“And Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” Acts 8:1

It is said that in the U.S. there are over 50,000 new laws passed every year. That includes, local, state, and federal. This doesn’t include all the covenants that are passed. Why so many laws? First, the government would like a law to replace the conscience of man. The government believes in abortion. How can there be abortion without the hardening of the heart? (However, I have met many where the intellectual argument for abortion could not override their heart. For those, there has been forgiveness, restoration, and a moving on in Him.) Kill conscience in one area and it is likely to die in another.

The second reason for the multiplication of laws will be revealed in the future. Persecution for the Christian is coming to America. It would seem impossible since Christianity is the foundation for the constitution, laws, and the fact that there is freedom of religion. Christians won’t be put in jail for their Christianity. That would be too overt. Christians will be put in jail for some other vague law that will have been broken. It was the joke in the former Soviet Union, “We will put you in prison and find the law you broke later.” However, when it happens, it will be no joke.

“And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, My son, your sins are forgiven. But there were some of the scribes sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone? And immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your pallet and walk’?” Mark 2:5-9

Men are kingdom builders. Kingdoms need subjects. We are raised to be subjects. It is said, “You don’t have to respect the President but you must respect the office of the President.” Translated, “whatever you do, you are not to come out from under our kingdom! What would a kingdom be without subjects?” Kingdom builders must offer you something. If they can’t, the subject might go elsewhere. Now, kingdom builders never give you anything of substance. All things of substance are horded for themselves. They give something with the appearance of substance to keep you a subject. Religion is a kingdom. Those in charge must keep you in subjection. Out of necessity they must give you something, something you can’t get elsewhere. But, remember, it will just be the appearance you are getting something; you never really get anything but more bondage.

Every man, everywhere, knows they have sinned and fallen short. Within is a deep fear of the consequences. The Scribes and Pharisees were offering forgiveness, restoration, and freedom. The catch was that you had to jump through all their hoops. No matter how many you jumped through, they were always able to produce one more. The vast majority of people, wanting what was promised, continued to be in subjection. The kingdom went on.

Then, came Jesus and in one little sentence He destroyed it all. He brought “whosoever will” out from subjection. The sentence: “My son, your sins are forgiven!” He didn’t say “will be”, or “keep trying”, or “check with me next week”, “complete your memory work”, or “have a little more prayer time.” No, “Your sins are forgiven!” No more hoops, no more bondage, and no more need for the kingdom of man! No more religion! Religion destroyed it’s foundation. You are in bondage to no religion. Jesus has forgiven you! He has given what others promised in exchange for your devotion and servitude. You are free! You belong to no kingdom but His.

Repentance and Forgiveness:

“Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” Matt 18:15

A break in a relationship generally goes as follows: First, there is a relationship, next offense, a break in the relationship, hopefully repentance by the one who offended, forgiveness by the offended part, and in the end restoration. Jesus makes the point in this passage that if a brother sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, “I repent,” forgive him.

He speaks against the teaching of going to someone who has offended you and telling them that you forgive them when they have not asked for forgiveness. It is clear, “returns to you seven times, saying, I repent, forgive him.” It cheapens forgiveness to give it when people are not asking for it. It actually cheapens relationships.

Now, what are we to do when someone has offended us and yet refuses to ask? First, make sure that God has worked a basic principal in you. That is, you have accepted the truth that we are to be offended until we cannot be offended. If others can offend you, then others control you. Do any of us have a legitimate right to be offended and, to even be offering forgiveness, when there is no repentance?

Second, bless those who curse you. By blessing those who curse you, you will be able to keep the offender from living rent free in your head. And finally, when someone does repent, we must forgive.