*Pastor’s Note: So many people have such a hard time with forgiveness today and especially as we see such blatant evil starting to come out of the darkness. Yet, as a chosen people, as followers of Jesus Christ, forgiveness is a command that has its personal rewards and it is for the benefit of the individual disciple as well as the Body of Christ, the True Church of brothers and sisters.
I am posting an article adapted from Cecil E. Sherman’s Formation Commentary on Matthew. There are a couple of things that I have not kept in the post, things that will NOT change the flow of the message in the least. Also I changed the Scripture verses to the New King James Version.
It will be broken up into four parts throughout this week. Also, any images displayed are not part of the original, but put in as part of my posting. My prayer is that you will be blessed, inspired and encouraged by this to move forward towards Christ Jesus in strength!
Introduction
Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” – Matthew 18:21
How often should I forgive? The answer is simple. Jesus said to forgive without limit. “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (v. 22). But if you read verses 15–35, you will get a larger picture—and a more complex one. I will address the real question the early church was facing and a question that still troubles the church today.
The people who made up the early church were not all saints or heroes. They were not all apostles, nor were they clones of the apostle Paul. They were just people. And because they were just people, saved by grace but still flesh and blood like you and me, they did not always get along. Members of the Christian community sinned. Sometimes when these people sinned, they were not repentant. They just kept on sinning. Sometimes the sins broke fellowship and hurt folks, and no effort at reconciliation or restoration would amend bad conduct. What then? Now we are beginning to see the problem that prompted Peter’s question, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?”
One way the modern church deals with sin in the membership is to offer forgiveness automatically. We just don’t deal with church discipline anymore. You can’t find a self-respecting church that will discipline a member for anything. An alcoholic can refuse to take responsibility for their life; we forgive. A minister can take advantage of his office and commit sexual sin while doing pastoral counseling; we forgive. A husband can abuse his wife; we turn away. A child can beg for her parents’ love and time and get nothing; we overlook the plea. On and on this sort of turning away from church discipline goes.
Refusing to deal with sin in the congregation under the guise of quick forgiveness is not church. It is flight from the kind of life that should be present in the congregation. We are called to care for each other. We are called to high living. We are called to model relationships that attract to the faith. So we have to deal with sin in the house. Peter’s question must be asked by the modern church. What do we do with people who don’t meet the standard?
Adapted From: Cecil E. Sherman, Cecil Sherman Formations Commentary: Matthew – Mark.
*Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
How Often Should I Forgive? – 2
*Pastor’s Note: This is a continuation of an article adapted from Cecil E. Sherman’s Formation Commentary on Matthew. There are a couple of things that I have not kept in the post, things that will NOT change the flow of the message in the least. Also I changed the Scripture verses to the New King James Version.
It will be broken up into four parts throughout this week. Also, any images displayed are not part of the original, but put in as part of my posting. My prayer is that you will be blessed, inspired and encouraged by this to move forward towards Christ Jesus in strength!
A Formula For Making Wrongs Right
“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. 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.’ 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.”
“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:15-20.
“If your brother sins against you,” what do you do? Jesus recommended the following:
Adapted From: Cecil E. Sherman, Cecil Sherman Formations Commentary: Matthew – Mark.
*Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.