Title: Experience Forgiveness
Isaiah (139) Experience forgiveness
(Isaiah 56:1-8)
< Do not discriminate >
What kind of attitude is needed to prepare for grace? The text challenges three things. First, we must keep justice (verse 1). Many people today cry for justice but there is no justice; they cry for the truth but there is no truth; they cry for love but there is no love. Ultimately, to keep justice, you must fully accept Jesus and live Jesus-centered.
Second, we must keep the Sabbath (verse 2). Sabbath-keeping life does not mean making several rules that should not be practiced on the Sabbath and living according to those rules. Then it becomes legalism. Legalism is favored by those who want to show off their honor and power by enforcing the law. After all, the great meaning of the Sabbath is to live a life that prioritizes God.
Third, we must strive for missions (verse 3). Not only Gentiles but also eunuchs with paralysis of reproductive function who could not attend the general assembly in Israel can become people of grace if they keep the Sabbath and do things that please God (verses 4-5). After all, a life that faithfully fulfills God's will is more important than the fact that you are a stranger or an eunuch. The temple is not just for the people of Israel, it is a house of prayer for all people (verse 7). After all, in order to prepare for grace, it is important to practice a wide range of love through missions and almsgiving.
While cleaning the temple, Jesus quoted verse 7 saying that my house is the house of prayer (Mark 11:15-19). The Lord's cleaning of the temple gives the message that we must make the church like the church today. We need to seriously reflect on whether many churches are not becoming den of robbers with the smell of money like the temple at the time. The Lord wants the church to be a beautiful and pure church where the smell of money does not vibrate.
The best service in the church service is the silent church cleaning service. But more important than cleaning the church is that the church is spiritually clean. Everyone should try not to smell of money in the church. Do not use the Church for business or other worldly gain. In the same way, keep the church clean and keep yourself, the temple of God, clean, so that you can always strive to be a pure sacrifice before God.
<Experience Forgiveness>
The church is a house of prayer. However, more important than the fact that the church is a ‘house of prayer’ is the fact that it is a ‘house of prayer for all people’. When the church overcomes discrimination and prejudice and does its best for missions and relief, it becomes a blessed church that fulfills God's will, and the prayer that resounds from that church becomes a prayer that touches God's heart.
What is the key message of Gentile missions? After all, it is “forgiveness”. A forgiven believer must forgive. Pastor Billy Graham once said this. “If people experience true forgiveness, two-thirds of the mentally ill will be healed immediately, 90% of broken families will be restored immediately, and half of social problems will be solved immediately.” Forgiveness is so important. How often do you put yourself in jail for not being able to forgive, and darkness, conflict and frustration arises wherever he goes?
Forgive yourself to prepare for a blessed life. To be forgiven, you must have the experience of being forgiven freely. That is why we need faith in the cross. Many cry for justice, but few ask for forgiveness, “It's my fault!” In such a world where we do not blame ourselves and only blame others, we realize once again that Jesus is the only hope of the world. The best way to overcome the current darkness is for more people to experience love and forgiveness, overcome discrimination and prejudice, and stand up. Then history will be new.