Friend

#1 · February 17, 2004, 11:39 am

Quote from Forum Archives on February 17, 2004, 11:39 am
Posted by: Asn <Asn@...>

Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Matthew 26:50 NIV

For three years, Jesus poured His life into His 12 disciples. In the Garden of Gethsemane, after agonizingly reconciling His will to His Father's, Jesus was approached by one of the 12 - Judas Iscariot. What had Judas come for? To betray Him and hand Him over to those who would facilitate His crucifixion. Jesus was about to endure the utter agony of the cross and the excruciating anguish of separation from God, His Father. But He knew that Judas would betray Him before He ever called him to be a disciple. And, had His will not been submitted to His Father's, He could have called legions of angels to prevent His arrest. He was about to be the sacrificial lamb dieing for Judas' sins just as surely as He was for His mother, Mary. So, when He looked His betrayer in the eyes, Jesus recognized that this was not the enemy. He called Judas "friend." Amazing love!

Many Christians today live with guilt over their past, whether it is a harassing event or a nagging habit - or maybe several. Satan, the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10), wants to make sure that you never forget your past, and he'll even try to make you doubt your salvation because of it. Truth is that every one of us have sinned (Romans 3:23). Not a single human being is worthy, by their own merit, of God's abiding presence in our lives. The greater truth is that there is no sin that will not be forgiven except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31). If we confess our sins to God and turn away from them, He will forgive! AND He will purify us from every trace of unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). If anything from your past is hindering your relationship with God, take a moment and talk to Him. Confess it - He knows it anyway. Ask Him to forgive you - He promised He will. Receive His grace - He already purchased your pardon. Then let it go and walk in forgiveness. He forgave Judas; He will forgive you. His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9)! And He calls you His friend (John 15:15).

Heavenly Father, if there is anything from my past - distant or recent - that hinders my walk with You, anything that displeases You, I ask that You would reveal it to me. The event that continually flashes before my mind's eye, the habit that dogs my steps, Lord, I confess it to You. You know it already, but I choose to be open before You. Father, I ask for Your forgiveness. Please forgive me where I've been wrong, and help me forgive those who have wronged me. I receive Your forgiveness today and I will walk in Your grace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Posted by: Asn <Asn@...>

Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Matthew 26:50 NIV

For three years, Jesus poured His life into His 12 disciples. In the Garden of Gethsemane, after agonizingly reconciling His will to His Father's, Jesus was approached by one of the 12 - Judas Iscariot. What had Judas come for? To betray Him and hand Him over to those who would facilitate His crucifixion. Jesus was about to endure the utter agony of the cross and the excruciating anguish of separation from God, His Father. But He knew that Judas would betray Him before He ever called him to be a disciple. And, had His will not been submitted to His Father's, He could have called legions of angels to prevent His arrest. He was about to be the sacrificial lamb dieing for Judas' sins just as surely as He was for His mother, Mary. So, when He looked His betrayer in the eyes, Jesus recognized that this was not the enemy. He called Judas "friend." Amazing love!

Many Christians today live with guilt over their past, whether it is a harassing event or a nagging habit - or maybe several. Satan, the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10), wants to make sure that you never forget your past, and he'll even try to make you doubt your salvation because of it. Truth is that every one of us have sinned (Romans 3:23). Not a single human being is worthy, by their own merit, of God's abiding presence in our lives. The greater truth is that there is no sin that will not be forgiven except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31). If we confess our sins to God and turn away from them, He will forgive! AND He will purify us from every trace of unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). If anything from your past is hindering your relationship with God, take a moment and talk to Him. Confess it - He knows it anyway. Ask Him to forgive you - He promised He will. Receive His grace - He already purchased your pardon. Then let it go and walk in forgiveness. He forgave Judas; He will forgive you. His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9)! And He calls you His friend (John 15:15).

Heavenly Father, if there is anything from my past - distant or recent - that hinders my walk with You, anything that displeases You, I ask that You would reveal it to me. The event that continually flashes before my mind's eye, the habit that dogs my steps, Lord, I confess it to You. You know it already, but I choose to be open before You. Father, I ask for Your forgiveness. Please forgive me where I've been wrong, and help me forgive those who have wronged me. I receive Your forgiveness today and I will walk in Your grace. In Jesus' name. Amen.