True Gospel with SAVIOUS-PARKER KWINIKA
IT is human nature not to forgive.
Characteristically, humans are jealous, hateful, begrudging, complain and show disgruntlement against perceived enemies.
While Jehovah God easily forgives all types of sins, when we confess our wrongdoings, humans have no space for that in their hearts at all.
Zacchaeus, the most-hated ancient biblical tax collector, is a good example of hate humans can direct towards a fellow being.
It so happened one day when Jesus Christ was passing through Jericho on his way to Jerusalem for the last time before crucifixion.
The streets were jam-packed.
Amid the throngs of people, Jesus did the unthinkable!
He requested Zacchaeus (who had to climb a tree to get a view as he was short) to come down from the tree so that they could go together to his place for a meal as well as staying at his house.
Now, look at the unforgiving mindset of religious teachers, Pharisees and several other church leaders of that time.
They all complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples.
They had qualms why the Messiah was going to eat and drink with a tax collector. They labeled Jesus’ action as a “scum.”
In Luke 5:30 of the New Living Translation, the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law query Jesus’ disciples: “Why do you eat and drink with such scum (Zacchaeus)?”
Jesus Christ answered them back on Luke 5:31-32, declaring: “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”
Obviously, the teachers, Pharisees and all church leaders present were surprised by Jesus’ response. They were left with an egg on their faces.
Truly, Jesus Christ shocked those that unfairly judged others as if themselves were holy.
A Majority of believers, even today, find it difficult to forgive those who wrong them. Instead of forgiving, they would want to either have them punished or get killed.
They forget our Lord Jesus Christ’s mission on earth was to save that which was lost.
This salvation and good news was and is directed toward every area of need, poverty, and problem of humanity. By nature, man lives separated from God.
John 3:16 Contemporary English Version remarks: “God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.”
Jehovah God Himself also undoubtedly made it clear His thoughts and ways were completely different from humans, hence Jesus chose to dine with the so-called sinners like Zacchaeus.
Jesus stayed and ate with Zacchaeus in the presence of haters as well as the jealous, unforgiving and begrudging people of this world.
Isaiah 55:8 English Standard Version confirms Jehovah’s ways of choosing whom He so wants to use or bless, regardless of what humans think.
It reads: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.”
What he did for Zacchaeus, Jesus Christ is able to do for every human being today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 of the New King James Version observes: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Indeed, Jehovah has truly lived to His promise that he would not lie nor change His mind when forgiving His children without conditions, especially to those that confess their sins.
Numbers 23:19 of the GOD’S WORD® Translation reads: “God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn’t change his mind. When he says something, he does it. When he makes a promise, he keeps it.”
John 8:36 of the English Standard Version states: “So if the Son (Jesus) sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
What I like about our Creator, Jehovah God, is that He just does not penalise or condemn us but He invites us to reason all our sins with Him.
Isaiah 1:18 of the GOD’S WORD® Translation confirms this: “Come on now, let’s discuss this!” says the LORD. “Though your sins are bright red, they will become as white as snow. Though they are dark red, they will become as white as wool.”
Jehovah forgives each and every one of us well knowing there is no human under the sun who is not a sinner.
Romans 3:23 of the Contemporary English Version confirms: “All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.”
Do not forget, whosoever confesses his or her sins, he automatically becomes a new creature in the eyes of Jehovah.
2 Corinthians 5:17 of the Berean Study Bible notes: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!”
Brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, those who believe in this True Gospel, say amen!
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