S - "The followers were afraid of the Jews, and on the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, they locked themselves in a room. Suddenly, Jesus appeared in the middle of the group. He greeted them and said, “Peace be with you.” When he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the followers saw the Lord, they became very happy. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. I am sending you, just as the Father has sent me.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they will be forgiven. But if you don’t forgive their sins, they will not be forgiven.”" According to John 20:19-23

 

O -  Jesus sends his followers the same way his Father sent him: empowered by the Helper to forgive.  All other dynamics of sending, of going, of following are dependent on this one. To fail at this is to fail completely. The refusal to forgive identified here is underscoring the essential nature of our forgiving.  Nine times the four accounts record Jesus saying to any and to all: 'If you forgive others when they sin against you, your Father will forgive you. But if you don't forgive others when they sin against you, your Father will not forgive you.' 

 

A - Religious, theological, organizational, missional thinking does not allow this sending of Jesus to lead the way in their thinking, going and sending.  The issue of God forgiving remains paramount but NOT the forgiving of the  one "going".  The fact of going/sending; the accuracy of the content of the message; the importance of the mission; the reputation of an organization; the money desired to "make it all work" all demands a different priority in their training and teaching; which of course negates Jesus actually sending those claiming to represent him. Jesus offers this strong warning to me and to all:"Not everyone who calls me their Lord will get into the kingdom of heaven. Only the ones who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do will get in. On the day of judgment many will call me their Lord. They will say, “We spoke in your name, and in your name we forced out demons and worked many miracles.” But I will tell them, “I never knew you! Get out of my sight, you workers of evil!”" According to Matthew 7:21-23

 

P -  Lord of all and Lord of me,

Am so very grateful for this singular and simple focus: forgive all others as you've been forgiven. This is the following you desire and inspire.  I accept this invitation and assignment as you lead the way and empower the decision to forgive.

Love you back,

Steve