We don't need to seek out miracles. We need to seek out forgiveness!

It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ [Luke 24.47]

What's the message? ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’

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Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” [John 20.21-23]

What's the message? If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.

See the pattern here? Forgiveness.

What is the work that the Holy Spirit empowers us to do? Forgiveness.

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May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. [Matthew 6.10]

Jesus declared that He brought the Kingdom. What did He do? Forgave.

What is God's will on the earth? Go back up and look at John 20.21-23: As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.

Again, what did Jesus do? Forgave. That was God's will for Jesus life.

What did Jesus tell us to do? The same thing He did - forgive. God's will on earth as it is in heaven is for us to forgive as Jesus forgave! Why? Because the Kingdom (forgiveness from God) has come!

And, what did Jesus' forgiveness look like much of the time? Healing! Remember Jesus said "Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” " [Mark 2.9-11]

And all Jesus' ministry happened because the Holy Spirit was upon Him. NOT because He was God. Otherwise, He could not commission His followers to do the same work He did:

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done... [John 14.12a]

So, why do believers today not minister in constant miracles as Jesus did? There is only one possible answer: they are not empowered by the Holy Spirit. 

Regardless what we say or think, if we are powerless, then we are Holy Spirit-less.

This is a huge indictment upon the Church today. It applies to me too.

Maybe we need to spend some quality time in the prayer Jesus taught us to pray:

May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. [Matthew 6.10]

Maybe we need to better understand that the Kingdom of God is forgiveness. Maybe we need to better understand that God's will on earth (as it is in heaven) is forgiveness!

We've sought to receive and give healing and miracles with a passion, but have we sought to receive and give forgiveness with that same passion? I dare say not.

We don't need to seek out miracles. We need to seek out forgiveness!

Father, once again, I am convicted by the lack of my receiving and giving forgiveness. Please help me get this right! I know Your part is done, but I need to receive and give Your forgiveness!