FORGIVE AND YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN

Text: Luke 6:37-42

The text begins with judge not but the theme says forgive. Why so? Because forgiveness is what guarantees that you will not judge. Judgement is giving of justice or otherwise. Naturally this is the job of the law courts or some designated authorities like parents, school management or employers. However, Jesus was here referring to the judgement and criticism that emanate from our unforgiving hearts. We capitalise on others' faults and mistakes and run them down or declare them guilty. We gossip and criticize. Sometimes we feel we can't help it because of the fallen world we live in but we sure can if we've truly put on Jesus and his compassionate forgiving nature. We can be intentional about this and shun every rising of such in our hearts and our conversations.

Next is giving. We forgive and we give because Jesus forgave us much and also gives us liberally, without upbraiding us. He gives us without observing protocols so should we. Interestingly, this is direct from the bible  "the measure you use shall be used for you" "good measure pressed down shaken together and running over shall men heap into your bosom". Consider this, at the dark times of your life, if help comes to you from nowhere his will you feel? Now examine yourself. If you do not offer help by giving out of your little resources, nobody will consider helping you when you need help most. Giving to the helpless is like banking in an unknown bank account. Surprisingly, even unbelievers know this and practice giving more than believers. Do you know that this being a natural law of sowing and reaping they benefit from their actions? The fewer the seeds you sow the less your harvest. So, sow sparingly and reap sparingly but sow bountifully and also reap bountifully. 

More so, stop with the hypocrisy, you know yourself. If you're a preacher and you notice that a topic is speaking directly to you, go ahead and preach the message but be the first partaker of the meal. Have a taste of the meal you've prepared and benefit from it. Do not ditch a set of "dos" and 'donts' while you are more guilty of the sin. Beat your breast in repentance and cry for help. We fool ourselves when we carry planks in our eyes and try to remove specks from other people's eyes. It is indeed a laughable sight.

Father, your law is perfect converting the soul. Your testimonies are sure making wise the simple. Your commandments are pure enlightening the eyes...help us to genuinely embrace the wisdom of your word today and quit living the lies and pretensions of hypocrisy. We ask in Jesus name, Amen.