Posted on 11/03/2005 7:36:00 AM PST by bremenboy
Jesus said that we should pray to the Father saying (in part): “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). Our ability to forgive men of their trespasses against us is significant to the salvation of our souls. Sadly, there are some that call themselves brethren, but they reject the idea of forgiving their brethren of sins that have been confessed and repented of. We cannot expect God to forgive us of our sins if we do not forgive the sins of others.
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Edited By: Brian A. Yeager e-mail: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net Volume V Issue XXVIII April 10th, 2005 |
As We Forgive Our Debtors
By: Brian A. Yeager
Jesus said that we should pray to the Father saying (in part): “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). Our ability to forgive men of their trespasses against us is significant to the salvation of our souls. Sadly, there are some that call themselves brethren, but they reject the idea of forgiving their brethren of sins that have been confessed and repented of. We cannot expect God to forgive us of our sins if we do not forgive the sins of others.
A question from Peter to our Lord spawned a fascinating revelation: “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses” (Matthew 18:21-35).
The teaching of our Lord shows that we must forgive our brethren that have sinned against us. The church assembling in Corinth in the first century had a fornicator among them. This fornicator was being overlooked in the flock. Paul wrote those brethren teaching them of the action that they must have taken in accordance with the will of God (I Corinthians 5:1-13). Obviously, the brethren in Corinth took action and there was repentance on the part of this erring brother in Christ. How do we know this? Well, when Paul wrote his second letter to the brethren in Corinth he instructed them to forgive this brother (II Corinthians 2:1ff.). When a brother or sister in Christ sins and repents, they are to be forgiven as God has forgiven them. However, while there are brethren who refuse to forgive there are also brethren who refuse to think that erring saints are accountable to the Lord and their brethren for their sins.
God Does Not Unconditionally Forgive Sins
The word of our Lord is clear in showing us that God does require things of us prior to granting the forgiveness of our sins. For example, the alien sinner must hear the Gospel (Romans 10:17), believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16), repent of their sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized unto the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38). The Christian who has erred from the faith must confess those faults to the Lord (I John 1:9) and repent of their sins (Luke 13:3; 5 and II Corinthians 7:9-10). All of the above are conditions that God requires to forgive sinners (one who transgresses the law of Christ – I John 3:4).
As we focus in on some particulars we will see clearly that God’s forgiveness is conditional. For example, John wrote the following through the inspiration of God: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). You will note the term “if” begins the sentence quoted above (I have underlined and bolded it to bring it to the attention of anyone who is reading this article). If this were the only verse in the entire sixty-six books we know as the Bible, on the subject matter of conditional forgiveness, the truth on this subject would be abundantly clear.
When John wrote to the seven churches in Revelation chapters two through three he addressed five of them as being sinful in the sight of God (Ephesus, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, and Laodicea). All five of those congregations were shown that God would not unconditionally forgive them of their sins, for they had to repent (Revelation 2:5; 2:16; 2:22; 3:3; and 3:17-19). As shown through just a brief examination of this subject matter, God does not unconditionally forgive men and women of their trespasses. God is “…longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). We need to be longsuffering also when sin is committed against us, but the Scriptures are clear in that we too are not to forgive unconditionally.
Must Brethren Forgive Those Brethren That May Sin Against Them Unconditionally?
Are Christians supposed to forgive brethren of their trespasses unconditionally? The Scriptures, as you will see, answers that with a clear – NO! When a brother or sister in Christ sins against another brother or sister in Christ, there are instructions on what MUST be done: “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican” (Matthew 18:15-17).
When Luke records the Lord’s instructions about forgiveness among brethren, he too makes forgiveness conditional based upon repentance. Luke, like Matthew, also records a responsibility on the part of the one sinned against to take action. Notice these things: “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4). How could God have been any clearer? The Lord never instructed that if a brother or sister sins against another to just pardon them unconditionally of those sins. His instruction is to have that person approached, addressed, and then that sin has to be repented of prior to forgiveness being granted. Once repentance occurs (then and only then) you must forgive that individual.
If we are to practice unconditional forgiveness how could a local church ever practice discipline as commanded (II Thessalonians 3:6; 14-15)? If we are to practice unconditional forgiveness why did Paul write so negatively of Demas and Alexander the Coppersmith (II Timothy 4:10; 14-15)? There is no answer to those questions for the person who teaches unconditional forgiveness, just as there is no Scripture that teaches unconditional forgiveness.
Conclusion
Our Lord wants us to forgive the trespasses of our brethren. However, He wants us to do so in the proper manner – when they confess and repent of those sins. As Christians we are to love one another and work hard at trying to help one another finish this life with a reward in Heaven. That means we may at times need to be firm and help those who have sinned to see their faults (Galatians 6:1). Once those brethren have repented we must assure them of our love and concern for their soul. We must then help them to be strong as they will face difficult times in coming back to the Lord.
The body of Christ is to edify itself in love (Ephesians 4:16). All of us will at some time sin (I John 1:8-10). We must remind ourselves of those two things when we find our brethren have been overtaken in a fault. We may find ourselves in the same state that brother or sister in Christ may be. How would we then want to be treated? We truly will be forgiven as we forgive our debtors! Keep that in mind.
Good article. Thanks for posting.
All too many Christians of today have picked up on the "forgiveness" part, and forgotten the "repentence" part.
No-fault/no-cost "forgiveness" leads to the anything goes "tolerance" preached by the many apostate churches and "christians" of today.
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