Is, Was and Will Be – The Unknown Character of Christ and His Word

The Power of Repentance

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Hi L____,
I just want you to know that the Lord loves you, and I love you too!
I think that you know that this experience has been the best thing that has happened to you in a long time. There is nothing to compare with God loving us so much that He is willing to take the time to show to us what is still in us. That  is Godly love. If only we could all love each other to that extent.
How often have we tolerated sin rather than confront it and show the person sinning his sin. We seldom are willing to do so. It is much easier to tolerate sin than it is to deal with sin.
I cannot tell you how pleased I am that you have taken the time to tell me of this experience. Jesus Christ is working all things in you after the counsel of His own will, and we know that all things work together for good for you, simply because you know that God is love and does what He is doing to work a great deliverance in His elect.

Eph 1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

My talk in Indianapolis was on the meaning of “all things ” as it is used in this next verse and throughout scripture:

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

It is easy to talk about “all things working together for good,” but it is an entirely different thing to live through trials such as you have here related and see that trial for the good it has accomplished in you as you have seen in this trial. God truly is working in you to prepare you for what He has prepared for you.
As a matter of fact we have had a long dry spell here in Georgia, and it finally rained today. Austin and I had traveled to Decatur, Georgia to remove an old dishwasher and install a new one. The rain made all the oil on the road very slick. I put on my brakes and slid into the back of another car. What I learned from this was simply to stay back farther and be more patient. Lord knows that I need every lesson in patience that He sends my way. I thank Him for this trial, and I am grateful that no one was hurt. It is so very helpful to know that even when we can’t see just what good is being worked in all things, that good is nevertheless being worked. That is one of the lessons of the book of Job, and Job typifies God’s elect.
Thank you for sharing with me and with others what God is doing in you and through you. This experience should now help you to see what is “behind of the afflictions of Christ.” Christ could not sin in His flesh, but we can “fill up what is behind of His afflictions” when we are given the trials we are given by Him who is working all things after the counsel of His own will.

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Just think about it; one thing that made the testimony of the apostle Paul so powerful was the fact that he had “breathed out slaughter against, [ and] persecuted the church of God.” It was his repentance that made his testimony so powerful. So it is with us.
I seriously doubt that you will ever again fail to acknowledge any damage you may inflict on others, and your testimony will indeed be an inspiration to many.
Your brother in the Christ,
Mike

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