The Two Temples
(A Christian Workbook)
Section 2: Chapter 2 – Fitting In: Forgiveness
lthough this
book is divided into two sections, the topics covered by both halves are
essentially the same. While in Section 1 we examined certain concepts on an
individual scale, Section 2 expands on them and introduces a social setting.
For example, Chapter 1 of Section 1 dealt with the question “Who is Yah?” while
Chapter 1 of Section 2 discusses Truth, the foundation of the Spiritual and
Collective Temple. Yah is truth, and thus the same essential principle is
covered. This is much the same for all seven chapters of both sections. Chapter
2 of Part 1 was called, “What is Man?” This chapter deals with forgiveness – the
means by which Yahweh has been able to deal with fallen man, and the way in
which we humans must deal with each other.
When
discussing the Law, we saw that it was “added because of transgressions.”
(Galatians 3:19) There has always been a standard of faith, a standard of
truth, and that standard is the character of the Creator Himself. When Adam was
created, he was designed with a natural knowledge of righteousness, and a
tendency to obey. Because of this, no standard of behavior needed to be marked
out in Eden. No rules or regulations were given to keep Adam safe from the
results of rebellion, for the concept of rebellion against the Most High was alien
to his mind. Indeed, even the Tree of Knowledge was permitted as a test only
because there was one already questioning the authority of Yah, and His
character – that standard of truth. Satan was “a murderer from the beginning,
and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh
a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John
8:44)
When
Adam did fall, it was due to the combined efforts of the tempter himself
(Genesis 3:1-5) and the inducements of his wife whom the serpent deceived.
(Genesis 3:6) Now, Adam knew the commandment against this action, and unlike
his wife was not deceived by Lucifer directly, therefore the greater
responsibility was his. (1 Timothy 2:14) Thus it is that “in Adam [not Eve] all
die,” yet “even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)
A
system of forgiveness was put in place immediately upon the fall of mankind,
for we read that, “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Yahweh Elohim make
coats of skins, and clothed them.” (Genesis 3:21) They had invited death into
the world; by death they would be clothed, and ultimately – thousands of years
later – by death they would be redeemed. The Creator forgave His creation,
although He did not remove the consequences of the sin. Death is still with us,
and will be until that last enemy is destroyed. (1 Corinthians 15:26,
Revelation 20:14)
In
writing of the Son of Yah, Paul gives thanks for Him, “In whom we have
redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:14)
The life of the Savior was one of forgiveness, and His mercy and longsuffering
were designed to lead all to repentance. (Romans 2:4) He walked among people
who had condemned Him to death – either directly or indirectly – by their
transgressions, and He gave His life willingly that we may be saved. Isaiah
wrote with prophetic certainty, “He is despised and rejected of men; a Man of
sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He hath borne our griefs, and
carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of Elohim, and
afflicted.
“But He
was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His
stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:3-5) Even of those most directly
responsible, the officials who sent Him to Golgotha and the very men who nailed
Him to the cross, He said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they
do.” (Luke 23:34) It is Divine to forgive in this way, and if we would see
life, we must become “partakers of the divine nature.” (2 Peter 1:4)
With
the foundation of truth laid, we must build the walls of character, the walls
of fellowship. Speaking of the “Spiritual House,” Peter writes, “Ye also, as
lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to Yah by Yahshua the Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5)
Paul shows us that from the Corner Stone we are built up, receiving life and
power from Christ, “From whom the whole Body fitly joined together and
compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual
working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying
of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:16)
Whether
we are talking about how the stones of a temple wall fit together, or the way
in which the body’s organs and limbs must work in concert, the message is loud
and clear: there must be unity, or the house will fall. While we examine the
concept of unity in more detail in an upcoming chapter, we examine the means by
which it is accomplished here, and that means is forgiveness.
It is
forgiveness that has allowed us to continue to exist, for though we became
worthy of death in Adam, and in the inheritance of his nature, “God so loved
the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Yet that is not the
end of the story.
When we
accept this forgiveness, we have a responsibility to walk in forgiveness. We
are told, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils:
freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8) This applies not the
least to forgiveness, for “He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also
so to walk, even as He walked; because as He is, so are we in this world.” (1
John 2:6, 4:17b) But more than this, we are not even able to accept the
forgiveness that Yahshua offers us if our hearts are not themselves prepared to
forgive. Yah is not willing that any should perish, “But if ye forgive not men
their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew
6:15)
The
fault is not in the Giver, if such be the case, but the receiver. We are each
to be “a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and
prepared unto every good work,” (2 Timothy 2:21) but if that vessel is sealed
so that nothing can flow out of it, it is also sealed so that nothing can get
in. A heart that is closed, so that it cannot bring forth good things, is just
as closed to that which should enter in. Of the woman who anointed the
Messiah’s feet, He said, “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved
much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.” (Luke 7:47)
Just as
we have received forgiveness for our transgressions, so are we to forgive
others. The Savior said, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not,
and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)
Some wrongly believe that the expression “judge not” means we should never
point out an obvious evil, however this is not the sense given here, merely
that we should not pronounce judgment on others. We are certainly to speak the
truth in love, and warn others if their ways are in error. In the same book the
Master adds to His previous teaching, “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother
trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.” (Luke 17:3)
“Open rebuke is better than secret love,” Solomon tells us, “faithful are the
wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Proverbs 27:5,
6)
When
Peter asked Yahshua how many times he ought to forgive one who transgressed
against Him, the Master said, “Until seventy times seven,” meaning a perfect
sum… and then He gave the following parable to illustrate His point:
“Therefore
is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account
of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him,
which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his
lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had,
and payment to be made.
“The
servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience
with me, and I will pay thee all.’ Then the lord of that servant was moved with
compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went
out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and
he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me that thou
owest.’
“And
his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, ‘Have
patience with me, and I will pay thee all.’ And he would not: but went and cast
him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw
what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that
was done.
Then
his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, ‘O thou wicked servant,
I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me; shouldest not thou
also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?’ And
his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all
that was due unto him.
“So
likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts
forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” (Matthew 18:23-35)
Some
may say that this means we must give others free reign to abuse our trust and
consent, but this was not the teaching of the Savior. That same chapter gives
the pattern for Gospel forgiveness. “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass
against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall
hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then
take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses
every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it
unto the Church: but if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as
an heathen man and a publican.” (Matthew 18:15-17)
If one
will not truly repent, forgiveness will not be appreciated by him. Though you
may forgive him in your heart, it is not your obligation to get him to “act
forgiven” towards you. Atonement is made when forgiveness is received, not when
it is given; Christ offers forgiveness to all, but only those who receive it by
faith become one with Him and gain the benefits of that forgiveness so
graciously offered. It is the same with men… we must offer forgiveness to all,
and forgive truly and sincerely even those who wrong us most deeply – but we
must not feel we have failed when we encounter those who refuse to make peace.
Yahshua said, “ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake;” (Luke 21:17)
and Paul wrote, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably
with all men,” (Romans 12:18) knowing that it is not always possible in this
sin-broken world.
In
dealing even with faithful followers of Christ, misunderstandings are possible.
Unity is our strength, but individuality is our privilege, and not all will use
the same words, or speak of the same aspects of truth. While all true believers
will have “the testimony of Yahshua the Messiah,” (Revelation 12:17) not all
will give it in the same way. Though all will speak with the same authority and
Spirit, not all will have the same approach. We must have always before us the
image of Yah, who suffered long with us, and continues to be patient with us as
we grow into “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Ephesians
4:13) If we will do this, we cannot be hasty with others, or grow impatient
with those who do not yet have a like understanding.
Christ
said during His sermon on the mount, “with what measure ye mete, it shall be
measured to you,” (Mark 4:24) meaning that how we judge others will determine
the way in which our actions will be considered. Even in an earthly setting, if
we treat others poorly it is likely they will treat us poorly in return. It has
been observed that this works the other way around as well. The more critical
we are of ourselves, the more critical we tend to be of others. Now, in a
loving, Christian atmosphere this is as it should be, for if we are more
critical of others than we are of ourselves this becomes hypocrisy, and if we
are less critical of others than we are of ourselves, we are unable to be
honest witnesses to the standard of Christ.
The
unfortunate thing is that while some see themselves through the perfect eyes of
the Savior and acknowledge with their lips that they are forgiven, they treat
themselves (and thus others) as if they were condemned. This manifests itself
in a variety of ways, leading to undue criticism of both others and self.
Some
spend their time worrying that they may have inadvertently committed some sin,
but they are putting themselves in the Spirit’s place. Yahshua sent the Spirit
to convict of sin, and while we must keep our eyes open and our hearts soft for
the leadings of Christian conscience, we cannot afford to jump at shadows
either. Yahshua has said of His people, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know
them, and they follow me; and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall
never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:27,
28) If we commit some unknown trespass, we can be sure that by the law of cause
and effect, it will become manifest to either ourselves or others. When it is
revealed, then we are accountable, and at this point we seek forgiveness and
cleansing. “And the blood of Yahshua the Messiah, [Yah’s] Son, cleanseth us
from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) The sin, if it is not continued willfully after it
has been revealed, has no power to pollute the heart or separate us from
Christ.
Others
suffering from the above malady are always seeking to be the conscience of
their brethren, always quick to point out flaws, whether real or imagined. If
the character of such persons is probed, it is often discovered that a deep
self-loathing is hiding in the heart. The principle is that “of the abundance
of the heart his mouth speaketh,” (Luke 6:45) and in speaking of others, he is
actually suffering under the log in his own eye.
Both
these types of individuals need to walk in forgiveness. While they may have
spoken words acknowledging that they have received the forgiveness of Christ,
they have not received the love of the Savior in its full measure, for where
there has been a true acceptance of forgiveness… there is peace, and there is
joy.
If we
are to love others as we love ourselves, (Matthew 22:39) we do have to have a
measure of love for ourselves that is entirely different from “selfishness.”
With the world’s talk of self-esteem and self-confidence, this is often a
difficult concept for the modern mind to grasp, but love for self does not necessarily
imply putting “self” first! In order to truly enter into Christian service, we
must go so far as to forget self, and to “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to
be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto Yah through Yahshua the Messiah, our
Lord.” (Romans 6:11) We acknowledge that Christ is our life, and our confidence
is placed in Him – in His forgiveness of us, and in His promises that, “[Yah]
which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Yahshua
the Messiah.” (Philippians 1:6) This is how a man best loves his own soul.
This is
how we fit into the walls of the Spirit Temple. If the edges of the bricks are
rough, with sharp irregularities or a coarse surface, both light and air may
escape from the gaps. The stones must be shaped and polished, as the next two
chapters will explain, but it is forgiveness that allows the stones to be set
in place. It is forgiveness that determines where each brick goes, for until we
have received the forgiveness of Heaven with great joy, we cannot accomplish
our mission in Yahshua.
Consider
the experiences of the prophet Jonah. Because He desired to withhold the
forgiveness of Elohim from other men who were no less deserving of mercy than
himself, he fled from the presence of Yah and refused to carry out his office.
Even when he was later compelled to do so, he had no rest and could not remain
in place, saying, “Therefore now, O Yah, take, I beseech thee, my life from me;
for it is better for me to die than to live.” (Jonah 4:3) By the illustration
of a plant giving shade to Jonah despite his inability to labor for such a
gift, Yah sought to teach the unforgiving messenger the principles of
undeserved grace. (verses 6-11)
There
is a lesson for us there as well. Jonah was not an Israelite for his own sake.
The nation itself had not been raised up simply to receive the favor of the
Almighty; but rather Israel’s purpose was to reach out to the heathen nations,
and to restore them to the worship of the Creator. (Psalm 22:27, Micah 4:2)
Similarly, Christians are not saved for their own sakes alone. The forgiveness
we have been granted was not merely to take us to Heaven or to restore us to a
renewed earth, but as a sign to the watching universe, and other poor sinners,
that there is a God in Heaven who forgives sin, and whose arms are open wide to
receive all who will call upon Him with humility and hope. “And the Spirit and
the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let him that heareth say, ‘Come.’ And let him that
is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
(Revelation 22:17)
Let us
not be silent about the great forgiveness we have obtained at the Right Hand of
Yah. None who are filled with love can help but overflow, “and he that watereth
shall be watered also himself.” (Proverbs 11:25) None who have received the
forgiveness of the Master and walk in lives free of sin can help but say, “Now
thanks be unto Yah, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and
maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place.” (2 Corinthians
2:14) As we give, so shall we receive, and as we have received, so shall we
surely give. Yahshua offers us all – let us accept all, that we may in turn
give all. In this way the universe will be filled with forgiveness, the
Spiritual Temple will stand with firm and everlasting walls, and we will raise
up an altar to Yahweh on this earth upon which the last remnants of sin will
finally be consumed away into smoke, never to rise again. (Psalm 37:20;
Revelation 20:7-9; Nahum 1:9, 10)
Quotations:
Yahweh is a longsuffering and merciful Creator:
“The grace of Christ is freely to justify the sinner without merit or claim on
his part. Justification is a full, complete pardon of sin. The moment a sinner
accepts Christ by faith, that moment he is pardoned. The righteousness of
Christ is imputed to him, and he is no more to doubt God’s forgiving grace.” [The
Faith I Live By, page 107]
“God is
longsuffering and of tender mercy. Should He deal with us according to our
perversity, according to our foolish, erratic course, our changeableness, where
would we be? But ‘He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.’” [Battle
Creek Letters, page 77]
“Although
Satan has misinterpreted God’s purposes, falsified His character, and caused man
to look upon God in a false light, yet through the ages God’s love for man has
never ceased. Christ’s work was to reveal the Father as merciful,
compassionate, full of goodness and truth. The character of Christ represented
the character of God. The only begotten Son of God sweeps back the hellish
shadow in which Satan has enveloped the Father, and declares, ‘I and My Father
are one; look on Me and behold God.’” [Manuscript Releases Volume Thirteen,
page 243]
Forgiveness
is natural to one who is united with Christ:
“If we have the love of Christ in our souls it will be a natural consequence
for us to have all the other graces--joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; and ‘against such there is no law.’” [In
Heavenly Places, page 244]
“When
the Holy Spirit is abiding in the heart, it will lead the human agent to see
his own defects of character, to pity the weakness of others, to forgive as he
wishes to be forgiven. He will be pitiful, courteous, Christlike.” [The Faith
I Live By, page 53]
“We can
receive forgiveness from God only as we forgive others. It is the love of God
that draws us unto Him, and that love cannot touch our hearts without creating
love for our brethren.” [The Faith I Live By, page 131]
“The
Lord forgives our transgressions; He pardons our sins; and when we realize the
greatness of His mercy, the boundlessness of His love, we become partakers of
the divine nature, and manifest the same tender spirit, compassionate
forbearance, mercy, and love, and are ready to forgive others.” [Manuscript
Releases Volume Thirteen, page 76]
Our
works will reflect the degree to which we have received the forgiveness of Yah:
“We are not forgiven because we forgive, but as we forgive. The ground
of all forgiveness is found in the unmerited love of God, but by our attitude
toward others we show whether we have made that love our own.” [Christ’s
Object Lessons, page 251, emphasis hers]
“God
has enjoined the duty upon His human agents to communicate the character of
God, testifying to His grace, His wisdom, and His benevolence, by manifesting
His refined, tender, merciful love.” [God’s Amazing Grace, page 229]
“The
compassion that God manifests toward us, He bids us manifest toward others. Let
the impulsive, the self-sufficient, the revengeful, behold the meek and lowly
One, led as a lamb to the slaughter, unretaliating as a sheep dumb before her
shearers. Let them look upon Him whom our sins have pierced and our sorrows
burdened, and they will learn to endure, to forbear, and to forgive.” [Education,
page 257]
Christian
unity depends on the principle of forgiveness:
“Christ wept at the sight of woe. Let His tenderness come into your hearts.
Practice self-denial that you may have wherewith to relieve the sufferings of
God’s children.” [Our High Calling, page 198]
“The
return of the prodigal son was a source of the greatest joy. The complaints of
the elder brother were natural, but not right. Yet this is frequently the
course that brother pursues toward brother. There is too much effort to make
those in error feel where they have erred, and to keep reminding them of their
mistakes. Those who have erred need pity, they need help, they need sympathy.
They suffer in their feelings, and are frequently desponding and discouraged.
Above everything else, they need free forgiveness.” [Testimonies for the
Church Volume Three, page 104]
“Representations
have been made to me of some who have borne witness against a brother or a
sister instead of going to the erring one and, in kindness and love, pointing
out the wrong that has been done. Because of this the happy union which they
once enjoyed is broken up. My brethren and sisters, let everything of this
character be put away. Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one
another, that you may obtain forgiveness and pardon, and that unity and peace
may be restored to you. Guard the false tongue. “Watch and pray, that ye enter
not into temptation.” Be kind and courteous to one another. Do not wound Christ
in the person of His saints.” [Pacific Union Recorder, May 6, 1909]
Questions:
1) Do I hold ill feelings towards anyone?
2) Do I
know of anyone who holds ill feelings towards me? If so, is there anything I
can do to alleviate that?
3) When
I forgive others, do I treat them differently after I have done so?
4) Is
there any action or insult that I would consider to be “unforgivable?”
5) When
people wrong me, do I confront them, or do I let things “slide?”
6) Do I
appreciate it when others come to me if I have hurt them in some way?
7) Are
there any ways in which my past experiences negatively affect the way I treat
others?
8) Do I
feel uncomfortable being emotionally familiar with other people?
9) Do I
trust others easily?
10) Do
I feel vindicated when someone who has wronged me “gets what he/she deserves?”
11) Do
I feel led to share my faith with others?
12) Do
I act and speak as if I were truly forgiven by Yah?
Exercise:
After contemplating and, if possible, discussing with others the above questions,
find a verse or passage of the Bible that gives a promise or an answer for
each.
