Forgive and part with evil

Introduction Dietmar Joosten
There is a name that the devil fears. One word spoken in that name dispels all darkness and evil. That name is the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray in His Name, that the word may go out and bless many people. We thank the Lord for everything He is doing - speaking to people and changing their hearts. He is speaking to satanists and they are being changed through that Name.

The Lord says, ‘I stand at your door,’ - not the neighbour’s door, not your wife’s, not your children’s door - but yours. ‘I knock.’ You will hear Him knocking today. ‘If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.’ The table is laid. Open the door. Children, just pray, pray in your heart, ‘Lord, I open the door. Will you grant me the food that I need this morning.’ When you eat that food, He will show you who you are, and He can prepare you for what lies ahead, even in this week.

Jabulani Dube
25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”[d But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mark 11: 25,26

This word has been on my heart for some time.

The word regarding forgiveness is vital. Our Father in heaven will not forgive us if we do not forgive others. You may be a believer and live a life of faith and you may ask others for forgiveness, but if you do not forgive, your Father will not forgive you.

When a well-known preacher prays the Our Father with his congregation, they are silent when they reach the part, ‘…forgive us our trespassers as we forgive those who trespass against us…’ Can you pray and say, ‘Father, forgive me as I forgive those who have trespassed against me?’ You may preach, testify and sing, but forgiveness is not found within you. You constantly have grudges in your heart. They never end.

It is said that those who are born in October, forgive easily. I was also born in that month, and it is easy for me to forgive. The Lord has been gracious to me. I was saved when I was 13 years old. I do not know what apartheid is, because the Gospel got hold of me when still young. When I attend funerals, I do not mind taking a white person along because I love white people as I love myself.

If blacks do not love white people and vice versa, there is a problem within them. Is there still apartheid amongst us? You say you believe and you are a Christian, but you still have apartheid deep within you. You are like a cockroach - when something is sprayed on it, it will lie still and pretend it is dead but it is still alive. Brethren, this is something very important. You have things in your heart against other nations because of what they did against your forefathers. You just cannot forgive. Have you forgiven your sister, your brother?

I heard the following matter from someone who does not attend our church. He said that he was going to teach in a particular school, but his sister told the principal not to give her brother a position in that school. It hurt him terribly that his own sibling did not allow him to work at that school. When he spoke to me about it, I gave him homework - to read Mark 11. The person phoned me later and said that he still could not forgive his sister for what she had done to him. This man had a position in his church, but he could not forgive. He said that it was impossible to forgive his sister.

In this church, the Our Father prayer isn’t prayed at the close of a service. When I was 14 years old, I asked Rev Stegen about this fact – because it was done in other churches but not in this church. His response was that he did not want to cause people to sin by asking God to forgive them as they forgave others, yet their hearts were full of unforgiveness. Are you able to say: ‘Forgive me as I have forgiven...’

We also asked him the meaning of ‘amen’. He said that it means ‘I agree’. Why do some people not say amen? There are children whom I teach to say ‘amen’ and by doing so they are agreeing to what was prayed before God. Young people, grasp this mystery. When you have come for counselling, repeat ‘amen’ with the person praying to show that you agree with him/her.

Jesus realised that His disciples were ready at that point to say the Lord’s prayer when they asked Him to teach them how to pray. Since 1963 that prayer has not been prayed in public at this place. Can you pray this prayer together as a family? You might be keeping track of what so-and-so has done to you.

Children are as they are because adults speak in any manner in front of their children. Remember the story of the mother crab who told her offspring not to walk sideways, but to walk straight. The baby crab tried hard but could not, so eventually it asked its mother to please demonstrate how it should be done. The mother could also not walk straight. No wonder that the baby could not.

We need to cry out to God, ‘Lord, create in me that ability to forgive.’ Without our Father in heaven, nothing will change in you. Cry out to the Lord: change something within me. Our Father in heaven will hear your prayer when you cry -  even the orphan who says he cannot forgive his parents.

19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19

If you name the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, you need to part from iniquity. This is a firm foundation that has this seal. This is also the foundation that has been laid here at KSB mission.

In 1963 weddings were conducted in the same manner as it is done today. Engagement services are conducted in the same way since then as well. The Lord showed Rev Stegen this way in 1963 already, not 1966. Rev Stegen stood on this firm foundation which people hate: Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity. This tells us that the Lord knows the ones who are His.

If you are spoken to and anger or irritability rises within you, are you a child of God? If all this irritability is in your heart, are you a child of God? This firm foundation stands and it bears the seal.

The young man who is getting married next Sunday is marrying a pure girl. He will take her by the hand for the first time on that day. In the true Gospel, young men and women do not visit each other. Nowadays, however, the young people embarrass us – the girls want to speak to boys and vice versa. You are lowering the standard.

But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” He says, ‘I know those who are Mine.’ In which group are you – are you in the group of those who have a firm foundation? This building stands because of its firm foundation. May you also be found on a firm foundation so that everyone can see that you have departed from iniquity. If you have not yet done so, depart. “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

You say you are a believer and a Christian. You count yourself among the saints. Have you departed from iniquity? These people have a seal – it is known and it is clear they are children of God.

Nowadays, girls wear dresses to the floor. But young girls should dress in a way that shows that they are pure. It is obvious from the way they dress. Why do young girls dress like old women? Dress like a pure young girl. Ask for advice from the older people.

This is a seal on you, it must be clear that you are a child of God. People read us; they observe us. Do we have a seal that states that we are God’s children? The manner in which you speak shows whether you are a true child of God or not?

God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal. Father or mother, the firm foundation of the Gospel must be seen in your life. The Lord knows those who are His because they have departed from iniquity. This is an amazing word. It shakes and stirs us. Where do we stand spiritually? Do not say that you are a true believer if you are still troubled by pornography and cell phones. You are fooling yourself if pornography rules your life. Where are you heading spiritually? With regards to forgiveness, where do you stand if you are still ruled by porn? Do you give money to the church from your alcohol sales at home so that people will think all is well with you?

May you be firm on your foundation. Believe and do not leave it. This is a time where we must not be moved by anything. We must remain firm in the Lord.

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.1 Corinthians 15:58

Be immovable. Let those who want to leave, go - but let us remain firm in the Lord.

Conclusion Dietmar Joosten
This word is clear. You were asked a question. The table was laid for you. Have you got an unforgiving heart? Then you are not building on that foundation which stands sure. If you want God to forgive you, then you must first forgive.

Don’t you realise that a grudge does not kill your enemy, it kills you. If a person begins to complain and point fingers at the faults of others, he is not building on that foundation because he would start with himself instead. Do not be moved. We often laugh at politicians because they blame others for what they are like.

Is there racism in your heart? Many people cannot forgive in that area. I heard someone say recently, “We are like this because of ‘them’” Such people are often the very ones who have problems with racism.

Christians are peace makers. They should love and care for one another. This should be evident amongst Christians. It is a seal. When people visit here, one of the things that often grips them is ‘the seal’- the love for one another. People care for one another. This does not happen through your mouth but through your deeds. Am I able to care for the next person as I care for myself? You will not have to say a word. People will see this seal because you have built on the right foundation.

In your family, ask whether that seal is there? Can it be seen? If you want to preach the Gospel start at home where you have a congregation. If the congregation sins, then there is something wrong with your sermons. A mother will ask, ‘My child, you can choose, do you really want to do this?’ and allows the child to decide. The mothers are the problem. The mothers give the child the option to decide. Young people disrespect older people nowadays because they are disrespectful at home.

You will never change that seal. Does God know you? Does He see that in your family life?

Look at a child and then you know what the parents are like. God expects you to be obedient immediately. If it is delayed obedience, it is disobedience. This is God’s seal. God laid a foundation at the beginning of the revival, something that is precious and crucial. Do not come with your nonsense.

We have been reminded of that we should marry in purity. What is it like at home? Fathers, you cannot live in purity with your own girls! That foundation has been laid - but what are we teaching our children today? Where will they learn that this is the seal? Keep away from all evil. Keep aloof from it. You will recognise this seal in any family. First on the list is obedience. Not that your mother asks you what you want. Do what your mother says you should.

There are other seals in life: faithfulness. Are you faithful? This is a seal. God’s people will be known by this. Mercy. Can you show mercy so that God can show mercy to you?

As a family, take note of what things are like. What is happening? Where are your children heading?

Parents are forever trying to be friends to their children, but our heavenly Father taught us that the beginning of wisdom is to fear Him. Children, those who have parents, the beginning of wisdom for you is to ‘fear’ your parents (I’m not talking about the wrong, negative fear) then you will serve the Heavenly Father in the right way. Children must know that you are the parent and they are the child. If they argue with you, then you should know what you are. May God help us that the seal will be clear: you will stand aloof and keep away from all evil. That which is good and from above will be seen in your life. Open the door and allow the Lord to work in your heart.