June 9, 2022 - I can remember as a small boy, often hearing people close their prayers with the phrase, “In Christ’s name and for his sake we pray”. What are we saying with that expression? We are asking God to look upon the face of his son and to deal with us on the merit of our suffering substitute. However, this is only one side of the equation. God wants us to look upon the face of his son and for Christ’s sake suffer, serve and glorify the father.
If you remember, for the sake of 10 righteous souls, God was willing to spare Sodom. David showed Mephibosheth kindness for the sake of Jonathan (II Samuel 9:7). God did not take the kingdom from Solomon during his lifetime for the sake of David his father (I Kings 11:12). Moreover, the Bible instructs us to do certain things for “Christ’s sake”.
For “Christ’s Sake” we are to forgive. “Forgiving one another even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). God has forgiven us for Christ’s sake and therefore for His sake we should forgive one another. To be sure, it is imperative that we forgive one another if we are to be forgiven. Our own forgiveness is pre-conditioned on this in the sermon on the mount (Matthew 6:14-15 and in the model prayer (Matthew 6:12). If you recall, Peter went on to say we should follow in the steps of Jesus. It is so Christ like to have compassion. What are we willing to do “for Christ’s sake”?
It’s something to think about. . . TBP
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