Salvation's 33 Blessings - Finish

[0:00] Well, today I would like to conclude our Salvation's 33 Blessings. We've already devoted significant time to it, and we haven't taken any of them with any amount of great detail, but we have at least tried to cover the highlights of it, and you will note that there are 33 things listed there.

[0:21] We dealt pretty much with them individually until we got down to in the 20s, and then we have moved on a little more rapidly. And if you will observe what Dr. Schaeffer has included here, you will note that he pretty much listed these in order not only of their importance, and they're all important, but in order of their familiarity to most of us.

[0:48] And as you read down through the list, the first several ones, most of us who have been believers for any period of time at all, identify them and are aware of that.

[1:00] And as you move on through the list, they become more and more obscure. They are all just as true, but they are not as well known or as deeply appreciated as those are that he lists in the beginning.

[1:14] So I'm just going to go through these, and for the sake of those who are listening at home and do not have the sheet that you have before you, I'm just going to give the references and the highlight.

[1:30] But be advised, we will stop anywhere and discuss any of these issues. If you have any questions about them that you would like to raise, just shoot your hand up, and we'll put on the brakes.

[1:45] Stop right there. Deal with the issue or the implications thereof. Pull our ignorance and see what we can come up with. So I want you to keep that in mind. And we are going to go through them and give the references for the benefits of those who do not have the sheet, because that will enable them to look them up at home if they want to.

[2:07] And we will begin then with item number 23. And I'm just going to go through these rather rapidly. But like I said, I can stop anywhere that you indicate there is a need to.

[2:18] This 23rd of the 33 blessings that he has listed is a believer is in a heavenly association, according to Colossians 1.27 and chapter 3 and verse 1, 2 Corinthians 6 and verse 1, Colossians 1 and verse 24, John 14 and verses 12 through 14, Ephesians 5, 25 through 27, and Titus 2.13.

[2:53] He is a partner with Christ in new life, physician, service, suffering, prayer, betrothal as a bride to Christ, and expectation of the coming again of Christ. And by the way, forgive me, I forgot all about this.

[3:06] Does anybody need a sheet? I've got a few extras. Anybody need a sheet? Got one? Okay. Okay. Here I've got another.

[3:20] I think that's the wrong sheet. Here they are. Yeah. That's the wrong sheet. Okay. Thank you. Let me grab a couple. Yeah, give them one. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Okay.

[3:34] And like I said, these are pretty much self-explanatory. And the references that are given, of course, are designed to authenticate and illuminate the statement that is made.

[3:49] And it will give you the biblical rationale for the statement having been made. And then item number 24, a believer is within the much more care of God.

[4:02] According to Romans 5, verses 8 through 10. He is an object of God's love, John 3, 16. God's grace, Ephesians 2, verses 7 and 9.

[4:15] God's power, Ephesians 1, 19. God's faithfulness, Philippians 1, 6. God's peace, Romans 5, 1. God's consolation, 2 Thessalonians 2, verses 16 and 17.

[4:32] And God's intercession, Romans 8, 26. And be advised, guys, all of these are divine operating assets. All of these things are true of all believers.

[4:46] And, no, you don't have to be some seasoned super saint who knows the Bible backwards and forwards in order for these things to apply to you.

[4:56] If you are a believer in Jesus Christ and you didn't come to know him until 15 minutes ago, these things are all true of you. They take place instantaneously.

[5:08] When you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, you get with that the whole package. You get everything that Jesus Christ died to provide for you.

[5:20] And that's what this list is all about. It makes no difference. Someone says, well, what if you're not deserving of this? Hey, do you think anybody is deserving of this?

[5:31] That's crazy. That's what makes this so remarkable. None of us is deserving of this. Not even one of these things.

[5:42] It is because of the magnanimous grace of God extended to us because of what Jesus Christ did for us that these things are made available to us.

[5:55] And they don't come with a price tag. They are all free. That is amazing. That's why it's called amazing grace. And that's why it's called good news.

[6:09] And if this old world needs good news, has ever needed good news more than it does right now, I don't know. Boy. Okay. Well, let us continue on if we may.

[6:24] Item number 20. Did I read 25? Yes. Okay. They're all running together for me here. 26. A believer is God's inheritance.

[6:36] Ephesians 1.18. He is to Christ as a gift from the Father. And 27. A believer has the inheritance of God himself and all that God bestows.

[6:51] 1 Peter 1 and verse 4. And 28. A believer has light in the Lord. 2 Corinthians 4.6.

[7:02] He not only has this light, but is commanded to walk in the light. We doing okay? Any questions, anybody? Okay.

[7:14] 29. 29. A believer is vitally united to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. According to 1 Thessalonians 1.1.

[7:28] Ephesians 4 and verse 6. Romans 8 verse 1. John 14 and verse 20. Romans 8 and verse 9.

[7:41] And 1 Corinthians 2 and verse 12. Item number 30. A believer is blessed with the earnest or the first fruits of the Spirit.

[7:56] That's the down payment. Ephesians 1.14. Romans 8.23. He is born of the Spirit. John 3.6.

[8:07] And baptized by the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12 and verse 13. Which is the work of the Holy Spirit. By which the believer is joined to Christ's body.

[8:19] And comes to be in Christ. And therefore is a partaker of all that Christ is. He is also indwelt by the Spirit.

[8:30] Romans 8.9. Sealed by the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 1 verse 22. Making Him eternally secure and filled with the Spirit.

[8:40] Ephesians 5.18. Which ministry of the Spirit releases His power and effectiveness in the heart in which He dwells. Doing okay?

[8:52] Anybody? Okay. 31. A believer is glorified. Glorified. Now, I'll be the first to admit.

[9:03] You guys don't look very glorified right now as I look at you. And as I look in a mirror. I don't look very glorified either. But as far as God is concerned.

[9:14] It's a done deal. That Romans 8 passage that talks about them. He also glorified. That's from God's standpoint. And that means that our body. Our body of glorification.

[9:25] Glorification is going to be fashioned like unto the body of Jesus Christ. Philippians chapter 1. And that is absolutely amazing.

[9:36] Hey, as amazing as these bodies are. These are nothing compared to what that body is going to be like. It is going to be something.

[9:49] Item 31. That's the glorification. Romans 8.18. He will be a partaker. Of the infinite glory of the Godhead.

[9:59] Item 32. A believer is complete in God. Nothing lacking. Jesus Christ didn't leave out anything.

[10:11] When he provided assets for you as a believer. And guys. That's just a testimony to the incredible love of God.

[10:22] And the extent to which he went. It's just absolutely amazing. So. Complete in God. Colossians 2. 9 and 10. And he partakes of all that Christ is.

[10:35] And item number 33. A believer. Possesses. Every spiritual blessing. Ephesians 1. Ephesians 1.3. Ephesians 1.3. All the riches.

[10:47] Tabulated in the other 32 points made before. Are to be included in this sweeping term. All spiritual blessings.

[10:58] God did as much as he could possibly do. So he could provide to you and for you. On the basis of your being able to contribute.

[11:12] Nothing. But your trust. Your belief. Fellas. There has never in the history of the universe. Been a deal sweeter than this.

[11:24] He who spared not his own son. But delivered him up for us all.

[11:34] How shall he not with him also freely give us all things. And here they are. This is the list. These are the all things. And it is just absolutely amazing. So. Concluding this.

[11:47] And he says. It would hardly be amiss. To restate the truth. That salvation is a work of God for man.

[11:58] And not a work for God. It is what God's love prompts him to do. And not a mere act of pity. Which rescues creatures from their misery.

[12:10] To realize the satisfaction of his love. God has been willing to remove. By an infinite sacrifice. The otherwise insuperable hindrance.

[12:24] Which sin has imposed. He is likewise overcoming the wicked opposition to his grace. Which the fallen human will presents.

[12:34] By inclining his elect ones to exercise saving faith in Christ. When the way is thus clear. God is free to do all that infinite love dictates.

[12:48] Nothing short of transformations. Which are infinite. Will satisfy infinite love. An inadequate record of these riches of grace.

[12:59] Which together represent the infinity of saving grace. Has been submitted. But it still remains true. That the half has never been told.

[13:10] The student. Who is ambitious to be accurate in gospel preaching. Will not only observe. But ever contend for the truth. That all these riches.

[13:21] Are purely a work of God. And that to secure them. The individual could do no more. Than to receive at the hand of God. What he is free to give.

[13:34] In and through Christ Jesus. Those who believe on Christ. In the sense that they receive him. John 1 12. As their savior. Enter instantly.

[13:46] Into all that divine love provides. These 33 positions. And possessions. Are not bestowed in succession. But simultaneously.

[13:57] But simultaneously. That means. You don't. Upon believing. You don't get the first six. And then God doles the rest of them out to you. Over a period of years. You get the whole nine yards.

[14:09] All at once. Instantaneously. And guys. How many of us were aware. That we got any of these. We might have been aware. That we got one. At the point of salvation.

[14:21] We might have been aware. That we received forgiveness. That we received salvation. But God has so much more to offer. Oh my. They do not require a period of time.

[14:33] For their execution. But are wrought instantaneously. They measure the present difference. Which obtains between one who is saved. And one who is not saved.

[14:46] These 33 things. Make the difference. Between salvation. Or being unsaved. Oh to grace. How great a debtor. Daily I'm constrained to be.

[14:59] Let thy goodness like a fetter. Bind my wandering heart to thee. What a beautiful. Beautiful thing. So. Dr. Chafer. Been with the Lord now.

[15:09] For a number of years. And I. I wouldn't be surprised. If he didn't have a list. To write over. If you wouldn't have added. A few more things. Since he's gotten to glory. He knows a little. A lot more about it now.

[15:20] Than he did before. And guys. These are all true of you. Whether you know it or not. Whether you believe it or not. It's just that. If you don't know it. And you don't believe it.

[15:31] Then. You don't have. The information. The information. And the security. And the assurance. And the stability. That comes from all of this. And these things.

[15:42] All belong to you. They are. Your. Personal. Permanent. Possessions. Don't. Have to be concerned about God saying. Well.

[15:53] You haven't been. Too faithful lately. I'm going to yank number 20 from you. Oh nonsense. What God has given. The grace of God is just.

[16:05] Unfathomable. So. What he wants us to do. You know. The more you. The more you understand these things. The greater will be your sense of gratitude.

[16:17] For them. And appreciation. And the greater will be the desire. To live. A life of honor.

[16:29] For Jesus Christ. Who gave himself for you. It will cause. A spirit of gratitude. To well up within you. And you will love.

[16:41] And serve him. Not out of some kind of. Have to duty. But out of a. Want to. Desire. And there's nothing like it.

[16:53] In the world. This is just. Man. Oh man. This is something. Well. Any thoughts or comments. Or any questions. Okay. Well. Let's deal with this one.

[17:03] Question that. Somebody submitted. And. And we'll take. We'll begin. Next. Next week. With more questions. That you've submitted. This is.

[17:15] A question. Why should I forgive someone. That betrayed me. Are they worthy? Well. That's.

[17:26] That's a question. That probably. A lot of people. Have. Had to deal with. And I'm sure that. You are probably among them.

[17:37] I know I am too. Why should I forgive someone. That betrayed me. And. Insofar as the flesh is concerned.

[17:48] Which is the natural resource. That we are born with. That is fallen. There is no reason. Why you should forgive anybody. Who has wronged you.

[17:58] That's what the flesh says. Don't give forgiveness. Get even. That's what the flesh wants to do. Retaliate. But.

[18:11] God has provided something for us. That enables us to take. What I call. The high road. It is the road. That Christ himself took.

[18:22] When he cried out from that cross. Father. Forgive them. For they know not. What they do. So. Fellas. As we go through life.

[18:32] And deal with issues. And have relatives. And friends. And neighbors. And people that we work with. And all the rest. You're going to get offended. You're going to get hurt.

[18:43] You're going to get disappointed. You're going to get let down. You're going to get talked about. Behind your back. And all the rest of the things. That go along with it. You know what you call that? Life.

[18:55] That's the way it is. In a fallen world. We all. Take our lumps. And there are a lot of things. Things. That come upon us. That we are confident.

[19:07] We do not deserve. And we. We. Wince at the possibility. At even. Even the. The thought. Of forgiving somebody. Forgive so and so.

[19:18] For what they did to me. You got to be kidding. Why? I couldn't even think about it. You know. And this is the way the world operates. It is just. A radical difference.

[19:30] That exists. Between. One who has been forgiven. Of God. And keep. Keep that in mind. Let's go to. Let's go to Ephesians 2.

[19:48] Ephesians chapter 2. Ephesians 2. And. In this list here. That. Paul has put together.

[20:06] No. Let's. Let's. We won't have time for that. That's. That's a longer. That's a longer answer. While you're in Ephesians. I'll come over to chapter 5. Or chapter 4. Ephesians chapter 4.

[20:21] And. Well. Let's start with verse 25. Ephesians 4. 25. This has to do with the rationale for forgiving. Paul says.

[20:32] Therefore. Laying aside falsehood. Speak truth. Each one of you. With his neighbor. For. We are members.

[20:42] Of one another. Be angry. And yet. Do not sin. I'm really glad he makes that qualification. You know.

[20:54] It's okay to be angry. It's okay to get angry. It just depends on. What you are angry about. We ought to be. Angry.

[21:05] That. People are mistreated. We ought to be. Angry. That people are. Breaking in. To stores. And looting them. We ought to be. Angry. That people are. Injured.

[21:16] In hit and run accidents. And all those things. They ought to. They ought to. Anger us. But that doesn't mean. That our anger. Is going to generate. Into sin. Because there is.

[21:27] A righteous. You think Jesus. Was never angry. Well. He sure was. He was angry on. He was angry on. A couple of occasions. One time.

[21:38] He took a whip. With cords in it. He drove the money changers. Out of the temple. And I can assure you. That is a sterling example. Of righteous.

[21:48] Anger. Jesus. Didn't simply. Lose his temper. He never lost his temper. He exhibited. Righteous anger. And guys.

[22:00] We. Need. A capacity. And an ability. To be angry. At the right things. And the right situations.

[22:11] Anger. For a wrong reason. Is unjust. And cannot be justified. It's easy to become angry. Over all kinds of things.

[22:22] That upset us. And that's just the loss of our cool. Or whatever you want to call it. But. A righteous indignation. Is taking. God's part.

[22:33] Against. Injustice. Or whatever it is. And I pity a person. Who says. I'm never able to get angry. About anything. Well. Then they don't have any value system.

[22:45] That's worth being angry about. So anger is a good thing. Provided the motivation. Is. Guided as it ought to be. Be angry. And yet. Do not sin.

[22:55] And the implication. Of course is. You could be angry. Without sinning. And by the way. I would go so far as to say. There are some occasions. And some situations.

[23:05] Where it would be sinful. If you're not angry. Yeah. Think of that. Amen. And do not give the devil. An opportunity.

[23:17] Let him who steals. Steal no longer. In other words. It's an oxymoron. To be a Christian thief. To support yourself.

[23:29] By being a cat burglar. That's just not. Part and parcel. Of being a believer. Let him who steals. Steal no longer. But rather let him labor.

[23:42] Performing with his own hands. What is. Boy. I've got a morning. Morning frog. You've got to remember. These. These vocal cords of mine.

[23:53] Got a lot of miles on them. So. But rather let him labor. Performing with his own hands. What is good. In order. That he may have something.

[24:03] To share. With him who has need. Thank you. Thank you. Maybe this will help. Verse 29.

[24:14] Let no unwholesome word. Proceed from your mouth. But only such a word. As is good. For edification. That word edification.

[24:26] Is a beautiful term. It comes from our word. Edifice. Which means. A building. And when. You edify someone.

[24:37] You build them up. You. You. You. You. You pour heart into them. The word for encouragement. Is to.

[24:48] Enhearten. In the Greek. And it means to pour into the heart. To encourage. Or to lift someone up. Emotionally. And this is what we do. When we edify one another.

[24:59] You. With the tongue. James tells us. With the tongue. You can. Curse man. And you can. Belittle man.

[25:10] And with that same tongue. You can edify man. And encourage man. And build man up. So the tongue. Which is the only muscle. In your whole body.

[25:22] That is not connected. At both ends. Think of that. And that tongue. Needs to be used. To edify. Build up. Encourage.

[25:32] One another. Such a word. As is good for edification. According to the deed. Of the moment. That it may give grace. To those who hear.

[25:43] And do not grieve. The Holy Spirit. Of God. By whom. You were sealed. For the day of redemption.

[25:54] For the day of redemption. Let. All bitterness. And by the way guys. These are not suggestions. They are not good ideas. They are imperatives.

[26:06] And they're in the imperative mood. In the Greek. Which means. This is something. That is. In order. You are ordered. To do this. By the one.

[26:16] Who is in position. To give the orders. Namely. God himself. Let all. Bitterness. And wrath. And anger.

[26:28] And clamor. And slander. Be put away. From you. Along. With all.

[26:40] Malice. Malice. Remember. Reading. Lincoln's. Gettysburg. Address. And he talked about. Healing the wounds. Of the civil war.

[26:51] And he ended it. With saying that. Charity. Is to be extended. To all. Without. Malice. Malice is.

[27:04] Maliciousness. It is. A targeted. Anger. And. Malice. Has. No. Place.

[27:14] To dwell. In the spirit. Of a believer. That is to be put along. With all malice. And in verse 32. And be kind. To one another. Tender hearted.

[27:26] Oh. Here's. Here's. Here's the tough part. Coming up. Forgiving. Each. Other. Just. As.

[27:37] God. In. Christ. Also. Has. Forgiving. You. Fellas. There is. No. Greater. Rationalization.

[27:47] In the entire world. For forgiving. Someone. Who has wronged us. More than this. Do you realize.

[27:59] How. Much. God. Has. Forgiving. You for. How. How. How. How. How. Then. Can we. Possibly. Entertain.

[28:10] The idea. Of being. Unforgiving. To someone else. Who has wronged us. Oh. My. Oh. My. And.

[28:22] We tend to. We tend to. Value. Our hurts. And our wrongs. Above others. But I can assure you. None of us.

[28:34] Have suffered. A wrong. That begins. To the wrongs. That we. Have committed. Against God. And against Christ. For which. We have been freely forgiven. Yes. Comment. Question.

[28:44] I was just. To address that. Question as well. The. It comes from a spot. Of self-awareness. I have a family member. Who. Was raped. By her older brother.

[28:55] Not in my immediate family. As far as my siblings. And all. Thankfully. And I've recently learned that. And this family member. In their 70s. And I. All I've known.

[29:06] Is this woman. Loving her brother. As adults. And. When I'm in court. I run across a few jerks. And every. Every once in a while. Outside the court.

[29:16] I run across one or two. And this idea. I'm asked. How. How could you deal with that person? Well. One. You see these examples.

[29:27] From scripture. But. Two. God's word says. In Romans 3. 10. That none are righteous. No not one. And. When you see. As God sees. Then you can love. As God loves. And. How can you.

[29:39] Not. At least consider. That be aware enough. To the fact that you're. We're broken. I'm broken. Yeah. I have betrayed. Offended.

[29:50] Hurt. Even lusted. More myself. Than that person. That one offense. That person. Might have. Shot me across the room. Yeah. How can I withhold that?

[30:02] Just. Whoever. That question. That's how I deal with that. Because God. Died and loves that person. That's right. I mean. He. He died for them. And he loves them. So how can I withhold that kind of love from them?

[30:14] Amen. I get over myself. And just. And just. Try to honor him. Amen. I appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you for sharing. Anybody else got anything they'd like to say? Dan. What? I have a question. Yeah. You forgive.

[30:26] But you can't forgive. Yeah. That's true. We do have the responsibility to forgive. But we do not have the ability to forget.

[30:41] And I'm glad you brought that up. Because that is a very, very important point. Have you ever heard anyone say? Okay.

[30:54] I'll forgive you. But I'll never be able to forget it. And you know what? That's true.

[31:05] Because forgiveness is something we can extend with our will. We choose to forgive. And by the way. Forgiving someone.

[31:18] Literally means. You treat it. As if it never happened. Now. You don't have the ability to do that.

[31:28] In a sense. Because you can't forget. You don't have the ability. To erase that from your mind. Maybe you would like to. Here's the point. Would you.

[31:40] Erase it from your mind. Permanently. If you could. If you say. If you say.

[31:50] No. Then. You haven't truly forgiven. What we are called upon to do. And what real forgiveness means. Even though. You don't have the ability.

[32:02] To dismiss something from your mind. Because it's in your brain. It's part of your psyche. It's embedded there. Would you. If you could. Do you wish you could.

[32:15] Because if you don't. You haven't forgiven. That. Treats. The real value. Of forgiveness. If you can ask yourself. So and so.

[32:26] Wronged me. They cheated me out of us. And so. I've forgiven them for that. Well. Would. You. Forget it. If you had the ability.

[32:38] To forget it. Would you. Question. So. Are you. Is it wrong. To limit. Your. Association.

[32:50] With those kind of people. That. Offended you. No. No. I wouldn't say. That it's necessarily wrong. To limit your association. With people who have offended you. In fact. There are.

[33:01] Some. Some situations. And I've even addressed this. In the. Marriage series. That I did. How that. In a marriage situation.

[33:13] We are. Husbands and wives. Are to be forgiving. To each other. And. There may be. Occasions.

[33:23] Where. There are. Repeated. Offenses. And. Forgiveness. Humanly speaking. Forgiveness. Forgiveness. Has a limit.

[33:35] And I want to explain that. Because it's. It's very. It's very important. To understand this. I have seen situations. Where.

[33:47] Someone has been. Deeply wronged. In a marriage. And. Their mate. Has been unfaithful. They have committed adultery.

[33:58] And. The issue came out. And. There were tears shed. And a confession was made. And. Forgiveness was requested.

[34:09] And forgiveness was extended. And. That. Fellas. Is a beautiful thing. And. There are occasions. Where. Believe it or not.

[34:20] And I'm certainly not advocating this. Don't get me wrong. But. There are occasions. Where. Deep. Wounds. That have been. Deeply.

[34:31] Forgiven. Can actually. End up. In strengthening. A relationship. Because of that. Experience. Of the offense.

[34:41] And the forgiveness. That took place. In that party. That marriage. Can actually. Be stronger. Than it was. Before the offense occurred. Now. This is. No way. Or shape.

[34:52] Or form. Am I suggesting. Anybody. Should have an affair. So they can have a stronger marriage. That's crazy. I'm talking. I'm talking about that. But I know. There are instances. I think I just burst.

[35:07] Somebody's bubble. But there. All I'm saying guys. Is there are occasions. Where. A very deep wound. Between a husband and wife.

[35:18] That has been. Confessed. Acknowledged. And forgiven. Can be a source. Of strengthening. And deepening. That relationship. Because of that.

[35:29] Offense. And forgiveness. Factor. Not that. We should ever. Encourage it. Or want it to happen again. Of course not. That's not the point. And the point. That I'm making now. Is.

[35:40] That if it does happen again. If there are. Repeated offenses. I mean. How many times. Do I have to forgive. The disciples.

[35:50] Ask the Lord. If my brother. If my friend. Offends me. How many times. Do I have to forgive him. Seven times. The number of completion. And Jesus said. No.

[36:01] Seven times. Seventy. In other words. The forgiveness. Needs to be in place. As long as it is needed. But. The time may come.

[36:14] Where there are. Repeated offenses. That may very well. Justify. A withdrawing. From the relationship. In spite.

[36:24] In spite. In spite. Of the fact. That forgiveness. Was there. The repeated. Offender. Needs to be aware.

[36:35] Of the fact. That repeated. Offenses. Cause forgiveness. To wear thin. And nobody. Is suggesting. That they should be married. To an unfaithful.

[36:46] Way. An unfaithful. Mate. Who has. Engaged in. Repeated. Instances. Of adultery. Should the forgiveness. Be there. Yes. The forgiveness.

[36:56] Should be there. And there should also. Very possibly. Be. An attorney. Brought into the picture. And papers drawn up. For a divorce. Because the grounds.

[37:07] Are certainly there. There's no question about that. Biblical grounds are there. Yes. So. This. Very thing. That. That you're talking about.

[37:18] My. My mom. And my dad. She was unfaithful. To him. And. He told me. That. He forgave her.

[37:32] But he could never forget. What had happened. And. The way he said it. Made. Always made me. And he told me this. When I was a. Fairly young.

[37:44] And I didn't know anything. About it. Until then. And it always. Made me wonder. If he had really. Forgiven her. And he was a lifelong. Christian.

[37:55] My mom. Didn't. Yeah. Didn't become a believer. Until right before she died. Yeah. So. I've always wondered. About that. I. I know it hurt him deeply.

[38:07] I'm sure. I'm sure that. That. There. Case like that. Can be repeated. Many times over. And. And it is a problem. And it's a problem. Because.

[38:20] We have. We have a responsibility. For the use of our will. And you may. Forgive. Forgive. Or withhold forgiveness.

[38:31] But if you understand. If you are a believer. Who has been forgiven. Of your sin. That is really. All the rationale. You need. Because you have been forgiven.

[38:41] To forgive somebody else. Who has wronged you. But at the same time. As I've mentioned. We do not have the capacity. Sometimes I wish we did. To just completely.

[38:53] Erase something from your mind. And treat it as though. You know. It never happened. Just make it. Make it go away. So you. You can't even think of it. We don't have that ability. Because you know what you know.

[39:05] And it is there. And it is a wound. And you don't have the ability. To dismiss it. But my point is. And this is really important guys. Would you dismiss it.

[39:18] If you could. And even so. It is hard to be honest. With yourself about that. Because. You may. Realize that you should. But.

[39:29] It is easy to fudge. A little. You know. When. There is something natural. In our fallen nature. That. That wants to even the score.

[39:42] That wants to somehow retaliate. That wants to make someone. Who has wronged us. Pay. Because they wronged us. And. We. There. There is the sweetness.

[39:52] That comes from that. Get even factor. And that too. Is the flesh. That's exactly what it is. And we need to realize that. Joe. I've been married.

[40:04] Over 60 years. That don't make you. Necessary. An authority. He was married. When he was nine. Okay. I'm just saying that. I've definitely learned some things.

[40:16] In that 60 years. About. How to. Patch up a relationship. Or keep it going. And. And all what Marv says.

[40:27] Is actually. So true. I just want to add. One other. Fact. In your mind. To be thinking about. And God. Knows it. You're. All sinners.

[40:37] Sinners. I know that my wife. Is a sinner. She knows that. I. Am a sinner. And because of that. I know.

[40:48] She's going to do. Bad things. To me. Or say things. That hurt me. Because she's a sinner. And she knows. That I'm going to say things. That hurt her. We both realize that.

[41:00] That that other partner. Is going to do things. That hurt me. Because he's a sinner. Or she's a sinner. But then. It gets back to the main point.

[41:11] What. Did God. Do about that sin. To make us look pure. Righteous. In his eyes. He sent his son Christ.

[41:22] To die on the cross. What a sacrifice. To get rid. Of my sin. So in the end. I look at her then. That she's not a sinner.

[41:34] Because she knows Christ. And I know that she knows Christ. Because of the rest of her life. And her treatment of me. How she treats me. She'll sin against me.

[41:45] But my wife also. Respects me. I'll use that first. And then. You can use the word love. But really a wife is not. I love the husband. To respect him.

[41:56] So I know she respects me. And most of the time. She respects me. But once in a while. She sins against me. And I know that she can't help it. She's still got that sinful nature in her.

[42:08] So if you just know these facts. And the Bible tells us these facts. It's easy to live with my wife. Because again. She's a Christian.

[42:19] And that's why we're told to marry Christians. You know. You shouldn't have a husband. She should be a Christian. A wife should be a Christian. And then. If they both are. You're going to have. You're going to have.

[42:30] You're going to have a more solid. Bind. And lasting marriage. And that's been proven by statistics. You can go to statistics. And that's. You know. If he's not a Christian. And she is.

[42:40] Or vice versa. Then. Hey. That marriage. Is. It is. Rough water right away. Okay. Thank you Joe. James talks about this. In many things. In many ways.

[42:51] He says. We offend all. And guys. If you just keep this in mind. If you. If you ever come across an exception. I'd like to know what it is. There are only. Two things.

[43:03] That we can do. That injure. Or offend somebody. Just two things. One is. Something that we. Say.

[43:14] That wounds. And hurts. And the other is. Something that we. Do. That wounds. And hurts. And I would challenge you.

[43:26] To come up with something else. A third item. I've been racking my brain about it. And I can't come up with one. Those are the only two ways. That we can offend.

[43:37] One another. But you know what? They are adequate. They are all we need. We can say hurtful things. And do hurtful things.

[43:49] That wound. Another person. Emotionally. Deeply. And. Therein. Lies the need. For forgiveness. forgiveness.

[43:59] And we all. Do stupid things. And say stupid things. That we would love to be able to call back. And never have said them. But they're out.

[44:10] They're gone. You can't recall them. You can't bring them back. No matter how much you want to. So. All that is. In place then is. The apology. And the request for forgiveness.

[44:21] Yes. One other thing you could add. Would be. The health. Destruction of your health. For holding drugs. And not forgiveness. Oh yeah. Absolutely.

[44:32] Absolutely. We're really in touch on that. That can. That's. That's just another. People destroy themselves. Yeah. That's another very important item. Because. Sometimes. An unforgiving spirit.

[44:44] Somebody who really bears a grudge. Dr. S.I. McMillan dealt with that. In the book. None of these diseases. And he talked about. The person. Who hates another person.

[44:57] Keeps them from. Getting a good night's sleep. Or even enjoying a good meal. Because they are so upset. And angry. Over the offense. That has been committed against them. That they allow it to dominate their life.

[45:09] And their quality of life. Because they have such a grudge. An unforgiving spirit. You don't know what they did to me. That kind of thing. And. This is part of the human condition.

[45:21] But. The grace of God. And the forgiveness of God. Is so great. That it was able to overcome. The most heinous. Of our sins. And not only ours.

[45:31] But for the population. Of humanity. Which is absolutely. Mind boggling. Hey guys. Thanks for being here this morning. And. We appreciate your input. We'll continue this.

[45:42] With your questions. Next week. If you want to. Thank you. Bye.

[45:58] Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye.