Mark Huey of Outreach Israel Ministries delivers the following message, “Forgiveness: Confession and Repentance,” as the steadfast requirement for God’s people to forgive must be considered—as we evaluate our spiritual effectiveness for His Kingdom.
Have you ever wondered why followers of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who claim belief in and allegiance to Yeshua the Messiah, are not often having the spiritual impact on the world that should be readily apparent? Perhaps a main reason is that there is not a clear understanding of what is required of Believers to receive the blessings and spiritual empowerment promised through obedience to God’s Word. Or even more critically, perhaps ignorance to some of the foundational rules which outline the spiritual war, which has consumed the world since the Fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden, are not being followed, in order to achieve victory over the schemes of the Adversary (2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11). After all, Satan and his minions are fully aware of the absolute truthfulness of the Word of God, which has established the parameters of how the spiritual and material worlds function (James 2:19). By absolutely knowing that it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:17-18), these forces of evil have actually used the non-compliance of wide numbers of saints to the basic instructions found in the Word, to stymie and neutralize Believers’ effectiveness as ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) of the Holy One of Israel, to every wicked generation down through the ages.
The recorded history found in the Holy Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, has been preserved for edification and guidelines, on how to achieve ultimate triumph over the Evil One (1 Corinthians 10:11). Yet the key to overcoming is knowledgeable obedience to the Word, not allowing the Adversary to prosecute charges against the saints before the throne of the Eternal God (Job 1:6-12; 1 Peter 5:8; James 4:7), and hence reducing their effectiveness in advancing His Kingdom on Earth (Matthew 6:10).
This lamentable reality came home to roost in my personal meditations recently, as I was confronted by my own non-compliance to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and His Word over the past several years—as would be especially seen during the annual time of individual reflection, confession, and reconciliation during the Ten Days of Awe between Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur. And so, I would like to share a personal testimony—as a spiritual weapon of warfare against the Accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10-11)—which can hopefully prompt you to consider the great value of forgiveness, achieved through confession of sin, and a repentance in turning away from disobedience, resulting in clinging to the Lord who has provided atonement for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5; Hebrews 9:28; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3).
A number of years ago I made a truthful statement to an older person, but did so very disrespectfully with what I justifiably considered “righteous indignation,” regardless of the consequences. The result was that this person took offense and held my actions against me. The sad truth is that I knew that this person was offended with just cause, and discovered far too frequently evidence of that offense from a selection of witnesses. Nevertheless, because in my mind I was justified and hurt by the false allegations, I did not pursue reconciliation in order to resolve the disagreement. The great irony was that every year when it came around to the Ten Days of Awe when disputes and disagreements should be reconciled, I refused to humble myself and seek forgiveness, despite the persistent prompting of the Holy Spirit to do so. In fact, as I reflect back on all of the promptings, while reading or speaking or writing or hearing about the Ten Days of Awe, I simply “stiff armed” the Holy Spirit and did nothing to comply with Yeshua’s admonition found in His Sermon on the Mount to be reconciled to a brother before presenting any offerings at the altar:
“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER [Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17]’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent” (Matthew 5:21-26, NASU).
Human pride is such that because of hurts associated with misunderstandings, people have a natural inclination to want to be right, and through the machinations of their thought life, they can easily justify actions or inactions in order to protect their perceived positions as individuals. But when someone is born from above (John 3:16) and has received the life of Messiah Yeshua, by the Holy Spirit, via a redeemed heart of flesh, with the Law of God written upon it (Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26-27)—then the reality that one must lose his or her life in order to gain eternal life becomes real (Matthew 10:39, 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 17:33; John 12:25). This transformation from a natural self to a spiritual self establishes a completely new mindset, as the sanctification process begins conforming Believers into representatives of the Holy One in the world, with the renewed mind of Messiah and His attributes operating through them, as Believers are being conformed to His image:
- “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM [Isaiah 40:13, LXX]? But we have the mind of Messiah” (1 Corinthians 2:14-16, NASU).
- “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified” (Romans 8:29-30, NASU).
- “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2, NASU).
Of course, the good, acceptable and perfect will of God is to obey His instructions—but this is where problems often arise. We simply do not obey. Even when such guidelines are found in the opening chapters of the Gospels and the recorded words of the Messiah, people still have a tendency to do what is right in their own eyes rather than follow His instructions. I was guilty of non-compliance, but did not even consider the consequences until recently—when once again prompted by the Holy Spirit, I realized that it was finally time to humble myself and reconcile with the offended person.
After a number of phone calls and several weeks getting our schedules coordinated, my wife and I were able to spend some time with the offended person and his wife. After a number of hours of emotional conversation punctuated with confession, tears, prayers, and discussions about the present and future—with no need to regurgitate the past—the offer and acceptance of forgiveness by all parties was present. There was a sense that I was not only “clean,” but that the Almighty was pleased, because the valid argument perhaps being presented by the Adversary prosecuting my case was now eliminated. I now understood that when the time finally comes when I am going to have to stand before Yeshua to be evaluated for my deeds, I am not at all going to be liable of not making an attempt to reconcile with this particular offended person. In fact with all confidence, when all of my deeds while living on Earth are being reviewed, this is one act of disobedience that has been confessed and resolved.
I know from reading the Holy Scriptures that it is imperative that as followers of Yeshua the Messiah, that we are all going to be held accountable for working out our personal salvation with fear and trembling:
“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13, NASU).
I also know that if we continue to sin willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, which includes the clear instructions about the sacrifice of Yeshua, that the Lord will judge His people with perfect justice. However as is noted. especially since the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10; Job 28:28; et. al.), that it is a terrifying thought to fall into the hands of the living God:
“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES [Isaiah 26:11]. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY [Deuteronomy 32:35].’ And again, ‘THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE [Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalm 135:14].’ It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:26-31, NASU).
The admonition to one and all, who call upon the Lord of Hosts, is to do the correct thing when it comes to achieving peace and reconciliation among those with whom we have interactions. We should endeavor to seek forgiveness through confession and repentance. After all, it is within our power to humble ourselves and seek peace with all people:
“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY [Leviticus 19:18],’ says the Lord. ‘BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD [Proverbs 25:21-22].’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-21, NASU).
The benefits of following the commands of the Holy One are without measure. However, if one continues to resist the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit as He brings the Word to renewed minds, we are clearly evidencing a rebellious spirit that will eventually be dealt with in some manner or form. Hopefully, as we have experienced in this testimony, our choosing to obey His Word will turn His face back toward us, and His countenance will continue to lovingly guide us into desiring Him more, as we cling to Him who is life Eternal.
May we all be so moved as we enter into this season of forgiveness, confession, and repentance before Him and those with whom we share this earthly sojourn!
