Derek Prince Legacy Radio International

In his closing talk on forgiveness today, Derek points out that forgiveness is not an emotion, but rather a decision. We can decide to forgive. First, by recognizing our need to forgive. Second, by submitting ourselves to God’s Word. Then by making the right decision. Affirm it verbally—over and over if necessary. Forgive, as you want God to forgive you.

It is necessary that we forgive one another, for Jesus said that if we don’t forgive then our heavenly Father will not forgive either. If we forgive others, God will forgive us in the same proportion. Derek then brings in the parable of the unforgiving servant to prove this point. Doesn’t it pay to forgive others of their debt to us?

Reconciliation with God also brings reconciliation with our fellow man. In Colossians Paul assures us that now there is neither slave nor free, circumcised or uncircumcised, or barbarian, but Christ is all, and is in all. All barriers have been done away with in the new creation in Jesus.

Scripture tells us that the Lord laid upon Jesus the iniquity of us all. What type of sin? Murder? Fornication? Maybe not. But we all have turned to our own way—we have been self-pleasers, living by our own standards. We need God’s forgiveness. And once forgiven, God tells us they are remembered no more.

Derek points out in his message today we should consider that these words proceed out of forgiveness: reconciliation, peace, harmony, understanding. How badly our world needs these concepts. Stay tuned throughout this week to see how Derek makes his points through the Scriptures

The strongest leaders are those who lead by example. Consider others as better than yourself. Be subject to one another. Put on the apron of humility. Using the examples of Abraham and Joshua, Derek provides the reason why—those who humble themselves receive the promised inheritance.

Derek gives us today the second phase of humbling ourselves before God: bowing down our wills so that we may progress in our new spiritual life. Three main sources of pride in humanity are wisdom, power and ability. Is there anything wrong with those attributes? Not at all—except when they keep us from embracing God’s will for our lives.

In today’s message, Derek brings us the first phase of how to humble ourselves before God. This comes when we come to God initially. We are encouraged to humble ourselves as little children when coming to God. What does that mean to you? Trustfulness? Dependence? Teachability? Evaluate yourself to see how you measure up.

Of course, in his talk today, Derek points us to the example of Jesus Christ. Derek brings us, in sequential order, seven downward steps that Jesus took in His attitude of humility. “Therefore,” Paul tells us, “God highly exalted Him” by seven upward steps. Jesus earned this exaltation by His self-humbling. We should conduct ourselves likewise.

The type of pride that Derek talks about in these lessons is the type that seeks independence from God. Adam and Eve made a personal decision that they did not need God. It is the very essence of what caused the fall of Lucifer, that glorious angelic being who became Satan.

Man had fallen. He was alienated, a rebel. The next great act of God was redemption. And to do this, God stooped lower still. The answer to pride is humility. Jesus took upon Himself the Adamic nature, the form of humanity, the fallen nature. By His death, He freed us all from the power of death and the bonds of slavery.

Satan procured the downfall of humankind using the same motivation that caused his own downfall—and tempted Adam and Eve into disobedience and rebellion. Satan told them that if they ate, they would be “like God, knowing good and evil.” This motivated them to pride–they would not need God anymore, so they were banned from the Garden.

Derek teaches us today that Lucifer was a glorious created being who succumbed to pride. So what did God do next? He stooped low as He formed a man out of the dust of the earth. The dust of the earth met the breath of God from heaven and Adam was created. God wanted a person-to-person relationship with him.

Today, Derek takes us back in time to the first sin created in the universe. It was not drunkenness, immorality or murder, but pride—pride that led to rebellion. Listen as Derek revels who it was that sinned and what was the outcome.

In his messages this week and next, Derek brings out the fact that, just like law of gravity operates in the physical realm, there are laws in the spiritual realm that operate in much the same way. If we go against them, they will break us. The one we’re looking at is found in Matthew’s gospel: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Endurance, however, provides us with many benefits—eternal benefits. In fact, Jesus tells us “he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Listen to discover two more keys to achieving endurance so you can receive the reward God wants to give you.

It takes endurance to walk safely through difficult times—and through times of ease. Bottom line: endurance is a vital ingredient of success. But it is not enough to know we need endurance, we must also understand the “Steps to Achieving Endurance.” Listen to find out more…

Scripture prescribes the element of endurance as vital to our development and ultimate success as Christians. In fact, as you’ll hear today, tests and trails are the way we develop perseverance. You’ll want to listen closely to how Derek described two kinds of tests that ultimately make us or break us as Christians.

While “endurance” may not be necessarily a popular subject, it is a necessary subject that touches each of our lives. It takes endurance to walk safely through difficulties. Derek understood so much about this topic, so he taught not only from Scripture, but from a place of experience.

If you are interested in becoming a successful Christian, this teaching will take you a long way toward that goal. Perhaps you are going through a trying time right now. If so you can be encouraged by these truths.