Genuine Forgiveness

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.” (Matthew 18:21–27)

Nearly every movie or television series I can think of involves lack of forgiveness. Someone hurts or betrays another person and retaliation follows. Yet Jesus speaks of the solution for such conflict and His cure rarely makes fiction never mind the reality of daily life.

From the War of the Roses in the 1400’s to the Hatfields and McCoys in the late 1800s, to modern family disputes, there are many feuds over everything from positions of power to who owns what, to what to call a family business, people fight over just about everything. Not only are some spats extremely petty, we travelled Europe several years ago and discovered people groups that held grudges against others for something that happened hundreds of years prior. 

I understand. I’ve been angry over nasty remarks and other less serious treatment, and griped far too long, finally realizing that my lack of forgiveness hurt me far more than it bothered the other person. What Jesus has done is illustrated in the story:

“But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:28–35)

If I could total up my sins, I might go out and hang myself as Judas did, and then not experience the forgiveness offered by Jesus. Like the servant who owed more than he could ever pay, I have no right or reason to not forgive those who owe me or who have hurt me. 

Oh, forgiveness is not forgetting, or putting the injury out of mind. It is choosing not to hold against the other person whatever they did. No retaliation or revenge. No bad thoughts. No complaining or gossip to others.

One thing that helps me forgive someone is think about my own sins and how much Jesus has forgiven me.

Jesus. This is just another way to grow into Your image, to be like You. I’m not to hold grudges, but be quick to forgive. I would love to see that attitude in our selfish world, but right now, the best I can do is have it myself.

 

Proof of who Jesus is…

Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (Matthew 12:22–32)

This tells how the religious leaders of Jesus’ day thought that His power came from Satan rather than God. Jesus called this the unforgivable sin. They, and many like them, do not think or teach that Jesus is God in human flesh. If the Holy Spirit is telling them otherwise and they are resisting Him, then this sin is not forgiven nor can it be — because the forgiveness included in redemption includes knowing who Jesus is. He is not “a son” or an empowered man, or only a prophet, or an angel, and certainly not an instrument of Satan. As been said, He is not a liar or a deceiver either. 

The difficulty is that His identity must be revealed to a willing heart, and only the Holy Spirit can do that. While He is unlimited in the ways He might use, to deny what He says is unforgivable because knowing Jesus in a saving relationship must include knowing who He is. Denying His deity is the same thing as denying the Holy Spirit and that equates to ‘unforgivable.’

This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:6–12)

Not understanding how God can be triune and yet one God is not an excuse for rejecting this reality. All that do that rationalize that if they cannot figure it out, it must not be true. Deeper still, those who believe it realize that if God had to become a man and die for my sin, then there is nothing I could do to earn or deserve it. How humbling is that! Of course human pride resists the Spirit telling us we are helpless without Him.

Lord Jesus, You reveal Yourself and make known Your identity to those who know and accept this: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8–9) Thank You for making me  aware of how much the Spirit  of God is needed to be able to have a saving relationship with You through mercy and grace, and that my ‘goodness’ can never be good enough. I am eternally grateful!

 
 

Stand Up for Jesus

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:16–33)

Currently in our country and culture, all religions are allowed or tolerated. Only Christians are slipping out of that toleration in several ways. We cannot speak out against certain sins because this is now unlawful. While some ministries are admired, most of the time many non-believers consider us a bit weird or pay no attention to us at all.

As I read the above passage, I wondered if persecution is better than being ignored. When people protest truth, it is usually because they ‘get it’ but don’t want to hear it. No reaction at all could indicate a much harder heart. 

The point Jesus makes is that no matter how others treat us, He watches over us and as we continue to stand up for Him, He continues to represent us to His Father and promises His peace to those who rely on Him. 

Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:31–33)

Many tend to think that the worst persecutors can do is put us to death, but forget that death shoves us out of this place into eternal glory with Him. No wonder He asks if I now believe!

Jesus, there are days I want to leave this life and be with You. Usually I’m feeling sorry for myself. Far better to join You because my life or words have convicted someone, eventually even brought them to their knees, then to be comfortable and safe but those around me remain without faith and are denied by You. You do not author fear but love and a sound mind. Grant me the love, peace and joy of the Holy Spirit that others can hear and hopefully see a clearer picture of You. 

 

Part of the job description…

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:35–38)

Did the disciples pray as instructed? Likely. And the next few verses tell that they were the ones sent out to labor in His harvest!

Rarely have I heard anyone pray this way. Perhaps most are like me; I don’t want to ask God to send out workers because I’m not keen about being sent. My early excuses were three children who need their mother. Then my husband’s work keeps us moving too much and I cannot fit in missionary work with being a supportive wife. Other reasons may not have been as reasonable. Now I’m just too old.

Yet none of these are a problem for God. My sister had three kids, and ran a business, but she was also a harvester. Her grandchildren all love Jesus because she saw them as Jesus does — sheep without a shepherd. If that were my only example, it is enough to make me pray as Jesus instructed.

I’m finally learning how to put the Lord into everyday conversations. He keeps surprising me and as my story comes out, His Name is part of it. Sometimes just the mention of His Name results in meeting a brother or sister in Christ that I would otherwise not be aware of their faith. 

More often, most people say nothing. However, a wise sister in the Lord reminds me that God can bring my words back to them when they need to hear them. Praying this way might be more like planting seeds than bringing in a harvest. Or more like watering and nourishing someone else’s work than reaping the results, but when God nudges me to be the answer to my own prayers, how vital to realize the value of being part of His work in the lives of those who do not yet know Him.

Lord Jesus, I can make excuses, but You are able to bypass that foolishness and use people as You choose. Prayer like this merely makes us more aware and more willing. Work in my heart as I pray that You will keep working and putting Your people where we can do the most good to build Your kingdom.

God supplies — trust Him!

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25–34)

Fifty plus years ago, Jesus came into my life and one of the first lessons He taught me was that He would meet my needs. I was newly divorced, had no job or hope for one, lived on a farm with my two children, and my ex neglected financial support even for them. I did custom knitting with a machine and painted animal portraits, selling these to buy groceries. That first summer my propane tank rental came due and I did not have the $100 it would cost to heat our home for the winter.

God stepped in. I received a letter from someone in another province. I didn’t know her, or how she got my name. She included a photo of her dog and wanted me to paint its portrait. She also paid in advance — $105, enough to cover postage to send the painting back to her.

God made it plain. If He was at the top of my priority list, I didn’t need to worry about having what I needed. Since then, He has repeatedly kept His Word and taken care of all physical needs. I have a full fridge, a full closet, and lots of clean water, without anxiety about any of such things.

Lord, even when I’ve felt needy about other things, You have taken care of those physical needs too, as proof that You will cover all needs. I just need to trust You. People have told me this does not mean sitting on my backside and waiting for cash to come floating down. How silly. But You honor faith, often with surprises that go above and beyond my expectations. May all Your children know that Your love covers needs and sometimes even wants. Truly I am blessed and sometimes call myself ‘God's spoiled brat’ because of Your mercy.

 

Love is a verb…

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43–48)

What does Jesus want when He tells me this? Do I simply greet these enemies with a smile, nothing more? I’ve been “loved” like this by clerks in a store. Love is far more than being nice. As He says, anyone can do that and yet inwardly not care about my well-being at all. That is not love. Jesus describes a different attitude:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:38–42)

I read of a soldier whose girl friend wrote asking for her photo returned as she had found someone else. He was hurt and angry so he asked the guys in his barracks for any photos they might have of ex-girl friends. He sent all of them to her with a note that said, “I don’t remember which one is yours, so keep it and return the rest.”

Not funny. No love. Revenge is easy. Just ignore the person, or talk about them behind their back. Get even. Blah, blah blah.

Love is going above and beyond. It is not even doing what I think they might want, but doing what they do want and more. It is giving generously to their needs. Think of God's love. He poured out His life to love me. Saying the words is lovely but dying on a cross for me? That is love.
I might never experience an enemy whose life depends on my sacrifice, but I know that my life is not to be the selfishness of getting even or ignoring those who hurt me or treat me badly. It is being like Jesus even if their rejection continues. 

This is a level of maturity and a test that is most challenging. Feeling appreciated and accepted is a human need. When denied, hopelessness easily moves in as a most unwelcome guest. Turning to love those who are thoughtless toward me is hard enough. As the OT prophet asks: “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5) He implies that if I cannot do this with petty incidents that hurt my feelings, how can I perfectly love those who are far more unkind or who persecute me?

Jesus makes this a standard for all kind of obedience. He says, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?” (Luke 16:10–11)

Even an exercise program or any kind of study and instruction will begin with the basics. God is like that in training me to be like Jesus. He uses all things toward that end. And I complain? Shame on me.

Oh Lord, the lessons of the past few weeks have left me tired and wanting to run away from life. I see most things that happened as “little” and yet whine? Truly I am ashamed of being so weary when many others are experiencing far worse when it comes to opposition. Grant me forgiveness, cleansing, and greater grace and love toward all. Instead of expecting them to meet my need for acceptance, enable me to meet their need to be loved.

Salvation is about the heart…

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:17–20)

Jesus clarified what the prophets before Him kept saying to God’s people. It was not about outwardly keeping the rules — those would pass away — but it was about obedience from the heart. His first example explains:

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire." (Matthew 5:21–22)

Once when I was explaining sin and salvation to a small group in a junior church program, a four-year-old girl rolled her beautiful brown eyes and said, “But I’ve never murdered anyone.” 

The excuses of the Pharisees begins young! Being a child of God is not just about what I do not do, but about my heart. When Jesus spoke to these religious people of His day, He explained:

"But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” (Matthew 15:18–20)

A man-made ritual of hand-washing was supposed to indicate spiritual purity, but the purity God calls for is not about rituals. Anyone can wash this way and claim they are pure, yet the Bible word used is about moral cleanliness without any cover up of real desires. Many leaders tell their congregations not to participate in communion (a ritual of remembering the sacrifice of Christ), if they are not believers or if they have unconfessed sin in their lives. God wants purity even in rituals! 

We sing, “So give us clean hands and give us pure hearts, let us not lift our souls to another,” because if we know Jesus, we know our heart and hands are inseparable. No excuses. No pretense.

Lord, the words of this song and Your words need to be more evident in my life. It is easy to cover sinful thoughts — or is it? Eventually they pollute my living. Clear my head and my heart. May I honor You with every part of who I am — for I belong to You.