Thursday, April 16, 2009

Forgiveness - Part 4

Seventy times seven?

What in the world did Jesus mean by that statement?

Have you ever wrestled with this text from Matthew 18? Peter is obviously upset with one of his brothers and comes to Jesus in verse 21 and asks, "how many times should I forgive my brother ... up to seven times?" We can only assume what his motives were for asking such a question. Maybe Peter just wanted to vent his frustration or possibly he was trying to gain brownie points with the Lord in that Jewish law only required a person to forgive an offender four times and he was willing to go seven.

It really doesn't matter why Peter asked the question but the answer he received does. Is Jesus telling us in His response to Peter that we must practice "unconditional forgiveness?" What say you ... is forgiveness conditional or not?

I like this quote from Tim Grissom, editor of Familylife Publishing: "Forgiveness is a funny thing. It's like keeping your garden weeded. The rows can be clean today but when you come back in a few days, they're full of weeds again. It's a constant upkeep, because Satan would love to worm back in without you knowing it."

Thanks for stopping by!
-------
Adrian

5 comments:

  1. Colossians 3:8-15 (New International Version)

    8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
    12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

    ****13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.****

    ++++14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.++++

    15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

    “Dilige, et quod vis fac"

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  2. One last thought…
    You might ask, “Is it not irresponsible to forgive over and over, at infinitum, when your brother does wrong to you without remorse or attempt at correction?” I would say no, it is not irresponsible. We have no choice but to forgive. Christ in us forgives.

    But, is it not prudent to be cautious around a habitual wrong doer? Yes… are we not cautious in regard to the law of gravity? Every time we step from a high place we fall to a low place. If we are not cautious we are injured in the fall. Is it a question of forgiving gravity for causing us to be injured in the fall? Or are we to continue to step with disregard to our safety because we do not want to hold a grudge against gravity? The entire argument is ridiculous. It is not a question of forgiveness… merely caution.

    We are to ALWAYS FORGIVE our brothers, never to hold a grudge of any kind. But it is also prudent to REMAIN CAUTIOUS around him. Unforgiveness and caution are not synonymous. One can and should be exercised exclusive of the other.

    The answer is LOVE.

    “Dilige, et quod vis fac”

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  3. Matt. 10:16-17

    16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

    17But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

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  4. Mat 6:14-15 "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive. But if you do not forgive men teir sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Wow, what a statement! How can my Heavenly Father speak to his daughter like that? Because He love me very much and knows what is good and best for me. We can not forgive with our human strength, but only with God's strength. Yes we can - otherwise He wouldn't ask us to. By doing that we gain a blessing. We will bear good fruit and experience freedom and victory in Christ in every area of our lives. That's what I think about forgiveness.

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  5. Is it possible to come to a place where we no longer are offended? Did Christ have to forgive or was He invincible to offense?

    "No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility".O.C.

    Does Christ change us or simply give us the power to respond differently?

    Jesus didn't forgive us for killing Him because we didn't sin against Him, we sinned against the Father.
    It isn't our inability to forgive that's the problem, it's our compulsion to accept offense.
    If an offense isn't taken than no forgiveness is required.
    I believe Jesus wants to make us like Himself, invincible to offense. What a wonderful way to live. Able to offer our Hearts openly and freely to all without concern of hurt or betrayal.
    I believe that is the true servants Heart that Christ yearns to give us.
    We want peace on earth? It's available if only all could witness His marvelous works. If all could see with spiritual eyes.

    Carry on!

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