Forgiveness
- Jesus says that we must be willing to forgive.
- We must grant forgiveness whenever a brother says that
he repents.
- We must do so as often as he says that he repents (7
times a day).
- Jesus accepts no excuses for failing to forgive.
- Not "when he shows fruit appropriate to
repentance."
- Not required for granting
brotherly forgiveness.
- Seven times a day precludes
the idea.
- Must take him at his word: If
he says, "I repent." Can judge words and actions; not
heart. Give benefit of the doubt.
- Not "when I get more faith."
- Not a matter of more faith; a
question of obedience.
- A faith as small as a mustard
seed can do wonders.
- Not "when I feel like it."
- Servant tired and hungry.
- Didn't feel like preparing
and serving meal before resting and eating.
- Did anyway, because his lord
commanded.
- Not hypocrisy to obey God
against feeling (you do this when you get up in the morning). Do against
feeling, to please God.
- Jesus says forgive because He commands it.
- Forgive out of love for Christ.
- Forgiveness is a promise that can be made and kept
regardless of fruit, faith, or feeling. The promise: "I will
remember your sins against you no more."
- The promise involves three things:
- I won't raise these matters
with you again.
- I won't tell others about
them.
- I won't dwell on them in my
own mind.
- Keeping this promise leads to forgetting.
REMEMBER: WHEN YOU FORGIVE, EACH
OFFENSE IS NOT THE SEVENTH, FIFTH, ETC.; IN PRINCIPLE, IT IS ALWAYS THE FIRST.
WE FORGIVE BECAUSE WE ARE FORGIVEN
PEOPLE.
HOW MANY TIMES GOD HAS FORGIVEN US!
