by Don Hatfield
is something we deserve without ever thinking and realizing that it is a gift from God. James it goes even deeper than that. The bread that we eat is even a gift from God. He does not have to supply the wheat from which it is made. I am humbled and ashamed when I realize for the first time that it all belongs to Him. None of it is mine James. I have been so arrogant and proud.” Then another thought struck me. The only thing that was actually mine was the gift of the right to choose. The right to choose whom I would follow be it the God who created and allowed me to use all of this or the god of this world who would hold me in the slavery of trying to hold on to that which I could not possess. I again bowed my head there on that hillside and thanked Jesus and my Father for allowing me to use the things which belonged to Him.
James interrupted my thoughts and said, “I know just how you feel Isaac for I had to come to the same humbleness and humiliation when God revealed this me. Let me tell you more of what our Savior and guide said on that day. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Isaac, what do the words forgive and debt mean to you?” I responded, “A debt is something I owe. James, maybe it is something more than that it is something that I legally owe to someone. I owe it because I took or got something from them and in doing so I needed to pay them back for being allowed to use it. But how can a person pay God back? How long would I have to work to pay back every breath that I was allowed to use? James when I think about it would eternity be long enough to pay for one sin to a Holy God. Actually, I guess there is no pay back for I have nothing to pay back my debt with.” I sat there a moment thinking on my debts that I owed a Holy God. Then another thought came to me. A debt is something for which that I have not made amends for. It is an offence against one whom I have injured. The only way I could make amends to God was to admit that I owed the debt and plead for someone to pay it. Praise Jesus who paid that debt that I could never make amends for. I then said to James, “Through His grace I will learn also to forgive others who have injured me. I think it may be easier to do that if I gaze upon my own debt to a Holy God because in light of that others injuries to me seem kind of small.” James said, “Isn’t the grace and love of God glorious. Oh, the merciful kindness of God our Father, the blessed sacrifice of Jesus the Savior, and the wonderful wisdom and patience of His Holy Spirit who dwells in us.” As I began to let go of so many hurts, wrongs and perceived injuries, I felt my spirit began to soar. The peace of my Father began to descend on me and I praised Him aloud there on His hillside overlooking His Sea.
A gentle warm breeze began to blow again across my body. I could see it moving among the blades of grass there on that hillside. It was as if His Spirit was combing the grass and putting it back into perfect place and rest. We were both brought back from our communion by a voice behind us which said, “Look what I have for you, see what a deal I have for you, a bargain, a steal for my friends.” A large man was holding out an expensive looking cloak to us. It was purple with scarlet threads running through its seams. The man though well-dressed seemed to me to be dirty although he was not. He said here is a bargain for you my friends. This is my cloak and I no longer have need of it. I will sell it to you for just a few denarii. I put out my hand to feel its fine material when James stopped me by putting his hand on mine. He asked the man his name. The man just stood looking at James from the blackest eyes I had ever seen. Then replied, “What does that matter. Do you want the fine cloak for such a small price?” Why do you not want it James asked the man? “I have no need of it any longer he replied. “James then surprised me with his next statement when asked the man, “Have you ever heard of the Savior named Jesus? The man got a cynical look on his face and said, “Yes, I have heard of this man named Jesus but He was no Savior. I know they crucified Him for all the lies He told.” James then said, “You sir, do you believe that a man should be crucified for telling lies?” The man’s face turned a bright red. He put the cloak back in his satchel and said, “I have no time to waste on fools. I have offered you a bargain and you refused. I will find someone who knows a steal when they see one.” James replied, “I am sure you will sir.” James eyes then looked over the man’s shoulder causing the man also to look behind him. We could see in the distance a few Roman guards heading our way. When the man saw them without another word he took off down the hill hollering at some men in a boat who were about to cast off from the shore. I turned to James and said, “How did you know?” James said, “Isaac, I did not know. I have just learned to ask questions before casting my fate with anything. It is something that the Lord teaches His children and often we have to learn the hard way. Jesus spoke of this kind of thing on that day when He said, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” I said to James, “What did He mean when He said lead us not into temptation? Does God lead us into temptation?” James answer me in this way, “Isaac, God can foresee the temptation coming and He does not stop it. The way you respond to it will prove how close your relationship is with Him. He already knows how you will respond but He wants you to know. When the temptation comes our prayer should be. Father, do not let us be overcome with this evil. We are weak and easily led astray as sheep are. We come to you as the shepherd of our souls and look for your strength and power to resist this evil and to deliver us from it. When we pray like that Isaac we will prove the last thing Jesus said about prayer on that day. He concluded with this. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever Amen. When we rely on Him we are proving what He has already proved. It is His kingdom and we are His kingdom when we acknowledge and yield to Him in all temptation. By doing this we are also acknowledging that it is His power that resides in us and it is His power that is enabling us to not yield to temptation. Isaac, by yielding to Him what does this bring about?” I was stumped for a few moments and then it came to me. I shouted out loud to James, “He is expressing His glory in us. He is expressing His Kingly majesty in us the weak, the frail, the powerless. Glory to God He will do it forever and ever. James for all of eternity He will be expressing His glory and power in us.” James laughed and also said Glory to God. Then he said, “Isaac, the last word Jesus said in His model prayer was Amen or in other words so be it. May it be fulfilled and believed.
James said let us take a break and share some bread and drink together. We sat down under a tree there on that hillside and at first began to talk of small things. James asked me what my trade was and I told him that I had a small shop with my brother in the town of Bethany where we sold vegetables, fruits and some other items. He asked if my family had accepted Christ and I said all but my sister. I related to him that she was a very good person as far as humanly speaking and because of that she said that she saw no need of a Savior. James, sadly shook his and said I fear there are many like that. He then told me of his younger brother John who had preached so boldly in the streets of Rome. He told me that some of the Jewish leaders conspired against him and after many lies and bribes had Him crucified. He said he was so thankful that there was a Savior and that he would again see his brother. We both sat there in silence for a few minutes. I was thinking about my sister and I had a feeling that James was thinking about a reunion with his brother John.
James turned and said, “Shall we continue with that day when our Savior spoke with us here on this hillside.” I of course nodded yes. “Isaac, after Jesus spoke those words to us about communion and prayer to our Father He told us of the practical things we should do to enable this communion with Him. The first thing He said after speaking to us of prayer was this. For if ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” I said to James, “There are some people who have done me much evil. I want to forgive them but how will I know that I have forgiven them for when I think of what they did it can raise such feelings of hurt and anger in me?” James then said, “Isaac, we all have such things in our lives. Do not ever think that you are the only one who feels
that they have been treated wrong. As a matter of fact if you could talk to those who have wronged you I am sure they could tell of others who have wronged them. But let me get back to your question. You ask how can I know if I have forgiven them. First, you have to realize that even if you are willing to forgive them often these feelings that have been hurt are still there. They raise their voice in protest about forgiveness. They scream and say how unjust and how unfair this person or that person has been to you. Second, began to think and ask yourself if is important to you that your Father hear your prayers. Is it important to you that you commune with Him? If it is then you must pray and forgive them for this is a requirement of your Father and Savior. Isaac, you ask how you will know if you have done this. Mostly by your actions towards this person if their name is mentioned or if you are around them. Actions always speak louder than words. If someone mentions their name and you began to rant on them or if someone else begins to
