~ Charity ~
As I was reading in Peter last night, I was given this thought: that Charity is forgiveness. Now I have never thought this or heard it taught. But as I read, I could see this. So I did some studying on the matter. I was pretty well convinced of this when I looked in the Strong's Concordance and saw that the word is not in the O.T.
One reason I want to post this message before I finish doing the series on the Day of the Lord, is because you will need to understand this to be able to understand the next series of messages I intend to try to do. That is when I can finish getting what God is showing me.
God said unless you forgive from the heart every trespass of man against you, He will not forgive you your sins. This is important. See it is an absolute requirement for you to have your own sins forgiven. You must forgive every sin against you. You must do this from the heart. This dear one, is CHARITY.
Under the O.T. Law, there was NO FORGIVENESS; NOT FROM GOD; NOT FROM MAN.
The Law required punishment for every sin. It many times required death.
Therefore, If one lived this law, their heart was STONE. = No love, no forgiveness. They could not have the love, the forgiveness. If they did, then they themselves would be BREAKING THE LAW; FOR THE LAW REQUIRED DEATH.
You could not forgive a person if they did a wrong - it had to be brought to the judge (the priests) and judged and then the person had to pay the penalty. If one did not do this, then they themselves were guilty of breaking the law. (Thank God for Grace).
In Jude 12 it tells of evil men feasting without fear with us in our feasts of CHARITY. Why did they have no fear to be there pretending to be saints? Because they knew our charity was love; = forgiveness; therefore they would not be punished.
In 11Peter 1:7- the last thing added to our growth was CHARITY -- which followed brotherly kindness. So see, brotherly kindness was close kin to CHARITY.
1Pet. 5:14--we are told to greet one another with a kiss of CHARITY. I believe this means fellowship of love and forgiveness. This is considered a spiritual 'kiss' or fellowship.
1Pet.4:8-- (Watch this one)--- He said ABOVE ALL THINGS -- now this is powerful --- ABOVE ALL THINGS-- have fervent CHARITY among yourselves: FOR Charity shall cover THE multitude of sins.
This is what first gave me the thought that charity is forgiveness -- see it said THIS covers the multitude of sins. If the sins one does against another are covered, this means they forgave it. If we forgive it, God forgives it. If we do not forgive it, God does not forgive it. The sin remains. Therefore, we revert back to the law.
In forgiving their sins against us, then God forgives our sins, and this is how it also covers our own sins. If we do not forgive, and then God does not forgive us, so all the sins remain uncovered. Then they must be judged and we will be punished later.
V9--He told us to use hospitality without grudging--- this means give love and forgiveness without holding back.
When the disciples desired to be greater than the others, this showed they did not have this charity yet. That is why Jesus rebuked them for this. If we love our neighbor as our self, then we do not desire to be greater than anyone else. This is unselfish love = charity. Jesus said in honor prefer others above yourself. This is charity.
God said not to revenge yourselves. Vengeance belongs to God. But God showed me that many times those of us who would never think of doing evil to one to get revenge, will be unknowingly trying to get revenge by the use of WORDS. We are told not to speak evil of anyone. We are told to gossip or backbite or carry tales. All of this is a form of seeking vengeance. We need to set a watch before our mouths that we might not sin with our mouth.
1Tim. 2:22 shows that charity gives peace.
Now look at 1Tim. 1:5--Now the END OF THE COMMANDMENT is CHARITY out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
v6--From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
v7--Desiring to be teachers of the LAW; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
v9--Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient etc.
Now see that this said they turned away from charity because they wanted law. So to me this proves that the thought which came to me is right -- that charity is forgiveness. The law is NOT of faith. See it said Charity is out of a pure heart and of unfeigned FAITH.
This connects Charity and faith together. (11Thes. 1:3)
Charity is connected with Peace; (1Tim. 2:22)
It is connected with love. (1Cor. 14 & 16)
All of these virtues were NOT UNDER THE LAW.
1Cor. 8:1 shows that Charity edifies one another. All of this is to build up Christian love and growth in ourselves and others. This was not under law.
I will close with this: Rom. 10:4--For Christ is the END OF THE LAW for righteousness to very one that believeth.
So when 1Tim. 1:5 said the END OF THE COMMANDMENT IS CHARITY -- this is saying Charity is the end of the law. If this be so, then it is true, Charity is Grace. Grace is forgiveness. Grace is LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF.
If you do not forgive, then you are not in GRACE, YOU ARE UNDER LAW. It puts you back under law to not forgive every trespass against yourself.
Grace is forgiveness. Under the law there was no forgiveness, but a certain fearful looking for of fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (Heb. 10:27).
v28--He that despised Moses' law died without MERCY under two or three witnesses.
See, no mercy under law. Mercy is Grace-- forgiveness-- love-- it covers a multitude of sins. This is CHARITY.
Heb. 10:16--This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
v17--And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
This is the new Covenant = Grace = forgiveness and forgetting our sins. This means that if we have Charity, we must forgive and forget other's sins against us.
See then, that Charity is the New Covenant. That is why the word is not even one time used in the O.T.