Continuing with our series on all those areas of life, where Christians are expected to give ‘Free service,’ today let’s focus on two more of them:
Remission
“…forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Col 3:13)
The key operative word in the above-captioned Scripture is as. Without demanding any monetary compensation the Lord forgave us of our sins, the moment we trusted Him for our salvation and keeps forgiving us whenever we slip in our spiritual journey provided every single time we sincerely repent (1 John 1:9) of our wrongdoing. Then is it demanding too much, when He requires of us to do likewise, with those who may have hurt us physically or emotionally. In fact, when we harbor a grudge (Heb 12:15) besides doing a mighty disservice to our spiritual health (can you retain the joy of the Holy Spirit in your heart when you are yearning for revenge), we would be fiddling with our physical health too what with our hypertension and sugar levels going haywire. Add to these, some digestion problems and the pertinent question arises…is it really worth nursing resentment? As some wise soul put it, “Harboring resentment is like drinking poison and expecting your enemy to die.”
Then what about habitual offenders, one may well argue, would they not end up exploiting us? Take heed of this Scriptural instruction, “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the LORD” (Rom 12:17-19).
Intercession
“As for me, I will certainly not sin against the LORD by ending my prayers for you…” (I Sam 12:23)
With the appointment of King Saul as the First King of Israel, even as obscurity loomed large in front of that faithful old Prophet Samuel after being “in thick of things” for many decades, he resolves to intercede for the very ones who were inclined indignantly to replace him with ‘their choice.’ So seriously did this ageing Prophet view his intercessory prayer ministry that for him to call it quits would tantamount to sin.
Our High Priest Lord Jesus intercedes for us free of cost at God’s right hand (Romans 8:34). In fact, it is binding on all Christians to pray for one another (James 5:16). I remember a cult group about 20 years back seeking Rs10,000/- for prayers on behalf of a seriously sick kidney patient from his desperate, gullible albeit rich parents and Rs50,000/- for “special prayers,” as though to suggest that Rs10,000/- prayer would go only up to Heaven’s gates and the Rs50,000/- one would go right up to the Almighty’s throne. Talk of heights of hypocrisy…
An intercessory prayer ministry, unlike say preaching or singing ministries, does not require any special talents. All one needs to be effective in it is to have love for the Lord and for the person, who is in need!
Prayer: Father, give me a heart to forgive my offenders and intercede for all those in need passionately. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Suresh Manoharan
An Unworthy Servant
J and SM Ministries
(Please click here for the rest of the Free…Free…Free Series.)