You Also Have The Power To Forgive Sins

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DAILY VITAMIN
- You Also Have The Power To Forgive Sins
"If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven. If you refuse to forgive them, they are unforgiven." (John 20:23 TLB)
       Many years back they brought a sick young man to Jesus Christ, and He assured him that his sins had been forgiven (Matthew 9:5). The religious leaders thought it was blasphemous that a mere man would assure others he could forgive sins. But, oh, how they forgot that He wasn't a mere man. And right before their eyes, He confirmed this truth by healing the young man with a simple command. They shuddered with great fear at the sight of this- unable to comprehend how God could give a man such authority (v. 8).
      But know this, God didn't stop with Jesus; He still does so with us who believe in Him. Jesus said "He spoke to them again and said, 'As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you'. Then he breathed on them and told them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven. If you refuse to forgive them, they are unforgiven." (John 20:21-23 TLB). The Holy Spirit in us is proof enough that we can act as ambassadors of the Godhead unhindered on the earth. That is, we can draw men unto God through Christ - even with the affirmation of forgiveness towards the sinner. He says that "Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy [that is, [readiness to help those in trouble] and not sacrifice and sacrificial victims. For I came not to call and invite [to repentance] the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), but sinners (the erring ones and all those not free from sin)." (Matthew 9:13 AMP).
      We can forgive sins and they will be forgiven, because God wants the sinners to return unto righteousness. The Spirit affirmed this through Paul, saying, "When you're forgive anyone, I do too. And whatever I have forgiven (to the extent that this affected me too) has been by Christ's authority, and for your good" (2 Corinthians 2:10 TLB). It is the ministry He has given to us in Christ - the ministry of reconciliation. Not to judge, criticize, or condemn, but to lead to forgiveness. "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Christ Jesus, and hath given unto us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:18).
     This is what He expects of you - not to condemn the sinner, but to save them. Remember, we are emissaries of God on the earth. Just as a secular emissary's words are taken as the king's own, when we preach to the sinner, leading them unto salvation in Christ, assuring them of the forgiveness of their sins, the King forgives them. Isn't this a blessing? Glory to God!

Prayer:
Lord, I know you have called me to lead many unto righteousness. I pray that as I go out today to draw many unto Christ, you help me to win multitudes. As I act in alignment with the ministry of reconciliation you have bestowed upon me, I ask for empowerment for effectiveness in this task through the grace of Christ that is sufficient for me, in Jesus Name. Amen.

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