Signs Of Heaven

One night, while lying in bed, Vanessa thinking back on her day, and the conflict she had with a friend. What started out as a little disagreement, soon crescendo-ed into a blowout argument. Of course, the two parted ways in a huff, and each spent the remainder of the day like steaming hot tea-pots!

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Now, the usual modus-operandi of these two church-going ladies, is to remain in that condition for some days, or even weeks until both became totally simmered down, and ready to resume their friendship.

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Now, the question is, “Is this the proper conduct for true Christians to engage in? Does forgiveness need time to heal and even days/weeks to forgive?

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Maybe the Scriptures can offer insight into the matter of forgiveness.

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Well, if we go to Acts, the true account of Stephen’s stoning death, we see a Christian engaging in instant forgiveness, as he cried out in the midst of his bloody assault…“And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

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Another wonderful example is, of course, the words of Jesus, when suffering on that cruel Cross of Calvary…”Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

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Here above, we see two instances of instant forgiveness! One example by Jesus, and another by a human, Stephen!

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And so, just how do these examples line up and agree with Scripture?

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Listen…”And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31, 32

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So here is a passage just jam-packed with spiritual admonition about the heart-condition of the, “true worshippers” of God! And let’s not imagine that such a godly Spirit merely comes and goes. This is to be an ongoing Spirit within a Believer’s heart.

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Listen again to Paul’s letter to Galatia…“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22, 23

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And listen to how Galatians comes to an end…¹⁸ Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”