Presented, November 2, 2008 am
THOUGHTS ABOUT FORGIVENESS
Today I want to speak about a subject that most of us are familiar with. But, as with so many things, we need to remind ourselves of its importance. Today I want to talk about the subject of forgiveness. We want to address the forgiveness of God and what God says about our forgiveness toward one another.
I. What is forgiveness?
a.
Defined – the primary word used (aphiemi)
in the New Testament means, “to send forth, send away.” It is a word that is
also found in Luke 5:11, “they forsook all”; John 10:12 – when a hireling see a
wolf, he leaves the sheep; Rev. 2:4, “You have left your first love”, etc. The
point to consider in this is that when our sins are forgiven they are to be sent
away or forgotten about. True forgiveness is not temporary. When we go to God
asking for forgiveness, it is a request for Him to remove them from us so that
we do not stand guilty before Him.
Forgiveness, remission found in texts like - Matt. 6:12, 14; Acts 2:38, Col.
1:14
Another Greek word (charizomai) means to show favor or be kind to one. Another
element associated with forgiveness. Forgiveness is not necessarily based upon
what one deserves, rather it is based upon what is needed to restore a
relationship. (Eph. 4:32, Col. 2:13, 3:13, etc.)
b. Examples of forgiveness
i.
Jesus – on the cross – Luke 23:34,
even after all His unjust treatment He prayed, “Father, forgive them…”
One example that comes to my mind is Peter who denied Him 3 times. Yet
afterward, Jesus sought to restore him and count on him prominently.
ii. Joseph – Remember what his brothers did to him? Remember how they lied to his father and kept their dark past from him. They were fearful, especially after Jacob (Israel) died while they were in Egypt under Joseph’s care. But he sent for his brethren to comfort them and to forgive them. Gen. 50:14-21. Not only did Joseph forgive them, he found good in what had happened. He did not seek to get even; instead his took care of them. What an example!
iii. David – Remember how after David slew Goliath he became king Saul’s comforter. All he did was show loyalty to Saul, but in jealousy Saul tried to kill Him so that he is forced to flee. While pursuing David, Saul is delivered into his hands in a cave. Remember that Saul has already been rejected by God and David has already been anointed by God. Did he have the right to take vengeance on Saul? Whatever he could have done, David spared Saul’s life and when it was pointed out what he could have done Saul relented of pursuing David. David does him no harm. Why? His was a forgiving heart. No wonder he is described as, “a man after God’s own heart.” (Acts 13:22)
II. The Forgiveness of God
a.
One of the key points of the New
Testament is the fact that God has forgiven us.
Eph. 1:7 – we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Col. 2:13 – He has made us alive together with Him, having forgiven your
trespasses.
b.
The depth of His forgiveness is
seen in all that He has done for us – John 3:16.
Romans 5:6-10 speaks of what God did in demonstration of His love.
c. Jesus illustrated this in Matthew 18:23-35 where we find the parable of the unforgiving servant.
d. The example of Paul – Paul noted that Christ came to save sinners of whom he was chief. 1 Tim. 1:15. Consider one who was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor and an insolent man. But God forgave him.
e. If we truly want to understand forgiveness, think of how much God has forgiven us. Think of what we were and what all God has forgiven in our lives. Think of what we deserve considering our conduct toward Him. Maybe that conduct goes even beyond simply obeying the gospel. Maybe we have been rebellious toward Him, or continue to only serve Him half-heartedly. We NEED His forgiveness. It is our ONLY hope of getting out of this world alive. Do we really appreciate what He has done?
f. How do achieve the forgiveness of God?
i. By obeying the gospel – Acts 22:16, Acts 2:38, etc.
ii. As Christians through continued faithful living accompanied by repentance (Acts 8:22) and through confession and prayer (1 John 1:9).
iii. Either way, it is through the grace of God.
g. We would do well to learn from such great examples of forgiveness.
III. Forgiveness others
a. Our need to forgive one another is built upon how God has forgiven us. Matt. 6:12, Eph. 4:32.
b. In these verses and many others we are expected to forgive one another.
c.
But what does it mean to forgive
another? Considering the definition, TRUE forgiveness is COMPLETE and TOTAL
forgiveness.
As much as possible, it means to remove the action never to bring it up again,
i.e. Bury the hatchet AND the handle AND not marking the grave!
It is NOT a matter of equality, i.e. one receiving equal pay for services
rendered, but a matter of MERCY!
d. How often should we forgive?
i.
Seventy times Seven – Matt. 18:22.
This is followed by the parable of the unforgiving servant. About a servant who
owed a huge debt (10,000 talents) – this would be tens of millions of dollars
that he was unable to repay. The master forgave him. But he refused to forgive
a fellow servant who owed very little in comparison. The result was
condemnation of the unforgiving servant.
When Jesus said 70 times 7 He was not giving a specific number but noting that
we must be merciful and willing to forgive over and over, even when it is beyond
the rationalization of mankind.
ii. Seven times in a day – Luke 17:4. Note how we are to forgive 7 times in a day. It is also worthy to note that the one repents 7 times that day. Again, how fare are we willing to go in forgiving another?
e. Why forgive?
i. Because it IS commanded – There are a number of passages that plainly tell us to forgive one another as we have seen.
ii.
Because we have been forgiven –
Again this point has been noted:
Eph. 4:32 – even as God forgave us we ought to forgive others.
Col. 3:13 – even as Christ forgave you, so you must also do.
iii.
Because our salvation depends on
it!
Matt. 18:35 after the parable of the unforgiving servant.
There are at least 3 things in the New Testament that we are told our future is
weighed upon the degree to which we do them:
1. Forgive and be forgiven – Matt. 6:14-15, the ONLY part of “the Lord’s prayer” that He elaborated upon.
2. Mercy - James 2:13 – judgment is without mercy to him who shows no mercy
3. Judging – Matt. 7:2, with what judgment you use, it will be measured back to you.
4. NOTE: Each of these is involved in forgiveness.
iv.
So that we can worship God with a
clear conscience.
Mark 11:25-26. The intent of this passage is to seek to make things right
before we approach God. How many of us are not able to approach Him in worship
with a clear mind because we know things are not right with us?
Also Matt. 5:22-24 which speaks of being reconciled to your brother before
offering your gift.
v. For my own sake – how many people live miserable lives because they refuse to let go of what has happened in the past. They have been done wrong and they have been greatly hurt by it. They refuse to forgive another or else they reason they can’t. Not only will a refusal to forgive endanger one’s soul, such an attitude will lead to a life of misery in which one is no good to anyone. That is no way to live and it is NOT descriptive of the attitude a Christian is to possess.
f. Does forgiveness mean I have no further obligation toward the one I have offended?
i. In other words, do I have the right to unconditionally expect complete and total forgiveness just because I say, “I am sorry”? Do I still need to prove myself?
ii. The answer to that lies in the subject of repentance. True repentance means one does all that they can to make things right. It means they seek to RESTORE conditions to their former state to whatever degree they can.
iii. Consider Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10 who to make things right was wiling to restore 4 fold that which he had take by false accusation.
iv. The Corinthians proved themselves “clear in this matter” 2 Cor. 7:11
v. It is the height of arrogance and selfishness to expect one to forgive you when you refuse to do your part to make things right! Even God is insulted when we treat Him that way! And that may be something we should ALL think about!
And thus we can see the need for forgiveness in our lives. What about you? Have you been forgiven? Have you obeyed the gospel? Are you living a life of repentance? If not, do what you need to do to be right with God. That may mean we need to examine our own attitude in these matters. Think about it.