At Westlake, we try to make it part of our mission to allow people to use their spiritual gifts in service to God for His glory and for our good. \u00a0One way that we can do that, is to have from time to time a guest blogger. \u00a0Today is one such day. \u00a0I want to take a moment and introduce you to Pastor Harry. \u00a0I have known Harry and his family for many years, actually pre-dating my time here at Westlake. \u00a0He and I share a common mentor. \u00a0Harry is married to Pam, and they have two boys, Mike and Ben. \u00a0Both of the boys are strong in their faith, and it is a privilege to know them. \u00a0Westlake had the privilege of ordaining Harry several years ago. \u00a0He has served at some churches in Virginia and outside of Virginia. \u00a0He currently is part of a jail ministry here locally. \u00a0Without further ado, here is a devotion from Pastor Harry that I hope will challenge you and encourage you.<\/p>\n
Take a moment and think about a time or times when a person said or did something against you.\u00a0 How did you feel and what did you do about it?\u00a0 Maybe the person intentionally did it or maybe you just took it wrong.\u00a0Whatever the reason, there was tension.\u00a0Have you forgiven that person or are you still holding a grudge?\u00a0 When someone wrongs us, should we forgive him?<\/p>\n
Jesus tells a parable, in Matthew 18, about an Unforgiving and an Unmerciful servant.\u00a0 A king, of a certain kingdom, demands to be repaid by this servant.\u00a0 If he didn\u2019t repay the great debt he owed, the servant, his wife, children, and all that he had would be sold.\u00a0 There was no way for the servant to pay the debt back but he begged the king to be merciful on him.\u00a0 The king had compassion on him and forgave him the debt he owed.<\/p>\n
Later, the servant went out and demanded, from another servant, to be paid in full.\u00a0 The amount owed to him was significantly less than what he owed the king.\u00a0 The other servant asked for mercy from the first servant but he refused to give mercy and he cast his fellow servant into prison.<\/p>\n
When the king found out about what the servant did, he was wroth with the servant and cast him into prison until he paid all that was due the king.<\/p>\n
We are like the first servant.\u00a0 We owe a debt that we cannot pay.\u00a0 Romans 3:23 says, \u201cFor all have sinned come short of the glory of God.\u201d\u00a0Romans 6:23 says, \u201cFor the wages of sin is death\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
We have sinned against God and we will have to pay for our sins.\u00a0 The problem is, there is nothing we can do to erase our sins and come clean before a Holy, Perfect, and Just God.\u00a0 Ephesians 2:8-9 says, \u201cFor by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.\u201d<\/p>\n
We cannot earn our way to heaven.\u00a0 No matter how good we try to be, our good will never outweigh our bad.\u00a0So, what is the solution?\u00a0 If you look at the middle part of Ephesians 2:8-9, God says He has a gift for us.\u00a0 The gift is His Son, Jesus Christ.\u00a0 Jesus took our place on the cross.\u00a0 He hung on the cross, shed His blood, died, was buried, and rose again the third day.\u00a0He is the way and the only way to heaven.\u00a0 We can\u2019t earn our way to Heaven but God provided the way.\u00a0 It is free for us.\u00a0 All we need to do is trust Jesus and His death, burial, and resurrection for us.<\/p>\n
When we trust in what Jesus did for us, our sin debt is washed away.\u00a0Like the servant in the parable, we couldn\u2019t pay our debt but it is forgiven.<\/p>\n
As you and I reflect on what God has done for us, let us realize no matter what someone does to us here on earth, it pales in comparison to what we owed God.\u00a0 We need to forgive one another because God forgave us.<\/p>\n
Pastor Harry<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
At Westlake, we try to make it part of our mission to allow people to use their spiritual gifts in service to God for His glory and for our good. \u00a0One way that we can do that, is to have … Read More