Forgiving God

The Gift of Faith
Tests of Faith

Powerful Faith

John 5:19-24  The Message

What the Father Does, the Son Does

^19-20 So Jesus explained himself at length. “I’m telling you this straight. The Son can’t independently do a thing, only what he sees the Father doing. What the Father does, the Son does. The Father loves the Son and includes him in everything he is doing.

^20-23 “But you haven’t seen the half of it yet, for in the same way that the Father raises the dead and creates life, so does the Son. The Son gives life to anyone he chooses. Neither he nor the Father shuts anyone out. The Father handed all authority to judge over to the Son so that the Son will be honored equally with the Father. Anyone who dishonors the Son, dishonors the Father, for it was the Father’s decision to put the Son in the place of honor.
²⁴ “It’s urgent that you listen carefully to this: Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now and aligns himself with the Father, who has in fact put me in charge, has at this very moment the real, lasting life and is no longer condemned to be an outsider. This person has taken a giant step from the world of the dead to the world of the living.

For Reflection

The Father is the son and the son the father, perfect atonement.  So, what we have read and heard of Jesus we have also read and heard of God.  We who believe in the consubstantality of God and the Son and gives up our lives to God will themselves receive ever lasting life and is no longer subject to the vagaries of the world.  When you live in God and God lives in you, you cannot help but to live a righteous life of love for God, for your self and for all of God's creation.

Pray

That you will act as Joseph, who was deceitfully driven from his home by his brothers yet received them in forgiveness and grace.  Thank God for The capacity to heal and to restore.