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Responsibility for our actions or lack thereof
Dec 17, 2018 06:14:05   #
Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone
 
As I went back through and read many of the posts and comments I came upon this one. Sadly, the individual who authored it is no longer on OPP. His absence is missed. But, I will honor his memory by reposting his thread. Something for us all to think about....

Luke 15:18-19

"I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you."

Those are the words of the prodigal son after he wasted his inheritance on sinful living. When he returns home, his father celebrates his return. That is what God does for us. He gives us opportunity, and if we use our free will to foolishly waste it, it's our loss, and it is our obligation to accept responsibility for the waste. When we can do that, God opens a new door for you to try do better. Hopefully, you have learned from your mistakes.

How often have you heard someone blame their parents for their misfortunes? Or, blame a boss? Or, find some scapegoat for whatever went wrong? That person is unhappy with themselves, so they want to blame someone else for their shortcomings. Even after they make a case for another to be at fault, they still appear disappointed, because in the end they can't convince themselves they were 'innocent.'

When you accept the blame for the problems in your life, guess what - it frees you up. You no longer have to carry the mantle of that mistake. You are free of that burden. It's time to 'kill that fatted calf and celebrate.' It may surprise you, as to how lifted up it makes you feel, it's like ridding yourself of a chain. Be ready to look up and 'fess up, a new day is in front of you.

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Dec 17, 2018 09:05:27   #
Rose42
 
Amen. That parable is so deep and so rich. When come to Him utterly broken over our sin He forgives us.

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Dec 17, 2018 09:33:54   #
Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone
 
Forgiveness is there for those who honestly, with all abandonment, ask to be forgiven. We are blessed with the ability to walk back our mistakes.... but, one thing we forget, when we sin against another individual need to first ask that person to forgive us.... whether it is an uncivil tongue lashing or insult. There is much to be said about going to G*d with a clean slate. Recall that Joseph’s brothers asked for his forgiveness in Genesis 50:17-18. And person-to-person confession is implied in such passages as Luke 17:3-4; Ephesians 4:32; and Colossians 3:13. Sometimes just keeping that in mind will stay an unkind thought or action. It is not easy to approach someone we have offended, with a pure intention, and ask them to forgive what we have done or said. Most often we will be nursing our own hurt feelings because that individual returned the insult. Regardless if that person wishes to make things well or not, we still need to humble ourselves and ask them to forgive us and in our heart forgive them, whether or not they ask your pardon.

Rose42 wrote:
Amen. That parable is so deep and so rich. When come to Him utterly broken over our sin He forgives us.

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Dec 17, 2018 09:54:16   #
Rose42
 
You believe we need to ask forgiveness from someone before we ask God?

I'm don't disagree with anything you've said. And we also have to make sure its not a worldly sorrow but a sorrow that comes from offending God. If we are truly repentant that will be reflected in our actions and true repentance will lead to salvation. Acts 26:20 and 2 Cor 7:10

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Dec 17, 2018 10:24:14   #
Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone
 
I believe that we need to forgive others and ask them to forgive us... is it not written in the New Testament, Matthew 5:23 "So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." In this passage, the word brother is not empirical.... a sibling but rather meaning mankind in general. Even Saul/Paul wrote "Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort. Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as G*d has forgiven you through Christ." (Ephesians 4:31-32) Also, see Matthew 6:14-15, "If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done."

So, yes.... we need to recognize that our anger leads us to sin. Until we can deal with how we sin against one another we can not go with a clear and earnest heart to our Father. Being contrite and begging for mercy will temporarily make you feel better until you run into that person who holds you a grudge or you they.... when you settle that grudge, and ask our Father to also forgive, then you can feel real lasting peace. Many people do not realize the power of those simple words..."I am sorry I hurt you."

So sorry, just remembered James 5:16 "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed."

Rose42 wrote:
You believe we need to ask forgiveness from someone before we ask God?

I'm don't disagree with anything you've said. And we also have to make sure its not a worldly sorrow but a sorrow that comes from offending God. If we are truly repentant that will be reflected in our actions and true repentance will lead to salvation. Acts 26:20 and 2 Cor 7:10

Reply
Dec 17, 2018 10:58:04   #
Rose42
 
I see your point but is not confession to be continuous? Should we wait to confess to God before we seek forgiveness of another? In the penitent Psalms for example, David was continually asking for forgiveness. We have to do the same. Once we see we've sinned we confess and repent right away. If repentance is true it leads to changed behavior.

I'm not negating what you've said at all - it's critical we ask other's forgiveness. However the sins we commit are first and foremost against God are they not? Psalm 51:4 - Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,

When confronted by Potipher's wife Joseph said he would be sinning against God first, not Potipher.

"My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" Gen 39:9

There are many examples. If we are not repentant to God first how can we truly be repentant to another person?

The prodigal son is my favorite parable. I have a book on it that's quite good.

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Dec 17, 2018 12:53:49   #
jack sequim wa Loc: Blanchard, Idaho
 
Pennylynn wrote:
As I went back through and read many of the posts and comments I came upon this one. Sadly, the individual who authored it is no longer on OPP. His absence is missed. But, I will honor his memory by reposting his thread. Something for us all to think about....

Luke 15:18-19

"I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you."

Those are the words of the prodigal son after he wasted his inheritance on sinful living. When he returns home, his father celebrates his return. That is what God does for us. He gives us opportunity, and if we use our free will to foolishly waste it, it's our loss, and it is our obligation to accept responsibility for the waste. When we can do that, God opens a new door for you to try do better. Hopefully, you have learned from your mistakes.

How often have you heard someone blame their parents for their misfortunes? Or, blame a boss? Or, find some scapegoat for whatever went wrong? That person is unhappy with themselves, so they want to blame someone else for their shortcomings. Even after they make a case for another to be at fault, they still appear disappointed, because in the end they can't convince themselves they were 'innocent.'

When you accept the blame for the problems in your life, guess what - it frees you up. You no longer have to carry the mantle of that mistake. You are free of that burden. It's time to 'kill that fatted calf and celebrate.' It may surprise you, as to how lifted up it makes you feel, it's like ridding yourself of a chain. Be ready to look up and 'fess up, a new day is in front of you.
As I went back through and read many of the posts ... (show quote)




Thank you Pennylynn,

Timing is everything.

Often our motives of an action may be just, even serving God. During our quest to serve God in a just motive we can go off on a side road, return back to our main quest and not until examining our heart do we realize while serving God we allowed in our flesh, our sinful nature of even for a brief moment.
Great lesson and application. It also causes us to put on the humility (humbleness) of Christ, putting aside our pride.

While I agree with your personal wisdom and thoughtful thought process 99 % of the time , have always had the highest respect for you, I'll give you a pass when I do disagree. In some instances the disagreement is in one of us not having the full measure of information, which is the side of the fence I sometimes find myself...... But not always.

With sincere respect,
God Bless
Jack

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Dec 17, 2018 13:15:00   #
Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone
 
How very kind of you. I am indeed humbled. I do not think that we have to always agree, I think we can have difference in opinions without being unkind. So, feel free to disagree with me... when you do, it sends me back to basics.... I learn something new every time and it brings me closer to my beliefs or corrects me when I am wrong. Poppa taught me that no one is either right or wrong all the time! I look forward to reading all the comments in this section.

jack sequim wa wrote:
Thank you Pennylynn,

Timing is everything.

Often our motives of an action may be just, even serving God. During our quest to serve God in a just motive we can go off on a side road, return back to our main quest and not until examining our heart do we realize while serving God we allowed in our flesh, our sinful nature of even for a brief moment.
Great lesson and application. It also causes us to put on the humility (humbleness) of Christ, putting aside our pride.

While I agree with your personal wisdom and thoughtful thought process 99 % of the time , have always had the highest respect for you, I'll give you a pass when I do disagree. In some instances the disagreement is in one of us not having the full measure of information, which is the side of the fence I sometimes find myself...... But not always.

With sincere respect,
God Bless
Jack
Thank you Pennylynn, br br Timing is everything... (show quote)

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Dec 17, 2018 13:31:50   #
jack sequim wa Loc: Blanchard, Idaho
 
Pennylynn wrote:
How very kind of you. I am indeed humbled. I do not think that we have to always agree, I think we can have difference in opinions without being unkind. So, feel free to disagree with me... when you do, it sends me back to basics.... I learn something new every time and it brings me closer to my beliefs or corrects me when I am wrong. Poppa taught me that no one is either right or wrong all the time! I look forward to reading all the comments in this section.




Your a blessing through your father. B
I'll paraphrase "bring your child up in the ways of the Lord, that they make walk righteous in the Lord's way".
Im way off on exact scripture, but I know you do know it.

Again, we all are blessed by you, one of God's chosen people. It is I whom am humbled.

God Bless

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