hebrews
8:12, Hebrews 10:17.
Reconciliation
With true
forgiveness comes reconciliation. Reconciliation is the action that completes
forgiveness, whether between us and Yahweh, or us and our neighbor.
Remember, love and forgive are both
verbs. This means they require action to complete. Without the action that they
demand they are empty words. Lets use James’ instruction concerning faith to
help us understand this concept more clearly. It is the same principle. James 2:17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. 18 But some one will say, "You have faith
and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my
works will show you my faith.
Applying this same biblical principle to forgiveness, it is
meaningless without the actions to prove it. As Yahweh provided us with a fresh
starting point in our relationship to Him, we must provide that fresh starting
point for our brothers and sisters. This is the beginning of reconciliation
that completes forgiveness. This principle is doubly important to believers. We
will be sure Yahweh hears us if we follow Yahshua’s instruction. Matthew
5:23 So if you are offering your
gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against
you, 24 leave your gift there
before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and
offer your gift. (The inference here is, if you don’t then your gift will not
be accepted.)
This principle
can also work in reverse. If you are offering your gift or prayer at the altar
of Yahweh and remember that you have
something against your brother (anyone) you must first make that right, and
then offer your prayer. (Could this be why prayers go unanswered?) The only way
that we can have something against our brother, neighbour, is if there is
something that we have not forgiven. If we are harboring ill feelings about
someone, then there has been no forgiveness. With forgiveness, ill feeling or
resentment is replaced with love and concern for the other party. When the love
and concern is present, a new beginning point has been created for the
offender, even if he doesn’t know it. This brings a question. If this person
does not know that I have forgiven him, how can I be reconciled to him? Perhaps
you can’t be right away. But you have created a new starting point that in the
future could bear fruit. There is a monumental scriptural example of this very
thing, in which we have all received this type of forgiveness before we even
knew we were forgiven.
Yahshua’s Example
Consider
Yahshua, Luke 23:34
And Yahshua said, "Father,
forgive them; for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his
garments. Let us make this very personal. Each and every one of us is the
“them” that Yahshua asked His Father to forgive. I was not even born, yet
Yahshua asked the Father to forgive me. We are all responsible for the death of
Yahshua. We are all guilty of murdering the author of life. I did not know that
I was forgiven until I was twenty six years old. However Yahshua had created
the new starting point when He forgave me and died to prove it. This starting
point of reconciliation did not bear fruit in me for nearly two thousand years.
It was His love and kindness that drew me to Him. It will be His love and
kindness reflected from you that will at some point bear fruit in the one that
you forgive. The first move is yours, and mine, and every truly converted
recipient of the Holy Spirit.
May Yahweh in
His love and mercy grant us the desire and the power to follow His principles
and set the standard at the highest point and be that beacon in the darkness
that reflects His glory to our neighbour.
Matthew 5:14
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be
hid. 15 Nor do men light a lamp and put
it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in
heaven.
I will let our
loving Messiah’s words end this study. John 15: 7 If you abide in
me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for
you. 8 By this my Father is glorified,
that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved
you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep
my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s
commandments and abide in his love. 11
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that
your joy may be full. 12 "This
is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
HalleluYah, may Yahweh bless your studies. Elder Dave Ganton