Fore-giveness is Coming Near You

Golfers recognize 'fore' as a warning to cover up: another player's shot is approaching people unexpectedly. Although embarrassing to lay claim to an errant shot, that willingness to act might protects others from injury.

‘And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.' (Mark 11:25,26)

(fore- a prefix meaning 'before' in space, time, condition etc.)

Throughout Jesus' time with the disciples, He taught them the keys of the kingdom of God. Surely, He expected that they would hear and practice the truth. As they did, Christ was formed in them; and as Christ was formed in them, they understood how to give of the testimony they had received BEFORE those could ask for it. Those whom they 'had something against' were undoubtedly the scribes and the chief priests in the temple. Jesus was about to lay down His life for all of them, and us. When we receive a revelation of Jesus Christ from the Father by the Holy Spirit, fore-give others by and in it, without hesitancy or resentment. 'Freely you have received, freely give.' (Matthew 10:8)

Subject to Which Prophets?

‘For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.'  (1 Corinthians 14:31-33)

'When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' (Matthew 16:13,14)

'Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy." '(Revelation 19:9,10)

John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah: prophets all. Their testimonies should remind us where our devotion should be. When one stands to speak in our gatherings, remember that the testimony of Jesus should be the intent.

Certain Men Think Otherwise

‘Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,

To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:

Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For CERTAIN MEN have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.' (Jude v.1-5)

'Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything YOU THINK OTHERWISE, God will reveal even this to you.' (Philippians 3:12-15)

'Contend for', with certainty, 'the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints': Jesus Christ crucified and raised from the dead. If you think otherwise, 'ask of God who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given you'.