The compassion of God encompasses every single person.

by Leonard V Johnson

I saw a documentary the other day. It was Hitler's Death Army: Das Reich – UNCENSORED, June 1944. And it was probably one of the worst documentaries I've ever seen in my life. It was uncensored. The ‘Death Squad,’ the ‘Death Head’ of the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich, where they committed all manner of atrocities on the French civilian population during World War II.

And it was the uncensored footage that made it so disturbing. The SS-Totenkopfverbände were the concentration camp guards who wore that skull insignia, and seeing unfiltered documentation of their actions was very difficult to watch. That kind of raw, uncensored material can be overwhelming even for someone like me who appreciates historical accuracy.

Often, it’s difficult to understand how the LORD God can forgive people like this. It’s one of the most challenging aspects of faith – wrestling with how divine mercy can extend even to those who committed such unspeakable evil. God’s living word shows us examples like the Apostle Paul, who persecuted those of the Way before his conversion. The mystery isn’t that forgiveness is unavailable, but that it requires TRUE REPENTANCE ── and only the LORD God can see into a person’s heart to know if that repentance is real.

~ be sure to read and study our A Morning Bible Study – What Is Repentance? ~

“Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’” – Luke 23:34.

Now, just because our Lord Jesus Christ, while on the cross, said, ‘Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,’ doesn’t mean that He just immediately offered them forgiveness. It means if they repent. It wasn’t an automatic blanket pardon – it was an intercession asking the Father to withhold immediate judgment and provide opportunity for repentance. The fact that many of those same people later came to faith at Pentecost (31 AD) shows how that “prayer” was answered. Christ’s words opened the door for forgiveness, but it still required their heart to turn toward Him in genuine repentance.

I myself pray the same prayer that the Apostle Peter prayed. I don’t want anyone to perish, but I want everyone to come to repentance, forgiveness, and to be saved.

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9.

The LORD God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. It takes real spiritual maturity to hold both justice and mercy in tension like that. I pray that all those who committed those heinous acts during World War II, the Nazi Germans, I pray that they do repent, after their resurrection, of their atrocious acts and turn to the LORD God. We are to have Christ-like love – praying for the salvation of even the worst offenders. Our hearts should reflect the same Spirit that led Jesus to die for all humanity, knowing that His sacrifice was for everyone, regardless of their sins. It’s a profound witness to the transformative power of faith when someone can look at such darkness and still hope for redemption.

And I know that it’s not easy. But that’s the prayer we should pray.

“’ You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44) But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.’” – Matthew 5:43-44.

Because it takes tremendous spiritual strength to hold that kind of compassion in our heart. Sadly, our first emotion is to destroy those people because of our anger and our overwhelming emotions at such atrocious evils that they’ve done, but yet we need to have grace, mercy, compassion, just as our Lord Jesus does.

“’ Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.’” – Matthew 5:7.

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13) bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, …” – Colossians 3:12, 13.

“For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” – James 2:13.

It’s this battle between our human nature and the divine nature that the LORD God has embodied within us. The righteous anger is natural and even justified but then comes the harder calling to surrender that desire for vengeance to the LORD God (Romans 12:19) and for us to choose the path of intercession instead. It is one of the most difficult aspects of following Christ ── allowing His heart to transform our natural reactions into something that reflects His divine character.

It’s one of the hardest of commandments that the LORD God has given us. The natural human response is to seek justice or even revenge, but God calls us to something that goes completely against our nature. That’s what makes it so profound when someone chooses to pray even for the worst offenders ── it is, in a way, a supernatural act that only comes through our Lord Jesus’ strength working in us. CHRIST IN US!

It truly goes back to an important subject that I recently did an article on, “Let Us Work Out Our Own Salvation.” The Apostle Paul has to say: we need to seek out our own personal salvation because no one else knows our thoughts. Paul’s teaching in Philippians 2:12 about working out our own salvation with fear and trembling speaks to our personable responsibility. Only the LORD God truly knows the heart, and that’s what makes salvation so deeply personal. Each of us must wrestle with our own relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, regardless of what others might think or assume about their faith.

The very idea of praying that someone like Adolf Hitler will seek repentance challenges everything we feel about justice and evil. But that’s exactly what makes the faith our Lord has blessed us with so profound ── we wrestle with our Savior’s most radical teachings, even when it goes against every human instinct for righteous anger. It’s important to keep in mind that our Lord Jesus looks at people completely different from the way that we view people. He looks at people as potential brothers or sisters within the God family.

“ … ‘Do not look at his appearance or his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” – 1 Samuel 16:7.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” – Isaiah 55:8-9, KJV.

Our Lord Jesus Christ sees beyond the fallen nature to the very image and likeness of God that still exists in every person. Where we might see irredeemable evil, He sees someone who could potentially be transformed by grace. It’s that divine vision that makes His love so radical and challenging for us to comprehend, let alone emulate. And because we’re human, it’s often difficult for us to see someone other than pure evil, yet the Lord Jesus looks upon them and is willing to forgive and redeem them. Our finite understanding limits our perspective, while Christ’s divine nature allows Him to see the eternal potential in every person ── past, present, and future. We look at someone’s actions and judge them as irredeemable, but He sees past the corruption to the original Plan of a future spiritual image and likeness of God that is potentially within them. His divine love operates on a completely different level than our human emotions and sense of justice.

He Without Sin, Cast the First Stone

We can certainly use as an example where our Lord Jesus wrote in the sand and said to them, ‘Anyone that does not have sin, cast the first stone.’

“ … But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7) So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.’ 8) And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9) Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. …” – John 8:6, 7-8, 9.

When those self-righteous religious leaders brought that adulterous woman to Him, ready to stone her for her act of adultery, Christ’s response revealed their own hearts. By challenging them to examine their own sins first, He demonstrated that divine perspective I speak of ── seeing beyond the immediate offenses to the universal need for grace, forgiveness, and redemption.

It was our Lord Jesus’ ability to see both the depths of each person’s sins and their ultimate potential for transformation. O’ He knew every secret sin of those accusers, yet He also saw what they could become through grace. That’s what makes His love so radical ── it’s based on complete knowledge rather than on ignorance. And it’s this divine perspective that makes our Lord Jesus’ teachings so challenging and transformative ── seeing people not just as they are, but as they could become through grace.

It is truly one of our ultimate tests of real faith ── believing that even someone who has done you wrong, or who has committed such horrific acts could potentially find redemption. It shows our deep understanding that the LORD God’s mercy extends beyond what we can humanly comprehend, even to those that were most evil. And surely, if anyone deserves eternal punishment, it would be Adolf Hitler. Yet, again, that’s what makes our faith so challenging and profound ── knowing that even the architect of the Holocaust could potentially find redemption through divine grace.

And I know that people often react with shock or even anger when we teach these deeper truths about divine grace. Many people can’t wrap their minds around the idea that someone who has caused such immense pain, suffering, destruction, and death could ever be forgiven. But the person can’t be forgiven if the person never truly repents, if the person never genuinely seeks the LORD God with all their heart, mind, and soul. That’s the key distinction ── divine grace is available, but it requires authentic repentance and surrender unto the LORD God.

“’ Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13) And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.’” – Jeremiah 29: 12-13.

“ … seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” – Deuteronomy 4:29.

“Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!” – Psalm 119:2.

You must completely surrender to the LORD our God. You have to repent ── and repentance means changing your way, your life, your heart. The way you live completely. A complete transformation ── TRUE REPENTANCE isn’t just saying, “I’m sorry,” it’s total heart change that transforms how someone thinks, acts, and lives. It’s surrendering everything to the LORD God and allowing them to completely remake you from the inside out.

And surely, a person like Adolf Hitler would have to learn ── for the first time ── just who and what God is. Because someone who twisted and corrupted religious concepts for such evil purposes would need to completely start over in understanding who God truly is. His distorted worldview would have to be completely dismantled before genuine repentance could even begin. Real spiritual transformation takes time and genuine effort. It’s that patient, hopeful perspective that makes our faith so compelling, brethren. □

Building the Character of a Ruler!

by Leonard V Johnson

Standing at the pinnacle of the United States of America is a person of strong CHARACTER. A man or woman that the citizens of our great nation believe has the “keys” that will make possible SUCCESS and GREAT LEADERSHIP! 

Throughout mankind’s history, countless men and women of great ability, intelligence, personality, and training never reached what one would call the pinnacle of success in life. 

Why?

Well, possibly because of timing, chance, varying circumstances, or God’s will. Or, and this is what we’re talking about today, they had a lack of any real CHARACTER!

Surely, you’ve heard of a woman who drives a city bus for a living, having been offered ── time and time again ── the position of dispatcher, allowing her to sit in an office behind a desk instead of driving all day up and down US19? Refusing to accept that higher position, all because she doesn’t like fluorescent bulbs, or she doesn’t want to be “playing” for the opposing team. Is it a lack of any real character? No. Sadly, she is selling herself short at job advancement, stemming from a lack of self-confidence, fear of change, and a lack of keeping her eyes on a clear career goal. 

What Is Your Ultimate Goal? 

As I was talking about in my latest Personal From… A Personal Encounter with a Socialist: It’s Essential to Have the Right Goal. Because any intelligent and thinking person surely wants to be a success in life. However, so many people have differing opinions on the definition of “success.” The Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary gives us the definition of success ──

suc▪cess \sək-‘ses\ n [L successus, fr. succedere] (1537) 1 obs : OUTCOME, RESULT 2 a : degree or measure of succeeding b : favorable or desired outcome; also : the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence 3 : one that succeeds. 1

Yet so many people have come to the end of their life not truly feeling that they had reached their “favorable or desired outcome.” Perhaps, like most people, you have been taught that, when it comes to Christianity, you get your mind in gear, think sentimental and religious thoughts, go to a church on a Sunday, listen to the preacher read the Bible, hope to “get saved” because you’re “doing a commendable” thing, and that when you die you “go to heaven” and float on a white puffy cloud for all eternity. Maybe you are taught that there is really nothing else you have to do except “accept Christ.” Nothing religiously you have to accomplish except just “try and be the best person you can be.”

Nonsense!

The great and awesome God [the Elohim, the family of God ── which at this time consists of God our Father and God His Son and our Savior] says in your Holy Bible that true Christians are in training to be future LEADERS in God’s kingdom! We, brethren, are training to help CO-RULE this Earth with, and under the authority of, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  

Our Lord Jesus said to His disciples, “’ And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30) that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’” – Luke 22:29-30. 

In His parable of the pounds, our Lord Jesus teaches us that those who “overcome” the most──of course, our old human nature remains, and we continue to make decisions whether to yield to the works of the flesh, or to resist them by yielding to our new nature, GOD’S NATURE WITHIN US, led by the glorious Spirit of God ── we must use our strengths and our abilities and yield ourselves to God, we will be given a CO-RULERSHIP POSITION. Our Lord Jesus says to us, having overcome, “’ Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’” – Luke 19:17. Others who grew and developed spiritually, having used their physical talents in God’s Way and according to His will, will be given authority over five cities, since they overcame only half as much. 

Our Lord Jesus promises us the greatest of good news ──

“’ And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations ── 27) ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; …’” – Revelation 2:26, 27. See also Revelation 5:10.

The person who “overcomes,” who DISCIPLINES THEMSELVES and DEVELOPS RIGHTEOUS CHARACTER, is the one whom the LORD God can use as an instrument under our Lord Jesus to help co-rule the Earth in His kingdom. Now, the LORD God can add mental ability and strength by and through the Holy Spirit. But Godly character cannot just be manufactured by fiat──it is something that we must be willing to develop now as FREE MORAL AGENTS under the LORD God. 

Here are seven “keys” to help you build the type of character needed to be the kind of RULER that the LORD God will use and bless. 

• I) Humility and Fear of God 

Let’s speak of today’s news ── Nicolás Maduro. The unrecognized President of Venezuela, whom some call the De facto president. He was (until the pre-dawn hours of 3 January 2026) the dictator of a vast drug trafficking operation and a narco-terrorist. He blatantly abused his power, using it to corrupt state institutions, turning them into tools for drug trafficking, which included selling diplomatic passports to the drug traffickers and facilitating drug flights under diplomatic cover. Amongst a whole host of evil and other vile things. In true dictator fashion, he is not a likable guy. And he certainly was not humble, nor did he fear God.

Another example is Joe Biden, Jr. Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972, Biden was reelected in 1978, 1984, 1990, 1996, 2002, and 2008. Although he had been in politics for over 50 years, Biden, under his watch as Commander in Chief, allowed some ── and, of course, the numbers vary considerably ── a record net of 8.3 million illegal and unvetted immigrants into the US, which was tantamount to treason. His lust for ultimate power blinding his eyes to the moral way of political life. And so, he was “overthrown” ── our government is now in the hands of President Donald J. Trump!

Joe Biden, Jr., claiming to be a Catholic, certainly was not humble, nor did he fear God.

Both of these fallen rulers can be noted for their vanity and pride when they were in power. One preening across the floor, and one shuffling. They lacked any real humility or any real fear of the true God of the Holy Bible!

Indeed, to have a lasting, prosperous, and good leadership legacy, any ruler or leader MUST properly learn the lesson of humility. God’s living word says ──    

“When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” – Proverbs 11:2.

“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18.

And just the opposite, God’s living word tells us ──   

“’ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.’” – Proverbs 9:10.

A person who comes to have a deep awe and respect for the CREATOR OF ALL THINGS is beginning to acquire the basis for real wisdom and understanding. For that person will come to base all of their decisions, policies, and programs on THE ULTIMATE REALITY! 

As the LORD God says, to know the Holy One is understanding, and the ruler or leader will rightly base their thinking and their judgment upon God’s holy and righteous Law. And it’s God’s Law──summed up with the Ten Commandments. It will help keep you properly HUMBLED! As does the keeping and celebrating of the Day of Atonement! It certainly will help you stay focused on the fact that we are but minuscule compared to the vastness of the universe. It will certainly cause you to quit “playing God” and wake up to reality.

We Are to be a Servant 

Our Lord Jesus says to us, as He said then, and as He says now ──

“’ And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’” – Matthew 23:12.

He showed us by His example that one who surrenders to the will of God, who humbles themselves and thinks of only being a servant to God and to our fellowman ── that person would be blessed, used as an instrument in the hands of the CREATOR OF ALL THINGS. 

The Apostle Paul wrote, under divine inspiration ──

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6) who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7) but made Himself of no reputation [or, rather “emptied Himself”], taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” – Philippians 2:5-7. 

Sadly, too few properly understand this tremendous and important example of the willingness of our Savior “emptying Himself” of His divine power and glory to die for all humanity. As we come ever-nearer to the end of this present evil age, all the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders of armies, the mighty men, every commoner, will come to know, grasp, and understand that because of their unwillingness to humble themselves before the LORD God, they will have to hide themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, crying out, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!’ Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has QUALIFIED not only as our High Priest but also as the glorious King of kings and Lord of lords, to rule over all nations! 

Brethren, even in these man-made societies, the LORD God’s living spiritual principles that we are to live by are in full operation. Those rulers and or leaders who yield and give in to vanity and pride soon “fall” into a mere footnote of world history. But those who rule morally will leave a good legacy.

• II) God’s Standard of Right & Wrong      

In 2013, Edward Snowden, an American-born former National Security Agency (NSA) intelligence contractor, became a turncoat. He came to reveal thousands of classified NSA documents to journalists concerning numerous global surveillance programs, many run by the NSA and the Five Eyes. Was he a Privacy Hero or a Dangerous Traitor? I often remind my wife that everyone must take a side. It’s a subject that goes to the very root core of American society and its foundation.

Was it “right” ── did Edward Snowden act from a sense of public good? And, even if he was legally culpable, was he ethically culpable? The Attorney General of the United States at the time, Eric Holder, did not find Snowden’s rationale convincing. Holder stated, “He broke the law. He caused harm to our national security, and I think that he has to be held accountable for his actions.” And this, personally, is my belief. To me, he is a traitor of the United States of America. 

Under US law, intelligence employees have their own system to report activity they believe violates the law or is unethical. Employees are instructed to report wrongdoing to Congress, or up their chain of command, to the Director of National Intelligence, or to their agency’s inspector general. 2  

God’s perspective on treachery presents DIRE WARNINGS about such behavior ──

“For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. 13) But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance.” – Psalm 55:12-13. 

“A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.” – Proverbs 11:13. 

What or who constitutes what is “right”? And what does the LORD God mean by “wrong”? 

The truth to these questions, of course, presents a major challenge to every one of this world’s societies! Modern “progressive” educators, psychologists, and even many a religious minister say that there is no absolute value in what is “right” and what is “wrong” ── that it is all subjective. Most teach that truth is subjective, based on personal beliefs, experiences, and emotions ── that one man’s truth might be another man’s untruth, lie, falsehood, or fallacy. Kind of like: one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure.

God’s Living Word is Specific ── Not Subjective

The CREATOR OF ALL THINGS says to us ──  

“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” – Proverbs 14:12.

Indeed. The way that “seems” right to our human reasoning leads to our second death.

All of mankind needs to learn that there is not a plethora of gods throughout the universe ── a god for this nation, and another for that nation ── but rather that there is a great GOD who has set the standard for what is “right” and what is “wrong.” And this great almighty GOD has not left it up to mankind to decide for themselves what is right, but has called ‘heaven and earth as witnesses today against us, that He has set before us life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life!’ – cf. Deuteronomy 30:19.

The LORD God has never ever said, “You can worship Me according to the dictates of your own conscience.” Or, “You can worship Me in the church of your own choosing.” Or, “All you have to do is be the best person you can be ── and you’ll make it!” 

So, what is the LORD God’s Way? What is God’s character? What is God’s love? 

“For this is the love of God, that we KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. And His commandments are not burdensome.” – 1 John 5:3.

From the very first book of God’s living word to the last book, we see that God’s TEN COMMANDMENTS is a way of life. He has commanded His Law to be kept for mankind’s own good, to guide us in developing the very nature and character of God.

Truly, truly, if all mankind had God’s divine character, there would be no wars, no murders, no robberies, no lies, no disobedience to parents, no lust, vanity, or wrong pride. 

The LORD God’s definition of “right” is KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS! But, again, what does the LORD God mean by “wrong”? 

“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and SIN IS LAWLESSNESS.” – 1 John 3:4.

That is what the LORD God means by “wrong.” 

We learn that righteousness is keeping His commandments ── summed up with the Ten Commandments. And that “wrong” is the breaking of that same eternal, immutable, immovable, and inexorable spiritual Law!

• III) Practice Wise & Impartial Judgment    

Any leader of men ── whether president, vice president, prime minister, mayor or governor, or king or queen ── will certainly be watched by their citizens or subjects as to their complete and whole system of justice, their impartiality in judgment. As in America, there appears to be two separate systems of justice in our country: One for the rich and one for the poor! Back in 1994, we all saw this firsthand with the O.J. Simpson trial. As The Nation wrote in 2024, “O.J. Simpson Proved That With Enough Money You Can Get Away With Murder. The accused killer won and lost in court depending on his bank account.” 3 Nothing can harm the morale of a nation, country, or province than the discovery that the leader is a hypocrite, accepting bribes, or playing favorites.

True, wise & impartial judgment is perhaps one of the most important qualities of a great leader of men. The LORD God tells us, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” – Proverbs 11:14. Sadly, the majority of people don’t really want proper counsel or arbitration; they want it, the famous Burger King slogan, “Have It Your Way!” They want it their own way!

A great leader of men must learn to seek and accept wise counsel on any important subject. And this great leader should always be completely fair and impartial in the decision or in the action taken. “These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment.” – Proverbs 24:23.

A powerful truth! 

So, in our own life, with our family, or business, let us learn to be impartial and fair in our assessments and judgments. GET ALL THE FACTS AVAILABLE. And, if need be, get wise counsel. Also, admit your mistakes if you are wrong. Then act upon the truth with impartiality and in all fairness, and in all mercy. 

• IV) Exercise Strength of Leadership   

One of the greatest leaders of the United States of America was President Abraham Lincoln. His leadership style was characterized by a combination of good moral clarity, empathy, resilience, and great communication. His ability to navigate a nation on the very brink of being torn asunder, and to inspire a whole generation while preserving the Union, is a testament to his extraordinary character and leadership qualities. We all should be inspired alike. His utmost commitment to principles, willingness to listen (even to opposing sides), sense of humor, empathy, and willingness to carry the huge burden upon his shoulders are key elements to his leadership. President Lincoln’s leadership qualities continue to serve as inspiration for leaders worldwide. 4

Truly, taking upon themselves the burden of great responsibility, every true and great leader must exercise this type of character. In leadership, responsibility is a cornerstone that shapes the efficacy and credibility of those at the helm.

• V) Have Great Mercy & Long-suffering  

Any leader who deals with the lives and fortunes of others needs a great deal of mercy & patience. Patience is a virtue ── the ability to patiently wait calmly in the face of adversity or frustration is a most valuable quality of character. It is a skill well worth developing; it can lead to better decision-making and personal growth.

We must also be merciful to others. 

“’ For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15) But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.’” – Matthew 6:14-15.

We are instructed in God’s living word ── 

“He who oppresses the poor [and “poor” in many facets; poor in spirit, poor in finance, poor spiritually] reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.” – Proverbs 14:31.

“He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.” – Proverbs 21:21. 

A person with a “good heart,” a person who is compassionate enough to forgive ── and it’s important to note that Jesus’ prayer, “Father, forgive them,” does not mean that everyone was forgiven, unilaterally, unconditionally, without repentance and faith. It does mean that Jesus was willing to forgive them—forgiveness was, in fact, the reason He was on the cross. The words “Father, forgive them” show the merciful heart of God. God’s Spirit has allowed me to see His words clearly – “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32) And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, even as God in Christ FORGAVE YOU” – Ephesians 4:31-31.

Forgiveness – on a human level – is an act of the will. Forgiveness is not granted because a person deserves to be forgiven. No one deserves to be forgiven. Forgiveness is a deliberate act of love, mercy, and grace. Forgiveness is a decision to not hold something against another person, despite what he or she has done to you. Forgiveness is an integral part of SALVATION. “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if ANY MAN have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, SO ALSO DO YE” – Colossians 3:13; KJV.

Any great leader worth their salt must develop the capacity for mercy, forgiveness, and long-suffering.

“For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” – James 2:13.

• VI) Be Persistent & Have Self-Discipline        

Unfortunately, and I’ve mentioned this before in the likes of a personal, Personal From… Armstrong Religion, “I had and have great respect, admiration, and love for Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong and Mr. Garner Ted Armstrong. They, I knew. But these sycophants are “under the umbrella” of their name and prestige for financial gain.” And many people from the remnants of that organization don’t (or won’t) want to learn any more than they did back in 1972! Once they learned this back in the 20th century, it’s all too easy for the person to just “take it easy,” and not grow in the grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ – 2 Peter 3:18. A great leader needs to be up to-date with the latest trends, technologies, and regarding ministerial leadership, increased spiritual knowledge – Daniel 12:4.

The LORD God tells us ──

“The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.” – Proverbs 12:24.

The person who works hard at learning and growing spiritually and producing the fruit worthy of repentance, worthy of the LORD God ── that person will end up a great leader of men. But the person who says to themselves, “I don’t want to learn any more than I did in 1972, or January 16th, 1986,” is lazy and will find that their future leadership position will be taken away and given to another.

Also ── 

“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” – Proverbs 16:32. 

Brethren, for the sake of your future leadership position ── and as a great example to others ── a great leader must learn self-discipline in what he eats, drinks, and even in how much time he may spend on recreational activities, the type of friendships he keeps, and the kind of spiritual character he is portraying to others. 

Every kingdom, every nation, or institution reflects the leader of that kingdom, nation, or institution. People tend to follow their leader. If the leader is like Emperor Nero was, so will his/her subjects be. When a U.S. state secedes from the US federal government, the majority of its citizens will as well. (Nudge, Nudge, Wink, Wink ── Minnesota, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois. New York, Oregon) 5 

• VII) Love the LORD your God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself   

Obedience to the LORD God, a sincere feeling of awe for the LORD God, and of outgoing concern for your fellowman ── what our Lord Jesus has called ‘the first and second of all the commandments’ is an absolute must in the character of anyone who will be a great leader today or in the near future. 

Our Lord Jesus has said ── 

“’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35) By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.’” – John 13:34-35.

And it’s not ‘just love those who love you, or those who are in your group.’ Our Lord Jesus’ life was a continual example of love and service, even to those who were His enemies. An example is our President of the United States, Donald Trump. He has met and spoken with certain heads of state and mayors, who are considered his enemies ── but he showed them love and respect.

Let us continue to build GOD’S character, and ask, and seek, and cry out, and yield ourselves to exercise His love in our lives, in our relationships, and with God Almighty! Because it is vitally important. Godly love is far from any religious platitude ── it’s not loving a person today and then hating them tomorrow. It is living, it is alive, it is abiding and moving, and active spiritually.

To be a great leader, a true servant of our fellowman, and a great leader in Christ’s kingdom to come, let us think on these things, and let us live by these things. □

Sources:

1) Webster M. Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, success, 1996, pp 1175.

2) Spyscape, Edward Snowden: Privacy Hero or Dangerous Traitor? Retrieved 9 January 2026.

3) Heer, J., O.J. Simpson Proved That With Enough Money You Can Get Away With Murder, The Nation, 12 April 2024.

4) Root, E., Lincoln as a Leader of Men, Teaching American History.org, 28 Aug 1920, Retrieved 10 January 2026. 

5) U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Public Affairs, Justice Department Publishes List of Sanctuary Jurisdictions, 5 August 2025.    

Forgiving Others ── Even If They’re Not Sorry

As true Christians, are we to be merciful and forgiving?

Yes.

“The merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.” ── Proverbs 11:17.  

Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us, “’ Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offenses come!’” – Matthew 18:7. 

As far as having mercy and forgiveness for someone who is unremorseful, the Apostle Luke, under divine inspiration of God’s Spirit, wrote ── 

“There were also two others, criminals led with Him to be put to death. 33) And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34) Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’” – Luke 23:32-34. 

Our Lord and Savior looked down at the Roman soldiers who were gambling for His clothes; the criminals on the crosses on either side of Him were reviling Him; and the religious leaders were mocking Him. Surrounded by this unremorseful lot, our Lord Jesus speaks to Father, ‘Forgive them, for they know not what they do.’

Unmatched mercy and love.

Friends ── we are to imitate our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ──

“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1.

“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” – 1 Peter 2:21.  

The LORD God (the Elohim; the family of God, which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ) is the most MERCIFUL ──

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.” – Psalm 103:8.

FORGIVENESS AND MERCY MIRROR THE VERY CHARACTER OF GOD. Our Heavenly Father is truly a forgiving Father. And, we must be His forgiving and merciful children.

Mercy is an integral part of God’s living and eternal word. Mercy and forgiveness are important to the LORD God ── and They want us to know this. And this is why God’s living word teaches about these two important traits of God’s character.  

Our Lord Jesus speaks of mercy ──

“’ But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36) THEREFORE be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.’” – Luke 6:35-36. 

 The Apostle Paul speaks of mercy ──

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us.” – Ephesians 2:4.

Let us notice that love and mercy are tied together. Because if you want to properly develop love towards others, you need to be merciful ──

“’ Blessed and the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.’” – Matthew 5:7.

Brethren, Friends, and Co-Workers in Christ ── in what is called the Beatitudes, notice that this promise doesn’t say that the unmerciful will obtain mercy.

Everyone needs mercy ── “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23.

Our Lord Jesus warns ──

“’ How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you ignore the important things of the law ── justice, mercy, and faith. …’” – Matthew 23:23, NLT. 

Mercy is extremely important ── and sadly, a great many who believe that they are worshiping God have the wrong priorities.

Notice this from the Apostle Paul ──

“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” – Colossians 1:9. 

I continue to pray daily for those that have wronged me ── asking our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus to fill them with the knowledge of Their will and wisdom, and for them to spiritually understand their error.

Continuing ── 

“that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11) strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12) giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.” – Colossians 1:10-12. 

Suffering long includes being able to forgive those who have wronged you. 

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13) bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14) But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” – Colossians 3:12-14. 

Sadly, so many ── including some true Christians ── don’t want to forgive and let go.

It is for our benefit, brethren, to forgive. We need to forgive and trust in the LORD God to properly punish those who have wronged us and have not repented. 

The LORD God is the ultimate Judge. 

The LORD God is merciful. And we need to thank Almighty God for this mercy ──

“ … Mercy triumphs over judgment.” – James 2:13.  

We, brethren, should be exercising the fruits of God’s Spirit to become more like the LORD God!  

And yes ── it is difficult to forgive someone who has committed the most heinous of crimes. But, we should remember that it is Satan the Devil, who has deceived the whole world ── Revelation 12:9. Some people might be possessed by an evil spirit who commits such atrocious crimes. I do indeed believe in evil spirits, but I also believe in the reality of mental illness. I don’t think that they are the same (cf. Mark 6:13). Some mental health symptoms appear to the untrained eye as demon possession. Distinguishing the difference is important. 

Again ── the living words of God, “ … forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32. 

Let us never forget ── God has a Master Plan from the beginning! And, do not ever think that people are “getting away” with such heinous crimes. Notice what our beloved Apostle Paul wrote ── 

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8) For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption [or rather, death], but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” – Galatians 6:7-8. 

Sowing to the Spirit of God includes forgiving and having mercy on those who have wronged us.

Consider that all people will be judged by the LORD God ──

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18) Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’ 19) Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” – 1 Peter 4:17-19. 

 As true Christians, we need to forgive one another ── again ──

“ … forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32. □