Forgiveness is not an option

Forgiveness

If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him." (Luke 17:3-4)

Is there someone in your life that you have not forgiven because of something they have done to you?  The question suggested in Luke 17 is, “Have they repented?”  If they have, you really have no choice but to forgive … It is a model of our confession and repentance toward God.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  (1 John 1:9)

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

(Matthew 6:14-15)

I was talking with someone the other day and they asked me if I would forgive them for something they had done.  I told them that I really had no choice but to forgive them … It’s a command in the Bible.  If I don’t forgive them, I am sinning … disobeying a command of God.  “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)

You see, not forgiving someone who repents of their sin is not an option.  Let’s look at God’s model for forgiveness again.  If we confess (Godly sorrow - repenting not just feeling guilty and being sorry we got caught) God is faithful and will forgive us.  Until the sinner repents of the sin and seeks forgiveness, there is no restoration in relationship.

Let’s talk about feelings.  A lot of emphasis is placed on forgiving someone who has nto repented when it is really about releasing the negative feelings you have toward that person.  You may be angry .. disappointed … bitter … that is your emotional response to the wrong … you must release those feelings for your good.  People harbor attitudes toward others which, if left to themselves, will ruin their life.  BY harboring those attitudes, you will have no peace.  Now the person who has not repented may or may not be troubled by their sin … but your life is a mess because of it.  You must release those feelings … and then wait for repentance.

Take a look at Galatians 5:19-23.  Do you see that it is your flesh that cries out for retribution?  For condemnation?  But if you are walking in the power of the Spirit … how do you suppose you will respond to those who sin against you?  Does it mean you won’t be sad? No.  But it does mean that the unresolved offense will not consume you.  If you are thinking, ‘there is no way I can do that’, you are not thinking right!  That is the life we have been called to.  And that life is made possible by God.  Our disposition – response to others should be a function of our relationship with the Father through the Son not our relationship with people.

I know that this is a different take on the subject of forgiveness.  But I hope that if you ‘connect the scriptural dots’ you will see forgiveness in a new light.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)