Forgiveness: A Salvation Issue (Ha Yom Kippuriem)

This Ha Yom Kippuriem, as I reflect and seek Yah's face, I am reminded of something that I learned many years ago.  It was an " ah ha" moment; a real truth was seeded in my heart and mind that I will never forget and I aspire to embody.  It was about the very weighty matter of forgiveness.  It was the moment that I realized forgiveness is IN FACT - A SALVATION ISSUE.  It is by the words of our Savior, a requirement for Salvation!

Matthew 7:2
For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Mark 11:25
And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well."




Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.^g 24When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.^h25And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26So the servantⁱ fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,^j and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,^k until he should pay all his debt. 35So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tender-hearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive any complaint you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Matthew 16:19
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

You see, forgiveness  if a Kingdom pricipal that does not mearly seem to be a "good idea".  It appears to be a Kingdom pricipal (law) that is REQUIRED of Yah's Children.  Its not optional. So family, we need to be very good and proficient at this.  We must search ourselvs honestly and see if unforgiveness resides in us and if it does, we need to repent (turn around) and choose to forgive. Then walk in that forgiveness!!  It is a choice that is fully within our ability, authority and power to do.


Need more encourgement on the "how to" of forgiveness?

https://homeshalom.blogspot.com/2016/04/forgiveness.html

https://homeshalom.blogspot.com/2010/06/practicing-restoration-and-forgiveness.html

Community and Family

Community and Family are becoming one and the same for us. As we continue to walk in faith with folks who are zealous for our King and willing to surrender all to serve him..we are continually humbled, challenged, encouraged, inspired and edified even in this world that is becoming increasing hostile toward Yah and His people.

I am very blessed to live in a developing community that is entrenched with young adults and children who are zealous for purity and family values.  This is VERY encouraging to us, because that is a great commitment and value in our own family. This would not happen of course if it were not for the parents who are deliberate and commited to raise their children in this way.  We are so thankful for those who have gone before us!  It is such an encouragment and gives us such hope for our children in a world that offers little of either, to our youth (and parents) today.

Our children are between the ages of 3-15 at the time of this writing.  We have been so blessed over the course of the last 6-7 years to witness (and be a part of) a broad community that values Torah, Messiah, Family, Purity and living fully committed set apart lives for Yah.  We get to see the FRUITS of other families whose young adult-children are remaining pure until marriage.  It is a beautiful thing to witness and be a part of!!! 

As I reflect on it – I can see that there are many things we have in common:

·        We all have decided to live for YHWH (Yah/God).  To stand alone – if need be – for the truth that He had revealed to us through His Scriptures, His Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) and His Messiah Y'shua (Jesus).

·        We all have a passion for Scriptures and studying them to gain a greater understanding of Yah and our place in His plan and willingness to shape our lives to fit HIS plan, instead of shaping our idea of God to fit ours.

·        We all highly value family and faithfulness and have decided to cultivate a “family culture” as our core ministry and purpose.

·        We all have chosen to live modestly within our means and deliberately choose livelihoods that provide us the freedom to worship Yah and even to minister to others as a priority and lifestyle.

·        We all have learned to respect one another – even in our differences;  Be they lifestyle or doctrinal understandings.

·        We all have chosen to support, encourage and stand together – while at the same time we stand alone before our maker, responsible for our own walk/choices.

·        We all have a desire for purity, modesty and cultivating a humble teachable spirit before our maker and our brothers and sisters.

·        We all respect the role and responsibility of the Father/Husband as the head of the house hold and encourage him in it.

·        We all love and appreciate and edify the role of the Mother/Wife and encourage her in it as she “completes” the marriage picture and applies the many gifts that Yah has given her.

·        Most (but not all) of us have given up most of the things that people see as "normal". Things like public or Christian school, pop culture, TV, pop music, pop fashion, independence, extracurricular youth activities that pull them away from family and divide the family in many directions, amusement/entertainment focused hobbies, etc... and traded them for things that we value more.

We are a peculiar people...and we are OK with that. :-)

We don't agree on everything, mind you.  Here are some good examples of things that may be believed or practiced differently:

• Biblical Calendar Reckoning
• How to pronounce (or whether to pronounce) the Name of YHWH (YHVH)
• Living in close proximity and where we may meet for Sabbath.
• Opinions on Israeli Politics
• Opinions on Evangelism 
• Lots of things … actually.....but we are growing in wisdom, not to let these "disputable matters" cause strife in The Body.
• We may even disagree on the interpretations of some particular verses in Scripture and how it should be walked out!  In Christianity, pride and legalism causes a "church devision" and a new denomination.  (As seen - by the thousands that exist today.)  We have all seen it and are learning how to humble ourselves so that we stop duplicating that. We strive to allow Yah to work these things out in our hearts as we grow in the wisdom of His ways and His character.  So that we may truly understand LOVE and walk in it with in the family unit that Yah has designed for that very purpose!

I am very thankful for the those whom Yah has brought together in our extended family of believers. Even though we are not perfect, we know that we are all His and encourage one another in the process of being transformed for His glory.  We know that we have been bought and paid for with a price and we are willing to give our lives in thanks.  I am thankful for their zeal, passion and commitment to the King and to their families.  I am thankful for their contrite hearts and their willingness to serve their brothers/sisters.  I am thankful that they are raising possible husbands and wives for my own children - who share the same values and who serve the same King!  I am thankful that I do not have shallow fellowship that causes me "to be quick to leave the building" and get on with my day; I am thankful that we do not need to be justified by title or pastor or doctrine or require people to conform to standards imposed by certain people or church politics. Rather, one that is centered around serving Yah and His purposes.   I am thankful that Yah is knitting us together in His very unique way - so that we may be a light to the Nations...for generations to come - should Y’shua tarry longer than we thought.  May Yah always be the center and may it always be so!  Praise Yah!