Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Forgiveness Under What Conditions?

We do not forgive for our own sake! But for the sake of the sinning Brother!

We do not forgive until there is repentance. Christ does not forgive those who are not, and we are not to do so either. 

Our world has taught us to forgive even if someone else is not sorry and continues to sin.  That is not Biblical, I see no scripture that states this, “for our own sake.”

When we forgive before a person is ready to be sorry, then we short circuit God's provision for brokenness over sin. 

One cannot be changed until they can agree and confess that they have sinned.  When we do not require confession of sin, we leave an unrepentant person comfortable with sinning, believing that he can sin all he wants and nothing will be required of him. 

He doesn't change under this dilution. Relationships cannot be restored until there is sorrow over sin.  The purpose of confession and repentance is to rebuild a broken bridge.  If only half the bridge is built, forgiveness, then there cannot be a restored relationship, half of the bridge is missing. 

We are called to bless those who curse us, but we are also told to shun those who claim to be believers but will not confess their sin. 

The purpose of shunning is to show a person their sinfulness to bring them to repentance.  There is a important process laid out in God's Word that restores relationships, if that process is not followed, then we go around God's way of discipline for restoration, to the human method of helping others to continue in their sin.

Matthew 18:15-17

15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’[a] 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”

Galatians 6:1

“6 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

Titus 3:10-11

“10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.”

2 Thessalonians 3:15

“15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”
1 Timothy 5:20
“20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.”
Romans 16:17
“17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”

Titus 1:9

“9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”


1 Thessalonians 5:14

“14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.”

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