I have occasion to visit various Christian bulletin boards. You can find a lot of news and information in places like that. There's some good teaching to be had. But, there is one area that just never ceases to be a growing cancer in the Christian community. And that, my friends, is the unwillingness to forgive people who commit "horrible" sins.
Now, as an example. Once again, a story of a pedophile has hit the mainstream media. In this case, local citizens burned down the house of a male pedophile and his wife. She was killed by the act of arson. So, a man that has, by law, paid his debt to society, is threatened with death, has his wife murdered, has his property destroyed. The overwhelming response from the Christian community on this one particular board?
He should never have been released. He should either still be in jail, or he should have been put to death. His wife should have known better than to stay with him. There were children in the area, so he should never have tried to move into the community.
In other words, it was all his fault. He got what he deserved.
This pile of baloney coming from Christians.
Let me show you something that Jesus taught ALL of us that speaks to this very issue.
"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Mat. 6:9-15
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Mat. 6:9-15
Jesus showed us that part of the very basic structure of our every prayer is the reminder that we MUST forgive others in order to receive forgiveness. This isn't an option. It is a requirement. There are no "ifs" or "maybes" or "onlys" about this.
This is also clearly a statement of cause and effect. "Forgive us...as we forgive." One has a controlling over the other. If we forgive everything and everybody that has offended us, we can rest in the comfort of knowing that Father will forgive us in every way. If we refuse to forgive....
I'll let the reader use their own understanding to finish that sentence.
So, then, why do so many Christians seem to miss this point?
Well, as far as I can tell, it generally comes down to one of two reasons.
First reason stems from trying to say that one type of sin is either better or worse than a different type. You've seen this before. A Christian might well be found saying, "Well, I may have told a lie, but it isn't like I killed someone."
This type is one of pure arrogance. My sins aren't NEARLY as bad as his sins.
This is also clearly a statement of cause and effect. "Forgive us...as we forgive." One has a controlling over the other. If we forgive everything and everybody that has offended us, we can rest in the comfort of knowing that Father will forgive us in every way. If we refuse to forgive....
I'll let the reader use their own understanding to finish that sentence.
So, then, why do so many Christians seem to miss this point?
Well, as far as I can tell, it generally comes down to one of two reasons.
First reason stems from trying to say that one type of sin is either better or worse than a different type. You've seen this before. A Christian might well be found saying, "Well, I may have told a lie, but it isn't like I killed someone."
This type is one of pure arrogance. My sins aren't NEARLY as bad as his sins.
"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye." Luk. 6:41-42
Jesus has a word for people like that: HYPOCRITE! What does God's Word say about hypocrites?
"He also [shall be] my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him." Job 13:16
Hypocritical actions like this, when done by a Christian, will degrade the daily fellowship between that person and God Almighty.
The other reason that people refuse to give forgiveness is that they cling to the offense. They enjoy having something to hold against another. They find pleasure in the hurt of the situation.
In other words, they've made the offense into their own private idol!
I've seen some that claim that a political motivation is what pushes them to seek revenge. Some say it is the "moral" thing to do. Others have said it involved a "personal" event, and therefore they can't turn it loose.
Well, I hate to be the one to break this news. But, when you so love your offense that you are willing to ignore your Savior's words; when you crave vengeance so deeply that you give up fellowship with God, then you have an idol that would make a golden calf cringe!
The other reason that people refuse to give forgiveness is that they cling to the offense. They enjoy having something to hold against another. They find pleasure in the hurt of the situation.
In other words, they've made the offense into their own private idol!
I've seen some that claim that a political motivation is what pushes them to seek revenge. Some say it is the "moral" thing to do. Others have said it involved a "personal" event, and therefore they can't turn it loose.
Well, I hate to be the one to break this news. But, when you so love your offense that you are willing to ignore your Savior's words; when you crave vengeance so deeply that you give up fellowship with God, then you have an idol that would make a golden calf cringe!
"Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?" Ezk. 14:3
OK, I admit, an idol is normally something made of stone, metal or wood. But, as in the verse above, we see the effect of an idol is located in the heart. And that is my point here. When we refuse to obey Jesus' instructions to forgive others, we are in a way worshiping the created thing (the unforgiven offense) instead of the Creator. And this will ruin the day-to-day fellowship between saved and Savior.
So, maybe it's time for some of our brothers and sisters to grow up a bit. God will allow things to happen to us that we won't like. It's part of our growth. However; God has even given us the promise that it won't be anything that doesn't lead to something for our better:
So, maybe it's time for some of our brothers and sisters to grow up a bit. God will allow things to happen to us that we won't like. It's part of our growth. However; God has even given us the promise that it won't be anything that doesn't lead to something for our better:
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose." Rom. 8:28
Forgive, and be forgiven!
Grace and Peace....
Grace and Peace....
