WHAT ABOUT JOHN 20:23?

What About John 20:23?

In John 20:23, Jesus tells His disciples, “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." The very core of the gospel message is the truth that the way someone has their sins forgiven is by having faith in Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Savior. In Acts 10:43-44, when Peter was sharing the gospel, he said, “Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” First John 5:1-5 tells us only he who believes in Jesus will overcome the world. Luke 5:20says, “When Jesus saw their faith, He said ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’” Colossians 2:13-14 says Jesus forgave all our sins. All these passages confirm that Jesus is the one who forgives sin, and He forgives all of our sins. If we have had genuine faith in Him, someone else cannot later decide we are not forgiven one sin or another. So, what exactly did Jesus mean in John 20:23?

This weekend, I attended a luncheon to celebrate the marriage union of newly wedded couple. One is not a believer yet and the other is. Both already "married" through legal process and are legally husband and wife. However towards the luncheon, they approached me if I would pray and bless them at their luncheon. Initially I thought they wanted the whole exchange of vows...but it turn out to be a simple blessing of prayer. I asked God what to do and what to pray.

The key word was "MERCY". His "MERCY". You see people will make all sorts of errors even the elect of God. The religious will keep the guitly from receiving forgiveness and His Mercy. It is when we the elect of Christ ...not just Pastors but all Christians step out of all this religious humbugs to extend His mercy...will the guilty KNOW and be afront with the opportunity to KNOW HIS LOVE for them.

So after the whole process, God drop this verse in me and I finally understand what this all means.. He has given us the "power" to extend His mercy and love to people. If we withhold it from them, how would they know ? Sometimes we withhold because of our own hatred and biases.

Lets be taught by the Holy Spirit of of big and how wide is His mercy for us and others. If we don't extend His heart to them, we'd be the guilty ones.

How much God really loves people.

Awesome truth.

Luv Edwin Koh B.L.

20/6/16