Forgiveness - Part 2
-Introduction/Review
-Last week, we addressed the topic of forgiveness and dealt with some of its fundamental
elements.
-By looking at the background and definitions of the word “forgive” - both on the English
and Greek side - we noted that forgiveness is something that is granted.
-One of the Greek words translated as forgiveness has its root in the word “charis” - the
Greek word for grace - an unmerited favor.
-Since forgiveness is not earned or deserved but granted, if I’m the one in need of
the forgiveness I should be very humble and sincere.
-Also, by looking at another Greek word often times translated as “forgive” we noted
that its root meaning is “to send away.”
-When we forgive somebody, we are sending away resentment, ill-will, anger, etc.
We are to have a desire to seek restoration, reconciliation favor and harmony.
-We are not to simply “sit back and wait for time to run its course.” Instead, we
are to actively and purposefully send those feeling away not hope that they fade
away.
-In today’s lesson, we’ll consider some conditional elements to forgiveness and the fact
that forgiveness is a two-part process.
-Forgiveness - A Two-Part Process
-Even though there are certainly some fundamental/foundational elements of the topic
of forgiveness, there can be some complexities within it as well. Yet, most of those
so-called complexities rest - not in the concepts/teachings regarding forgiveness but in
the applications of them. (because of hurt feelings, anger, pride, etc)
-Am I obligated to forgive? Am I to forgive no matter what? What if the person
guilty of an offense shows no penitence? When is forgiveness accomplished? etc.
-Here’s are some simplistic, yet accurate answers to these things:
1. As a faithful Christian, I am to maintain an ongoing willingness to forgive.
2. If I feel I have been wronged, I should pursue the process of forgiveness with the
offender.
3. As a faithful Christian, I should penitently pursue reconciliation with any and all
that I have wronged.
4. Forgiveness is a two-part process which involves one who needs/seeks/requests
the forgiveness and the one who grants it.
5. Forgiveness is fully accomplished only when both sides fulfill their responsibilities.
-First of all, I think we need to understand the seriousness of being at odds with one another.
-Matthew 5:23-24
-Jesus was saying this - “Don’t offer your sacrifice to God (worship) until you have first
made a sincere attempt to be reconciled to your brother.”
-Jesus says to go to the person and seek reconciliation.
-The idea of doing nothing at all, dancing around the situation, ignoring it, etc. simply
is not a scriptural approach. Addressing it quickly is. Now, we need to do so with an
appropriate attitude and manner. (i.e. love, humility, kindness, goodness, meekness,
etc.)
-Matthew 18:15-17
-In the church as a whole, we have done a great disservice in failing to either follow
this process at all or failing to follow it beyond the individual level.
-I’ve heard numerous arguments against any type of church discipline. That is
truly a shame. Do we know better than God? Have we figured out something
better or more effective? Simply put, God knows what He is doing. We need
to trust Him, submit to Him and obey His will.
-Luke 17:3-4
-Notice the conditional elements of the last couple of passages - “if” (Matt. 18:15 (2x), 16, 17
(2x); Luke 17:3, 4).
-This is one of the conditional elements in the process of forgiveness - repentance of
the offender.
-Now, don’t misunderstand me. I am not arguing against the need for a consistent
willingness to forgive. As I previously stated, I am to maintain a willingness to forgive.
-“While one is to cultivate the disposition detailed earlier, he is not at liberty to simply
dismiss his brother’s evil, thus freeing him, as it were, from his obligation to make things
right with God. The offender still must be held accountable for his...conduct” (Wayne
Jackson, Understanding Forgiveness, October 20, 2004, www.christiancourier.com/
articles/887-understanding-forgiveness).
-So, again, for forgiveness to be fully completed, both parties must be involved.
-I might offer forgiveness and reconciliation but receive a refusal. Or, I might
penitently seek forgiveness and receive a refusal. Both must come together.
-Consider a divine example: God is always willing to forgive. Does that mean that all people
will be forgiven? No. Matthew 7:13-14 makes that very clear.
-Why is that? Because God’s forgiveness of our sins is conditional upon us humbly
submitting in obedience to His will (Heb 5:9). Unfortunately, many refuse to do so.
-Forgiveness is completed only with both sides come together. Of course, in this case,
any shortcomings are always on the side of mankind.
-Our Forgiveness From God is Conditional
-The importance of our willingness to grant forgiveness is also seen in another conditional
element of forgiveness – Our forgiveness from God is conditional based upon our
willingness to forgive others.
-So, in this sense also, we need to understand the seriousness of being at odds with one
another without sincerely trying to reconcile the situation.
-Matt. 6:12, 14-15; Matt. 18:35; Luke 6:37; Eph 4:32 (Col 3:13), read 1 John
-Summary and Invitation
-The topic of forgiveness is very, very important. It is something that each of us needs from
God. And, to be like He wants us to be, we need to pursue forgiveness with one another.
-And, as I said last week, if you ever struggle with forgiving somebody, simply focus on God
and contemplate His willingness to forgive mankind of sin – truly amazing!
-To receive that forgiveness, we need to obey His will – believe (John 3:16, 8:24), confess
that faith (Matt. 10:32, Rom 10:9-10), repent (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30), Be baptized (Mark
16:16, Acts 2:38). As we live faithfully, we need to continue to acknowledge our short-
comings, repent of them and pray for forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24).