Power and Problem of Forgiveness

7/26/2019 Power and Problem of Forgiveness

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/power-and-problem-of-forgiveness 1/230



The Power& Problem

of

Forgiveness

Trevor Chandler

Sovereign World



Contents

Introduction 5

Chapter 1 Foundation of Forgiveness 7

Chapter 2 What Happened in Old Testament? 36

Chapter 3 Forgiveness and Judgment 61

Chapter 4 Forgiveness in New Testament 93

Chapter 5 Sowing and Reaping 14

Chapter 6 What is Happening? 15

Chapter 7 How to Forgive 19!



Dedication

This boo" is dedi#a$ed $o all $hose who long $o befree from $he b%rden of %nforgiveness and al$ho%gh$he' have wres$led wi$h $he (roblem have been%nable $o find a (ra#$i#al answer $o gen%inel'forgiving from $he hear$)

Trevor Chandler



Introduction

* have alwa's been ama+ed and $hrilled b' $he gra#eof ,od -is mer#' forgiveness and (ardon) * haveno$ f%ll' %nders$ood how ,od wo%ld be so

benefi#en$ in s(i$e of man.s sin and #ons$an$ fail%re b%$ * have a##e($ed -is wonderf%l (rovisions wi$h agra$ef%l hear$)

Some (eo(le find i$ hard $o a##e($ $ha$ ,od #o%ld sofreel' forgive sin and fail%re and so $he' remainwi$h a sense of g%il$ and #ondemna$ion) /r if $he'do a##e($ $ha$ ,od has forgiven $hem $he' find i$hard $o forgive $hemselves) 0e#a%se of $his (eo(lelive wi$ho%$ $he o' and (ea#e $ha$ $he' sho%ld have)

/$hers live a life of self (leasing and ind%lgen#ewi$h $he idea $ha$ $he' need onl' as" ,od $o forgive$hem and -e will immedia$el' do so and $he#onse2%en#es of an' viola$ion or sin will be#an#elled)

*$ has been m' #onvi#$ion for several 'ears $ha$

man' of o%r beliefs and #on#e($s abo%$ forgivenesshave been inade2%a$e and fa%l$' and $ha$ (eo(lehave $rea$ed $he ma$$er of forgiveness ei$her $ooligh$l' or #onsidered $ha$ $he im(li#a$ions of forgiveness were be'ond $heir #a(a#i$' $o mee$)

' e(erien#e has shown $ha$ $he maori$' of

(eo(le #an a##e($ ,od.s forgiveness of $hem b%$$he' la#" $he "nowledge and %nders$anding $ogen%inel' forgive o$hers who have wronged or h%r$$hem) The' "now $ha$ es%s said $ha$ if we do no$forgive o$hers ,od will no$ forgive %s b%$ $his



"nowledge ra$her $han solving $he (roblemin#reases $heir b%rden of g%il$)

This boo" is an endeavor $o $hrow ligh$ %(on $he (roblems $ha$ man' (eo(le have wi$h %nders$andingand im(lemen$ing forgiveness) When we do%nders$and how $o forgive we will be in a (osi$ion$o re#eive $he (osi$ive benefi$s whi#h #ome as ares%l$ of forgiving o$hers as ,od has forgiven %s)

Trevor Chandler



Chapter 1

The Foundation of Forgiveness

We had $al"ed for abo%$ $wen$' min%$es) -er s$or'was one of hear$brea" and des(air a 'o%ng wife and

mo$her s%ddenl' deser$ed b' her h%sband) Therewas a loo" of ho(elessness on her fa#e She said8re 'o% $elling me $ha$ * m%s$ forgive a man who

wal"ed o%$ on o%r #hild and me $o be wi$h ano$her woman: -ow #an * do $ha$: ;o 'o% "now wha$ i$means $o wa$#h $he las$ #en$ ever' wee" and #r''o%rself $o slee( be#a%se of loneliness:<

Why This Subject?

This e(erien#e and man' o$hers whi#h have #omefrom #o%nseling (eo(le over $he 'ears have mademe aware of $he dee( (roblems in $he lives of soman' men and women whi#h demand $he eer#ise

of forgiveness) There have been h%r$s and wo%ndsso dee( $ha$ i$ seems almos$ im(ossible for $hem $oforgive= b%$ * am also aware $ha$ $here is $hro%gh$he abili$' $o forgive a $remendo%s benefi$ for goodin a (erson.s life) la#" of forgiveness howeverwill bring m%#h $ha$ is harmf%l s(iri$%all' men$all'

and (h'si#all') Peo(le have los$ $heir reali$' of ,odare emo$ionall' and men$all' in $%rmoil and (h'si#all' si#" be#a%se of bi$$erness $ha$ #omes asa res%l$ of %nforgiveness)

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There is, through the ability to forgive,a tremendous benefit for good

in a person’s life.

/%r lives are in$erwoven wi$h $hose of o$hers andwe are involved in in$er(ersonal rela$ionshi(s ever'da' and as a res%l$ man' si$%a$ions whi#h give rise$o mis%nders$anding or offen#e o##%r) *$ is essen$ial$ha$ we %nders$and f%ll' wha$ is involved in $hes%be#$ of forgiveness)

This boo" has been $i$led The Power and Problem

of Forgiveness be#a%se $here is grea$ (ower for good in o%r lives if we #an gen%inel' forgive b%$$here is a grea$ (roblem in being able $o do i$ *$wo%ld be eas' $o give a lis$ of s#ri($%res based onwha$ $he 0ible sa's abo%$ forgiveness b%$ $ha$wo%ld no$ g%aran$ee an answer $o o%r (roblem) We#an "now wha$ is righ$ b%$ no$ "now how $o do i$) *wan$ $o %nfold $his s%be#$ s$e(>b'>s$e( $o $he (oin$$ha$ we "now ea#$l' wha$ forgiveness is and alsohow $o forgive)

There is a great power for good in our livesif we can genuinely forgive, but there is a

problem in being able to do it!

?e$ me refer $o $wo brief (assages of s#ri($%re) Thefirs$ is in $he /ld Tes$amen$

Seek the Lord while he may befound; call on him while he is near.

Let the wicked forsake his way andthe evil man his thoughts.

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Let him turn to the Lord, and he willhave mercy on him, and to our God,

for he will freely pardon. (Isaiah!"#$%

The se#ond sa's

&his, then, is how you should pray!

'ur ather in heaven, hallowed be

your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is inheaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

orgive us our debts, as we alsohave forgiven our debtors.

)nd lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

or if you forgive men when they sinagainst you, your heavenly ather

will also forgive you. *ut if you do

not forgive men their sins, your ather will not forgive your sins.+

(atthew "!-#%

The la$$er (ar$ of $his s#ri($%re whi#h deals wi$h $heeffe#$ $ha$ o%r forgiving o$hers has %(on ,od.sforgiveness of %s is (ar$i#%larl' #hallenging and is

an im(or$an$ as(e#$ of o%r s$%dies) We willhowever deal wi$h $his in de$ail in a la$er #ha($er)

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Three Vital Words

We need $o la' a fo%nda$ion b' eamining $hreewords $ha$ are essen$ial $o o%r %nders$anding of $his$o(i#) The words are

Mercy Forgiveness Pardon

es%s said 2%i$e #learl' $ha$ we were $o forgive oneano$her) -e did no$ 2%alif' $he (ar$i#%lar #a%se) -e

did no$ sa' 8*f i$ is a small h%r$ $hen forgive)< -edid no$ sa' 8*f i$ is a large h%r$ i$ is differen$)< -emade a (lain s$a$emen$ and $old %s $o forgive oneano$her)

A%o$ing s#ri($%re is no$ diffi#%l$= nei$her is givingli( servi#e $o a $r%$h) 0%$ when we have been h%r$

and wo%nded b' $he a#$ion of ano$her we #an "now$ha$ we sho%ld forgive and 'e$ feel $o$all' %nable $odo i$)

We all find $ha$ $he a#$ions of o$her (eo(le #rea$esome of $he grea$es$ diffi#%l$ies wi$h whi#h we have$o #on$end) Bo man lives %n$o himself Wha$ o$hers

sa' and do has a bearing %(on o%r lives almos$ever' da') *n $he #o%rse of o%r rela$ionshi(s wi$h

(eo(le man' $hings ha((en $o %s a#$ions andwords $ha$ are %n"ind in#onsidera$e and h%r$f%l) Wema' e(erien#e lies $old abo%$ %s be$ra'al b'friends and o$her in%s$i#es) ea#$ions ma' o##%r

and ill>will develo(s wi$hin %s)

When we have been hurt and woundedby the action of another, we can know

that we should forgive, and yet feeltotally unable to do it.

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?e$ me as" a 2%es$ion no$ as a (rea#her or 0ible$ea#her b%$ as a man who "nows wha$ i$ is $o go

$hro%gh $his "ind of e(erien#e) 8-ow #an a (ersongen%inel' and hones$l' forgive when #onfron$ed b'

(roblems of $his "ind:< i$ is eas' $o sa' we sho%ldforgive b%$ i$ is no$ so eas' $o do i$

* was #ond%#$ing a series of s(e#ial mee$ings in Bew Dealand and one nigh$ was s(ea"ing abo%$ $he

(roblem of inferiori$' and a nega$ive self>image) $$he end of $he sermon * gave o((or$%ni$' for an's%ffering from s%#h (roblems $o #ome forward for

(ra'er) n%mber of (eo(le res(onded and $he firs$ (erson $o whom * wen$ was a $een>age aori girl) *did no$ as" an' de$ails abo%$ her (roblem b%$ as *

(la#ed m' hand on her head * fo%nd m'self (ra'ing

in an %n%s%al wa') * said 8Eo% are a da%gh$er of ,od Eo% are a #hild of $he ing<

* re(ea$ed $hese s$a$emen$s several $imes m%#h $om' own ama+emen$ and $he $ears began $o $ri#"ledown $he girl.s fa#e) *$ was obvio%s $ha$ $he -ol'S(iri$ was doing a wor" wi$hin her) * moved on

(ra'ing for o$hers and soon $he mee$ing #losed)

Prior $o $he servi#e $he ne$ nigh$ $he 'o%ng woman#on#erned a((roa#hed me wi$h an ama+ing$es$imon' whi#h she la$er shared in (ar$ wi$h $hewhole #ongrega$ion) This is wha$ she said

When I was several years yonger! my older sister had been e"tremely #ealos and hatefl$

%n one o&&asion my sister said! 'I &annot

bear yo to to&h me( )on*t ever pt yor

hand on me$ +ven if I am dead! do not to&h

me! or I will sit p and spit in yor fa&e(,

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-s a reslt of this e"perien&e I had a sense of

worthlessness and a deep inner hrt$ .ater I

&ommitted my life to Christ and was bapti/ed with the 0oly pirit! bt the feelings of

insignifi&an&e and inferiority remained$ .ast

night for the first time in my life! I was able to

re&ogni/e that I was important to od! and I

really was his daghter$ I have been set free!

and at last have been able to forgive my sister$

*f we "now wha$ $he 0ible sa's $hen $wo $hings areli"el' $o ha((en) The firs$ is $ha$ we #an be#omema"e>believers be#a%se we #anno$ do wha$ $he0ible sa's b%$ (re$end $o do i$) es%s said 8Forgive

one ano$her)< We are h%r$ We are wo%nded0e#a%se we are h%r$ i$ seems im(ossible $o forgive

b%$ be#a%se $he 0ible sa's we sho%ld we (re$end$ha$ we have obe'ed $his #ommand b%$ bi$$ernessremains wi$hin and we have be#ome ma"e>

believers) The se#ond $hing $ha$ #an ha((en is $ha$we #ome %nder #ondemna$ion be#a%se we are

$r'ing $o be hones$ and "now we sho%ld forgive 'e$find o%rselves failing $o do i$ and so have a sense of g%il$ as a res%l$)

The s%be#$ of gen%ine forgiveness has man' sin#ereChris$ians in #onf%sion) *n $he le$$er $o $he -ebrewCh%r#h we read

See to it that no one misses thegrace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and de/lemany. (0ebrews 1!%

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an' (eo(le are s%ffering be#a%se of bi$$ernesswhi#h has en$ered $heir lives $hro%gh %nforgiveness)

Forgiveness #an lif$ b%rdens and res$ore friendshi(s)*$ #an bring (ea#e and o' $o a (erson.s life whereas%nforgiveness #an #a%se bi$$erness ha$red dis#ord$%rmoil and si#"ness) The grea$es$ (er#en$age of $he

(roblems $ha$ we go $hro%gh are o%r own fa%l$ Weare rea(ing wha$ we have sown)

The subect of genuine forgiveness hasmany sincere hristians in confusion.

The (rin#i(le of sowing and rea(ing is rela$ed $oforgiveness and al$ho%gh we are eno'ingfellowshi( wi$h ,od we ma' s$ill be rea(ing from

$he seeds of sin and disobedien#e we have sown)/ne of $he $r%$hs we will #over in some de$ail la$er is $ha$ i$ is (ossible $o be forgiven $o eno'fellowshi( wi$h ,od and 'e$ s$ill be %nder $hedis#i(line of ,od We need $o %nders$and $hes%be#$ of forgiveness in all i$s as(e#$s so $ha$ wema' "now how $o gen%inel' obe' $he Word of ,od

and find a (la#e of freedom as we live o%r dail'lives)

Forgiveness is no$ a sim(le s%be#$ *$ has no$ beenf%ll' %nders$ood b' man' (eo(le and onl' a gen%ine"nowledge of wha$ i$ is how i$ o(era$es and how,od sees i$ will enable %s $o a((ro(ria$e $he

benefi$s of $r%e forgiveness) Time m%s$ be $a"en $ola' so%nd fo%nda$ions $o bring %s $o a #lear %nders$anding of $he s%be#$ and $o allow $he

(rin#i(les $o be absorbed and es$ablished in o%r lives)

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The essential starting point is to understandthe meaning of the three words

which have been mentioned"mercy, forgiveness, and pardon.

These words are of$en $ho%gh$ of s'non'mo%sl'and of #o%rse $he' #an be rela$ed b%$ $he' areessen$iall' differen$) *n #onsidering $hese $erms in as(iri$%al sense * wan$ $o define ea#h one)

The essen$ial s$ar$ing (oin$ is $o %nders$and $hemeaning of $he $hree words whi#h have beenmen$ioned= mer#' forgiveness and (ardon)

What Do They ean?

er#' is $he eer#ise of less severi$' $han onedeserves or i$ is $he gran$ing of "indness and favor

be'ond wha$ one ma' righ$l' #laim)

Forgiveness dismisses resen$men$ or dis(leas%refrom $he hear$ of $he one offended and in (ar$i#%lar i$ has referen#e $o feelings and fellowshi()

Pardon #om(le$el' remi$s $he o%$ward (enal$'whi#h $he offender deserves) *$ is $he a#$ of as%(erior $oward an inferior im(l'ing $he righ$ $o

(%nish) *$ deals wi$h $he #onse2%en#es of an a#$ion)Pardon is an ee#%$ive res(onsibili$' whi#h mos$

(eo(le do no$ have $he righ$ $o eer#ise)

These $hree a$$rib%$es of mer#' forgiveness and (ardon are in#l%ded in $he #hara#$er of ,od) The0ible sa's -e is a ,od who shows mer#' whoforgives and who will ab%ndan$l' (ardon)

?e$ me #onfirm $his from s#ri($%re

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&he Lord, the compassionate(merciful% and gracious God, slow to

anger, abounding in love andfaithfulness. (23odus 45!"%

Let him turn to the Lord, and he willhave mercy on him, and to our Godfor he will freely pardon. (Isaiah!$%

er#' forgiveness and (ardon are all (ar$ of $hena$%re and a$$rib%$es of ,od b%$ we m%s$ also%nders$and $ha$ ,od.s #hara#$er in#l%des righ$>eo%sness $r%$h and %s$i#e)

There are #ondi$ions and res(onses whi#h ,odre2%ires when we are dealing wi$h $hese ma$$ers of

mer#' forgiveness and (ardon) Perha(s i$ is #orre#$$o sa' $ha$ $here is no$hing $ha$ we re#eive from ,od$ha$ is %n#ondi$ional a(ar$ from -is gra#e) ,odshowers -is gra#e %(on (eo(le b%$ from $ha$ (oin$on all $he dealings of ,od $owards %s are inres(onse $o a#$ions or a$$i$%des $a"en or made b' %s)

er#' and forgiveness on $heir own wi$ho%$ $hein#l%sion of (ardon do no$ a%$oma$i#all' remove all$he #onse2%en#es of sin and fail%re)

* "now $ha$ some (eo(le reason li"e $his 8*f ,odhas been mer#if%l $o me $he (roblem is over)< Tha$is no$ #orre#$ The' $hin" 8*f ,od has forgiven me

$hen $he re#ord is wi(ed #lean)< Tha$ is no$ #orre#$There wo%ld have $o be $he in#l%sion of (ardon before a #om(le$e res%l$ was a#hieved so we #anhave a gen%ine o(era$ion of mer#' and forgivenessand 'e$ no$ have $he removal of $he #onse2%en#es of #er$ain sins)

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Mercy and forgiveness on their own,without the inclusion of pardon, do not

automatically remove all the conse#uencesof sin and failure.

ll of $hese a$$rib%$es of ,od.s mer#' forgivenessand (ardon m%s$ be $a"en in$o #onsidera$ion no$

%s$ some of $hem) /%r a#$ions are going $o bringfor$h #er$ain res%l$s so we need $o "now how ,odin -is $o$al #hara#$er will res(ond $o wha$ we havedone and even $o o%r re2%es$ for forgiveness)

Why Should I !et "i# $ff?

Perha(s we have been %nwilling $o be mer#if%l andforgiving be#a%se we $hin" $ha$ a serio%s re(ea$edoffender will be le$ off and so we will allow somein%s$i#e $o #on$in%e if someone has re(ea$edl'offended %s we migh$ $hin" $o o%rselves if * do no$$a"e some (osi$ive a#$ion agains$ him b%$ ammer#if%l and forgiving $hen he will go on doing$his) * #anno$ forgive him be#a%se $his wo%ld mean

e#%sing his a#$ion)We m%s$ reali+e $ha$ $his is a wrong a$$i$%de

be#a%se we do no$ have $he righ$ $o $a"e over $heee#%$ive res(onsibili$ies $ha$ go wi$h (ardon)er#' and forgiveness do no$ a%$oma$i#all' in#l%de

(ardon so i$ is no$ o%r res(onsibili$' $o $a"e (%ni$ive

a#$ion agains$ an offender) Tha$ is ,od.sres(onsibili$' (erson #an re#eive mer#' andforgiveness b' ,od b%$ s$ill s%ffer effe#$s in his life

be#a%se he has no$ me$ $he re2%iremen$s for f%ll (ardon) /ne of $he vi$al re2%iremen$s $o re#eive

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forgiveness and (ardon from ,od is $ha$ we forgive$hose who have wrongf%ll' $rea$ed %s) *f we don.$

forgive we #an #on$in%e $o s%ffer in o%r ownrela$ionshi( wi$h ,od)

0e#a%se an %nders$anding of $hese (rin#i(les is a$$he hear$ of $his boo" le$ me ma"e #lear $ha$showing mer#' and gran$ing forgiveness are o%r res(onsibili$ies when (roblems arise wi$h o$her

(eo(le b%$ (ardoning is ,od.s res(onsibili$') 'o%ng man gave me $his $es$imon'

-t the age of nine years I sat in the ba& of a

bs waving goodbye to my mother and

brother$ I loved my brother deeply! bt there

was a deep hatred within me towards mymother who had arranged for me to live with

foster parents$ I de&ided as I sat in that bs

that I wold never forgive her! no matter what

happened(

-s I grew older my hatred grew( I did not

have what the other boys arond me had$ I

hated my foster parents be&ase they had

been party to my being separated from my

brother$ I be&ame a rebel in so&iety$ I was

taen to different psy&hiatrists and they wold

tal to me abot my attitde toward my

mother$ I had no power to &hange my hatred

and those interviews seemed to in&rease mybitter feelings$

When I was si"teen years of age my brother

&ame to visit me$ From him I obtained my

mother*s address and wrote several letters

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asing her to visit me$ I had a deep motive of

hatred in writing to her$ When she &ame I

said! 'I hate yo and will never forgive yo(, 4ine years later I a&&epted ess Christ as my

avior and was bapti/ed in water and with the

0oly pirit$ It was a revoltionary e"perien&e!

bt my Christian life fl&tated and there

were days of #oy and vi&tory! bt also days of

defeat and despair$ omething was wrong$%ne night I listened to a visiting prea&her

speaing on the sb#e&t of forgiveness$ 0e

said! 'We mst pt away all hatred! we mst

forgive or mother if ne&essary$, I new that

the 0oly pirit was speaing to me( I felt that

the .ord was saying! 'I will not open yor life&ompletely to me ntil yo learn to forgive$,

I determined to pt things right and traveled

over a thosand miles to the &ity where my

mother lived to tell her that I forgave her and

loved her$ I was released from what seemed

lie &hains binding me! and fond a new prpose and &onsisten&y in my Christian life$

Toda' $he man who gave $his $es$imon' is an elder in one of $he #h%r#hes belonging $o $he gro%( of #h%r#hes wi$h whi#h * am asso#ia$ed) *$ has been a

blessing for me $o see $he #on$in%ed grow$h in his

life his #heerf%l Chris$ian +eal and $o see $he wa'$ha$ he and his wife have es$ablished a fine famil')

$ne of the vital re#uirements to receiveforgiveness and pardon from %od is that

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we forgive those who have wrongfullytreated us.

Wha$ * am sa'ing in $his #ha($er ma' be a new#on#e($ $o some Chris$ians b%$ we m%s$ fa#e $hereali$' of $hese iss%es and e$end mer#' andforgiveness $o o$hers and leave $he (ardoning $o,od o$herwise $he dealings of ,od #an #on$in%e ina %dgmen$al wa' %(on o%r lives al$ho%gh ,od has

been mer#if%l and has forgiven %s)

*f we do no$ %nders$and wha$ ha((ens when ,odforgives %s $hen we will be #onf%sed) Peo(le havesaid $o me 8* "now m' hear$ is righ$ wi$h ,od) *have as"ed -im $o forgive me b%$ * do no$%nders$and wh' $hese (roblems are #on$in%ing inm' life)<

Problems #an arise for vario%s reasons) /ne of $hereasons is be#a%se we are s$ill rea(ing wha$ we havesown and ano$her is be#a%se ,od is allowing %s $ogo $hro%gh -is dealings for $he develo(men$ of o%r lives) There are o$her reasons as well so we m%s$

learn $o de$ermine whe$her we are viola$ing some (rin#i(le of ,od or whe$her -e is dis#i(lining %s for o%r own good and develo(men$) *n a la$er #ha($er we will dis#over how we #an "now $he differen#e

be$ween being %nder $he %dgmen$al hand of ,odal$ho%gh we have been forgiven and going $hro%gh

$he dealings of ,od $o refine o%r #hara#$er for -is (%r(ose)

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The dealings of %od can continue in a udgmental way upon our lives, although

%od has been merciful and has forgiven us.

%nderstanding ercy

* wan$ $o deal now wi$h $he s%be#$ of mer#' be#a%se $ha$ is where $he fo%nda$ion of forgiveness begins) We need $o reali+e firs$ of all $ha$ ,od* s

mer#' is s%be#$ $o #er$ain limi$a$ions) There is ageneral mer#' of ,od $ha$ a((lies $o all man"ind)The 0ible sa's

0e causes 0is sun to rise on the eviland the good, and sends rain on therighteous and the unrighteous.

(atthew !5%

-ave 'o% ever wondered wh' a godl' man and an%ngodl' man bo$h have $heir #ro(s growing and

(ros(ering in $he same wa': ,od de#lares $ha$ -egives a general mer#' $o all -is #rea$ion) The s%nshines on $he righ$eo%s and also on $he %nrigh$eo%s)

The rain falls on $he good and also on $he evil)Gver'bod' in $his world is in some meas%re %nder $he mer#if%l dealings of ,od) The (salmis$ sa'sThe ?ord is good $o all= he has #om(assion on all hehas made) HPsalm 1459I

The 0ible does no$ sa' $ha$ -e has #om(assion or

mer#' on some of -is #rea$ion b%$ on all of i$)*rres(e#$ive of o%r si$%a$ion we are all re#eivingmore $han we %s$l' deserve) ,od however hass(e#ial blessings for $hose who are obedien$ $o wha$-e sa's and -e (ros(ers $hose who give a##ording

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$o -is word) *n $he 0oo" of ala#hi ,od sa's $ha$ if we bring o%r $i$hes in$o $he s$oreho%se -e will o(en

$he windows of heaven and (o%r o%$ s%#h a blessing$ha$ $here will no$ be room eno%gh $o re#eive i$)

There are s(e#ial blessings b%$ $here are alsogeneral blessings and all (eo(le even $ho%gh $he'ma' be a$heis$i# or blas(heme $he Bame of ,od#ome %nder $he mer#if%l (rovisions of a loving ,od)

* wan$ $o #all $his '$em(oral mer#',) Tem(oralmeans '$o be #onfined $o $his na$%ral life or $hisear$h, so $here is $he mer#' of ,od $ha$ a((lies $o%s while we are living in $his world) ,od bes$ows$his mer#' so $ha$ a (erson ma' res(ond $o -im)

(erson #an loo" aro%nd and see $he bea%$' of $heworld $he (rovisions $ha$ have been made and in so

doing re#ogni+e $ha$ $he mer#' of ,od is e$ended$owards him b%$ $his mer#' does no$ e$end be'ond$he (erson* s ear$hl' life) We have a res(onsibili$' $ore#ogni+e ,od from his #rea$ion and -is gra#io%s>ness $o %s) The a(os$le Pa%l in wri$ing $o $he #h%r#hin ome said

or since the creation of the worldGod6s invisible 7ualities # his eternal

power and divine nature # havebeen clearly seen, being understoodfrom what has been made, so that men are without e3cuse. (8omans

!19%We read of$en of $he mira#%lo%s wa's $ha$ ,od hasin$ervened $o save #ommi$$ed Chris$ians from dea$hor in%r') * have heard $es$imonies and read $hes$ories of men and women wonderf%ll' (ro$e#$ed in

1



air #rashes road a##iden$s or shi(wre#"se(erien#es $ha$ obvio%sl' were d%e $o divine

(ro$e#$ion)

%od declares that &e givesa general mercy to all &is creation.

-ebrews #ha($er 11 $ells of $he men and women of fai$h who were mira#%lo%sl' hel(ed b' ,od b%$ i$

also $ells of o$hers who s%ffered $or$%reim(risonmen$ and dea$h) Ee$ $he s#ri($%re sa's $ha$all of $hese $hose who e(erien#ed mira#les of deliveran#e and $hose who did no$ were#ommended for $heir fai$h ,od is mer#if%l b%$ -ehas a (lan $ha$ -e is wor"ing o%$ for o%r lives and

we #anno$ g%aran$ee $he degree of mer#' or deliveran#e $ha$ will be (rovided in an' si$%a$ion of life) Wha$ ,od does %n#ondi$ionall' (romisehowever is $he gra#e $o #o(e wi$h wha$ever #ir#%ms$an#e ma' arise)

* was in b%siness as an *ns%ran#e ?oss d%s$er and

ssessor a$ $he $ime of a disas$ro%s flood whi#ho##%rred in $he #i$' and s%rro%nding areas of 0risbane in 1974) *$ wo%ld be wonderf%l $o re(or$$ha$ no Chris$ians s%ffered in $ha$ #'#lone and flood

b%$ $ha$ wo%ld no$ be a $r%e a##o%n$) *n $ha$ disas$er some b%ildings were #om(le$el' s%bmerged homesand b%siness (remises were des$ro'ed millions of

dollars of damage was done and lives were los$)-omes and b%sinesses belonging $o bo$h Chris$iansand non>Chris$ians were affe#$ed) * saw Chris$ianswee( as $he' re(or$ed how $heir (re#io%s

(ossessions were #arried o%$ of $heir homes a



sodden mess b%$ * did no$ do%b$ ,od.s abili$' $os%(erna$%rall' s%s$ain $hem in $heir sorrow and loss

and la$er $o ma"e o$her (rovisions $o re>es$ablish$hem in life)

We #anno$ however g%aran$ee $ha$ (ro$e#$ion andgood will alwa's be $he lo$ of $he Chris$ian while$he non>Chris$ian s%ffers) We need $o %nders$and$ha$ in addi$ion $o $he $em(oral mer#' of ,od $here

is also an e$ernal mer#') G$ernal mer#' is s%be#$ $origh$ res(onses on o%r (ar$ $o ,od) The Psalmsre#ord $his s$a$emen$

:*ut from everlasting to everlastingthe Lord6s love is with those whofear him, and his righteousness with

their children6s children # with thosewho keep his covenant andremember to obey his precepts.+ (salm 94!$#<%

There is a $em(oral mer#' of ,od available $o all b%$ $here is an everlas$ing mer#' as well) This

everlas$ing mer#' is for those who fear him ))) whoeep his &ovenant and remember to obey his

pre&epts$ (erson ma' eno' $he mer#' of ,od in$his na$%ral life b%$ we #an also ma"e s%re $ha$ weeno' $he mer#' of ,od from everlasting to

everlasting(

We cannot, however, guaranteethat protection and good will always be thelot of the hristian, while the non'hristian

suffers!

3



emember ver' #aref%ll' $ha$ mer#' is no$ $he sameas forgiveness) er#' is $he eer#ise of less severi$'

$han a (erson deserves or i$ is $he gran$ing of a"indness be'ond wha$ one ma' #laim) en andwomen are #ommanded $o be mer#if%l and $o beforgiving) The' are no$ #ommanded $o (ardon) *n as(iri$%al sense and in mos$ of $he even$s of life wedo no$ have $he righ$ or (rivilege $o (ardon) *$ is,od no$ men and women who deals wi$h#onse2%en#es

*n $he differen$ so#ie$ies and na$ions in whi#h welive $here are laws) To some (eo(le $here ma' begiven $he res(onsibili$' of eer#ising $hose lawswi$h some degree of dis#re$ion) 0' wa' of aneam(le if we brea" $he law and a (oli#eman sees

%s he has no righ$ $o e#%se o%r offen#e) -isres(onsibili$' is $o enfor#e $he law of $he land) *f

be#a%se of $ha$ offen#e we are la$er $a"en $o #o%r$$he magis$ra$e or %dge ma' be able $o eer#ise ana%$hori$' $ha$ $he (oli#eman did no$ have and hemigh$ sa' 8* have #onsidered all $he #ir#%ms$an#es

and in $his ins$an#e * in$end $o (ardon 'o%)< /r i$ma' be $ha$ $he righ$ of (ardon res$s onl' wi$h a

(erson s%#h as a governor (residen$ "ing or 2%een)There are #er$ain ee#%$ive (osi$ions $ha$ #arr' wi$h$hem $he (ower and righ$ $o (ardon b%$ we asordinar' (eo(le have been #ommanded b' ,od $o

be mer#if%l and forgiving irres(e#$ive of wha$ ma'

ha((en in regard $o (ardon)

* wan$ $o em(hasi+e $ha$ being mer#if%l does no$mean being sof$ or eas' going) *$ does no$ mean

(re$ending $ha$ some$hing has no$ ha((ened) * "now$ha$ s%#h an a$$i$%de wo%ld s%i$ a world $ha$ wan$s $o

4



des$ro' absol%$es and be r%led b' si$%a$ion e$hi#s) *$is eas' $o sa' 8*.m no$ h%r$ing o$hers so * #an (lease

m'self< Peo(le sa' 8oral val%es are differen$now) We don.$ have $o a##e($ $he s$andards of o%r

(aren$s)< Someone else sa's 8*$.s a good #a%se so$he end %s$ifies $he means<

The #on#e($ of si$%a$ion e$hi#s #an be s%mmed %( b' $he words of wha$ be#ame a (o(%lar song 8*$

#an.$ be wrong when i$ feels so righ$)< The iss%e of de fa#$o rela$ionshi(s is a #ase in (oin$) The 0ible$ea#hing in bo$h /ld and Bew Tes$amen$s ver'#learl' shows $ha$ s%#h rela$ionshi(s are sinf%l)Those involved in $hese rela$ionshi(s however willalwa's be read' $o %s$if' $hem) 8* needed a roof over m' head< 8This was m' onl' #han#e for

ha((iness< 8We love ea#h o$her< 8 (ie#e of (a(er does no$ ma"e o%r love an' more real)<

The same reasoning #an be seen in $he arg%men$sfor abor$ion) 8?e$ a woman have $he (ower $ode#ide wha$ $o do abo%$ her own bod'< $hefeminis$s and $hose who demand freedom of #hoi#e

#r' as $he' wave $heir banners) The 0ible $ells %s (lainl' $ha$ o%r bodies are no$ o%r own b%$ ,od.sand $he fo#%s is no$ $he woman.s own) /n $hegro%nds of nervo%s $ension finan#ial s$ress or sim(l' 8* don.$ wan$ $o have ano$her bab'< abor$ionis #hosen and $he serio%sness of $he des$r%#$ion of

$he %nborn #hild is %s$ified b' $hese reasons) Theo$her al$erna$ives s%#h as ado($ion or even be$$er$r%s$ing ,od are no$ serio%sl' #onsidered) * do no$see" $o minimi+e $he (roblems $ha$ arise from%nwan$ed (regnan#ies b%$ we m%s$ learn $ha$ we

5



#anno$ viola$e $he Word of ,od wi$ho%$#onse2%en#es being involved)

Si$%a$ion e$hi#s are a((lied in ever'da' life b' (eo(le who $a"e advan$age of a $ele(hone brea"down $o ma"e free long dis$an#e #alls who"ee( e$ra #hange given b' mis$a"e in some sho(who $a"e (en#ils erasers r%lers and s$a$ioner' from$heir (la#es of em(lo'men$) 8*$.s all righ$< $he' sa'

8$he $ele(hone #om(an'J$he governmen$J$he boss#an afford i$ and * #an.$)< ll of $hese are eam(lesof flagran$ disregard for ,od.s law %s$ified albei$

(oorl' b' $he need of a (erson a$ $ha$ $ime)

e#en$l' * fo%nd amongs$ m' (a(ers a se$ of d%(li#a$ed no$es on $he s%be#$ 8 0asis for

orali$')< The a%$hor is %n"nown so * am %nable $ogive an a#"nowledgmen$ b%$ (ar$ of $he ar$i#le isrelevan$ $o wha$ is (resen$ed here so * 2%o$e

2ven though all have not succumbedto the ermissive Society, we must all confess that we are surrounded

by it and sometimes, perhaps, weare in=uenced by its pragmatism.ragmatism means broadly :if what I do makes me happy then it isright.+ In other words, morality ismade sub>ective to e3perience.

&o bolster the pragmatic approach,in the words of one psychologist, it is necessary to :damn theabsolutes.+ )nd where and what arethe absolutes? &hey are the /nalstatements of society on moral

6



behavior chie=y written into thelaws of the land.

&hese laws of western society /ndtheir roots in the &en@ommandments. 0ence the /nalattack on the absolutes must be onthe *ible itself. &his attack lookedlike being successful up to midway

into this century. 0owever, sincethat time a remarkable event hastaken place. God sent the@harismatic 8enewal which, as wellas being a sub>ective spirituale3perience, has for its basis theob>ective truths and absolutes of theAord of God.

odern society may well yet turn tothe @hurch for guidance in moralmatters when it /nds that its idol of

permissiveness is an idol with clay feet.

,od is mer#if%l b%$ mer#' does no$ mean a do#ileagreemen$ wi$h wha$ men and women wan$ $o do)er#' is no$ being sof$) Far from i$

ercy and Truth

When s$%d'ing $he s#ri($%res rela$ing $o mer#' *fo%nd $ha$ $he word mos$ asso#ia$ed wi$h mer#' was$r%$h) er#' and $r%$h We #anno$ have gen%inemer#' wi$ho%$ $he o(era$ion of $r%$h The s#ri($%rema"es $his de#lara$ion

7



*y mercy and truth ini7uity is purged. (roverbs "!" BCD%

*ni2%i$' is no$ (%rged b' mer#' alone= i$ is (%rged b' $he o(era$ion of bo$h mer#' and $r%$h $oge$her)We are mis$a"en if we $hin" of mer#' a$ $he e(enseof $r%$h or law)

Tr%e mer#' however involves a sense of (i$' and#on#ern and an a#$ion $o relieve $he s%ffering) *f we

merel' loo" wi$h s'm(a$h' a$ some si$%a$ion $hen$ha$ is no$ mer#') er#' m%s$ do some$hing in a

(ra#$i#al and $angible wa' $o mee$ $he need) Therehave been o##asions when * have fel$ s'm(a$he$i#abo%$ a si$%a$ion b%$ * have done no$hing abo%$ i$) *have no$ shown mer#'= * have been s'm(a$he$i#)

* have loo"ed a$ (i#$%res of s$arving #hildren andread a((eals for hel() * have read s$ories of disas$er and famine and fel$ a des(era$ion a$ $he (ligh$ of $he

(eo(le) * have read abo%$ hardshi( (erse#%$ion andim(risonmen$ of Chris$ians in Comm%nis$>domina$ed #o%n$ries) There was a gen%ine sense of

s'm(a$h' b%$ onl' when * $oo" some a#$ion ei$her in giving or (ra'ing was $here an o(era$ion of mer#')

We are mistaken if we think of mercyat the e(pense of truth or law.

#lear ill%s$ra$ion of mer#' is fo%nd in $he (arablewhi#h es%s $old of $he ,ood Samari$an) ewish$raveler was a$$a#"ed b' $hieves and robbers andwas lef$ l'ing on $he side of $he road bleeding and

br%ised) Two (eo(le one a (ries$ and $he o$her a

@



?evi$e wen$ b' and (assed on) The' loo"ed a$ $hewo%nded and need' man b%$ $oo" no a#$ion) Then

$he Samari$an #ame) The Samari$an did no$ have an'obliga$ion $o $he wo%nded ew) -e was of adifferen$ ra#e of (eo(le) Samari$ans were des(ised

b' $he ews b%$ $his Samari$an wen$ $o $he aid of $he in%red $raveler and began $o bind %( hiswo%nds) -e hel(ed $he man and $oo" him $o an innand (aid $he bill for $he in%red man.sa##ommoda$ion) The Samari$an said $o $he inn>"ee(er 8?oo" af$er him and if i$ #os$s an' more *will (a' i$ when * re$%rn< H?%"e 1!35I)

The in%red man had no legal #laim on $heSamari$an) This ew had no righ$s $ha$ he #o%lddemand b%$ $he Samari$an o%$ of mer#' $owards

him rea#hed o%$ and gave him some$hing $ha$ he#o%ld no$ legall' #laim) Tha$ is an eam(le of gen%ine mer#' going be'ond wha$ a (erson has alegal righ$ $o e(e#$) ?e$ me give ano$her ill%s$ra$ion $his $ime from m' own e(erien#e)

The girl was nei$her a$$ra#$ive nor (ar$i#%larl' li"e>

able) She had been rebellio%s in her home and goneher own wa') -er mo$her was a dedi#a$ed Chris$ian

b%$ in s(i$e of a good famil' eam(le $he da%gh$er $%rned $o dr%gs al#ohol and $oba##o and finall'was admi$$ed $o a men$al hos(i$al for $rea$men$) /nher dis#harge from $he hos(i$al she be#ame an

infre2%en$ a$$endee a$ $he #h%r#h where * was $he (as$or b%$ $here was li$$le abo%$ $he girl $o evo"es'm(a$h' as her selfish a$$i$%de was s$ill ver'eviden$)

9



-er sis$er was $o be $he bridesmaid a$ a wedding andan invi$a$ion $o a$$end $he re#e($ion was given $o $he

famil') The girl be#a%se of la#" of wor" had li$$lemone' and $he mo$her lived on a 8bread line<

b%dge$) The wedding invi$a$ion (osed a (roblem as$he girl did no$ have s%i$able #lo$hing $o wear) /neof $he women in $he #h%r#h $oo" $he girl in$o $he#i$' and (%r#hased for her a #om(le$e o%$fi$ of #lo$hing) *$ was a s(on$aneo%s a#$ of love andgenerosi$' when no d%$' or res(onsibili$' res$ed%(on $he giver)

ercy and &udg#ent

er#' does no$ however eradi#a$e all %dgmen$)no$her "e' (arable of es%s $ha$ rela$es $o $his

$o(i# is fo%nd in a$$hew* s ,os(el) This s$or' is"nown as The Parable of $he Kn%s$ or Knmer#if%lServan$) The (arable $ells of a servan$ who owed hismas$er a large amo%n$ of mone') -e was #alled

before $he mas$er $o give an a##o%n$ of his deb$) The0ible re#ord gives $his a##o%n$

Since he was not able to pay, themaster ordered that he and his wifeand his children and all that he hadbe sold to repay the debt. &heservant fell on his knees before him.:*e patient with me,+ he begged,

:and I will pay back every thing.+ (atthew <!1#1"%

Will 'o% no$e $ha$ $he servan$ did no$ as" for forgiveness of $he deb$= he did no$ as" for (ardonfrom $he deb$= he as"ed for mer#' Wha$ he as"ed

3!



for was an e$ension of $ime $o mee$ $he amo%n$ $ha$was owed) The mas$er wo%ld have been mer#if%l

had he done %s$ $ha$) -e wo%ld have been going be'ond wha$ was his legal righ$ $o demand)

Mercy does not, however,eradicate all udgment.

*n $his (ar$i#%lar (arable however $he mas$er did

no$ s$o( wi$h an e(ression of mer#' b%$ he wen$ on$o forgive $he man and also $o (ardon him of $he$o$al deb$) We read

&he servant6s master took pity onhim, cancelled the debt and let himgo. (atthew <!1$%

This (arable shows $he o(era$ion of mer#'forgiveness and (ardon al$ho%gh $he servan$ as"edonl' for mer#')

The servan$ who had re#eived $his %ndeserved (rovision $hen wen$ o%$ and laid hold of a fellow

servan$ who owed him a small deb$ and demandedimmedia$e (a'men$) The 0ible $ells $ha$ $he se#ondservan$ as"ed for mer#' and said ',ive me $ime $o

(a', Ha$$hew 1@9I) The firs$ servan$ denied $here2%es$ for mer#' $he ver' $hing $ha$ had been given$o him and he had $he se#ond servan$ $hrown in$o

(rison) When $he mas$er was $old of wha$ had

ha((ened he #alled $he firs$ servan$ and reb%"ed himand said

:I cancelled all that debt of yoursbecause you begged me to.Shouldn6t you have had mercy on

31



your fellow servant >ust as I had on you?+(atthew <!41#44%

The mas$er $hen revo"ed $he (ardon forgivenessand mer#' $ha$ he had (revio%sl' e$ended $o $hefirs$ servan$) ?e$ me em(hasi+e $ha$ if we are going$o %nders$and how $o forgive we m%s$ firs$ learn $o

be mer#if%l be#a%se forgiveness is a s$e( be'ondmer#') *f we do no$ learn $o be mer#if%l we will

never be forgiving er#' #omes firs$ $henforgiveness follows)

We m%s$ re#ogni+e $ha$ if we will no$ e$end mer#'$o o$hers $he mer#' $ha$ has been e$ended $o %sma' be res#inded) Gver' believer in $he ?ord es%sChris$ is re2%ired $o be mer#if%l) *$ is $he fo%nda$ion

s$one of forgiveness) *f we do no$ learn $o bemer#if%l $hen i$ is #er$ain $ha$ we will never be able$o forgive from $he hear$) We ma' a((ear $o havesome s%##ess in forgiving a (erson wi$h whom wehave had a dis(%$e and $hin" $ha$ we have won $he

ba$$le $o forgive b%$ some #onfli#$ wi$h $ha$ (ersonwill again arise and $he old h%r$ will be fel$ on#e

more)

)f we are going to understand how toforgive, we must first learn to be merciful.

We m%s$ begin where ,od begins and $ha$ is a$ $he

(la#e of mer#') Bone of %s has a righ$ $o demand his8(o%nd of flesh<) Gver' one of %s is obliged b',od.s Word $o e$end some degree of mer#'a##ording $o $he si$%a$ion $ha$ migh$ a((l')

3



'o (etribution

es%s in his $ea#hing #om(le$el' did awa' wi$h $herigh$ of e2%al re$rib%$ion) *$ is no$ a ma$$er of sa'ing8Eo% did $ha$ $o me * will do $he same $o 'o%<)es%s said

Eou have heard that it was said,:2ye for eye, and tooth for tooth.*ut I tell you, do not resist an evil

person. If someone strikes you onthe right cheek, turn to him theother also.

:)nd if someone wants to sue youand take your tunic, let him have

your cloak as well.

:If someone forces you to go onemile, go with him two miles.+ (atthew !4<#5%

The Chris$ian does no$ have $he righ$ $o demandea#$ re$rib%$ion a$ $he level of wha$ he has

re#eived) *f we are $o eer#ise mer#' $hen we#anno$ demand an ea#$ legal (enal$' b%$ we m%s$rea#h o%$ wi$h some %nders$anding and "indness)

(ara(hrase of ames 31 #o%ld be e(ressed as be#aref%l abo%$ be#oming $ea#hers or leaders) Themore 'o% "now of $he will and wa's of ,od $he

grea$er will be 'o%r res(onsibili$' *f 'o% are aChris$ian and have "nown $he ?ord for sa' onewee" and #ommi$ a (ar$i#%lar sin and if some morema$%re Chris$ian sho%ld #ommi$ $he same sin $hes$andard of ,od.s mer#' will be differen$) The newChris$ian will re#eive a higher level of mer#' $han

33



$he e(erien#ed Chris$ian be#a%se $he ma$%re (erson has $he benefi$ of grea$er "nowledge b'

whi#h he #o%ld %dge his own a#$ions)The Word of ,od ma"es #lear $ha$ $he more we"now $he grea$er is o%r a##o%n$abili$' be#a%semer#' is no$ meas%red b' $he same 'ards$i#") i$ ismeas%red b' $he #ir#%ms$an#es o%r ba#"gro%ndand o%r %nders$anding)

?e$ me give a sim(le ill%s$ra$ion of how we migh$a((l' mer#' in a (ra#$i#al wa') *f 'o% len$ someoneL1!! on $he #ondi$ion $ha$ he wo%ld re(a' b' a

(ar$i#%lar da$e and when $ha$ $ime #ame he was no$in a (osi$ion $o (a' wha$ $hen wo%ld be a mer#if%l$hing $o do: To gen%inel' e$end mer#' all $ha$ 'o%

wo%ld need $o do wo%ld be $o sa' 8* will give 'o%ano$her wee" $o (a')< *f 'o% gave even one e$rada' 'o% wo%ld have been mer#if%l) *$ wo%ld have

been $o a small degree b%$ $here wo%ld have beenmer#' be#a%se $he deb$ was legall' d%e (rior $o $ha$$ime) Gver' da' given be'ond $he d%e da$e wo%ld bean e$ension of mer#')

To be mer#if%l does no$ demand $ha$ one forgoes or red%#es $he deb$) 0' $he mere (rovision of addi$ional $ime one has me$ $he re2%iremen$s of mer#') *f however 'o% said 8*ns$ead of L1!! (a'me L9!< 'o% wo%ld $hen have gone be'ond mer#'$o forgiveness and a meas%re of (ardon) *f 'o% said

8,od has blessed me so * wan$ $o #an#el $he deb$<'o% wo%ld have been mer#if%l forgiving and

(ardoning)

34



Mercy is not measured by the same“yardstick.” )t is measured by our circumstances, our background,

and understanding.

?e$ %s #learl' %nders$and $he differen#e in $hese

$erms) *$ is so im(or$an$ $ha$ we re#ogni+e $heseas(e#$s be#a%se ,od.s mer#' does no$ ne#essaril'remove -is %dgmen$s)

The dealings of ,od #an #on$in%e in o%r lives evenwhen ,od has been mer#if%l b%$ be#a%se of -is#hara#$er -e alwa's red%#es $he severi$' of wha$

we sho%ld righ$f%ll' re#eive so $he mer#' of ,od is$he beginning of forgiveness) *$ ma' also be $he beginning of (ardon b%$ $he (rovisions of mer#'forgiveness and (ardon are se(ara$e s$e(s and ea#hone ma' re2%ire a differen$ res(onse from %s inorder $o re#eive $hem)

,od does no$ re2%ire an' res(onse from %s before-e is mer#if%l) Whenever we #all on $he ?ord we#an e(e#$ -im $o be mer#if%l b%$ before -eforgives and (ardons $here ma' be some res(onses$ha$ we have $o ma"e) We #an alwa's a((roa#h ,odand -e will deal wi$h %s wi$h less severi$' $han wedeserve and $ha$ is a marvelo%s $r%$h $o "now

er#' however is alwa's lin"ed wi$h $r%$h andrigh$eo%sness) ,od will no$ viola$e -is Word b%$will show #om(assion and we will alwa's ge$ more#onsidera$ion from -im $han $ha$ $o whi#h wesho%ld be en$i$led)

35



,od has been mer#if%l $o %s so le$ %s in $%rn bemer#if%l $o o$hers) ;on.$ $r' $o give $he same

$rea$men$ $ha$ 'o% have re#eived) *f we give $i$ for $a$ we have failed a$ $he firs$ s$e( whi#h is $o bemer#if%l) ;on.$ demand e2%al sa$isfa#$ion) Tha$migh$ ma"e a (erson feel %s$ified b%$ i$ will%l$ima$el' des$ro' him)

The provisions of mercy, forgiveness,and pardon, are separate steps, and each

one may require a different response from us in order to receive them.

We have no righ$ $o e2%al re$rib%$ion if we are going$o be mer#if%l be#a%se i$ is no$ o%r d%$' $o (%nish)

*$ is ,od who %dges (%nishes and (ardons) 0eingmer#if%l is a firs$ s$e( $o sin#erel' forgiving from$he hear$)

36



Chapter )

What "appened in

The $ld Testa#ent?

?e$ %s now eamine $he s%be#$ of forgiveness in $he

/ld Tes$amen$ be#a%se we need $o follow $he whole (a$$ern of $he Word of ,od in order $o f%ll'%nders$and $his s%be#$)

Was It Cruel?

There are (eo(le who #onsider $ha$ $he /ld

Tes$amen$ reveals a ,od who is harsh and #r%el b%$m%#h of $his $hin"ing is d%e $o mis%nders$anding)The s#ribes and Pharisees in $he $ime of es%s $a%gh$8Eo% shall love 'o%r neighbor and ha$e 'o%r enem'< b%$ we #o%ld sear#h $he (ages of $he /ldTes$amen$ and no$ find s%#h a s$a$emen$ be#a%se $he/ld Tes$amen$ does no$ sa' i$ ,od has alwa'sshown %s$i#e and righ$eo%sness) The s#ribes andPharisees of$en (%$ in$er(re$a$ions on $he Word of ,od $o s%i$ $hemselves) The defini$e %dgmen$s $ha$are se$ o%$ in $he 0oo" of God%s (ar$i#%larl' in#ha($er 1 (la#e a limi$ on revenge $ha$ was so#ommon a$ $ha$ $ime) The laws of ,od were no$

onl' $o (%nish for a delibera$e offen#e b%$ also $olimi$ revenge) The' were $o es$ablish mer#' and $r%e

%s$i#e)

*n (rimi$ive $imes an assa%l$ on one member of a (ar$i#%lar $ribe #o%ld #a%se a fe%d $o brea" o%$ and

37



man' (eo(le wo%ld die as a res%l$) The law of ,odlaid down $ha$ onl' $he (erson who #ommi$$ed $he

offen#e #o%ld be (%nished and his (%nishmen$ was$o be no more $han $he e2%ivalen$ of $he offen#e#ommi$$ed) There was a #lear #ommand in $hisregard

*ut if there is serious in>ury, you areto take life for life, eye for eye, tooth

for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound. (23odus 1!14F1%

This was no$ a demand $ha$ s%#h re$rib%$ion sho%ld be ea#$ed b%$ i$ was a limi$ on $he demands $ha$#o%ld be made b' $he offended (ar$') (riva$e

individ%al was no$ allowed $o see" (ersonalrevenge b%$ $he law did (rovide a basis for ana((oin$ed %dge $o assess $he (enal$' and $hea((ro(ria$e (%nishmen$ for $he offen#e) *n o$her words $he (%nishmen$ had $o be e2%al $o $he #rime#ommi$$ed and had $o be im(osed b' an im(ar$ial

(erson or (ersons)

The laws of %od were not only to punish for deliberate offence but also to limit revenge.

Who said 8 "ate your *ne#y?<

,od never said 8-a$e 'o%r enem'< This s$a$emen$is no$ (ar$ of ,od.s #ommand) es%s said

Eou have heard that it was said,:Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.+ *ut I tell you! Love your

3@



enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be

sons of your ather in heaven...(atthew !54#55%

es%s was no$ al$ering $he law b' $his s$a$emen$ b%$#orre#$ing an error $ha$ had res%l$ed from $he$ea#hings of $he s#ribes and Pharisees) When $hes#ribes and Pharisees %sed $he e(ression 8The

?aw< $he' #o%ld be referring $o one of fo%r $hings1) The Commandmen$s

) The firs$ five boo"s of $he 0ible $hePen$a$e%#h whi#h $o $he ews was $he mos$im(or$an$ (ar$ of s#ri($%re)

3) The law and $he Pro(he$s) This e(ressionin#l%ded $he whole of $he /ld Tes$amen$

4) The /ral or S#ribal law)

*$ was $he oral 8law< $ha$ es%s so of$en a$$a#"edThis was $he s%((osed law of ,od made %( from $hein$er(re$a$ions of $he s#ribes and Pharisees and was

no$ (ar$ of ,od.s dire#$ #ommand) For $hesereligio%s leaders ever'$hing had $o be defined) Ta"efor eam(le $he #ommand emember the sabbath

day by eeping it holy HGod%s !@I) The s#ribesand Pharisees had made %( more $han 15!!reg%la$ions $o define $his #ommand This is wh'es%s said

:)nd why do you break thecommand of God for the sake of

your tradition? ...

39



:&hus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. Eou

hypocrites Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, H&hese peoplehonor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. &hey worship me in vain; their teachingsare rules taught by men.6+ (atthew!4, "#-%

*$ is also im(or$an$ $o reali+e as we s$%d' $hes%be#$ of forgiveness $ha$ ,od never made

(rovision for a (riva$e individ%al $o demand his ownre$rib%$ion) ,od did (rovide for wrong>doers $o be

(%nished for ,od is %s$ b%$ $he %dgmen$ wasnever $o be made or $he (enal$' infli#$ed b' $he onewho had been wronged) This is a ver' im(or$an$

(rin#i(le $o remember when we have been h%r$ b'$he a#$ions or words of ano$her (erson) Gver' one of %s has been h%r$ a$ some $ime b%$ $he (rin#i(le of ,od is $ha$ none of %s has $he righ$ $o si$ in

%dgmen$ or infli#$ $he (%nishmen$ on $he one who

has offended %s)

%od never made provision for a privateindividual to demand his own retribution.

The vario%s (%nishmen$s (rovided b' $he law wereno$ alwa's (erformed li$erall' b%$ $he in%r' wasassessed a$ i$s mone$ar' val%e) *$ was based on $he

(ain and s%ffering loss of $ime $he indigni$' $ha$had been s%ffered and $hese fa#$ors are s$ill $he

basis of $he law of damages and #om(ensa$ion inmodern $imes) *f a (erson is in%red $oda' $hen $he

4!



law does no$ allow for $he same in%r' $o beinfli#$ed on $he assailan$ b%$ im(oses a (enal$'

e2%ivalen$ in val%e $o $he in%r' and $he amo%n$ is (aid $o $he one who has been h%r$) The /ldTes$amen$ is a boo" of mer#') We read

o not hate your brother in your heart. 8ebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.

o not seek revenge or bear agrudge against one of your people,but love your neighbor as yourself. Iam the Lord (Leviticus -!$#<%

*n $he 0oo" of Proverbs a s$a$emen$ is made $ha$also #on$radi#$s wha$ $he s#ribes and Pharisees said

If your enemy is hungry, give himfood to eat; if he is thirsty, give himwater to drink. (roverbs 1!1 %

So of$en $he religio%s leaders did no$ sa' wha$ $he?aw of ,od said) The' gave $heir own

in$er(re$a$ions) 0e#a%se ,od said 8 .ove yor neighbor < H?evi$i#%s 191@I $he' inferred $ha$ $heo((osi$e was $o a((l' and so an enem' was $o beha$ed) ,od does sa' $ha$ -e ha$es some (ar$i#%lar $hings and also $he a#$ions of some (eo(le b%$ -edoes no$ sa' $ha$ we are $o ha$e o%r enemies) *$ is soeas' $o %m( $o #on#l%sions and $hen find $ha$ o%r

ideas are no$ in line wi$h wha$ $he 0ible a#$%all'sa's) *n $he 0oo" of Proverbs we find a re#ord of seven $hings $ha$ ,od sa's -e ha$es

&here are si3 things that the Lordhates, seven that are detestable to

41



him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue,hands that shed innocent blood, a

heart that devises wicked schemes,feet that are 7uick to rush into evil,a false witness who pours out liesand a man who stirs up dissensionamong brothers.+ (roverbs "!"#-%

Bowhere does ,od sa' $ha$ we are $o ha$e (eo(le

ercy and &ustice

Gamina$ion of $he vario%s s#ri($%res in $he /ldTes$amen$ $ha$ deal wi$h forgiveness no$ onl'reveal a ,od who is mer#if%l #om(assiona$e and

forgiving b%$ also a ,od of %s$i#e andrigh$eo%sness) Tr%e mer#' is based on %s$i#e Wem%s$ learn $o balan#e $hese differen$ a$$rib%$es)Where $here has been an infringemen$ ma"ing a

(enal$' ne#essar' ,od does no$ (re$end $he offen#edid no$ ha((en for -e is a ,od of $r%$h andrigh$eo%sness) When a wrong has been done $hen a

%s$ (enal$' m%s$ be im(osed)

We do no$ have eno%gh de$ail in $he 0ible $o show%s wh' ,od #ommanded #er$ain severe (%nishmen$s$o be #arried o%$) For eam(le when $he (eo(le of *srael wen$ in$o $he land of Canaan ,od#ommanded $ha$ $he' were $o %$$erl' des$ro' all $he

inhabi$an$s of $he land) * %nders$and from $hereading $ha$ * have done $ha$ $he evil in $he land of Canaan was grea$) There were h%man sa#rifi#es andever' "ind of immoral a#$ whi#h was a #om(le$eaffron$ $o all of ,od.s s$andards) The 0ible de#lares

4



$ha$ 8Will not the dge of all the earth do right7<H,enesis 1@5I and we #an be s%re of $his $ha$ we

#an $r%s$ -im) Gven when o%r na$%ral mind #anno$%nders$and wh' a (ar$i#%lar (enal$' was im(osedwe "now $ha$ we are dealing wi$h a %s$ ,od)

The $ld Testament reveals a %od who ismerciful, compassionate, and forgiving, but

who is also a God of justice and righteousness.

+od,to,an Forgiveness

os$ of $he /ld Tes$amen$ s#ri($%res $ha$ deal wi$hforgiveness are ei$her #alls b' individ%als $o ,od $oforgive $heir $res(asses and sins or $o $han" ,od for forgiving $hem) We find as we eamine $hes#ri($%res $ha$ i$ is generall' a man>$o>,od or a,od>$o>man rela$ionshi( whi#h is involved) ,od.sforgiveness is no$ however %n#ondi$ional

When (eo(le #alled %(on ,od for forgivenessal$ho%gh -e was willing $o forgive -e laid down#lear #ondi$ions) These #ondi$ions were alwa's#onsis$en$ and involved re(en$an#e #onfessions%((li#a$ion and of$en in#l%ded ma"ing offerings or sa#rifi#es as an a$onemen$ for $he sin) This was a$'(e of wha$ was done la$er b' $he ?ord es%sChris$ when -e shed -is blood on $he #ross as an

a$onemen$ for $he sin of all man"ind) es%s was $he?amb of ,od who shed -is blood as an offering for sin) -owever %nder $he /ld Covenan$ ,od

(rovided a wa' in whi#h sin #o%ld be deal$ wi$h%n$il -is final (lan for salva$ion and forgiveness

43



was f%lfilled) So when (eo(le in /ld Tes$amen$$imes bro%gh$ an animal as a sa#rifi#e for $heir sin i$

was an e(ression of re(en$an#e and #on$ri$eness of hear$) The dis(osi$ion of ,od is alwa's mer#if%l andforgiving) Forgiveness was readil' (rovided when$he righ$ #ondi$ions were me$ b' men and women in$he /ld Tes$amen$)

* wan$ $o em(hasi+e again $ha$ forgiveness and

(ardon are no$ $he same) Forgiveness res$oresfellowshi( and righ$ rela$ionshi( wi$h ,od wi$ho%$ne#essaril' removing $he $em(oral #onse2%en#es of a (ar$i#%lar sin) We ma' be forgiven b' ,odres$ored $o fellowshi( wi$h -im and 'e$ for some$ime ma' #on$in%e $o s%ffer $he effe#$s of $he sin for whi#h we have been forgiven) This is be#a%se of $he

(rin#i(le of sowing and rea(ing $ha$ we will dealwi$h in de$ail la$er)

To e(lain $his i$ is im(or$an$ for %s $o no$e $ha$wi$h ,od $here are $wo "inds of %dgmen$) There is$em(oral %dgmen$ whi#h (er$ains $o $he affairs of $his life) *$ is a %dgmen$ $ha$ a((lies $o %s while we

are alive on $his ear$h) There is also e$ernal %dgmen$ whi#h will have an effe#$ %(on %s no$ onl'in $ime b%$ also $hro%gho%$ e$erni$')

Forgiveness restores fellowshipand right relationship with %od,

without necessarily removing the temporal consequences of a sin.

44



Continuing Conse-uences

* have said $ha$ i$ is (ossible $o #on$in%e $o s%ffer $he#onse2%en#es of an a#$ion #ommi$$ed d%ring o%r life$ime al$ho%gh we have been forgiven b' ,od)This "ind of %dgmen$ wo%ld no$ a((l' in e$erni$') *$is a $em(oral %dgmen$ a dealing b' ,od in $his lifeonl') We m%s$ also remember $ha$ al$ho%gh a

%dgmen$ ma' no$ #on$in%e on in$o e$erni$' $he

s#ri($%res (lainl' show $ha$ b' o%r fail%re $o obe',od or $o ma"e righ$ res(onses in differen$#ir#%ms$an#es we s%ffer loss and be#a%se of $hisfail $o a$$ain $o $he f%llness of ,od.s (%r(ose for o%r lives) This does no$ mean $ha$ we lose o%r salva$ion

b%$ we ma' have los$ an o((or$%ni$' $o go on $o,od.s highes$ (%r(ose for o%r lives)

-ow of$en when fa#ed wi$h a #risis si$%a$ion havewe blamed ,od: We have $ho%gh$ $ha$ ,od didn.$#are or had forsa"en %s) We have as"ed $he 2%es$ion8Wh' did $his ha((en $o me:< ,od is #on#erned as$o how we res(ond even when $he mos$ diffi#%l$$hings ha((en $o %s)

Several 'ears ago m' wife and * had driven from0risbane $o S'dne' a dis$an#e of over 6!! miles $o#ond%#$ a series of mee$ings over a wee"end) * wass$ill involved in b%siness as well as leading $he#h%r#h and i$ was im(or$an$ for me $o be ba#" in m'offi#e on $he onda') We eno'ed a wonderf%l

wee"end of mee$ings wi$h ,od.s blessing beingeviden$ and la$e on $he S%nda' evening se$ off $odrive home $hro%gh $he nigh$ ho%rs)

* was (h'si#all' $ired b%$ ehilara$ed b' $he o'o%smee$ings) The ho%rs moved on as we $raveled

45



homewards) 0' abo%$ 4 a)m) m' e'es were beginning $o droo( * was losing #on#en$ra$ion) '

wife had diligen$l' s$a'ed awa"e $al"ing $o me $ohel( me "ee( aler$ while o%r da%gh$er and $wofriends do+ed in $he ba#" sea$)

We sho%ld have s$o((ed and res$ed) *$ was im(or$an$$o me $ha$ * was ba#" in m' offi#e wi$ho%$ $oo m%#hdela' so m' wife who seemed wide awa"e

gallan$l' offered $o $a"e over $he driving) Wes$o((ed $he #ar and #hanged (la#es)

* #ha$$ed $o her for a while b%$ * was $ired af$er $he b%s' wee"end) ' wife was driving well= * $ho%gh$$ha$ she #o%ld be $raveling a li$$le fas$er b%$ * fel$safe and sli((ed in$o a (ar$ial slee()

The s%dden #rash seemed %nreal * o(ened m' e'es)The #ar was s$o((ed and $he bonne$ was s$anding %(in fron$ of $he winds#reen)

' wife was in $ears) * was s%ddenl' awa"e and2%i#"l' o%$ of $he #ar) The fron$ of $he #ar wassmashed in $he bonne$ #a$#h had been dislodged

and $wo large road mar"er (os$s were %nder $hevehi#le) We were on a bend in $he road and werenow s$randed on $he grass' sho%lder a$ $he side) Boone was in%red) We loo"ed a$ $he s#ene) * fel$angr' We had (ra'ed $oge$her before leavingS'dne' for a safe o%rne' and now $his * was no$

angr' wi$h m' wife) She was so %(se$ b%$ * wasanno'ed $ha$ we sho%ld be involved in an a##iden$and now wo%ld (ossibl' be s$randed for ho%rs)

46



God is concerned as to how we respond even when the most difficult

things happen to us.

* had been (rea#hing $he (rin#i(les of ,od.s Wordand had been en#o%raging (eo(le in $he 0ible $r%$hsof (raise and worshi( b%$ a$ $ha$ momen$ * did no$feel li"e (raising ,od for all $hings)

*$ was m%#h la$er $ha$ * reali+ed o%r mira#%lo%s (reserva$ion) ' wife had beg%n $o reali+e $ha$ her e'es were dro((ing #losed b%$ was (ersevering for m' sa"e) Kn#ons#io%sl' she was driving moreslowl' b%$ m%s$ have los$ momen$ar' awareness asshe en#o%n$ered $he bend in $he road and $he #ar had#on$in%ed s$raigh$ ahead firs$ s$ri"ing one mar"er

(os$ $hen ano$her) -ow eas' i$ wo%ld have been $ohave veered in$o $he (a$h of vehi#les #oming in $heo((osi$e dire#$ion

Two large inden$a$ions were in $he fron$ of $he #ar where ea#h mar"er (os$ had s$r%#") 0e#a%se of $heangle of $he bend one (os$ had s$r%#" $o $he lef$ of

$he radia$or #r%shing $he b%m(er bar grill and bonne$) The o$her (os$ had s$r%#" $o $he righ$ of $heradia$or doing almos$ iden$i#al damage) We loo"edin ama+emen$ a$ $he radia$or and engine %naffe#$ed

b' $he im(a#$ Bo$ far ahead on $he same side of $heroad was a s$ee( ban" and had $he #ar lef$ $he road

$here we wo%ld %ndo%b$edl' have rolled over wi$h (ossible serio%s res%l$s)

We managed $o (%ll $he mar"er (os$s from %nder $he#ar and drove off wi$h #onsiderable damage $o $hefron$ bod' b%$ $he engine never missed a bea$ as we

47



#on$in%ed on o%r wa' home) * was s$ill anno'ed) *was no$ $hen $han"f%l for an ama+ing es#a(e b%$

was s$ill %(se$ a$ $he (roblem)* missed an o((or$%ni$' $o ma"e $he righ$ "ind of res(onse whi#h wo%ld have allowed ,od $o do awor" of develo(men$ in m' #hara#$er) Perha(s la$er

(roblems $ha$ * have en#o%n$ered were ne#essar' be#a%se * did no$ allow $ha$ e(erien#e $o b%ild m'

$r%s$ and #onfiden#e in ,od a$ $ha$ $ime)ob in $he $ime of his #risis was %rged b' his wife $o#%rse ,od and die Hob 9I) Thro%gh ever' "ind of loss (ain and dis#o%ragemen$ he main$ained his#onfiden#e in ,od and %l$ima$el' re#eived blessingsfar grea$er $han he had (revio%sl')

The s#ri($%re ma"es #lear $ha$ Chris$ is o%r fo%nda$ion and we are $o b%ild on -im) *n 1Corin$hians 311M15 $he a(os$le Pa%l s(ea"ings'mboli#all' sa's $ha$ we ma' b%ild wi$h ma$erialsof ha' wood and s$%bble b%$ when $he fire of ,od#omes on $hem $he' will be des$ro'ed= b%$ $he

s#ri($%re goes on $o sa' “he himself will besaved, but only as one escaping throughthe =ames” H1 Corin$hians 315I) Salva$ion wass$ill a reali$' for $he one #on#erned b%$ he had los$wha$ had been b%il$ on $he fo%nda$ion) *f $o $he#on$rar' he had b%il$ on $he fo%nda$ion gold silverand (re#io%s s$ones when $he fire of ,od #ame

$hese ma$erials wo%ld no$ have been des$ro'ed and$he man wo%ld have had a las$ing s$r%#$%re of e$ernal val%e)

l$ho%gh %dgmen$ ma' no$ go on in$o e$erni$'$here is a #on$in%ing loss we #an s%ffer if we do no$

4@



b%ild o%r lives on ,od.s (a$$ern or ma"e res(onses#onsis$en$ wi$h -is Word)

an,to,an Forgiveness

*$ is im(or$an$ $o reali+e $ha$ referen#es $oforgiveness in $he /ld Tes$amen$ in#l%de onl' $hreewhi#h deal wi$h man>$o>man forgiveness) ll $heo$hers are ei$her ,od>$o>man or man>$o>,od) The

/ld Tes$amen$ is a re#ord of (eo(le %nder $he lawwho were en$i$led $o $he (ro$e#$ion $ha$ $he law gave$hem) *n addi$ion $he' #o%ld demand $he (enal$' $helaw (rovided if an offen#e was #ommi$$ed agains$$hem or $heir (ro(er$') *f a (erson s%ffered a$ $hehands of ano$her he had a (erfe#$ righ$ $o sa'80e#a%se of wha$ * have s%ffered * demand $ha$ %s$

(%nishmen$ be given $o $he offender)< Tha$ demandwas %s$ and righ$ b%$ be#a%se $he offended man#o%ld demand $he (enal$' of $he law he was alsoobliged $o live wi$hin $he law)

*f we wan$ (eo(le $o drive #aref%ll' on o%r roadsobserve s(eed limi$s and (ro$e#$ o%r lives and

(ro(er$' $hen we m%s$ do $he same $hing for $hem)*$ is an a#$ of $o$al selfishness when one (ersondrives on $he roads wi$h disregard $o $he law if he#om(lains when involved in an a##iden$ wi$hsomeone else who is also viola$ing $he law) Whenwe are %nder $he law we are (ro$e#$ed b' $he

(rovisions of $he law b%$ if we demand $he righ$ of $he law $hen we are obliged $o obe' $he lawo%rselves) This (rin#i(le is an eam(le of gen%ine

%s$i#e)

49



*n $he /ld Tes$amen$ ;avid #alled %(on ,od $odeal wi$h his enemies) Perha(s we have $ho%gh$ 8*

wish * #o%ld do $ha$ Wh' #o%ld ;avid ge$ awa'wi$h #alling on ,od $o smi$e his enemies.: We$hin" 8Wh' sho%ld (eo(le be allowed $o #a%se meall $his $ro%ble:< * have #ome $o %nders$andhowever wh' ;avid #o%ld do $his) -e wro$e in oneof his (salms

:In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for Iam your servant.+ (salm 54!1%

;avid was being $rea$ed %n%s$l' a$ $he $ime and%nder $he law was en$i$led $o #all $o ,od for %s$and legal re$rib%$ion)

)f we demand the right of the law, then weare obliged to obey the law ourselves.

+race (e-uires +race

*n Chris$ however we are no$ %nder $he law b%$

%nder gra#e) We #anno$ #all as ;avid did for ,od$o smi$e o%r enem' be#a%se ;avid was %nder $helaw and was en$i$led $o $he %s$i#e of $he law) Weare no$ %nder $he law= we are %nder a (rovision $ha$is grea$er and more mer#if%l $han $he law #o%ld ever

be We are now $he re#i(ien$s of ,od.s gra#e) *nsim(le $erms $ha$ means $ha$ be#a%se of wha$ es%s

Chris$ has done ,od sees %s $hro%gh $he redem($ivewor" of Chris$ and no$ as we a#$%all' are ino%rselves) ,ra#e is $he %nmeri$ed favor $ha$ ,odshows $owards %s al$ho%gh we have done no$hing $odeserve i$)

5!



0e#a%se we are %nder gra#e we are re2%ired $oeer#ise gra#e in dealing wi$h o$hers) *f we wan$ $he

(enal$' of $he law infli#$ed on o$hers $hen weo%rselves #ome %nder $he same #ondemna$ion of $helaw) The dis(ensa$ion of gra#e $ha$ we eno' inChris$ gives %s so m%#h more b%$ i$ re2%ires som%#h more of %s in re$%rn) *f we are %nder gra#e we#anno$ ma"e $he "ind of (lea $ha$ ;avid made)

There is a new law in o(era$ion and $ha$ is $he lawof gra#e) *f * benefi$ from i$ $hen * am obliged $ores(ond %nder $hose same (rovisions) This is ver'im(or$an$ as man' of %s $oda' wan$ $he (rovisionsof ,od.s law $o a((l' $o o$hers who have offended%s while we in $%rn wan$ $o re#eive $he benefi$s of gra#e) We wan$ ,od $o s$rongl' #ondemn and %dge

$hose who have mis$rea$ed %s b%$ in $%rn we wan$,od $o $rea$ %s "indl' This is a #on$radi#$ion of $helaw of gra#e)

*ecause we are under grace, we arere#uired to exercise grace

in dealing with others.

Forgiveness on a (erson>$o>(erson basis in $he /ldTes$amen$ was an ill%s$ra$ion of gra#e ra$her $hanlaw) emember law was wha$ a (erson wasre2%ired $o "ee( and $herefore was en$i$led $odemand) s * have men$ioned earlier $here are onl'

$hree ill%s$ra$ions re#orded and ea#h one isim(or$an$ be#a%se %s%all' i$ was a man who #alledon ,od for forgiveness) *n $he /ld Tes$amen$ill%s$ra$ions gra#e was en#o%raged b' ,odal$ho%gh -e allowed $he %s$ (rovisions of $he law)

51



These eam(les $ha$ are given in $he 0ible (oin$ed$oward $he higher godli"e rela$ionshi( be$ween

(eo(le whi#h was $o be bro%gh$ in $hro%gh es%sChris$) new s$andard of rela$ionshi( be$ween menand women was $o #ome in$o o(era$ion wi$h $he

Bew Covenan$ $ha$ is $he new wa' $ha$ ,od was (re(ared $o deal wi$h men and women be#a%se of wha$ es%s had done)

?e$ %s eamine $he $hree eam(les we find in $he/ld Tes$amen$ regarding (erson>$o>(ersonforgiveness) The firs$ eam(le is fo%nd in ,enesis#ha($er 58$ We find $ha$ a#ob $he fa$her of ose(has"ed ose(h s(e#ifi#all' $o forgive his bro$hers for $he wrong $he' had done $o him) The message $ha$$he bro$hers bro%gh$ $o ose(h was a dire#$ re2%es$

from $heir fa$her) The bro$hers said 2%o$ing $heir fa$her

I ask you to forgive your brothersthe sins and wrongs they committedin treating you so badly. Jow pleaseforgive the sins of the servants of

the God of your father. (Genesis9!$%

-ere was a re2%es$ for forgiveness) ose(h.s re(l'was ver' signifi#an$) -e said

on6t be afraid. )m I in the place of

God? (Genesis 9!-%ose(h reali+ed $ha$ al$ho%gh he was no$ in a

(osi$ion ei$her $o %dge or (ardon be was beinggiven $he (rivilege of forgiving) n' %dgmen$ for

5



$he %n%s$ $rea$men$ b' his bro$hers was a ma$$er $ha$ #on#erned ,od no$ ose(h

Bo$i#e $ha$ $he bro$hers f%lfilled $he $wo vi$al#ondi$ions for gen%ine forgiveness= $he'a#"nowledged $heir sin b' #onfession and re(en$edof $he wrong $he' had done) /n $hose #ondi$ionsose(h forgave $hem) -e de#lared $ha$ al$ho%gh his

bro$hers had mean$ harm agains$ him ,od had %sed

$he even$s for good and as a res%l$ an en$ire na$ionhad been saved)

ose(h forgave b%$ $he righ$ #ondi$ions had beenme$) *$ is signifi#an$ $ha$ ose(h said 8m * in $he

(la#e of ,od:. for he reali+ed $ha$ i$ was no$ his (reroga$ive $o %dge or (ardon) Wha$ ,od ma' have

done in %dging his bro$hers $he 0ible does no$ $ell%s) 0%$ ose(h however had eer#ised gra#e$owards $hem no$ $he (rovisions of $he law)

Joseph realized that although he was not ina position either to udge or pardon, he was

being given the privilege of forgiving.

The se#ond eam(le is fo%nd in $he 0ible s$or' of $he deliveran#e of $he *sraeli$es from Gg'($) We read$hese words of Pharoah

I have sinned against the Lord your God and against you. Jow forgive

my sin once more and pray to theLord your God to take this deadly

plague away from me. (23odus9!"#$%

53



Pharoah was %l$ima$el' no$ sin#ere in $ha$ s$a$emen$ b%$ i$ did involve $he essen$ial elemen$s of

a#"nowledgmen$ and re(en$an#e) We have a manas"ing for forgiveness b%$ be#a%se he wen$ ba#" onhis word %dgmen$ #ame %(on him)

The $hird eam(le a ver' signifi#an$ one is fo%ndin 1 Sam%el 25$ We need $o refer $o some verses in

(ar$i#%lar b%$ a brief o%$line of $he s$or' will hel(

%s as $his his$ori#al even$ is im(or$an$ in seeing,od.s a#$ion even when one man has forgivenano$her) This in#iden$ deals wi$h $he iss%es of forgiveness and (ardon and $he #on$in%ing %dgmen$when forgiveness has been gran$ed) There are $hreemaor #hara#$ers in $he s$or' a man #alled Babalwho was a weal$h' farmer $he owner of $hree

$ho%sand shee( and a $ho%sand goa$s a womanbigail Babal.s wife and ;avid who was $hen af%gi$ive from ing Sa%l)

The 0ible re#ord $ells %s $ha$ ;avid.s 'o%ng menhad res(e#$ed and (ro$e#$ed Babal.s (ro(er$' b%$$here #ame a $ime when ;avid sen$ $en of his men $o

as" for food) This seems $o have been a reasonablere2%es$ in ligh$ of $he obvio%s (ro$e#$ion $ha$ ;avidand his men had given $o Babal) Babal ref%sed $here2%es$ and when $he message #ame ba#" $o ;avidhe was angr' and se$ o%$ $o $a"e revenge) Whenbigail heard wha$ her h%sband had done she wen$

o%$ on a mission $o in$er#ede for Babal) The s$or'$ells how she rode o%$ $o mee$ ;avid who was#oming wi$h $he in$en$ion of #om(le$el' des$ro'ingall $he male members of Babal.s ho%sehold) Shes$o((ed ;avid a(ologi+ed and as"ed for

54



forgiveness) She had a((aren$l' no$ #ons%l$ed wi$hher h%sband b%$ wen$ on an errand $o see" mer#')

This is wha$ bigail said

:lease forgive your servant6soKence, for the Lord will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my master, because he /ghts the Lord6sbattles. Let no wrong doing be found

in you as long as you live.+ (Samuel 1!1<%

;avid was angr' and obvio%sl' fel$ $ha$ he had#a%se for his anger b%$ #learl' $his was a serio%sover>rea#$ion b' ;avid in wan$ing $o $a"e $he livesof Babal.s men) -e a##eded $o $he re2%es$ for mer#'

and forgiveness $ha$ bigail made) -ea#"nowledged $ha$ ,od had dire#$ed bigail in her a#$ion and so was in$ervening $o (reven$ him from$a"ing an a#$ion $ha$ he had no righ$ $o $a"e M $osee" (ersonal revenge)

;avid said $o bigail

:raise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today tomeet me. ay you be blessed for

your good >udgment and for keepingme from bloodshed this day andfrom avenging myself with my own

hands.+ ( Samuel 1!41#44%

;avid reali+ed $ha$ $he a#$ion $a"en b' bigail wasreall' $he in$erven$ion of ,od s$o((ing him fromdoing some$hing $ha$ wo%ld have viola$ed $he law of ,od) ;avid ma' have $ried $o %s$if' $he a#$ion he

55



in$ended b%$ he was reall' see"ing $o $a"e (ersonalrevenge and also $o infli#$ a (%nishmen$ whi#h was

far above $he re$rib%$ion allowed b' $he law of ,od);avid obvio%sl' reali+ed $ha$ his in$ended a#$ionwo%ld have #on$ravened $he (rin#i(les of ,odwhi#h he relied %(on for his own (ro$e#$ion)

%od was intervening to prevent him fromtaking an action that he had no right to take

+ to seek personal revenge.

The s$or' ends in a drama$i# wa') bigail re$%rnedhome and $he ne$ da' she $old her h%sband wha$had ha((ened) We read

&hen in the morning, when Jabal

was sober, his wife told him all thesethings, and his heart failed him andhe became like a stone. )bout tendays later, the Lord struck Jabal andhe died. ( Samuel 1!4$#4 <%

;avid had e$ended bo$h mer#' and forgiveness

$owards Babal b%$ $he %dgmen$ of ,od on Babal#on$in%ed Babal had wronged ;avid) ;avid se$ o%$$o ea#$ re$rib%$ion $o whi#h he was no$ en$i$led b%$,od gra#io%sl' in$ervened $hro%gh bigail) ;avidsaw $he error of his in$ended a#$ion and $ho%gh hegran$ed $he mer#' and forgiveness re2%es$ed b'

bigail ;avid did no$ have $o a#$ in %dgmen$ be#a%se i$ was ,od who did $ha$ ,od movedagains$ $he %ngra$ef%l man Babal and he died)

;avid "e($ his rela$ionshi( wi$h ,od in harmon' be#a%se of $he mer#' and forgiveness $ha$ he had

56



e$ended) *f ;avid had no$ forgiven and had ins$eadea#$ed $he vengean#e he in$ended he ma' have

had an e(erien#e similar $o $ha$ of a la$er o##asionwhen he $oo" ano$her man.s wife and ,od.s

%dgmen$ #ame %(on him)

We need $o re#ogni+e $ha$ $he forgiveness gran$ed b' ;avid did no$ remove ,od.s righ$ $o infli#$ %dgmen$ and (%nishmen$ on $he offender)

avid kept his fellowship with %od inharmony because of the mercy andforgiveness that he had e(tended.

Choosing !a. or +race

The /ld Tes$amen$ reveals a ,od of mer#'forgiveness and (ardon) *$ deals wi$h a (eo(le%nder $he law who were obliged $o obe' $he law) *$limi$ed (ersonal revenge b%$ allowed %s$re$rib%$ion) *$ allowed a man $he (rivilege of forgiving b%$ did no$ demand i$ from him) *$ merel'demanded %s$ $rea$men$) The /ld Tes$amen$ #learl'gave $he righ$ $o forgive $o $he individ%al b%$ a$ $hesame $ime showed $ha$ ,od.s %dgmen$ #o%ld s$illa((l' $o $he offender even when forgiveness had

been gran$ed)

The (rin#i(le we m%s$ %nders$and is $ha$ if we live%nder law $hen we re#eive i$s (ro$e#$ion b%$ we

also re#eive i$s %s$ (enal$') *$ is s$range $ha$ born>again believers who are re#eiving $he benefi$s of ,od.s gra#e of$en wan$ $o im(ose $he (enal$ies of $he law agains$ $hose who have offended $hem and

57



$he' $hen wonder a$ $he res%l$s $ha$ follow in $heir own lives)

an' sin#ere Chris$ians are de$ermined $ha$ believers in Chris$ sho%ld be %nder a Sabba$h ?aw)*$ is righ$ $o "ee( a da' for ,od b%$ if we demandone (ar$ of $he law we are obliga$ed $o all $he law)-ow ama+ing $ha$ now $ha$ we are %nder gra#e wesho%ld wan$ $o be %nder law) ,od has se$ %s free

$hro%gh fai$h in $he ?ord es%s Chris$ b%$ if we live%nder gra#e $hen we m%s$ also give i$s (rovisions $oo$hers whom we mee$ da'>b'>da') ,ra#e demands ahigher res(onse b%$ i$ gives grea$er benefi$s) We are%nder gra#e= we are no$ %nder $he law ,od remains

%s$ righ$eo%s mer#if%l forgiving and (ardoning b%$ -e re2%ires $ha$ $he righ$ #ondi$ions be me$ if

we are $o re#eive -is gra#e wi$h all i$s benefi$s)

&ow ama-ing that now we are under grace,we should want to be under law.

*$ is eas' $o be %dgmen$al of o$hers and den' $hem

gra#io%s hel( or res$ora$ion b%$ we #an (la#eo%rselves in danger b' s%#h an a$$i$%de)

*mmorali$' is a $raged' and a snare wi$hin $he#h%r#h and es(e#iall' amongs$ $hose in minis$r' or leadershi() * "now of a (ar$i#%lar in#iden$ where $hemoral fail%re had been a serio%s one) The s$ri#$es$

dis#i(line was needed and was eer#ised) Several'ears (assed before $ha$ man was allowed $o again$a"e a (la#e on a #h%r#h (la$form and (rea#h) The$ime of dis#i(line had been mar"ed b' a #om(le$efamil' re#on#ilia$ion a willingness $o fa#e $he

(roblem and a s(iri$%al #onsis$en#')

5@



When $he man #on#erned was res$ored $o minis$r' afellow minis$er said 8 man wi$h $ha$ "ind of

(roblem sho%ld never be allowed ba#" in $heminis$r'< Wi$hin a shor$ $ime $he minis$er who hadmade $his %dgmen$al s$a$emen$ was himself e(osed for ad%l$er' This man wo%ld no$ $hen fa#e%( $o $he dis#i(line he had demanded for o$hers)

/ne of $he o$her errors in$o whi#h we #an fall is $o

forgive o%rselves when forgiveness m%s$ firs$ beso%gh$ from $hose whom we have offended) Perha(sin an endeavor $o save (eo(le from self>#ondemna$ion we have s$ressed $he need $o forgiveo%rselves b%$ $his #an onl' (ro(erl' be done af$er we have as"ed o$hers $o forgive %s for o%r fail%re)This means $ha$ we have a res(onsibili$' $o (%$ righ$

an' wrongs $ha$ we ma' have #ommi$$ed agains$ano$her and no$ %s$ (re$end $ha$ $he offen#e did no$o##%r) *f we have fai$hf%ll' done o%r (ar$ in (%$$ingrigh$ $ha$ whi#h was wrong $hen we have f%lfilledo%r (ar$ even if $he o$her (erson ref%ses $o a##e($o%r re2%es$ for forgiveness)

s an eam(le * read of a (rea#her who wass#hed%led $o #ond%#$ a series of mee$ings in a $own

b%$ s%ddenl' $he organi+ers of $he mee$ingsdis#overed his involvemen$ in a re(ea$ed ad%l$ero%ssi$%a$ion) When #onfron$ed wi$h $he allega$ion $heman o(enl' #onfessed his g%il$ offered $o #onfess $o

his wife and said 8Bow le$ %s ge$ on wi$h $hemee$ings)<

This man had ins$an$l' forgiven himself Theorgani+ers #an#elled $he mee$ings)

59



$ne of the other errors into whichwe can fall is to forgive ourselves when

forgiveness must first come from thosewhom we have offended.

*$ is no$ o%r righ$ $o forgive o%rselves b%$ we m%s$firs$ see" forgiveness from $hose we have offended)We are no$ onl' res(onsible $o ,od b%$ also $o $hewhole 80od' of Chris$.) When a((ro(ria$edis#i(line has been a((lied and $he offender hash%mbled himself b' re(en$an#e $hen res$ora$ion #an

be se$ in mo$ion) We have no righ$ $o forgiveo%rselves %n$il $hose we have failed offer $heir forgiveness $o %s or we f%lfill $he #ondi$ions $ha$

%s$if' s%#h forgiveness) Then we #an and sho%ld

forgive o%rselves)

?e$ me ill%s$ra$e $his from a $'(i#al #h%r#h si$%a$ion)The 'o%$h gro%( had (lanned an o%$ing and #arshad been arranged $o $rans(or$ all $hose a$$ending)$ $he de(ar$%re $ime one #ar owner had no$arrived) The gro%( s$ood aro%nd wai$ing a li$$le

fr%s$ra$ed and growing anio%s as $he min%$es (assed b') Thir$' min%$es la$er $he missing #ar wi$hi$s driver s#ree#hed $o a hal$ beside $he wai$inggro%( a smiling driver leaning his elbow a%n$il' on$he o(en window frame) 8Where have 'o% been:<sho%$ed a do+en voi#es) The 'o%ng man.s grin

broadened 80e$$er la$e $han never< he re(lied self>#onfiden$l')

This 'o%ng man had forgiven himself) -is righ$f%la$$i$%de sho%ld have been one of a(olog' ande(lana$ion) *$ was $he (rivilege of $he wai$inggro%( $o forgive him for his la$e arrival and no

6!



do%b$ $he' wo%ld have done so had his a$$i$%de beenrigh$) 0%$ he $oo" i$ as his righ$ $o forgive himself)

Forgiveness is no$ ob$ained in $his wa')The o((osi$e a$$i$%de is $o demand a legalis$i#a((roa#h) The osai# law is a grea$ g%ide $o $hewa's and $r%$h of ,od b%$ if we demand i$s

(rovisions be (re(ared $o re#eive $hem in re$%rn) *f we wan$ $o #all ,od.s %dgmen$ down on an

offender be (re(ared for ,od $o bring his %dgmen$down on %s) When we a((re#ia$e $he gra#e whi#hhas been given $o %s we will in $%rn le$ $he gra#e of ,od flow o%$ from %s so $ha$ in o%r dealings wi$hea#h o$her we will be mer#if%l and forgivingwi$ho%$ viola$ing $he (rin#i(le $ha$ o$hers m%s$forgive %s) /r we m%s$ mee$ $he #ondi$ions for

forgiveness before we #an forgive o%rselves)

Some (eo(le will hold an a$$i$%de of %nforgivenesseven when a (erson has a(ologi+ed and as"ed $o beforgiven so $heir wrong res(onse #anno$ be allowed$o be a barrier $o o%r forgiving o%rselves) *f wefollow $his #o%rse o%r fellowshi( wi$h ,od will be

%naffe#$ed and we ma' be s%re $ha$ a migh$' ,odwho "nows all $hings is s$ill a$ wor" $o deal wi$h%nrigh$eo%sness wherever i$ migh$ be fo%nd) ,oddoes no$ $%rn 8a blind e'e< $o $he failingsdisobedien#e and wrongs of Chris$ians b%$ if $he'#all %(on -im in sin#eri$' -e will hear and res$ore

$hem $o righ$ rela$ionshi( wi$h -im) This does no$however g%aran$ee $ha$ ,od.s $em(oral hand of %dgmen$ will no$ remain %(on $hem) There #an be#onse2%en#es $ha$ follow sin even whenforgiveness has been given)

61



%od does not turn “a blind eye” to thefailings, disobedience, and wrongs of

hristians, but if they call on &im insincerity &e will hear and restore them.

?e$ %s be s%re $o show mer#' and forgiveness in o%r rela$ionshi(s wi$h one ano$her) ,od #an $a"e #are of $he offender) *$ is no$ o%r (roblem b%$ -is We are$o re#ogni+e $he gra#e $ha$ we have re#eived $hro%ghfai$h in es%s Chris$ live wi$hin $he (rovisions of $ha$ gra#e and in re$%rn for wha$ we have re#eived$rea$ o$hers wi$h gra#e)

6



Chapter /

Forgiveness and &udg#ent

*n see"ing $o %nders$and $he (ro(er meaning of forgiveness i$ is essen$ial in order $o avoid

mis%nders$anding $o reali+e wha$ ha((ens whenforgiveness is given)

*$ is #lear from s#ri($%re $ha$ $he eer#ise of mer#'whi#h ,od alwa's gran$s and $he (rovision of forgiveness do no$ a%$oma$i#all' remove all

%dgmen$ for $he offense $ha$ has been #ommi$$ed)

We need $o #onsider $his ver' #aref%ll' as $here areim(li#a$ions involved wi$h forgiveness $ha$ ma'have been overloo"ed) ?e$ me s%gges$ $hree as(e#$sof forgiveness)

Co#plete Forgiveness

The $erm 8#om(le$e forgiveness< is %sed $o indi#a$e$he $o$al forgiveness of $he offender in#l%ding#om(le$e (ardon whi#h removes an' #on$in%ing

%dgmen$ for $he offense) We read $hese words in $he (salms

)s far as the east is from the west,so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (salm94!1%

es%s made $his s$a$emen$

63



&his is what is written! :&he @hrist will suKer and rise from the dead on

the third day, and repentance andforgiveness of sins will be preachedin his name to all nations, beginningat Cerusalem.+ (Luke 15!5"#5$%

*n Pa%l* s le$$er $o $he oman #h%r#h he sa's

:*lessed are they whose

transgressions are forgiven, whosesins are covered.+ (8omans 5!$%

Wha$ marvelo%s (romises $hese are *$ is ver' (lain$ha$ $here is a forgiveness b' ,od $ha$ #om(le$el'eradi#a$es $he (enal$' of (as$ sin) ,od #an blo$ o%$$he re#ord of sin so $ha$ no #onse2%en#es remain)

This "ind of forgiveness res$ores a (erson $o (erfe#$fellowshi( wi$h ,od so $ha$ $he former sinner whowas aliena$ed from ,od and wi$ho%$ ho(e isa##e($ed in Chris$ %s$ as if he had never #ommi$$eda sin)

There is a #ommon mis#on#e($ion $ha$ ,od forge$s

o%r sins) Peo(le sa' 8,od has #as$ o%r sins in$o $hedee(es$ sea of -is forge$f%lness never $o beremembered agains$ %s an' more)< This s$a$emen$ isno$ in $he 0ible al$ho%gh some (eo(le ma' have$ho%gh$ $ha$ i$ was an a#$%al s#ri($%re verse -ow#o%ld an omni(o$en$ omni(resen$ and omnis#ien$

,od forge$: When $he 0ible refers $o ,od no$remembering sins and ini2%i$ies it means $ha$ ,odwill no$ a#$ %dgmen$all' agains$ a (erson or na$ionas $o (enal$' or #onse2%en#es ra$her $han a li$eralforge$$ing $ha$ $he in#iden$ had $a"en (la#e) neam(le is as follows

64



or I will forgive their wickednessand will remember their sins no

more. (0ebrews <!1%,od was no$ going $o hold $heir sin agains$ $hem

b%$ -e had no$ forgo$$en $ha$ $he' had sinned *$ iseas' $o %se $he $ho%gh$ $ha$ 8,od forge$s< as ane#%se for no$ dealing wi$h a (roblem or no$ (%$$ingrigh$ a wrong) When we a#$ in a##ordan#e wi$h

,od.s Word $hen -e (%$s awa' $he $ho%gh$ of o%r fail%re so $ha$ i$ is no$ a barrier $o o%r rela$ionshi(wi$h -im) ,od has $he abili$' no$ $o allow an' sinwe have #ommi$$ed and $hen #onfessed $o affe#$ o%r fellowshi( wi$h -im)

There is a forgiveness by %od

that completely eradicates the penaltyof past sin.

This hel(f%l $es$imon' was given $o me b' a friend

Garl' one S%nda' morning * fo%nd i$ne#essar' $o #orre#$ one of m' $eenage

da%gh$ers be#a%se of her behavior) -er res(onse was one of $o$al ree#$ion of wha$ *had said and * was $a"en b' s%r(rise andoffended b' her angr' rea#$ion)

* did no$ res(ond al$ho%gh * fel$ ver'anno'ed b%$ wen$ in$o m' room $o (ra') *

had been #hallenged %s$ (revio%sl' b' $heverse in ar" 114 Therefore I tellyou, whatever you ask for inprayer, believe that you havereceived it, and it will be yours.

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This s#ri($%re was so #lear and here was aneed in o%r home $ha$ re2%ired ,od.s hel(

so * as"ed -im $o #hange m' da%gh$er.sa$$i$%de and give $o her $he gra#e of obedien#e) * as"ed $he ?ord $o do i$ $ha$ da'

The ho%rs of $he da' wen$ (as$ wi$h nores(onse from m' da%gh$er) $ 9)3! ()m)$ha$ evening * dro((ed on m' "nees beside

m' bed and feeling bi$$erl' disa((oin$ed *#ried o%$ $o ,od and as"ed -im wh' -e hadno$ answered m' (ra'er) * was #er$ain $ha$ *had had $he fai$h $o re#eive $ha$ (romise)

The ne$ verse in ar" 11 $hen #ame $o m'mind) And when you stand praying,

if you hold anything againstanyone, forgive him, so that yourFather in heaven may forgive youyour sins.

* s%ddenl' reali+ed $ha$ * was $rea$ingforgiveness as forge$$ing) * had been misled

b' $he #li#hN 8,od forgives and forge$s)< *had (%$ m' da%gh$er.s remar"s andan$agonism o%$ of m' mind and $ho%gh$ $ha$$his #ons$i$%$ed forgiveness) ' a$$i$%de had

been (assive %s$ (re$ending $ha$ $hein#iden$ hadn.$ $a"en (la#e and * waswai$ing for ,od $o solve $he (roblem) *n

doing $his * had lef$ m' da%gh$er on anisland of isola$ion)

' hear$ warmed wi$hin me and * go$ %(from m' "nees $o go $o her room ande(ress m' love for her b%$ ,od had bea$en

66



me $o i$) ' da%gh$er and * me$ in $he (assage ea#h on $he wa' $o (%$ $hings righ$

wi$h $he o$her)* had $ho%gh$ $ha$ $r'ing $o forge$ wo%ldsolve $he (roblem b%$ * learned $ha$ da'wha$ a vi$al (ar$ forgiveness has in $hes(iri$%al realm) s soon as * gen%inel'forgave from m' hear$ ,od moved in her

life and m' (ra'er was answered)

)t is easy to use the thought that “%odforgets” as an e(cuse for not dealing with a

problem or not putting right a wrong.

*n a (revio%s #ha($er we saw $he differen#e be$ween

$em(oral forgiveness and e$ernal forgiveness)Tem(oral forgiveness is rela$ed $o $his life wherease$ernal forgiveness goes on in$o e$erni$') Wi$h#om(le$e forgiveness whi#h we are #onsideringnow ,od also gives $o$al (ardon) This means $ha$

bo$h in $his (resen$ life and also e$ernall' $he re#ord

is made #lear and $here are no f%r$her (enal$ies for o%r sins and fail%res)

-ow devoid of a((re#ia$ion we wo%ld be if we didno$ reoi#e in a (rovision s%#h as $his ll $he g%il$and b%rden of sin are gone) Se$ free This is $hemos$ #ommon %nders$anding of forgiveness and i$

is wonderf%l $o reali+e $ha$ ,od forgives in s%#h a#om(le$e wa')

Temporal forgiveness is related to this life,whereas eternal forgiveness

goes on into eternity.

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Conditional Forgiveness

We #anno$ however a%$oma$i#all' ass%me $ha$#om(le$e forgiveness is alwa's given b' ,od

be#a%se $here is a se#ond as(e#$ whi#h * will #all8#ondi$ional forgiveness.) This is where a (ersonma' sin and #on$in%e $o re(ea$ $he offen#e) ,odalwa's forgives when $he righ$ #ondi$ions are me$so i$ does no$ ma$$er how serio%s $he fail%re ma' be

if $he (erson gen%inel' re(en$s and #onfesses $henfellowshi( wi$h ,od is res$ored) ;efini$e #ondi$ionsare re2%ired) ,od sa's 8*f 'o% re(en$ and #onfess *will res$ore 'o% $o fellowshi( wi$h me)<

We live in a na$%ral world and are s%be#$ed $o man' (ress%res and $em($a$ions and we "now $ha$

'ielding $o $em($a$ion is no$ alwa's a delibera$e or willf%l a#$) There are for#es $ha$ #an gain hold in o%r lives a$ differen$ $imes and al$ho%gh we havedes(ised o%rselves when $hese sins have o##%rredwe have failed and re(ea$ed a viola$ion of ,od.sWord) *$ is (ossible $o be en$angled b' some

bese$$ing sin and man' sin#ere (eo(le gra((le wi$h$his "ind of (roblem) When $his ha((ens in o%r life,od #anno$ ignore i$) ,od ma' have $o deal wi$h %sand (la#e #er$ain res$ri#$ions on %s as a (roba$ion a

(roving (eriod $o es$ablish dis#i(line and vi#$or' inareas of fail%re) *n $hese #ir#%ms$an#es we have $he

benefi$ of $he -ol' S(iri$.s minis$r' of #onvi#$ing %s

of sin) es%s said $ha$ $he -ol' S(iri$ wo%ld #onvi#$%s of sin righ$eo%sness and %dgmen$ Hohn 16@I)We m%s$ alwa's be sensi$ive $o $his #onvi#$ion andres(ond $o i$ if we wan$ $he #on$in%ed blessing of

6@



$he ?ord and also $o be free of $he #onse2%en#es $ha$#an #ome from delibera$e sin)

%od always forgives when the rightconditions are met.

$ $he #lose of $he boo" of osh%a we read howosh%a warned $he (eo(le $ha$ al$ho%gh ,od had

been wi$h $hem and had given $hem vi#$or' $he

?ord wo%ld %dge $hem if $he' disobe'ed -is Wordor served o$her gods) These words are re#orded

*e very strong; be careful to obey allthat is written in the *ook of the Lawof oses, without turning aside tothe right or to the left.

o not associate with these nationsthat remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. Eou must not servethem or bow down to them.

*ut you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.

&he Lord has driven out before yougreat and powerful nations; to thisday no one has been able towithstand you.

'ne of you routs a thousand,because the Lord your God /ghts for

you, >ust as 0e promised. So be very careful to love the Lord your God.

69



*ut if you turn away and ally yourselves with the survivors of

these nations that remain among you and if you intermarry with themand associate with them, then youmay be sure that the Lord your Godwill no longer drive out these nationsbefore you. Instead they will becomesnares and traps for you, whips on

your backs and thorns in your eyes,until you perish from this good land,which the Lord your God has given

you.

Jow I am about to go the way of allthe earth. Eou know with all your heart and soul that not one of all thegood promises the Lord your Godgave you has failed. 2very promisehas been ful/lled; not one has failed.(Coshua 14!"#5%

If you forsake the Lord and serveforeign gods, he will turn and bringdisaster on you and make an end of

you after he has been good to you.(Coshua 15!19%

%od may have to deal with us and place

certain restrictions on us as a probation, aproving period to establish discipline and

victory in areas of failure.

7!



,od was warning $hese (eo(le agains$ $he#onse2%en#es of disobedien#e even af$er $he' had

eno'ed -is s%(erna$%ral hel( and blessing)* wonder whe$her we $a"e in$o a##o%n$ $he#onse2%en#es of disobedien#e in o%r rela$ionshi(wi$h ,od) *$ was no$ $ha$ $he' #o%ld never beres$ored again be#a%se ,od did res$ore $hem onman' o##asions af$er $he' viola$ed $ha$ (ar$i#%lar

#ommand b%$ ,od warned $hem of $he#onse2%en#es if $he' did no$ do wha$ -e said) ,odwas #lear -e said $ha$ if $he' did no$ obe' -im and#on$in%e in -is wa' and also #om(le$el' drive o%$$he enem' even $ho%gh -e had done so m%#h for $hem $he Canaani$es wo%ld re#a($%re $he land from$hem) nd i$ ha((ened

We #o%ld ill%s$ra$e $his from a famil' si$%a$ion) *$ iseas' $o %nders$and $he wa's of ,od if we %se $hena$%ral famil' as an eam(le) Thin" of a #hild of s#hool age $o whom $he mo$her sa's 8* wan$ 'o% $o#ome home immedia$el' af$er s#hool)< The #hild#omes home la$e and is ver' a(ologe$i#) The mo$her

sa's 8ll righ$ dear $ha$.s fine b%$ do no$ le$ i$ha((en again)< ll is well in $he famil' $he #hild isforgiven and $he home is in harmon') Be$af$ernoon $he same $hing ha((ens $he #hild is la$eo$her sa's 80%$ * $old 'o% 'es$erda' $o #omes$raigh$ home)< There are $ears more a(ologies b%$

re(en$an#e res$ores $he ha((iness of $he home) *fhowever $ha$ #ond%#$ #on$in%es da' af$er da' $heni$ is inevi$able $ha$ $he mo$her will (la#e #er$ainres$ri#$ions on $he #hild be#a%se of $he #on$in%eddisobedien#e)

71



The re(en$an#e and #onfession of $he #hild res$oredfellowshi( b%$ $he #on$in%a$ion of $he offen#e

res%l$ed in dis#i(line being a((lied) (roving $imewo%ld be re2%ired $o wor" o%$ $he f%ll a((li#a$ion of forgiveness and again es$ablish a basis for $r%s$) Thisis how $he -ol' S(iri$ wor"s)

/%r 'o%nger da%gh$er had loo"ed forward eagerl'$o oining her older bro$her and sis$er a$ s#hool)

When she rea#hed $he longed>for age of five 'earsi$ was an e#i$ed li$$le girl who se$ off for her firs$da' a$ s#hool) She was #heerf%l and warm hear$edand 2%i#"l' made friends) Ga#h af$ernoon she was ali$$le la$er in #oming home from s#hool) The$em($a$ion $o s(end more $ime (la'ing wi$h her newfriends af$er s#hool or $o s$o( a$ a girlfriend.s ho%se

on $he wa' home was (roving $oo m%#h for her)

' wife $old her re(ea$edl' 8Come homeimmedia$el' af$er s#hool)< The li$$le girl.s fa#ewo%ld loo" sad and re(en$an$) *$ was hard for m'wife $o resis$ wha$ $o %s was a #%$e li$$le blondewhose loo" #o%ld mel$ $he hardes$ hear$ b%$ finall'

$he %l$ima$%m was made 8Eo% #ome homeimmedia$el' af$er s#hool or else<

0%$ she was la$e again 8Where have 'o% been:<demanded m' wife)

The li$$le head dro((ed e'es loo"ed $o $he gro%nd

and she said 8* was wal"ing wi$h m' head downand * los$ m' wa')<

' wife had $o $%rn awa' $o hide her la%gh$er a$ $henovel e#%se from a five 'ear old b%$ needless $osa' for $he ne$ few da's mo$her was wai$ing a$ $he

7



s#hool ga$e $o (i#" %( a li$$le girl who had $o learn$ha$ 8Come s$raigh$ home< reall' mean$ $ha$ ;id

we love her less:Perha(s we even loved her more be#a%se of her loveof friendshi( b%$ dis#i(line had $o be $a%gh$)

This is $he same in o%r dealings wi$h ,od) *$ is (erfe#$l' reasonable $ha$ o%r heavenl' Fa$her will$a"e res$ri#$ive a#$ion if we #on$in%e $o ignore wha$

-e sa's) We e(e#$ $his $o ha((en in o%r famil') Wewo%ld no$ allow a #hild $o go on disobe'ing b%$ wewo%ld no$ #as$ o%$ o%r #hild from $he home or remain wi$h a s%llen angr' a$$i$%de $owards him) *f we are ma$%re (aren$s we wo%ld wan$ o%r rela$ionshi( wi$h o%r #hild res$ored b%$ if $he #hild

was #ons$an$l' disobedien$ we wo%ld be for#ed $o$a"e dis#i(linar' a#$ion)

,od does $his ,od some$imes (%$s res$ri#$ions on%s -is #hildren and (la#es %s on (roba$ion) -e (%$s%s $hro%gh a (roving $ime $o es$ablish $ha$ -e #anreall' $r%s$ %s)

* am s%re $ha$ all of %s wan$ ,od no$ onl' $o love %s b%$ also $o $r%s$ %s) *$ is $r%e $ha$ o%r h%man na$%reof$en #a%ses %s $o fall shor$ of $he high s$andard of $r%s$wor$hiness $ha$ ,od.s word (or$ra's b%$ ,od iss$ill e(e#$ing %s $o be obedien$ #hildren) Tr'ing $ode#eive ,od is $o$all' %ns%##essf%l be#a%se -e

"nows bo$h o%r a#$ions and mo$ives) /%r #hildrenma' s%##eed wi$h de#e($ion or disobedien#e for a$ime b%$ wi$h ,od no$hing is hidden) We need arela$ionshi( wi$h $he ?ord where $here is no$ onl'gen%ine fellowshi( $hro%gh mer#' and forgiveness

73



b%$ also where we are no$ res$ri#$ed be#a%se -e#anno$ $r%s$ %s)

-ave 'o% ever #onsidered $ha$ a$ a h%man level$here #an be gen%ine love and fellowshi( wi$ho%$$r%s$: *n fa#$ $he 0ible $ells %s $ha$ we #anno$ reall'$r%s$ (eo(le even $hose who are #loses$ $o %s) Thein$en$ions of (eo(le ma' be wor$h' b%$ of$en $he'fail $o live %( $o $hose in$en$ions) /%r res(onsibili$'

is $o love one ano$her b%$ $o $r%s$ onl' ,od) Whenwe (%$ o%r $r%s$ in (eo(le i$ is inevi$able $ha$ a$some s$age a (erson will fail $ha$ $r%s$ b%$ $ha$ doesno$ ha((en wi$h ,od)

This idea ma' a$ firs$ seem $o be #on$radi#$or' b%$#aref%l #onsidera$ion will show $ha$ we #an love o%r

#hildren ver' dearl' and have gen%ine fellowshi(wi$h $hem b%$ no$ $r%s$ $heir abili$' $o ma"e righ$res(onses in differen$ si$%a$ions) 0e#a%se of $his we

(ro$e#$ $hem b' dis#i(line and res$ri#$ion) We do no$a((l' $his dis#i(line $o harm $hem b%$ $o save $hem)

Trying to deceive %od is totally

unsuccessful, because &e knows both our actions and our motives.

*f we remember $his (rin#i(le in regard $o o%r rela$ionshi( wi$h ,od i$ will hel( $o give %s be$$er %nders$anding) /%r heavenl' Fa$her does wha$ we

wo%ld do wi$h o%r #hildren b%$ wi$h m%#h grea$er %nders$anding #om(assion and love $han we #o%ldshow) There is a #ondi$ional forgiveness as well as a#om(le$e forgiveness) Condi$ional forgiveness iswhere ,od forgives %s of $he (enal$' of $he sin b%$we are %nder -is res$ri#$ive wa$#h) Com(le$e

74



forgiveness is where we are $o$all' res$ored $o ,odand ever' sin is wi(ed o%$ never $o be held agains$

%s again) We s$and before ,od #leansed from sinand g%il$ and wi$ho%$ res$ri#$ion be#a%se of $he

blood of es%s Chris$)

*f however we do no$ live in obedien#e b%$ goagains$ $he Word of ,od and (lease o%rselves ,odwill res$ore %s $o fellowshi( wi$h -im if we re(en$

and #onfess b%$ $he forgiveness ma' be #ondi$ional)There are man' (eo(le $oda' who wonder wh'#er$ain (roblems and diffi#%l$ies ha((en in $heir lives) /ne of $he s%be#$s we will deal wi$h is $i$led8Wha$ is -a((ening:< be#a%se * have had $ha$2%es$ion as"ed so of$en d%ring #o%nseling) Peo(le

do no$ %nders$and wha$ is ha((ening in $heir lives b%$ if $he' will a##e($ some of $he (rin#i(les $ha$ weare eamining $he' will begin $o %nders$and $he#a%se of man' of $heir (roblems) ,od.s res$ri#$ivedis#i(linar' hand #an be in o(era$ion in a (erson.slife and ins$ead of eno'ing #om(le$e forgivenesshe is e(erien#ing #ondi$ional forgiveness

%od will restore us to fellowship if werepent and confess, but the forgiveness

may be conditional.

&udicial Forgiveness

* have #alled $he $hird as(e#$ of forgiveness8%di#ial Forgiveness<) The laws of $he "ingdom of ,od are absol%$es) The' #anno$ be bro"en We ma'a((ear $o brea" $hem b%$ we do no$ as in reali$' we

75



brea" o%rselves on ,od.s laws) *f we viola$e $heselaws $hen $here is some defini$e effe#$ %(on %s)

lwa's remember $ha$ ,od is mer#if%l b%$ mer#'$a"es in$o #onsidera$ion "nowledge and e(erien#eso as we have seen (revio%sl' $he degree of mer#'$ha$ is e$ended varies a##ording $o $he "nowledgeand %nders$anding $ha$ a (erson has) *f a newChris$ian #ommi$s a sin $hen ,od.s mer#' $oward

him ma' be m%#h grea$er $han if an e(erien#edChris$ian #ommi$$ed $he same sin)

er#' is $he lessening of $he severi$' of $he (enal$'whi#h is deserved) We read in ames. le$$er

ear brothers, don6t be too eager totell others their faults, for we all

make many mistakes; and when weteachers, who should know better,do wrong, our punishment will begreater than it would be for others.(Cames 4! &he Living *ible%

This $r%$h of re(en$an#e and %di#ial forgiveness is

#learl' ill%s$ra$ed in $wo eam(les from $he life of ing ;avid) * wan$ $o eamine $hese be#a%se $he'are ver' im(or$an$ in giving %s #lari$' in all as(e#$sof forgiveness) The s#ri($%re s$a$es

So the king said to Coab and thearmy commanders with him, :Go

throughout the tribes of Israel froman to *eersheba and enroll the/ghting men, so that I may knowhow many there are.+

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*ut Coab replied to the king, :ay the Lord your God multiply the

troops a hundred times over, andmay the eyes of my lord the kingsee it. *ut why does my lord theking want to do such a thing?+

&he king6s word, however, overruled Coab and the army commanders; so

they left the presence of the king toenroll the /ghting men of Israel. (1Samuel 15!1#5%

The s$or' #on$in%es in $he same #ha($er ;avid was#ons#ien#e>s$ri#"en af$er he had #o%n$ed $hefigh$ing men and he said $o $he ?ord

:I have sinned greatly in what I havedone. Jow 9 Lord, I beg you, takeaway the guilt of your servant. Ihave done a very foolish thing.+ (1Samuel 15!9%

This was a #lear s$a$emen$ of re(en$an#e and

#onfession b' ;avid) ,od however sen$ $he (ro(he$ ,ad ;avid.s seer $o ;avid) This is wha$$he 0ible re#ords

Go and tell avid, :&his is what theLord says! I am giving you threeoptions. @hoose one of them for me

to carry out against you+

So Gad went to avid and said tohim, :Shall there come upon youthree years of famine in your land?'r three months of =eeing from your

77



enemies while they pursue you? 'r three days of plague in your land?

Jow then, think it over and decidehow I should answer the one whosent me.+

avid said to Gad, :I am in deepdistress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but

do not let me fall into the hands of men.+

So the Lord sent a plague on Israelfrom that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from an to

*eersheba died. (1 Samuel 15! 1#%

ome offences in the sight of %od are soserious that although %od will forgive if

there is repentance and confession, there isa continuing udicial result.

;avid had re(en$ed and #onfessed his sin b%$ ,ods$ill sen$ %dgmen$ The f%ll im(li#a$ions of ;avid.sa#$ion in n%mbering $he (eo(le is no$ #lear in $hes#ri($%re) There is a (rovision made in $he /ldTes$amen$ for n%mbering $he (eo(le b%$ i$ wo%ld

seem be#a%se of $he (enal$' whi#h ,od im(osed$ha$ behind ;avid.s a#$ion in n%mbering $he (eo(lewas (ride in wha$ he had a#hieved) *$ wo%ld a((ear $ha$ ;avid m%s$ have had self>sa$isfa#$ion be#a%seof $he n%mber of (eo(le he had ga$hered aro%nd

7@



him) ;avid had failed $o a#"nowledge $ha$ i$ was,od who had given him (ower and vi#$or')

;avid.s generals oab and o$hers had (leaded wi$hhim no$ $o n%mber $he (eo(le b%$ he had goneahead willf%ll') Bow reali+ing $he enormi$' of hisa#$ion he #ried o%$ $o ,od in re(en$an#e) 0%$ i$ was$oo la$e

;avid was res$ored $o fellowshi( wi$h ,od as a

res%l$ of his re(en$an#e b%$ (ardon for $he#onse2%en#es of his sin was no$ gran$ed) 0e#a%se of ;avid.s a#$ion %dgmen$ fell on $he whole na$ion)There was a #on$in%ing %di#ial res%l$ from ;avid.sfail%re)

Perha(s $his sho%ld be a sal%$ar' lesson for some

Chris$ian leaders $oda' who (%$ grea$ s$ress on $hen%mbers of (eo(le who a$$end $heir mee$ings) Weneed $o #ons$an$l' remember $ha$ an' s%##ess $ha$we eno' is be#a%se of ,od.s gra#e and -is S(iri$ra$her $han on o%r own energies or abili$ies)

more serio%s ill%s$ra$ion is $he one dealing wi$h

;avid.s ad%l$er' wi$h 0a$hsbeba and $he arrangeddea$h of her h%sband Kriah) These %ndo%b$edl'were $he dar"es$ even$s in ;avid.s life) The s$or' isre#orded in Sam%el 11) ?a$er ;avid was#onfron$ed wi$h $hese $wo sins his ad%l$er' and $hem%rder of one of $he men who had $r%s$ed him)

Some #ommen$a$ors sa' $ha$ i$ ma' have been %( $ofo%r 'ears before ;avid gen%inel' re(en$ed andas"ed ,od.s forgiveness even $ho%gh ;avid didimmedia$el' re#ogni+e wha$ he had done b%$ was%nwilling $o fa#e %( $o his a#$ions) We #an a##e($

79



$ha$ we have done wrong b%$ no$ gen%inel' re(en$);avid ins$an$l' a#"nowledged his sin b%$ #o%ld no$

have been gen%inel' re(en$an$ be#a%se he was no$immedia$el' res$ored $o fellowshi( wi$h ,od HPsalm33>4I) *f we wan$ $o %nders$and $he inner ba$$le$ha$ ;avid e(erien#ed in see"ing $o be res$ored inhis rela$ionshi( wi$h $he ?ord we #an read his owna##o%n$ in Psalm 3) This (salm reveals a (eriod of grea$ (ersonal s$r%ggle before ;avid finall' andsin#erel' #onfessed and re(en$ed of $he enormi$' of his sin) The living 0ible (ara(hrases $he e(erien#eof ;avid in $his gra(hi# manner

Ahat happiness for those whoseguilt has been forgiven

Ahat >oys when sins are coveredover Ahat relief for those who haveconfessed their sins and God hascleared their record

&here was a time when I wouldn6t admit what a sinner I was. *ut my

dishonesty made me miserable and/lled my days with frustration. )llday and all night your hand washeavy on me. y strengthevaporated like water on a sunny day until I /nally admitted my sinsto you and stopped trying to hidethem. I said to myself HI will confessthem to the Lord6 )nd you forgaveme )ll my guilt is gone. (salm41!#%

@!



We can recogni-e that we have donewrong but not genuinely repent.

Wha$ a drama$i# a##o%n$ of an inner #onfli#$) ;avidfinall' rea#hed $he (la#e of gen%ine sorrow) -ere(en$ed and #onfessed and ,od res$ored him $ofellowshi( wi$h -im) /ne #anno$ read Psalm 3wi$ho%$ sensing $he grea$ weigh$ $ha$ had been lif$edfrom ;avid and $he o' $ha$ was now wi$hin himeven $ho%gh dis#i(line and %dgmen$ were no$removed) This is #onfirmed as we read ;avid.swords in Psalm 51) ;avid was obvio%sl' aware of $he #on$in%ing effe#$ his sin had on ,od.s highes$

(%r(ose for his life) *$ is sobering $o read $he versesof $his (salm again in $he ligh$ of wha$ has been

(resen$ed in $his s$%d'

0ave mercy upon me, 9 God,according to your unfailing love;according to your great compassionblot out my transgression.

Aash away all my ini7uity andcleanse me from my sin.

or I know my transgressions, andmy sin is always before me.

)gainst you, you only, have I sinnedand done what is evil in your sight,

so that you are proved right when you speak and >usti/ed when you >udge. (salm !#5%

0ide your face from my sins and blot out all my ini7uity.

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@reate in me a pure heart, 9 God,and renew a steadfast spirit within

me.o not cast me from your presenceor take your 0oly Spirit from me.

8estore to me the >oy of your salvation and grant me a willingspirit, to sustain me.

&hen I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to

you. (salm !-# 4%

Eou do not delight in sacri/ce, or Iwould bring it; you do not take

pleasure in burnt oKerings.&he sacri/ces of God are a brokenspirit; a broken and contrite heart, 9God you will not despise. (salm !"#$%

Continuing &udg#entan' Chris$ians have been %nwilling $o fa#e $hefa#$ $ha$ $here #an be #on$in%ing %dgmen$ af$er forgiveness has been given) *$ is eas' $o sa' 8 -s far

as the east is from the west! so far has 0e removed

or transgressions from s< HPsalm 1!31I) We #an

$a"e $ha$ $o mean $ha$ o%r sin is blo$$ed o%$ andfinished wi$h in ever' wa' b%$ $ha$ ma' no$ be#orre#$) * have heard (eo(le sa' when $he' s(ea" abo%$ $he mer#' and forgiveness of ,od 8Well love#overs a m%l$i$%de of sins ,od is a loving ,od andwill no$ hold o%r fail%re agains$ %s)<

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Many hristians have been unwilling to facethe fact that there can be continuing

udgment after forgiveness has been given.

*f we are see"ing $o grow s(iri$%all' we need $o$a"e $his as(e#$ $o hear$) *n ;avid.s #ase ,od.sforgiveness did no$ elimina$e $he #onse2%en#es of ana#$ion) Bo$ onl' did $he #hild $ha$ was born $o0a$hsheba die b%$ ,od infli#$ed a #on$in%ing$em(oral %dgmen$ on ;avid) -e was $old b' $he

(ro(he$ Ba$han

Jow, therefore, the sword shallnever depart from your house,because you despised me and took the wife of riah the 0ittite to be

your own. (1 Samuel 1!9%

These words were s(o"en $o ;avid who wasdes#ribed as 8a man af$er ,od.s own hear$< ;avidhad been #hosen b' ,od and ordained $o be "ing of *srael) -e loved $o (raise and worshi( $he ?ord and$o have fellowshi( wi$h -im) ;avid however was aman who had be#ome #a($%red b' l%s$ for 0a$hsheba) -e finall' re(en$ed b%$ al$ho%gh ,odforgave him for $he sins he had #ommi$$ed dea$hand $ro%ble #on$in%ed $o infli#$ his famil') Therewere #on$in%ed $em(oral #onse2%en#es of his sin);isas$ers and hear$a#he followed ;avid.s famil')

mmon ;avid.s son ra(ed his own sis$er and la$er (aid $he (enal$' wi$h his life) bsalom (lo$$edagains$ his fa$her $o $a"e $he $hrone and won $hehear$s of $he (eo(le b' de#ei$) ;avid s%ffered

be$ra'al b' bsalom and la$er bsalom died

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violen$l') *n s(i$e of bsalom.s de#e($ion ;avidwas in grea$ dis$ress when $old of his son.s dea$h)

We read in $he s#ri($%re re#ord&he king was shaken. 0e went up tothe room over the gateway andwept. )s he went he said, :' my son

)bsalom y son, my son )bsalomIf only I had died instead of you # '

)bsalom, my son, my son+ (1Samuel <!44%

We wo%ld have hard hear$s if we did no$ feelsome$hing of $his fa$her.s ang%ish) Gven $he grea$and wise Solomon who s%##eeded his fa$her ;avidas "ing of *srael ended his da's in selfish (leas%re

his hear$ $%rned awa' from ,od) ;avid.s ho%seholddid s%ffer be#a%se of his sins)

We live $oda' in a (ermissive so#ie$' wheread%l$er' and forni#a$ion have be#ome#ommon(la#e) * $hin" i$ is sobering $o remember $ha$ %nder $he law of oses ad%l$er' re#eived $he

(enal$' of dea$h b' s$oning) ,od (ar$i#%larl' said $o;avid

:Eou are not going to die+ (1 Samuel1!4%.

;avid sho%ld have died %nder $he $erms of $he law b%$ ,od however showed mer#' %(on him and did

no$ demand $he f%ll (enal$' of $he law) -owever $he#onse2%en#es of ;avid.s sin #on$in%ed $o affe#$ himand his famil')

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!a. or 0rinciple?

* s%((ose some (eo(le wo%ld sa' 8*sn.$ $ha$ onl'/ld Tes$amen$ (%nishmen$:< This wo%ld leave %swi$h $he 2%es$ion $o answer as $o whe$her we aredealing wi$h an /ld Tes$amen$ s$or' or wi$h a

(rin#i(le of ,od) *f i$ is a (rin#i(le of ,od $hen i$does no$ #hange)

*n 1 ohn 5916 $he a(os$le ohn wri$es abo%$ a sin$ha$ is no$ %n$o dea$h and a sin $ha$ is %n$o dea$h) *na$$hew -enr'.s 0ible Commen$ar' on $his

(ar$i#%lar verse he sa's

&he gospel does not positively threaten death for the more visiblesins of the members of @hrist, but only some chastisement. &here isroom left for divine wisdom or goodness or even severity, todetermine how far the chastisement or the scourge shall proceed.

The conse#uences of avid’s sin

continued to affect him and his family.

There is also a Bew Tes$amen$ (a$$ern for $he#on$in%ing dealings of ,od as $o #onse2%en#eseven when fellowshi( has been res$ored $o ,od$hro%gh mer#' and forgiveness) n eam(le of a$em(oral or ear$hl' %dgmen$ (ro#eeding even$ho%gh $here has been (rior forgiveness is fo%nd in-ebrews 6$ This #ha($er begins wi$h s$a$emen$s of $he grea$ fo%nda$ional do#$rines of o%r fai$h andgoes on $o ma"e $his de#lara$ion

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It is impossible for those who haveonce been enlightened, who have

tasted the heavenly gift, who haveshared in the 0oly Spirit, who havetasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the comingage, if they shall fall away, to bebrought back to repentance,because to their loss they arecrucifying the Son of God all over again and sub>ecting him to publicdisgrace. (0ebrews "!5#"%

This is a ver' solemn (assage of s#ri($%re) ,od.s (%r(ose $oward %s is good b%$ in $he mids$ of o%r o' in $he blessings -e gives we also need $o%nders$and $he (rin#i(les b' whi#h we grow $o f%llma$%ri$') The Chris$ians referred $o in -ebrews 6obvio%sl' had e(erien#ed a dee( rela$ionshi( wi$h,od) The' had been enligh$ened and had $as$ed $heheavenl' gif$) The' had shared in $he wor" of $he-ol' S(iri$) *f however af$er all of $his $he' fell

awa' from $heir fai$h $he s#ri($%re is ver' final= i$ isim(ossible $o bring $hem ba#" $o re(en$an#e

;oes $his mean a loss of salva$ion: Salva$ion is no$los$ be#a%se of some fail%re or indis#re$ion al$ho%ghi$ is (ossible for one $o lose his salva$ion) G$ernalse#%ri$' #omes from a #on$in%ing rela$ionshi( wi$h

es%s Chris$ so we need $o be #aref%l in see"ing $o%nders$and $his (ar$i#%lar (ar$ of ,od.s Word)

Perha(s when ,od has blessed %s wi$h -isgoodness has filled %s wi$h $he -ol' S(iri$ and hasgiven gif$s of $he S(iri$ and we re(%dia$e $hese b'

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word or a#$ion i$ be#omes im(ossible $o bring %s ba#" $o $he same (la#e of rela$ionshi( wi$h $he ?ord)

* have seen $his ha((en $o (eo(le The' have never been res$ored $o a vi$al (la#e in ,od af$er den'ingor $rea$ing ligh$l' a (owerf%l e(erien#e of ,od.sgra#e and (ower)

There are however $hose who wo%ld (la#e a m%#hs$ri#$er in$er(re$a$ion on $hese verses) The' wo%ld

see $hese s#ri($%res as referring $o a (erson who hashad a dee( (ersonal e(erien#e of ,od and $hendelibera$el' and #om(le$el' $%rns his ba#" on $he?ord and $he $r%$h of $he 0ible) This wo%ld bein$er(re$ed as a 8sin %n$o dea$h< from whi#h $here isno (la#e of res$ora$ion) Bo do%b$ $his #an ha((en

b%$ in general $his s#ri($%re (ossibl' refers $o a

#on$in%ing $em(oral %dgmen$ ra$her $han loss of salva$ion)

There are dealings of ,od $ha$ begin in $his (resen$life and even if $here is gen%ine #onfession andre(en$an#e $here is no wa' $ha$ we are able $oes#a(e $he %di#ial hand of ,od)

The s$or' of Gsa% is ano$her eam(le) *$ wo%ldseem $ha$ when he sold his bir$hrigh$ $o his bro$her a#ob for $he (ri#e of a meal $ha$ he did so wi$ho%$#onsidering all $he im(li#a$ions of his a#$ion) Thewri$er $o $he -ebrews refers $o $his in#iden$ andsa's

See that noFone is se3ually immoral,or is godless like 2sau, who for asingle meal sold his inheritancerights as the oldest son. )fterwards,as you know, when he wanted to

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inherit this blessing, he wasre>ected. 0e could bring about no

change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears. (0ebrews1!"#$%

This is ano$her ill%s$ra$ion of a((aren$ re(en$an#ewhere $he loss whi#h had been s%ffered #o%ld no$ beres$ored) We need $o #onsider $he #onse2%en#es

before embar"ing on a #o%rse of a#$ion $ha$ viola$es$he (rin#i(les of ,od)

/ven if there is genuine confession andrepentance, there is no way that we are able

to escape the udicial hand of %od.

Facing Failure

Wha$ is $he answer $o a si$%a$ion s%#h as $his: Thereis onl' one remed') *f we have gone agains$ $heWord of ,od $o $he e$en$ $ha$ $he %di#ial hand of ,od remains on %s af$er we have re(en$ed andas"ed $o be forgiven $hen $he onl' answer is $oh%mble o%rselves before $he ?ord) Fa#e $he

(roblem) ;on.$ e#%se i$) ##e($ i$) ?oo" i$ s$raigh$in $he fa#e and sa' 8:es! i$ ha((ened and * amres(onsible)<

*n h%mbling o%rselves before $he ?ord we m%s$admi$ wha$ we have done) We m%s$ $hen allow,od.s a#$ions in o%r lives wi$ho%$ resis$an#e) Themore we resis$ if we are %nder $he %di#ial dealingsof ,od $he longer we will remain $here) *$ is onl'when we sa' 8?ord * am des(era$el' in need of 'o%r mer#' forgiveness and (ardon< $ha$ we o(en

@@



$he wa' for ,od $o lif$ his %dgmen$ and dis#i(line)?i"e ;avid of old we m%s$ sa' 8* will $hrow

m'self %(on $he mer#' of ,od)< Then s$a' #lose $o$he ?ord)

*$ is hard $o fa#e fail%re or a#"nowledge $ha$ wema' have been wrong) Oer' few (eo(le ever have$he #o%rage $o re$ra#e $heir s$e(s) * have "nownman' (eo(le who have for vario%s reasons been

%(se$ over some as(e#$ of #h%r#h life or em(hasisand have lef$ $he #h%r#h %s%all' wi$h $he #ommen$$ha$ $he ?ord had dire#$ed $hem in $heir a#$ion)

an' of $hese (eo(le have s%bse2%en$l' be#omes(iri$%al wanderers and $heir Chris$ian grow$h has

be#ome s$%n$ed #learl' indi#a$ing b' $he fr%i$ of

$heir lives $ha$ $heir original de#ision $o leave $he#h%r#h was no$ a$ ,od.s dire#$ion)

* well remember a 'o%ng man who infl%en#ed agro%( of 'o%ng (eo(le $o be#ome dis#on$en$ed and#ri$i#al and leave $he #h%r#h where * (as$ored) Thea##%sa$ion leveled a$ $he minis$r' was $ha$ $here was

a la#" of fai$h (rea#hing) This 'o%ng man de#lared$ha$ if one had s%ffi#ien$ fai$h one #o%ld havean'$hing one wan$ed) The 'o%ng man #on#erned lef$$he Tea#hers College where he was $raining andde#lared $ha$ $he ?ord had $old him $o read $he 0ibleand wai$ on -im)

For some wee"s $he friends of $he 'o%ng man ralliedaro%nd him (a'ing $he ren$ of his a(ar$men$ and (roviding mone' for his food %n$il $he' be#amedisill%sioned b' $he even$s) Kl$ima$el' $he 'o%ngman a((lied $o go ba#" $o Kniversi$' and as far as *"now his s(iri$%al involvemen$ in a#$ive #h%r#h life

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#ame $o a s$ands$ill) -e never #ame ba#" $oa(ologi+e for his a##%sa$ions or $he %(se$ #a%sed in

man' o$her lives)*$ is hard $o be h%mble eno%gh $o as" for forgivenesswhen we have $ho%gh$ $ha$ we were righ$ b%$ fo%nd$ha$ we were wrong) os$ (eo(le %s$ $r' $o forge$abo%$ i$ or (re$end $ha$ no$hing serio%s ha((ened) *$is $r%e $ha$ man' of o%r errors begin o%$ of sin#eri$'

b%$ $he minis$r' of $he -ol' S(iri$ is $o g%ide %s in$o$r%$h so if we will "ee( a $ea#hable s(iri$ we willsoon #ome %nder #onvi#$ion) The sad (ar$ is $ha$ soman' (eo(le will no$ $a"e s$e(s $o (%$ righ$ wha$ iswrong)

Sin does no$ have $o be some serio%s immoral a#$ion

as an' "ind of disobedien#e or self>will #an ma"e i$ne#essar' for %s $o h%mble o%rselves in order $o beres$ored $o $he righ$ (la#e of fellowshi( $ha$ ,odwan$s %s $o have wi$h -im)

*$ is signifi#an$ $ha$ when #han disobe'ed ,od.s#ommand and $he na$ion of *srael s%ffered defea$ a$

$he #i$' of i $he (eo(le had $o go ba#" $o $he (la#eof defea$ and #on2%er $ha$ #i$' before $he' #o%ld (ro#eed an' f%r$her in $heir #on2%es$ of $hePromised ?and of Canaan) This is a good ill%s$ra$ionof how we m%s$ go ba#" $o $he (la#e of defea$ anddeal wi$h $he fail%re if we are $o grow in o%r s(iri$%al lives)

)t is hard to be humble enough to ask for forgiveness when we have thought that wewere right but found that we were wrong.

9!



Three inds of &udg#ent

%dgmen$ #an be a (ar$ of gen%ine forgivenessThere are $hree "inds of %dgmen$ $ha$ a((l'

1) Self>%dgmen$

&herefore let us stop passing >udgment on one another. Instead,

make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother6s way. (8omans 5!4%

This verse $ells %s $ha$ we are $o %dge o%r owna#$ions) *n his le$$er $o $he Corin$hian #h%r#h $hea(os$le Pa%l was $ea#hing abo%$ $he manner in

whi#h believers were $o #ome $o $he ?ord.s $ableand he said

) man ought to e3amine himself before he eats of the bread anddrinks of the cup. ( @orinthians!1<%

The ?ord re2%ires a gen%ine hones$ self>eamina$ion) To 2%o$e f%r$her from $he same #ha($er of Pa%l.s le$$er

*ut if we >udged ourselves, wewould not come under >udgment.Ahen we are >udged by the Lord, we

are being disciplined so that we willnot be condemned with the world. (@orinthians !4#41%

This $ea#hing is #lear= if we are willing $o %dgeo%rselves $hen ,od.s %dgmen$ does no$ #ome on

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%s b%$ if we do no$ %dge o%rselves $hen ,od will %dge %s and bring on %s wha$ever dis#i(line is

needed)) %dgmen$ b' $he Ch%r#h

This migh$ be a new as(e#$ $o some be#a%se weseldom do $his in (ra#$i#e) es%s was however ver'#lear abo%$ i$ and gave s(e#ifi# ins$r%#$ions abo%$$he (ro#ed%re $o be followed when $here was a

dis(%$e be$ween believers

If your brother sins against you, goand show him his fault, >ust betweenthe two of you. If he listens to you,

you have won your brother over. *ut if he will not listen, take one or two

others along, so that every matter may be established by thetestimony of two or three witnesses.If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses tolisten even to the church, treat him

as you would a pagan or a ta3 collector. (atthew <!#$%

*n 1 Corin$hians 5! $here is ano$her referen#e $o %dging $he wrong #ond%#$ of believers) We are $oldno$ $o "ee( #om(an' wi$h an' man who #allshimself a bro$her b%$ is se%all' immoral or greed'

an idola$er or a slanderer a dr%n"ard or a swindler)These are s$rong words b%$ $he' are #lear ins$r%#$ions $o $hose in $he #h%r#h as $o how $he' are$o a#$ $oward o$hers who sa' $he' are believers b%$

9



are g%il$' of bad behavior) *n Pa%l.s le$$er $o Ti$%swe read $he following

or there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers,especially those of the circumcisiongroup. &hey must be silenced,because they are ruining wholehouseholds by teaching things they

ought not to teach # and that for thesake of dishonest gain. 2ven one of their own prophets has said,:@retans are always liars, evilbrutes, laMy gluttons.+ &histestimony is true. &herefore rebukethem sharply, so that they will besound in the faith. (&itus !9#4%

The reb%"e and (enal$' are no$ for $he (%r(ose of ridding $he #h%r#h of %ndesirable (eo(le b%$ $odis#i(line $hem in $he Chris$ian fai$h) The #h%r#hhas a (owerf%l %di#ial a%$hori$' %nder ,od),enerall' s(ea"ing we have failed $o eer#ise $hisres(onsibili$' b%$ i$ is (rovided for in s#ri($%re)

3) The %dgmen$ of ,od -imself

We have seen b' $he ill%s$ra$ions $ha$ have beengiven $ha$ ,od.s dealings #an #on$in%e even af$er forgiveness has been gran$ed) We read $his in

-ebrewsor we know him who said, :It ismine to avenge; I will repay,+ andagain, :&he Lord will >udge his

people.+ It is a dreadful thing to fall

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into the hands of the living God.(0ebrews 9!49#4%

This warning is wri$$en $o Chris$ians *f we wish $oes#a(e from $he %di#ial hand of ,od i$ is no$ onl' ama$$er of re#eiving -is mer#' and forgiveness b%$we m%s$ also h%mble o%rselves b' allowing

%dgmen$ $hro%gh $he #onvi#$ion of $he -ol' S(iri$or admoni$ion of o$her Chris$ians) We m%s$ also be

o(en if ne#essar' for %dgmen$ b' $he #h%r#halwa's re#ogni+ing $ha$ %nless we do so $he

%dgmen$ of ,od %(on %s will #on$in%e)

The church has a powerful udicial authority under %od.

Wha$ has been said in $he (re#eding (aragra(h m%s$ be em(hasi+ed be#a%se i$ is alwa's ,od.s desire $ores$ore (eo(le $o righ$ rela$ionshi( wi$h one ano$her and also wi$h -im)

The a(os$le Pa%l $a%gh$ #learl' $ha$ $here was $o beres$ora$ion af$er %dgmen$) * am glad we have a ,od

li"e $his be#a%se who of %s wo%ld wan$ $o (%nisho%r #hild wee" af$er wee" or mon$h af$er mon$h:P%nishmen$ of a #hild ma' be ne#essar' be#a%se of a rebellio%s a$$i$%de disobedien#e or #arelessness

b%$ * am s%re $ha$ loving (eo(le wo%ld wan$res$ora$ion) ,od does no$ wan$ $o be alwa's

infli#$ing dis#i(line) ,od does no$ wan$ $o have -isfamil' %nder a heav' hand of %dgmen$ -is desireis $ha$ we sho%ld wal" in o'o%s fellowshi( wi$h-im) We #an do $ha$ b' living in $he ligh$ of ,od.sWord)

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(estoration after &udg#ent

Consider $wo (assages in $he le$$er $o $heCorin$hians

It is actually reported that there isse3ual immorality among you, andof a kind that does not occur evenamong pagans! ) man has hisfather6s wife.

)nd you are proud Shouldn6t yourather have been /lled with grief and have put out of your fellowshipthe man who did this?

2ven though I am not physically

present, I am with you in spirit. )nd Ihave already passed >udgment onthe one who did this, >ust as if I were

present.

Ahen you are assembled in thename of our Lord Cesus and I am

with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Cesus is present, hand thisman over to Satan, so that the sinfulnature may be destroyed and hisspirit saved on the day of the Lord.( @orinthians !#%

This s#ri($%re $ells of $he dis#i(linar' a#$ion agains$a man who was immoral b%$ a member of $he#h%r#h) The ins$r%#$ion was $o deliver him $o Sa$anfor $he des$r%#$ion of his flesh) When we #ome $oPa%l.s se#ond le$$er $o $he Corin$hian #h%r#h we

95



find however $ha$ Pa%l is %rging res$ora$ion for $hisman

&he punishment in=icted on him by the ma>ority is suNcient for him.Jow instead, you ought to forgiveand comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by e3cessivesorrow. I urge you, therefore, to

reaNrm your love for him. (1@orinthians 1!"#<%

We now see $he #h%r#h members being en#o%raged$o res$ore $he one who had sinned and $o #omfor$and love him) There is a need for %s $o be $o$all'hones$ in a((l'ing $he (rin#i(les of ,od.s Word) *f

we wan$ gen%ine forgiveness le$ %s reali+e $ha$m%#h more is involved $han %s$ ignoring $he sin$ha$ has been #ommi$$ed)

The #h%r#h has a re(%$a$ion for "illing off i$swo%nded /ne of $he grea$es$ blessings we #anre#eive is $o see a (erson who has failed being f%ll'

res$ored) * remember hearing $his 2%o$e 8We are no$fail%res be#a%se we fail= we are onl' fail%res whenwe s$o( $r'ing)<

The 0ible is a boo" of res$ora$ion) * "now man' (eo(le who have failed badl' in $heir (ersonal lives b%$ * have also seen some of $hem h%mble

$hemselves $a"e $he a((ro(ria$e dis#i(line whi#hwas given main$ain a h%mble and re(en$an$a$$i$%de and be f%ll' res$ored $o (osi$ions of res(onsibili$' and blessing)

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)f we want genuine forgiveness, let usreali-e that more is involved than ignoring

the sin that has been committed.

,od is mer#if%l and forgiving b%$ i$ is (ossible $oremain %nder -is %dgmen$ al$ho%gh o%r rela$ionshi( wi$h -im has been res$ored) ,od.sdesire however is no$ onl' $o res$ore %s $ofellowshi( wi$h -im b%$ also $ha$ we migh$ eno'$he benefi$s of f%ll (ardon $hro%gh $he dis#i(line were#eive) When sin is a#"nowledged and dis#i(linea##e($ed $hen $he #ondi$ions have been es$ablishedfor f%ll res$ora$ion $o $a"e (la#e)

%dgmen$ and dis#i(line are essen$ial #ondi$ions before $he f%ll (rovisions of forgiveness and (ardonare eno'ed b' $he Chris$ian who has willf%ll'sinned)

97



Chapter 2

Forgiveness in 'e. Testa#ent

We #ome now $o $he words of $he as$er Tea#her -imself $he ?ord es%s Chris$)

Forgiven 3s We Forgive?

Wha$ es%s $a%gh$ is fo%nd in $he Sermon on $heo%n$ a$$hew 5M7 and also in $he differen$

(arables -e $old) We have shown in $he #o%rse of $his s$%d' $ha$ ,od is forgiving) There is no 2%es$ion

abo%$ $ha$ We do have a wonderf%l ,od whoforgives b%$ i$ is (ossible for #er$ain #onse2%en#es$o #on$in%e even af$er we have been forgiven) Thewa' $o deal wi$h $hese #onse2%en#es is b' h%mblingo%rselves %dging o%rselves allowing $he %dgmen$of $he #h%r#h as (rovided for in s#ri($%re if $ha$ isne#essar' and re#ogni+ing ,od.s righ$ $o %dge and

dis#i(line %s $hro%gh $he dire#$ion of $he -ol'S(iri$) Some #onse2%en#es ma' #on$in%e b%$ b'mee$ing $he bibli#al re2%iremen$s we #an lessen $he

(enal$ies whi#h o$herwise migh$ a((l')

/%r -eavenl' Fa$her has a righ$ $o eer#ise adis#i(linar' hand %(on $hose who belong $o -is

famil' so even af$er ,od has res$ored %s $ofellowshi( wi$h -im -e ma' #on$in%e $o $a"eres$ri#$ive a#$ion agains$ %s %n$il s%#h $ime as wehave (roved o%rselves b' obedien#e $o -is Word)

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,od alone is $he %dge of $his so we m%s$ main$aina s%bmissive a$$i$%de a$ all $imes)

Perha(s $he mos$ #hallenging as(e#$ of $his s%be#$is $he a((li#a$ion of forgiveness be$weenindivid%als) s Chris$ians we are #alled %(on $oforgive o$hers so $he 2%es$ion arises #on#erning $heeffe#$ $ha$ o%r forgiving or fail%re $o forgive has%(on ,od.s forgiveness of %s) *n o$her words $o

wha$ e$en$ does o%r res(onse $o $he #ommand $oforgive o$hers refle#$ on $he forgiveness we re#eivefrom ,od:

There are some im(or$an$ #om(ara$ive s#ri($%res$ha$ need $o be eamined) The firs$ is fo%nd in $heSermon on $he o%n$ where es%s said

:or if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly ather will also forgive you.

:*ut if you do not forgive men their sins, your ather will not forgive

your sins.+ (atthew "!5#%

This is a ver' s$rong s$a$emen$ b' es%s and we need$o %nders$and $he f%ll im(li#a$ion of $hese words)The se#ond referen#e is fo%nd in ar".s gos(el

)nd when you stand praying, if youhold anything against anyone,

forgive him, so that your ather inheaven may forgive you your sins.(ark !1#1"%

The $hird referen#e is fo%nd in ?%"e* s gos(el

99



orgive us our sins, for we alsoforgive everyone who sins against

us. )nd lead us not into temptation.(Luke !5%

There are man' (eo(le who mis%nders$and $heses#ri($%res and read in$o $hem an obliga$ion $ha$ $he'of$en find im(ossible $o f%lfill) This leads $hemei$her in$o #ondemna$ion or (re$en#e) There is a

de($h of meaning in $hese verses $ha$ we m%s$%nders$and in order $o find a #lear answer) #as%alreading of $hese (assages #o%ld leave a (erson$hin"ing $ha$ he wo%ld be forgiven b' ,od onl' $o$he e$en$ $ha$ he was willing or able $o forgiveano$her) Tha$ is $r%e in a #er$ain as(e#$ b%$ i$ m%s$

be 2%alified)

There are also $hose (eo(le who gain a #er$ains(iri$%al sa$isfa#$ion from forgiving o$hers for $heir fail%res b%$ never loo" a$ $heir own bad behavior or reali+e $ha$ mos$ of $he diffi#%l$ies begin wi$h $hemand no$ wi$h $hose $he' are anio%s $o forgive Thiswill be dis#%ssed in $he ne$ #ha($er)

+race or Wor4s?

*f o%r #on#e($ of forgiveness in#l%des $he (rovisionof (ardon $hen $he 2%es$ion wo%ld immedia$el'arise as $o who wo%ld be saved if o%r salva$ionde(ended %(on $he e$en$ $o whi#h we from $he

hear$ forgave o$hers: Was es%s dealing wi$h $he2%es$ion of $he forgiveness $ha$ rela$es $o salva$ionand whi#h in#l%des (ardon or some o$her as(e#$ of forgiveness:

1!!



/ver man' 'ears of #o%nseling * have fo%nd $ha$ (eo(le have dee( h%r$s and (roblems in $heir lives

rela$ed $o $he iss%es of forgiveness and%nforgiveness) os$ of $hem have been #ommi$$edChris$ians and man' were ba($i+ed wi$h $he -ol'S(iri$ and were a#$ive in #h%r#h life) The' loved,od and 'e$ $he' made s%#h s$a$emen$s as $his= 8*have been so h%r$ and wo%nded emo$ionall' andmen$all' $ha$ * find i$ im(ossible $o forgive)< Theh%r$ ma' have been #a%sed b' a (aren$ or someoneelse #lose $o $hem and $he' were %nable $o forgive$ha$ (erson)

Who would be saved !f our salvationdepended upon the e(tent to which we from

the heart forgave others0

Was * dealing wi$h a (erson who was o%$side of $hesalva$ion of Chris$ be#a%se es%s said $ha$ if we dono$ forgive one ano$her $hen o%r -eavenl' Fa$her will no$ forgive %s: ?e$ me in#l%de ano$her ill%s$ra$ion from m' (ersonal e(erien#e)

0efore be#oming Chris$ians a h%sband and wifehad e(erien#ed a s$orm' and largel' %nha(('marriage) There were #ons$an$ #onfron$a$ions andangr' words $ha$ had lef$ bi$$er h%r$s) When $he'a##e($ed Chris$ a new love and %nders$andingdevelo(ed b%$ (roblems remained over ma$$ers of

mone' and o$her fr%s$ra$ions $ha$ had also arisen in$heir rela$ionshi()

* s(en$ man' ho%rs wi$h $hem in #o%nseling andadvi#e on b%dge$ing and in o$her areas wherediffi#%l$ies o##%rred and al$ho%gh $hese ma$$ers

1!1



seemed $o be#ome resolved i$ was never long before ano$her #risis arose) There are alwa's $wo

sides $o an' s$or' b%$ * had no do%b$ $ha$ $he maor (roblems o##%rred be#a%se of $he h%sband.sdemanding and obs$ina$e a$$i$%de) -e develo(edsome devian$ wa's whi#h added $o $he (ress%res in$he home and in des(era$ion $he wife lef$ $he ho%sein $he ho(e $ha$ a $rial se(ara$ion migh$ hel( solve$he (roblems)

We #on$in%ed $he #o%nseling and * a((oin$ed o$hers$o $a"e a more de$ailed oversigh$ b%$ al$ho%gh $heh%sband showed re(en$an#e i$ was no$ long beforehis old wa's and a$$i$%des re$%rned) Se(ara$ion andre#on#ilia$ion o##%rred again and again wi$h $hewife wan$ing $o do $he righ$ $hing b%$ finding $ha$

#ondi$ions alwa's be#ame in$olerable) Finall' she#o%ld $a"e no more Some serio%s even$s had $a"en

(la#e in $he h%sband.s #ond%#$ $ha$ made i$im(ossible for me $o insis$ $ha$ $he wife sho%ldre$%rn $o her h%sband and as she had $ried so of$en

before she had now rea#hed $he end of her abili$' $o

forgive and be re#on#iled)The h%sband #on$in%ed $o demand re#on#ilia$ion

b%$ $he wife #o%ld no$ fa#e $he (ros(e#$ of againgoing $hro%gh $he emo$ionall' des$ro'inge(erien#es $ha$ she had s%ffered so of$en before)The h%sband s%ed for divor#e) Some Chris$ians

wo%ld as" whe$her $he woman had endangered her salva$ion: The answer $o $his 2%es$ion is no) Thewoman.s ref%sal $o re$%rn $o her h%sband did no$endanger her salva$ion b%$ her ref%sal $o forgive her h%sband #o%ld lead $o o$her (roblems whi#h wo%ldred%#e her s(iri$%al effe#$iveness)

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an' (eo(le live wi$h g%il$ and are %nder #ondemna$ion be#a%se $he' #anno$ forgive) The

h%r$s $he' have s%ffered are gen%ine) The' ma'have been grea$l' wronged= (erha(s someone had$a"en advan$age of $hem when $he' were #hildren)Serio%s #ases of #hild ab%se are now reg%larl' beinge(osed) arriages ma' have bro"en down or friends ma' have be$ra'ed $he $r%s$ (%$ in $hem)Peo(le have been in a (osi$ion emo$ionall' where$he' have been so h%r$ $ha$ $he' did no$ "now how$o forgive) s a res%l$ $he' have been %nder a grea$sense of g%il$ and fear) Wi$h man' s%#h (eo(le $hereis also a dee( inner bi$$erness)

The 0ible warns $ha$ we m%s$ be #aref%l les$ a roo$of bi$$erness s(rings %( and defiles %s and

%nforgiveness is $he #a%se of $his roo$ of bi$$erness)*$ #an #lo%d reali$' dis$or$ $hin"ing and lead $osevere emo$ional ins$abili$') ;ee( wi$hin $hese

(eo(le who wan$ed $o love and serve ,od wereh%r$s $ha$ #rea$ed anger fear resen$men$ and g%il$)Knresolved (ain and %nforgiveness #an lead $o

do%b$s as $o whe$her $he' were in righ$ rela$ionshi(wi$h ,od in regard $o $heir salva$ion)

Many people live with guilt and under condemnation because they cannot forgive.

Prior $o $he divor#e (ro#eedings of $he afore>

men$ioned #o%(le man' vindi#$ive a#$ions had been$a"en b' $he h%sband $owards his es$ranged wife)Fa#$s were dis$or$ed and informa$ion was given $oo$her (eo(le who sho%ld no$ have been involved)The wife was dee(l' h%r$ and * #an %nders$and how

1!3



hard i$ m%s$ have been for her $o fa#e falsea##%sa$ions) *$ is eas' $o si$ in an *vor' Tower and

demand wha$ sho%ld be done in (ar$i#%lar #ir#%ms$an#es b%$ when one is in $he mids$ of a

(roblem li"e $his i$ is e$remel' diffi#%l$ $ogen%inel' forgive) The home life was r%ined

ll $his $ime $he woman had main$ained her #h%r#h fellowshi( and * have no do%b$ $ha$

her e$ernal salva$ion was se#%re in s(i$e of $he $remendo%s inner ba$$le she wasend%ring) * now 2%o$e from a wri$$en$es$imon' whi#h she gave $o me Forgive'o%r h%sband)< The words seemed so #lear al$ho%gh $here was no a%dible voi#e) *$ was a$ime when * was see"ing $he ?ord for an

answer $o false a##%sa$ions being madeagains$ me) * had los$ some of m' o' and

(ea#e b%$ did no$ $hin" $ha$ * had beenharboring %nforgiveness in m' hear$ $owardsm' former h%sband)

The words rang $hro%gh m' mind and * fel$

an inner sho#") * s%ddenl' reali+ed $ha$ * had been sinning agains$ ,od and * as"ed for -isforgiveness) Then * said $o $he ?ord $ha$ *wo%ld sin#erel' forgive m' h%sband b%$ *"new $ha$ * wo%ld also need $o go and seehim and (%$ ma$$ers righ$) * a#$ed 2%i#"l'

and wen$ $o see him) Bo$ onl' did he re#eivem' #onfession and e(ression of forgiveness b%$ we e#hanged m%$%alforgiveness and love and (ea#e $owards ea#ho$her whi#h onl' $he -ol' S(iri$ #o%ld havemade (ossible)

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* ins$an$l' fo%nd a new sense of ,od.s loveand -is o' and (ea#e)

* wo%ld have li"ed $o have been able $o sa' $ha$ $hismarriage was saved and res$ored b%$ $ha$ did no$o##%r) The se#ond bes$ $oo" (la#e and $he $wo

(eo(le fo%nd a (la#e of sin#ere forgiveness of ea#ho$her al$ho%gh $he' #o%ld no$ fa#e $he (ros(e#$ of #on$in%ing wi$h $heir marriage) ,od ha$es divor#e

b%$ some$imes ever' effor$ seems $o fail in ge$$ingdiverse (eo(le $o live in harmon' and we have $oa##e($ $he reali$' of se(ara$ion) * do no$ believe $ha$$his fail%re is d%e $o $he la#" of (ower $ha$ $he ?ord

(rovides b%$ is d%e $o o%r h%man inabili$' $oa((ro(ria$e $he f%llness of wha$ is (rovided $hro%gh$he -ol' S(iri$)

*n #o%nseling wi$h (eo(le who have gone $hro%ghmarriage (roblems similar $o $his * agree $ha$si$%a$ions #an be#ome so %gl' when one (ar$' doesno$ wan$ $o #hange $ha$ $he o$her (ar$' has noo($ion b%$ $o finall' ge$ o%$ of $he marriage for hisor her own sani$' and heal$h) There are $imes when

$he s#ri($%re $ells %s $o hake the dust o! yourfeet "#atthew $%&$'(. We m%s$ howevergen%inel' $r' and $r' hard before we resor$ $o ana#$ion $ha$ is essen$iall' agains$ $ha$ whi#h ,oddesires)

* am no$ (re(ared $o sa' $ha$ a (roblem is ho(eless)

* believe in $he (ower of ho(e and #onsider $ha$ wesho%ld hold $o o%r ho(es even in $he mos$ diffi#%l$#ir#%ms$an#es %n$il we are absol%$el' s%re $ha$ $hedoor $o a (ar$i#%lar ho(e has been finall' #losed)Then we m%s$ allow $he -ol' S(iri$ $o (%$ new ho(e

1!5



ba#" in$o o%r hear$s and minds and (ress forward ino%r lives and in $he f%lfillmen$ of ,od.s (lan for %s)

The diffi#%l$' in gen%inel' forgiving is a ver' realdilemma $ha$ is fa#ed b' man' (eo(le and $he'have been afraid $o s(ea" abo%$ i$) * have dis#overed$ha$ man' (eo(le go $hro%gh serio%s #rises in $heir s(iri$%al lives b%$ are afraid $o $al" abo%$ (roblemsas $he' feel $he' are $he onl' ones wi$h $he

(ar$i#%lar (roblem) 0' sharing $heir diffi#%l$' wi$hsomeone else $he' feel inferior as Chris$ians andSa$an deligh$s in de#eiving sin#ere believers in s%#ha manner) We all fa#e $hese #hallenges and need $o%nders$and how $he' #an be #omba$ed andover#ome) To do $his we m%s$ %nders$and $he realmeaning of forgiveness and wha$ is involved when

we forgive) ?e$ %s #onsider $hese (oin$s)

*f o%r salva$ion is de(enden$ %(on o%r abili$' $o#om(le$el' forgive o$hers from $he hear$ $hen $hesalva$ion of man' born again and S(iri$>filledChris$ians wo%ld be in do%b$ be#a%se %nforgivenessis wi$ho%$ 2%es$ion a (roblem in $he #h%r#h)

*f o%r salva$ion de(ends on o%r abili$' $o #om(le$el'forgive o$hers from $he hear$ $hen where does $he0ible $r%$h of %s$ifi#a$ion b' fai$h s$and:

re we %s$ified b' o%r fai$h in Chris$ (l%s o%r abili$' $o forgive ano$her (erson or are we %s$ified

before a hol' ,od be#a%se of $he (rovisions of Calvar' and $he blood of es%s Chris$ alone: TheWord of ,od $ells %s $ha$ we are saved b' gra#e$hro%gh fai$h an a#$ of re(en$an#e and #onfession of o%r sin no$ be#a%se of an abili$' $o forgive ano$her who ma' have serio%sl' wronged %s)

1!6



The 'eed to Forgive

*n sa'ing $hese $hings we are no$ for one momen$minimi+ing $he need $o forgive one ano$her b%$ weare (%$$ing $he 0ible $ea#hing #on#erningforgiveness in$o a righ$ (ers(e#$ive) *$ needs $o bes$rongl' em(hasi+ed $ha$ we are now referring $o $he2%es$ion of forgiving one ano$her onl' in regard $ohow i$ affe#$s o%r salva$ion)

Salva$ion is an a#$ of mer#' b' a loving ,od whi#hin#or(ora$es -is mer#' forgiveness and (ardon)The benefi$s of salva$ion are bes$owed %(on %s as ares%l$ of gra#e and gra#e alone) /%r salva$ion$herefore is no$ de(enden$ %(on o%r abili$' $oforgive ano$her (erson who has wronged %s b%$ is

de(enden$ en$irel' on $he gra#e of ,od and $heres(onse of o%r hear$s in re(en$an#e and #onfession)

We are saved by grace through faith, by anact of repentance and confession of our sin,not because of an ability to forgive another

who may have seriously wronged us.

* am no$ #ondoning %nforgiveness es%s $a%gh$ $ha$we m%s$ forgive one ano$her) There is a des(era$eneed for individ%al Chris$ians $o learn $o forgive oneano$her) an' (eo(le are in serio%s $%rmoils(iri$%all' men$all' emo$ionall' and (h'si#all'

be#a%se $he' have been %nwilling $o forgive) Theh%r$s $he' have s%ffered have been so dee( $ha$ $he'sa' $he' are %nable $o forgive) os$l' $his inabili$'is d%e $o %nwillingness $o forgive b%$ o$her $imes i$is d%e $o no$ "nowing how $o begin $o forgive) The

1!7



$as" is $oo grea$ for $hem and $he' do no$ "now $ha$showing mer#' is $he firs$ s$e( $o forgiveness)

Perha(s be#a%se of %nforgiveness a demoni# s(iri$has gained a hold so $ha$ $he (erson finds he is

(owerless in $he ba$$le $o be#ome willing $o forgive)-is will $o gen%inel' forgive has be#ome so gri((ed

b' Sa$an.s (ower $ha$ he fails $o do wha$ he "nowssho%ld be done) (erson in $his #ondi$ion ma' need

s(e#ial (ra'er for deliveran#e)

We are not condoning unforgiveness! 1esustaught that we must forgive one another.

,enerall' s(ea"ing however all %nforgiveness isd%e a$ leas$ in $he firs$ ins$an#e $o an %nwillingness

or ignoran#e of how $o forgive) Bone of %s #an sa'$ha$ we are %nable $o forgive be#a%se $he Word of ,od $ells %s $ha$ we are $o forgive) *$ wo%ld be a#on$radi#$ion in $erms $o sa' $ha$ $he 0ible $ells %s $oforgive b%$ $ha$ reall' i$ is im(ossible $o do so) *f $he0ible de#lares $ha$ we are $o forgive one ano$her

$hen obvio%sl' $his is wha$ we sho%ld do and wha$we are able $o do if we "now $he s$e(s) Forgivenesshas $o do wi$h hear$ a$$i$%de) We have alread' said$ha$ forgiveness involves $he dismissal of resen$men$ or dis(leas%re)

* was given $his (ersonal $es$imon'

' #hildhood was mainl' %nha((' be#a%seof $he #ons$an$ arg%ing of m' fa$her andmo$her) *$ was no$ %n$il m' earl' $eens $ha$ *

began $o reali+e $he grea$ (ress%re $ha$ m'mo$her s%ffered be#a%se of $he heav'

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drin"ing habi$s of m' fa$her and hisinfideli$' wi$h o$her women) * loved m'

fa$her and $here were some ha((' famil'$imes b%$ $he' were shor$>lived) *n m' mid>$eens m' fa$her lef$ home $o live wi$hano$her woman and an added finan#ial s$rainwas (la#ed %(on o%r famil')

s * grew older and married * %s$ wan$ed $o

(%$ m' fa$her o%$ of m' mind al$oge$her and* had no desire $o see him again) * $ho%gh$$ha$ 8forge$$ing< wo%ld solve $he (roblem of $he dee( h%r$ * had s%ffered be#a%se of a

bro"en home) The 'ears (assed b' b%$ * didno$ reali+e $ha$ $here was reall' a dee(%nforgiveness and bi$$erness s$ill eis$ing

wi$hin me $owards m' fa$her) ;%ring $his$ime ,od was blessing o%r lives and m'h%sband and * had #ome in$o newe(erien#es of ,od.s (rovision andem(owering)

$ele(hone #all sha$$ered m' life '

bro$her whom * loved dearl' had been "illedin an a##iden$) ' h%sband and * flew $helong dis$an#e ba#" $o m' home>#i$' for $hef%neral) s * s$e((ed from $he air#raf$ $hefirs$ (erson * saw was m' fa$her) 'emo$ions were in $%rmoil b%$ we embra#ed

and some$hing ha((ened inside me) 'fa$her was a bro"en man M devas$a$ed b' $hedea$h of $he son he had mainl' negle#$ed M and * fel$ #om(assion and forgivenesswelling %( wi$hin me)

1!9



We were able $o visi$ him la$er and * fo%ndall m' old h%r$s and dis(leas%re were gone)

Sorrow and disa((oin$men$ remained b%$ *fo%nd a new (ea#e and #on$en$men$) *dis#overed $ha$ $r'ing $o forge$ was ver'differen$ $han forgiving)

Do We Deserve Forgiveness?

There are (ra#$i#al wa's $o over#ome $he (roblemof forgiving o$hers) We m%s$ fa#e %( $o $he fa#$ $ha$we did no$ deserve an'$hing from ,od o%rselvese#e($ %dgmen$ b%$ -e forgave %s) -e also wen$

be'ond forgiveness and (ardoned %s as well) -e$oo" awa' $he g%il$ and (enal$' of o%r sins so we aredeb$ors $o $he mer#' and gra#e of ,od) Gver'one

who has made a #ommi$men$ of his life $o es%sChris$ is a deb$or $o $he gra#e mer#' andforgiveness of ,od) *f ,od forgave %s a deb$ be'ondo%r abili$' $o (a' $hen i$ is a #om(ara$ivel' small$hing for %s $o forgive ano$her some $res(ass agains$%s be#a%se an' wrong $ha$ is done $o %s #o%ld never

#om(are wi$h $he wrong $ha$ we have done $o ,od)Tha$ ma' be hard for a (erson $o a##e($ when $he'are h%r$ing We feel o%r own h%r$s ver' dee(l' ando%r h%man minds #an be ver' self>#en$ered) This iswh' $he 0ible s$resses $he need for $he mind $o berenewed and (ro$e#$ed o$herwise o%r feelings will

dis$or$ o%r abili$' $o obe#$ivel' a##e($ $he $r%$h of wha$ $he 0ible sa's)

*$ was o%r sin $ha$ made $he sa#rifi#e of Chris$ne#essar') *$ was $he sin of man"ind and $he sin $ha$we have #ommi$$ed $ha$ made i$ ne#essar' for

11!



Chris$ $o be se(ara$ed from -is Fa$her and s%ffer and die) The h%r$s $ha$ we have s%ffered from o$hers

are so small #om(ared $o $he enormi$' of o%r sinagains$ ,od) When we $hin" abo%$ $his obe#$ivel'we "now i$ is $r%e b%$ i$ is hard $o view o%r #ir#%ms$an#es obe#$ivel' when we are in dis$ress) *$is onl' af$er we have beg%n $o heal and ge$ hold of life again $ha$ we reali+e $he enormi$' of o%r sinagains$ ,od o$hers and o%rselves) We sin agains$o%rselves when we revel in (ain and we sin agains$o%r Crea$or when we do no$ allow -im $o heal %sand g%ide %s in$o wholeness in s(iri$ so%l and

bod')

We need $o #ome $o a (ra#$i#al reali+a$ion of $heeffe#$s of o%r sins $oward o$hers and $oward ,od

be#a%se i$ will hel( %s $o forgive $he $ransgressionsof o$hers agains$ %s) *n $he (arable of $heKnmer#if%l Servan$ whi#h we have alread' referred$o and whi#h is fo%nd in a$$hew 1@ $his (rin#i(leis ver' #learl' shown) The $r%$hs #on$ained in $hiss$or' are so im(or$an$)

The firs$ servan$ was forgiven a grea$ deb$ b%$ he in$%rn ref%sed $o show an' mer#' $o a fellow>servan$who owed him a ver' small amo%n$) When $hemas$er of bo$h of $hose servan$s dis#overed wha$had been done he revo"ed $he mer#' forgivenessand (ardon $ha$ he had shown $o $he firs$ servan$)

There are practical ways to overcome theproblem of forgiving others.

When we fail $o res(ond wi$h $he same "ind of %nders$anding $ha$ has been given $o %s we are in

111



danger of losing wha$ we o%rselves have re#eived) Bo one #o%ld do%b$ $he %s$i#e of $ha$ *$ is no$

s$range $ha$ if ,od has forgiven %s a grea$ deb$ $hen-e wo%ld e(e#$ %s $o forgive o$hers a ver' m%#hsmaller deb$ irres(e#$ive of how serio%s we ma'#onsider i$ $o be) *n #om(arison wi$h wha$ ,od hasforgiven %s and $he (enal$' $ha$ o%r fail%re righ$l'deserves an' forgiveness e(e#$ed from %s wo%ldhave $o be insignifi#an$)

Delivered to the Tor#entors5

The ing ames Oersion of $he 0ible %ses gra(hi#lang%age in des#ribing $he a#$ion of $he mas$er indealing wi$h $he %nmer#if%l servan$) *$ sa's )edelivered him to the tormentors* The BWsa's In anger his master turned him overto the +ailers until he should pay back allhe owed. "#atthew $&-'(. The ne$ versema"es $his %ne2%ivo#al s$a$emen$& This is howmy heavenly Father will treat each of youunless you forgive your brother from your

heart. "#atthew $&-(Tha$ sho%ld be eno%gh $o (%$ $he fear of ,od in$oo%r hear$s * $hin" i$ wo%ld be sobering for %s $oremember $he words of $he O as $he (hrase 8the

tormentors e(resses wha$ so of$en ha((ens $o $hosewho ref%se $o forgive) The (arable of $he

Knmer#if%l Servan$ #anno$ be in$er(re$ed $o mean aloss of salva$ion $o $he firs$ servan$) The %n%s$servan$ was delivered $o $he $ormen$ors he was no$delivered $o $he ee#%$ioners *$ is no$ ne#essar' $o$r' $o e(lain wh' $his $ransla$ion was given in $he

11



O b%$ $he word 8$ormen$< #an refer $o men$alang%ish agon' $or$%re or in$ense bodil' (ain) This

was $he %l$ima$e res%l$ for $he %nmer#if%l servan$)We migh$ add $ha$ he deserved i$ be#a%se of hisgrossl' selfish and %n#aring a$$i$%de) 0%$ are wealso g%il$' of s%#h #ond%#$:

friend who had s%ffered for 'ears be#a%se of $hes$r%ggle $o forgive wro$e $his #ommen$ $o me

8When we do no$ or #anno$ forgive we s%ffer men$al ang%ish some$imes (h'si#al ang%ish andeven$%al s(iri$%al de#a')<

%od in hrist not only forgave but pardonedus. )n comparison to this, how small are the

wrongs that we have suffered.

' e(erien#e in dealing wi$h (eo(le #onfirm $ha$man' are li$erall' in $ormen$ be#a%se $he' will no$forgive) The' wonder abo%$ $he origin of man' of $heir (roblems b%$ so of$en i$ is be#a%se $he' willno$ forgive) The' are s$ill saved b' $he gra#e of ,od

and #leansed of $heir sin b' $he blood of Chris$ b%$$he' are in $he hands of $he $ormen$ors be#a%se $he'will no$ forgive ano$her as ,od has forgiven $hem)

?e$ me give $his ill%s$ra$ion) * do no$ $hin" $ha$ * #anremember a (erson more fearf%l $ormen$ed anderra$i# in her Chris$ian life as $his (ar$i#%lar woman)

There were o##asions when she seemed $o radia$eChris$ M da's when she was e%beran$ and o'o%s M $hen $he #rash wo%ld #ome She be#ame mood's%s(i#io%s nega$ive and even vindi#$ive) She was awoman wi$h abili$' and a good ob and a$ $imes her

113



s(iri$%al life wo%ld rea#h a (ea" of vi#$or' b%$ moreof$en she wo%ld be in ho(eless des(air)

There were $imes when we wondered abo%$ her men$al s$abili$' b%$ $ha$ was no$ $he (roblem= shesim(l' ref%sed $o forgive) The sligh$es$ in#iden$wo%ld be in$er(re$ed as a maor sligh$) The a#$ionsof friends wo%ld be $rea$ed as (ersonal ins%l$s if $he' did no$ mee$ wi$h her (leas%re) She held

gr%dges disli"es and resen$men$ and a$ $imeswo%ld #om(le$el' ignore her friends if she was%(se$ b' some in#iden$) * never heard her a(ologi+e=she %s$ (re$ended no$hing had ha((ened af$er her

bla#" mood had (assed)

* believe she reall' loved ,od b%$ she was never

reall' willing $o forgive) -er Chris$ian life#on$in%ed in $his wa' %n$il * finall' los$ #on$a#$ wi$hher when she lef$ $he #h%r#h) 0' #ons$an$ viola$ionof $he #ommand of es%s $o forgive o$hers $hiswoman was in reg%lar men$al and emo$ional$ormen$)

When we forgive o$hers we re#eive a (osi$ive benefi$ o%rselves) When we hold %nforgiveness$oward o$hers we be#ome $heir slave as $he wrong$he' have done $o %s is #ons$an$l' on o%r mind)Forgiving ano$her (erson is a libera$ing e(erien#efor %s) 0%$ we find i$ hard $o forgive be#a%se wedon.$ %nders$and ,od.s role wi$h regard $o (ardon)

/%r res(onsibili$' is $o be mer#if%l $oward $he onewho has wronged %s and $o be willing $o dismissfrom o%r hear$ $he resen$men$ we feel) We #an do$his b' (ra'ing in a (osi$ive wa' for $he (erson whohas offended %s) es%s $old %s $o love o%r enemies

114



and $o (ra' for $hose who (erse#%$e %s Ha$$hew59;;<$ ;o no$ %nderes$ima$e $he wor" of $he -ol'

S(iri$ as we $a"e s$e(s $o a#$ in obedien#e $o ,od.sWord) /%r firs$ s$e(s ma' be rel%#$an$ and feeble

b%$ $he -ol' S(iri$ res(onds b' hel(ing %s) Thea(os$le Pa%l said we do no$ even "now how weo%gh$ $o (ra' b%$ $he -ol' S(iri$ himself in$er#edesfor %s Homans @6I)

My e(perience in dealing with peopleconfirms that many are literally in torment

because they will not forgive.

Wha$ ,od e$ends $o %s -e e(e#$s %s $o e$endwi$hin $he s#o(e of o%r a%$hori$' $o o$hers) The

e$en$ of o%r a%$hori$' and $he #ommand $o %s from$he ?ord is $o be mer#if%l and forgiving a$ all $imes)*$ is no$ o%r righ$ or (reroga$ive $o (ardon) Thisrigh$ belongs $o ,od

Forgiveness 6 Conditional or

%nconditional?

There is ano$her maor as(e#$) *$ is $ha$ ,od im(oses#ondi$ions before forgiveness #an be re#eived)These #ondi$ions are 2%i$e #lear) The firs$ isre(en$an#e and $he se#ond is #onfession) ,od onl'forgives on $he basis of $hese $wo #ondi$ions) *f were(en$ and #onfess $hen -e will forgive) /%r #on$in%ing fellowshi( wi$h ,od is adversel'affe#$ed b' an' sin an' falling shor$ of or missing$he mar" $ha$ ,od re2%ires for o%r lives) -olding

bi$$erness or resen$men$ is a #lear viola$ion of ,od.sWord) *f $hese are in o%r hear$s $oward o$her (eo(le

115



$hen o%r fellowshi( wi$h ,od is in$err%($ed) We areno longer wal"ing in $he ligh$ in regard $o o%r

fellowshi( wi$h ,od)*$ is in$eres$ing $o no$e $ha$ in $he m(lified Oersionof a$$hew 614M15 rela$ing $o forgiving oneano$her $he words 8giving %( resen$men$< are %sed)This is $he snare $ha$ believers in Chris$ #ons$an$l'fa#e) We are %nwilling $o or do no$ "now how $o

give %( resen$men$ b%$ we do no$ reali+e $ha$ weare (la#ing o%rselves in $he hands of $he8$ormen$ors<) /%r salva$ion $hro%gh es%s is s$ill areali$' b%$ we lose $he sense of $he nearness of $he?ord)

This leads %s $o a ver' im(or$an$ $r%$h) ,od.s hear$

is alwa's o(en $o forgive so ,od re2%ires an' believer $o have a similar hear$ a$$i$%de of willingness $o forgive o$hers irres(e#$ive of wha$has been done $o him) There are no e#e($ions wem%s$ have a hear$ a$$i$%de $ha$ is o(en $o forgivenessand believe $ha$ ,od will im(ar$ $he needed gra#e $odo so)

)t is not our right or prerogative to pardon.This right belongs to %od.

?e$ me #onfirm $ha$ ,od.s forgiveness re2%ires#onfession b' $he one who has sinned

If we confess our sins, he is faithfuland >ust and will forgive us our sinsand purify us from allunrighteousness. ( Cohn !-%

116



*n o$her words ,od will forgive %s and res$ore %s $ofellowshi( wi$h -im if we #onfess wha$ we have

done) Confession is of no val%e %nless $here issin#ere sorrow for $he fail%re so $his s#ri($%re

(res%((oses $ha$ $here has been $r%e re(en$an#e before $he #onfession is made) These are $he%n#hanging gro%nds for forgiveness $o be#om(le$ed) S%rel' ,od does no$ re2%ire a believer $o o(era$e on a higher s$andard $han -e does: ;o'o% $hin" $ha$ ,od wo%ld e(e#$ %s $o have a higher level of #ond%#$ $han -imself:

We are unwilling to give up resentment, butwe do not reali-e that we are placing

ourselves in the hands of the “tormentors”.

*f ,od.s forgiveness of %s is no$ %n#ondi$ional $henis o%r forgiveness of one ano$her %n#ondi$ional: Thewa' we of$en a#$ wo%ld ma"e i$ seem $ha$ $his wasso We wan$ o$hers $o forgive and forge$ $ha$ wehave done wrong $o $hem b' o%r a#$ing as if no$hinghad ha((ened) This does no$ wor" and i$ does no$

(rod%#e gen%ine forgiveness as far as ,od is#on#erned)

* need $o again 2%o$e $he signifi#an$ $ea#hing b'es%s $ha$ we have #onsidered in an earlier #ha($eras $his is vi$al in %nders$anding $ha$ forgiveness

be$ween one ano$her is no$ %n#ondi$ional

If your brother sins against you, goand show him his fault, >ust betweenthe two of you. (atthew <!%

117



This #ommand b' es%s is (robabl' disobe'ed more$han an' o$her one) We $al" $o o$her (eo(le abo%$

wha$ we #onsider $he wrong done $o %s we gossi(we #ri$i#i+e b%$ seldom do we go and see $he onewi$h whom we have $he fa%l$) es%s made i$ (lain$ha$ $he righ$ #o%rse was $o go dire#$ $o $he (erson#on#erned and in doing $his we ma' win o%r bro$her and $he ma$$er ma' be resolved) *f having done $hishe will no$ hear %s $hen we are $o $a"e one or $woo$hers and go $o him $o #onfirm wha$ is being saidif $hen even wi$h $he wi$nesses $o $he (roblem $he

bro$her is s$ill %nwilling $o lis$en $he iss%e is $o go before $he #h%r#h)

Seldom however do we find $ha$ $he #h%r#h iswilling $o be involved in s%#h (ersonal ma$$ers b%$

es%s has inves$ed a%$hori$' in $he #h%r#h and $he#h%r#h has a vi$al (ar$ $o (la' in re#on#ilia$ion

be$ween #onfli#$ing members)

*$ is eas' $o reason $ha$ i$ is be$$er $o le$ an iss%edro( ra$her $han bea$ a dead horse b%$ so of$en $he%nresolved (roblem remains li"e a #an#er $ha$ is

slowl' ea$ing awa' $he bod') Knresolved (roblemshave a habi$ of e(loding wi$h a m%#h moredevas$a$ing res%l$ $han $he (ain #a%sed in $r'ing $odeal wi$h $hem a$ $he $ime $he' arise)

Following $his $ea#hing wi$h $he $hree #lear s$e(s for forgiveness Pe$er #ame $o es%s and as"ed him a

s(e#ifi# 2%es$ion

Lord, how many times shall I forgivemy brother when he sins against me? p to seven times? (atthew<!1%

11@



* am s%re $ha$ Pe$er $ho%gh$ $ha$ he was beinges(e#iall' gra#io%s and s(iri$%al as he as"ed $ha$

2%es$ion) K( $o seven $imes seemed a maor #on#ession be#a%se $he oral law of $he s#ribes andPharisees (rovided $ha$ forgiveness be given onl'$hree $imes) To forgive $hree $imes was no$ (ar$ of $he law of oses b%$ i$ was (ar$ of $he $radi$ion $ha$had been added $o $he law) *$ was a big s$e( for Pe$er $o be willing $o forgive seven $imes -e m%s$ have

been ama+ed b' $he re(l' given b' es%s

I tell you, not seven times, but seventyFseven times. (atthew<!11%

*$ is in$eres$ing $o no$e $ha$ in $he O es%s is

s$a$ed as sa'ing $o forgive seven$' $imes sevenWha$ever $ransla$ion is a##e($ed i$ seems obvio%s$ha$ es%s was $elling Pe$er $ha$ $here is no limi$ $ohow of$en one sho%ld forgive) -owever in $he ligh$of wha$ es%s had been sa'ing in $he (revio%sverses $he (erson a$ fa%l$ was re2%ired $oa#"nowledge his fail%re) *f $ha$ was no$ done af$er

$he $hree (ro#ed%res had been followed $hen $he (enal$' is 2%i$e #lear

If he refuses to listen even to thechurch, treat him as you would a

pagan or a ta3 collector. F(atthew<!$%

%od says that if we repent and confess, &ewill restore us to fellowship with &imself

119



/n man' o##asions * have had $o deal wi$h men andwomen whose a$$i$%des and #ond%#$ have been

wrong) Some$imes $hese (eo(le have been in (osi$ions of leadershi( and res(onsibili$') *ndivid%al#o%nseling was %ns%##essf%l) Times of dis#%ssionwi$h one or $wo o$hers or even wi$h an Gldershi(failed $o gain a righ$ res(onse) Wha$ sho%ld haveha((ened $hen: ##ording $o $he $ea#hing of es%s$he ma$$er sho%ld $hen have been $a"en before $hewhole #h%r#h Seldom does $he #h%r#h ma"e

(rovision for s%#h an a#$ion) Perha(s we have beenafraid $o air dir$' linen in fron$ of $he #ongrega$ionand so have allowed a (erson $o sli( o%$ of #h%r#hlife of$en leaving $he im(ression $ha$ $he leadershi(and no$ $he (erson was a$ fa%l$

The ne$ news we have is $ha$ $he (erson #on#ernedhas been given a (osi$ion of res(onsibili$' inano$her #h%r#h and his wrong a#$ion or a$$i$%de hasno$ been deal$ wi$h) * have "nown men $o go from a

(osi$ion of a%$hori$' in one #h%r#h $o a leadershi( (osi$ion in ano$her #h%r#h or Chris$ian a#$ivi$'

leaving behind a $o$al viola$ion of $hese (rin#i(les)*$ is $r%e $ha$ es%s said we were $o forgive oneano$her b%$ -e laid down #lear r%les as $o wha$ was$o be done if a fa%l$ arose be$ween bre$hren andhow $he' were $o res(ond) nd if $he' did no$ do so$hen $he' were $o be ree#$ed from fellowshi( wi$h

o$her believers no$ given a leadershi( role in someo$her s(here)

We have alread' seen $ha$ es%s $old Pe$er $ha$forgiveness was no$ $o be limi$ed $o a #er$ainn%mber of $imes) *$ wo%ld also hel( %s $o #om(are

1!



wha$ es%s said $o Pe$er wi$h $he words of $he ?ordre#orded in ?%"e.s gos(el

If your brother sins, rebuke him, andif he repents, forgive him. If he sinsagainst you seven times in a day,and seven times comes back to youand says, :I repent, forgive him.+ (Luke $!4#5%

This is a signifi#an$ addi$ion $o wha$ we have ina$$hew.s gos(el) When (eo(le sin agains$ %s wedon.$ %s$ be#ome a door ma$ and allow o%rselves $o

be wal"ed on es%s in#l%ded $he ver' im(or$an$s$a$emen$ %s$ men$ioned 8 If yor brother sins!

rebe him! and if he repents! forgive him$< There

are $wo vi$al a#$ions= reb%"e $he one who has sinnedand forgive him if he re(en$s

*$ was as a res%l$ of $hese words of es%s $ha$ $hedis#i(les said $o $he ?ord 8in&rease or faith<H?%"e 1=95<$ The in#rease of fai$h was no$ for

(erforming mira#les b%$ for $he abili$' $o re(ea$edl'

forgive) * am s%re $ha$ we wo%ld feel $he same?e$ me s%mmari+e $he si$%a$ion $he bro$her who hassinned is firs$ $o #ome and re(en$) *f $here isre(en$an#e $hen $here are no gro%nds on whi#h aChris$ian #an hold an' h%r$ or resen$men$)e(en$an#e m%s$ bring for$h $he res(onse of

forgiveness) There m%s$ alwa's be however even before re(en$an#e is e(ressed a willingness $oforgive b%$ $he forgiveness #anno$ be #om(le$ed%nless $here is re(en$an#e b' $he one who has#a%sed $he offen#e) -ere we have $he same

11



#onsis$en$ gro%nds for $he #om(le$ion of gen%ineforgiveness re(en$an#e and #onfession)

There are $wo im(or$an$ #a$egories $o #onsider) Thefirs$ one is $hose who are Chris$ians and where onehas offended agains$ ano$her b%$ re(en$ed) Thissi$%a$ion of$en arises in #h%r#h life) Someone hasgrieved ano$her b%$ #omes and a#"nowledges $hefa%l$ and re(en$s) Forgiveness in s%#h #ir#%ms$an#es

is $o be %n#ondi$ional) We have no s#ri($%ralgro%nds for re$aining an' wrong a$$i$%de or ill>will$owards a (erson who has re(en$ed) Gven if $heoffen#e is re(ea$ed and $he (erson on#e morere(en$s $hen es%s said $ha$ he m%s$ be forgiven)There is no limi$ $o forgiveness if re(en$an#e isshown no ma$$er how of$en one (erson fails

ano$her)

The increase of faith was not for performingmiracles but for the ability

to repeatedly forgive.

Forgiveness and Trustes%s did no$ sa' $ha$ we were $o have $he same#onfiden#e or $r%s$ in $he (erson b%$ -e did sa' $ha$we m%s$ forgive) We have seen (revio%sl' $ha$ i$ is

(ossible $o have fellowshi( res$ored and $o forgive a (erson from $he hear$ and 'e$ s$ill no$ have $he same

$o$al $r%s$ or #onfiden#e in him be#a%se #redibili$'has $o be res$ored) This is a differen$ ma$$er al$oge$her $han holding %nforgiveness)

The se#ond #a$egor' is when a (erson who hassinned agains$ ano$her does no$ re(en$) Wha$

1



ha((ens in $his #ase: The (roblem is $ha$ no$ man' (eo(le #ome and sa' $ha$ $he' are sorr' when an

offen#e has been #ommi$$ed) Some (eo(le $r' $o (re$end $ha$ no$hing has ha((ened) The' %s$ wan$$o forge$ abo%$ i$) The' $r' $o renew $he rela$ionshi(from where $he (roblem o##%rred be#a%se $he' willno$ h%mble $hemselves and a(ologi+e)

So wha$ do we do: This is a (roblem $ha$ alwa's

seems $o be wi$h %s) We #an onl' a((eal $o $he firs$se$ of s#ri($%res $ha$ give a general #ommand $oforgive) /%r a$$i$%de m%s$ alwa's be one of willingness $o forgive whe$her a (erson re(en$s or no$) We have $he res(onsibili$' $o dismiss an'

bi$$erness or resen$men$ $ha$ we ma' feelirres(e#$ive of how $he offender s%bse2%en$l' a#$s)

*f $he (erson does no$ re(en$ $hen forgiveness hasno$ been #om(le$ed as far as i$ rela$es $o him) -e isin $ro%ble no$ wi$h %s b%$ wi$h ,od) These are no$o%r r%les $he' are ,od.s

We have no scriptural grounds for retaining

any wrong attitude or ill'will towards aperson who has repented.

When a (erson does no$ $a"e $he ini$ia$ive $o (%$righ$ a wrong he remains %nder $he 8$ormen$ors.)The (erson who s%ffers is no$ $he one offendedagains$ b%$ $he one who has offended be#a%se he

remains %nder ,od.s %dgmen$) This will #on$in%e%n$il he has h%mbled himself and #om(lied wi$h $heobliga$ion $o re(en$ and #onfess)

Bone of %s is ever free of $his obliga$ion) *$ a((lies$o o%r rela$ionshi( wi$h ,od and i$ a((lies $o o%r

13



rela$ionshi( wi$h one ano$her) *f we have sinned as(e#ifi# #onfession is re2%ired) *$ is no$ s%ffi#ien$ a$

$he end of a da' $o (ra' a general (ra'er as"ing for forgiveness) *$ is no$ as eas' as $ha$

We need $o fa#e $he reali$' of $he (rin#i(les wi$hwhi#h we are dealing) When we "now $ha$ we havedelibera$el' disobe'ed ,od.s Word we need $o fa#e%( $o i$ and #onfess i$ b' name) ,od #an $hen

#leanse %s and res$ore %s $o fellowshi() *$ is $hesame wi$h one ano$her) *$ ma' firs$ be ne#essar' $o

(%$ some$hing righ$ wi$h ano$her (erson or ma"eres$i$%$ion b%$ we m%s$ $a"e $he s$e( $o e(ose $he

(roblem and deal wi$h i$)

Forgiveness whi#h m%s$ be offered a$ all $imes is

onl' #ons%mma$ed M bro%gh$ $o #om(le$ion and (erfe#$ion M when $he offender re(en$s and#onfesses)

2ot many people come and say they aresorry when an offence has been committed.

/%r danger is $ha$ as $he offended (ar$' we #an beso #on#erned wi$h o%r bro$her.s $res(ass agains$ %s$ha$ we fall in$o $he sin of being %nmer#if%l $owardshim) We fail $o remember $he mer#' of ,od $ha$ hasfirs$ been re#eived b' %s) es%s said $ha$ $hose whohad been forgiven m%#h wo%ld love m%#h) *n

?%"e.s gos(el we have $hese words $o Simon Pe$er Cesus answered him, :Simon, I havesomething to tell you.+

:&ell me teacher,+ he said.

14



:&wo men owed money to a certainmoneylender. 'ne owed him /ve

hundred denarii, and the other /fty.Jeither of them had the money to

pay him back so he cancelled thedebts of both. Jow which of themwill love him more?+

Simon replied, :I suppose the one

who had the bigger debt cancelled.+:Eou have >udged correctly,+ Cesussaid. (Luke $!59#54%

When we have been forgiven m%#h $hen we in $%rnsho%ld be (re(ared $o forgive m%#h)

+enuine Forgiveness

* wan$ $o give $wo eam(les from $he 0ible $ha$ill%s$ra$e $he hear$ a$$i$%de of forgiveness) The firs$#on#erns $he #r%#ifiion of es%s

Ahen they came to the place called

&he Skull, there they cruci/ed him,along with the criminals # one on hisright, the other on his left.

Cesus said, :ather, forgive them, for they do not know what they aredoing. : )nd they divided up his

clothes by casting lots. (Luke 14!44#45%

es%s had been %n%s$l' $ried $or$%red and now wasd'ing) ?e$ me as" a 2%es$ion) Were all $hoseasso#ia$ed wi$h $he #r%#ifiion forgiven: When

15



es%s said Father forgive them! did $his mean $ha$all $he oman soldiers $he #hief (ries$ Pila$e and

$he o$her (er(e$ra$ors of $his #rime were ins$an$l'forgiven: Bo es%s was demons$ra$ing a hear$a$$i$%de of willingness $o forgive $owards $hose whohad falsel' a##%sed -im and nailed -im $o $heCross) *n doing $his es%s "e($ -is fellowshi( wi$h,od in (erfe#$ harmon') Probabl' $hose (eo(le#on#erned wo%ld no$ have been forgiven b' ,od%n$il ea#h one (ersonall' re(en$ed and #onfessed $hesin of whi#h he was g%il$')

When we have been forgiven much, then wein turn should be prepared to forgive much.

The se#ond eam(le #on#erns S$e(hen who was $hefirs$ man $o die be#a%se of his fai$h in es%s Chris$

Ahile they were stoning him,Stephen prayed, :Lord Cesus, receivemy spirit.+

&hen he fell on his knees and cried

out, :Lord do not hold this sinagainst them.+ Ahen he had saidthis, he fell asleep. ()cts $!-#"9%

We need $o as" $he same 2%es$ion) Were all $hosewho were s$oning S$e(hen $o dea$h forgiven: Were$he' %dged no$ g%il$' b' ,od be#a%se of S$e(hen.s

(ra'er: Bo 0%$ S$e(hen was demons$ra$ing a hear$a$$i$%de of willingness $o forgive even $owards$hose who were m%rdering him) 0' $his (ra'er S$e(hen.s fellowshi( wi$h ,od was %nim(aired) llof $hose involved in "illing S$e(hen wo%ld have

16



needed $o (ersonall' re(en$ and #onfess in order $o be forgiven %s$ as Sa%l $he man who la$er be#ame

$he a(os$le Pa%l did)es%s of$en deno%n#ed $he s#ribes and Pharisees 'e$as -e #ame near $o $he end of -is ear$hl' minis$r'-e s$ood loo"ing down on er%salem and said

' Cerusalem, Cerusalem, you who killthe prophets and stone those sent to

you, how often I have longed togather your children together, as ahen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.(atthew 14!4$%

/n#e again we see from es%s a hear$ a$$i$%de of a

willingness $o forgive in s(i$e of $he ree#$ion -ehad re#eived b%$ for $ha$ forgiveness $o have a

(ra#$i#al a((li#a$ion in $he lives of $hose #on#ernedea#h wo%ld have $o ma"e a (ersonal res(onse)

Gven %das $he dis#i(le who was wi$h es%s for more $han $hree 'ears and $hen be$ra'ed -im did

no$ re#eive #ondemna$ion from $he ?ord) es%smain$ained an a$$i$%de of willingness $o forgive a$all $imes) n a$$i$%de li"e $his g%aran$ees #on$in%ingfellowshi( wi$h ,od)

tephen was demonstrating a heart attitude

of willingness to forgive, even towardsthose who were murdering him.

*n s%mmar' la#" of re(en$an#e and la#" of forgiveness be$ween believers does no$ nega$e $heir salva$ion b%$ i$ (%$s $hem in $he (osi$ion where ,od

17



is dealing %dgmen$all' wi$h $hem) This #an res%l$ inloss of (ea#e and ass%ran#e in $heir salva$ion)

Forgiveness does no$ mean (ardon) Pardon is ,od.sres(onsibili$') *f someone has wronged %s and he or she as"s $o be forgiven $hen we m%s$ forgive him or her wi$ho%$ reserva$ion) *f $here is an' #on$in%ing

%di#ial dealing of ,od a((l'ing $o $ha$ (erson $hen$ha$ is ,od.s res(onsibili$' no$ o%rs) e(en$an#eand #onfession are alwa's essen$ial elemen$s in $r%eforgiveness b%$ ,od re2%ires a forgiving hear$a$$i$%de from %s a$ all $imes)

We are $o love one ano$her) We have been forgivenm%#h= we have re#eived $he mer#' and (ardon of ,od and we sho%ld be deligh$ed $o e$end $he samegra#e $o o$hers) *n a h'mn wri$$en b' Wm ) Bewell

$he #hor%s sa's

er#' $here was grea$ and gra#e was freePardon $here was m%l$i(lied $o meThere m' b%rdened so%l fo%nd liber$'$ Calvar'

*f we have e(erien#ed forgiveness li"e $his $henwe m%s$ be willing $o forgive ano$her (erson whohas wronged %s) Gven if $he o$her (erson is $o$all' a$fa%l$ o%r hear$ a$$i$%de m%s$ s$ill be $o forgive)There are %s%all' $wo sides $o ever' dis(%$e or differen#e of o(inion b%$ even if we are l!! righ$and $he o$her (erson is 1!! wrong we m%s$ be

willing $o forgive $ha$ (erson wi$ho%$ an'resen$men$ remaining) Forgiveness means 8$oe#%se.) We m%s$ e#%se or dismiss $he #om(lain$whi#h we have)

1@



,od.s a#$ions a((l' in $wo wa's) *f we are in $herigh$ b%$ are no$ willing $o forgive we #ome %nder

,od.s dis#i(line) *f we are in $he wrong b%$ will no$re(en$ and #onfess we also #ome %nder ,od.sdis#i(line) We #an have $he si$%a$ion where bo$h $heone who is righ$ and $he one who is wrong are %nder ,od.s %dgmen$ be#a%se $he' will no$ have $he righ$a$$i$%de or will no$ $a"e $he righ$ a#$ion)

*n o$her words bo$h $he %nforgiving and $he%nre(en$an$ s%ffer $he #onse2%en#es of $heir owndisobedien#e $o $he (rin#i(les of ,od.s Word)

19



Chapter 7

So.ing and (eaping

/%r s$%dies so far have made #lear from s#ri($%re$ha$ al$ho%gh mer#' and forgiveness and some

degree of (ardon have been e$ended b' ,od $ha$ i$is (ossible $o #on$in%e $o s%ffer $he #onse2%en#es of sin and fail%re) This was ill%s$ra$ed in a (revio%s#ha($er from $he life of ing ;avid who al$ho%ghsin#erel' and gen%inel' re(en$ing of $he sin he had#ommi$$ed and who was forgiven and res$ored $ofellowshi( wi$h ,od remained %nder a $em(oral

%dgmen$ of ,od) ;avid wro$e af$er he hadre(en$ed of $he blessing for $he man whose$ransgressions were forgiven and whose sin $he ?orddid no$ #o%n$ agains$ him HPsalm 31MI 'e$ ,odhad de#lared $ha$ $he 8 sword wold never depart

from his hose< H Sam%el 11!I) *$ is im(or$an$ as

we #on$in%e $o s$%d' $he s%be#$ of bibli#alforgiveness $ha$ we remember $his (rin#i(le)

3 Creative 0rinciple

*$ is ne#essar' $o elabora$e on $his as(e#$) ,od has b%il$ in$o life a #rea$ive (rin#i(le $ha$ is "nown as

8sowing and rea(ing<) *n a na$%ral wa' i$ a((lies $o#ro(s and $he (lan$s $ha$ we grow) We m%s$ firs$ sow before we #an rea() We will never ob$ain a harves$of whea$ or an' o$her grain or (lan$ if we do no$ firs$sow $he seed) We will no$ ge$ $he vege$ables weeno' and need for good heal$h if $he seeds are no$

13!



(lan$ed) This is $r%e in a na$%ral wa' and i$ is also$r%e s(iri$%all' wi$h regard $o o%r dail' a#$ions)

ea(ing wha$ we have sown #an #on$in%e evenaf$er forgiveness has been re#eived from ,od or even when i$ has been re#eived from man) * wan$ $orefer $o some im(or$an$ s#ri($%res

)s I have observed, those who plough evil and those who sow

trouble reap it. (Cob 5!<%

&he wicked man earns deceptivewages, but he who sowsrighteousness reaps a sure reward.(roverbs !<%

0e who sows wickedness reapstrouble, and the rod of his fury willbe destroyed. (roverbs 11!<%

ll of $hese s#ri($%res are im(or$an$ in re#ogni+ing$ha$ we will rea( wha$ever we sow) *n $he (ro(he#'of -osea we read

&hey sow the wind and reap thewhirlwind. &he stalk has no head; it will produce no =our. Aere it to yieldgrain, foreigners would swallow it up. (0osea <!$%

*n $he same boo" of $he 0ible we find $his

s$a$emen$

Sow for yourselves righteousness,reap the fruit of unfailing love, andbreak up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he

131



comes and showers righteousnesson you.

*ut you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you haveeaten the fruit of deception.*ecause you have depended on

your own strength and on your many warriors. (0osea 9! 1#4%

3eaping what we have sown can continue,even after forgiveness has been received

from %od, or even when it has beenreceived from man.

ll of $hese s#ri($%res $ell %s $ha$ wha$ever we are (lowing and sowing will #ome ba#" $o %s) *f i$ isevil and ini2%i$' or selfishness and (ride $he samewill re$%rn $o %s) There is no es#a(e from $he divine

(rin#i(le of rea(ing wha$ we sow whe$her i$ be in ana$%ral or s(iri$%al sense

*n Pa%l* s le$$er $o $he ,ala$ians $his (rin#i(le is

again #onfirmed) The relevan$ (assage begins wi$h$he words :o not be deceived+ "/alatians0&1() There are man' (eo(le $oda' who arede#eived and $he' are willing $o be de#eived

be#a%se $he' will no$ a##e($ $his #lear $r%$h from,od* s Word) Some$imes i$ seems $ha$ ,od is slow

in a#$ing on wha$ -e has said) This is be#a%se of -ismer#' and -is willingness $o allow $ime for re(en$an#e b%$ inevi$abl' ,od will a#$ on wha$ -ehas said) The verse sa's

13



o not be deceived; God cannot bemocked. ) man reaps what he sows.

&he one who sows to please hissinful nature, from that nature willreap destruction; the one who sowsto please the Spirit, from the Spirit,will reap eternal life. (Galatians "!$F<%

' fa$her is now de#eased b%$ was eigh$'>seven'ears of age when he died) s a 'o%ng married manin his mid>$hir$ies he had a (ersonal e(erien#e of re#eiving Chris$ as his Savior and ?ord b%$ (rior $o$his he had no (ar$i#%lar involvemen$ wi$h $he#h%r#h nor did he have e$ensive s(iri$%al

"nowledge) -e wor"ed in a hard environmen$ wheredrin"ing and swearing were a normal (ar$ of life)

* am $he 'o%nges$ member of a large famil' and m'oldes$ sis$er as a small girl wal"ed from o%r home$o a nearb' 0a($is$ #h%r#h one S%nda' morning andsa$ on $he s$e(s and lis$ened $o $he #ongrega$ion

singing) She #ame home and said $o m' fa$her8;add' will 'o% $a"e me $o #h%r#h:<

To h%mor $he li$$le girl he said 8Ees dear *.ll do i$ne$ wee")< *$ was %s$ an eas' re(l' for him and no$for one momen$ did he $hin" $ha$ m' sis$er wo%ldremember $he (romise b%$ she did When $he

S%nda' #ame she reminded him and he rel%#$an$l'honored $he (romise and $oo" m' sis$er $o $he#h%r#h)

-e was dee(l' moved b' $he servi#e and re$%rned $o$he #h%r#h $ha$ evening wi$h m' mo$her and a$ $he

133



#lose of $he mee$ing #ommi$$ed his life $o Chris$) -eremembered onl' one (ar$ of $he sermon $he $e$

from whi#h $he minis$er (rea#hed od is not mo&ed! for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he

also reap$ ' fa$her re#eived es%s Chris$ in$o hislife be#a%se of $he #onvi#$ion $ha$ #ame $hro%gh $ha$verse of s#ri($%re) -e reali+ed $ha$ he was sowing alife of self>(leasing and sin and was s%ddenl' fa#edwi$h $he fa#$ $ha$ he wo%ld %l$ima$el' rea( $he sameres%l$ if his life did no$ #hange) -is s(iri$%alawa"ening and obedien#e $o $he #onvi#$ion of $he-ol' S(iri$ $ha$ nigh$ #hanged $he des$in' of o%r famil' and %l$ima$el' all $he famil' members #ame$o "now $he ?ord in a (ersonal wa')

4 man reaps what he sow’s.

'egative and 0ositive

*n all $he s#ri($%res $ha$ have been 2%o$ed $here is anega$ive and (osi$ive as(e#$) This is eviden$$hro%gho%$ $he Word of ,od) *n $he verses %s$

2%o$ed $he nega$ive res%l$s are M (lo%gh evil andrea( evil) Sow $ro%ble and rea( $ro%ble) Sow $o $hewind and rea( $he whirlwind) Plan$ wi#"edness andrea( evil) ll of $hese are nega$ive res%l$s $ha$ ariseo%$ of o%r own a#$ions)

* wan$ $o in#l%de ano$her (ersonal e(erien#e

#on#erning a man whom * me$ on several o##asions)-e was (ar$ of ano$her #h%r#h #ongrega$ion b%$from $ime>$o>$ime * visi$ed $ha$ #h%r#h and also had#on$a#$ wi$h o$her members of his famil') -e wasdiffi#%l$ and rigid and seldom smiled al$ho%gh if

134



some$hing (leased him he #o%ld be warm and#om(limen$ar') *$ wasn.$ a #omfor$ing sigh$ $o see

him si$$ing in $he #ongrega$ion as he lis$ened wi$h afied loo" on his fa#e) Was he a((roving or disa((roving: -e was even willing $o (%bli#l'2%es$ion a novi#e (rea#her in $he mids$ of a sermonif he disagreed wi$h some s$a$emen$)

There were $imes when he #o%ld be genero%s b%$ he

was feared more $han he was li"ed) -ow m%#hha((ier life #o%ld have been for him b%$ hisnega$ive and of$en #ri$i#al a$$i$%de #a%sed him $o see$he wors$ ra$her $han $he bes$ in mos$ as(e#$s of life)

#h%r#h f%n#$ion was (lanned and e#i$emen$ andgenerosi$' were $he order of $he da') This man grew

in his garden a (ar$i#%lar vege$able $ha$ wasre2%ired and a re2%es$ was made #o%ld he s%((l'$he 2%an$i$' needed: The need was no$ large andhis s%((l' was 2%i$e ab%ndan$ b%$ when $he bo of

(rod%#e was handed over $he demand was made8Tha$ will be L1!<

-e died a ra$her lonel' man devoid of m%#hfriendshi( $ha$ #o%ld have been his) The word of ,od was a s%be#$ of dee( in$eres$ $o him b%$ wha$is $he val%e of "nowledge if we #anno$ im(lemen$i$: /ne #an "now $he words b%$ no$ "now wha$ $he'mean The small gif$ of vege$ables wo%ld have beena minor #on$rib%$ion $o $ha$ whi#h o$hers of far less

means gladl' made b%$ $he in#iden$ mar"ed him asa man la#"ing in generosi$')

G$ra mone' ma' have been his b%$ he los$ lovefriendshi( and res(e#$ as a res%l$ of his miserl'

135



s(iri$) ;o we rea( wha$ we sow: /f $his fa#$ * haveno do%b$

There is however $he (osi$ive res%l$ as well) The0ible alwa's has a (osi$ive (rovision $ha$ releases a

(erson from a nega$ive (enal$' in$o a (osi$ive benefi$ so we also have $hese (romises

&he wicked man earns deceptivewages, but he who sows

righteousness reaps a sure reward.(roverbs !<%

Sow for yourselves righteousness,reap the fruit of unfailing love.(0osea 9!1%

&he one who sows to please hissinful nature, from that nature willreap destruction; the one who sowsto please the Spirit will reap eternallife. (Galatians "!<%

These are $he #hoi#es $ha$ are laid before %s)

Wha$ever we do in life from all o%r a$$i$%des anda#$ions will #ome for$h a defini$e res%l$ ei$her for

good or ill) There is no es#a(ing from $his) Fromever'$hing we sow we will rea( so we have $he#hoi#e of whe$her we wan$ benefi#ial or harmf%l#onse2%en#es as we (ro#eed $hro%gh life)

The Word of the 5ord always has a positiveprovision that releases one from a negative

penalty into a positive benefit.

136



-ere is an o((osi$e eam(le from $he s$ing' man %s$ men$ioned) *$ wo%ld be hard $o imagine a more

genero%s (erson $han a woman * "new) Bo$hing wasa $ro%ble and no sa#rifi#e was $oo grea$) *n fa#$ *am s%re she never $ho%gh$ of giving as a sa#rifi#e

b%$ as a (rivilege) *f someone was si#"= dishes of food wo%ld be (re(ared wi$ho%$ an' as"ing) b%s'mo$her $r'ing $o #o(e wi$h $he washing ironing and#oo"ing for a famil' of si livel' h%ngr' #hildrenwo%ld s%ddenl' hear a "no#" a$ $he door and $hereshe wo%ld be read' $o do a s$in$ of $wo ho%rs a$ $heho$ ironing board)

-er #om(an' was a o' -er ver' (resen#e radia$edwarm$h and res$ored s$reng$h $o $hose she hel(ed)She never did manage $o a##%m%la$e m%#h mone'

in $he ban" b%$ if weal$h was meas%red ina((re#ia$ion love and admira$ion she was amillionaire

This (rin#i(le of sowing and rea(ing #on$in%es$hro%gho%$ s#ri($%re bo$h in $he /ld Tes$amen$ andin $he Bew Tes$amen$) The words 8sowing and

rea(ing< ma' no$ alwa's be %sed b%$ $he o%$#ome is$he same)

Thin" for a momen$ of $he 0ab'lonian "ing Beb%#hadne++ar) The 0ible $ells how $his man wasfilled wi$h (ride and self ad%la$ion be#a%se of his#on2%es$s and (ower) -e #onsidered himself above

,od) There is an in#iden$ re#orded in $he 0oo" of ;aniel where be#a%se of Beb%#hadne++ar.s (ride$he %dgmen$ of ,od #ame %(on him) These wordsare re#orded

137



Immediately what had been saidabout JebuchadneMMar was ful/lled.

0e was driven away from peopleand ate grass like cattle. 0is body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like thefeathers of an eagle and his nailslike the claws of a bird. (aniel 5!44%

This (owerf%l "ing who had enslaved so man' (eo(les and na$ions s%ddenl' began $o rea( ,od.s %dgmen$ and (%nishmen$ be#a%se of $he (ride $ha$was in his hear$) ,od is no$ mo#"ed and an' (ersonwill %l$ima$el' and #er$ainl' rea( wha$ he has sown)

*n $he ne$ #ha($er of $he 0oo" of ;aniel we read

of 0elsha++ar) The o(ening verses of #ha($er 5 sa'Bing *elshaMMar gave a great ban7uet for a thousand of his noblesand drank wine with them. Ahile*elshaMMar was drinking his wine, hegave orders to bring in the gold and

silver goblets that JebuchadneMMar his father had taken from the templein Cerusalem, so that the king andhis nobles, his wives and hisconcubines might drink from them.

So they brought in the gold goblets

that had been taken from thetemple of God in Cerusalem, and theking and his nobles, his wives andhis concubines drank from them.

13@



)s they drank the wine, they praisedthe gods of gold and silver, of

bronMe, iron, wood and stone.(aniel !#5%

This man was sowing -e was sowing $he seeds of blas(hem' and disregard for $he sa#red vessels from$he $em(le of $he ?ord) s we read $hro%gh $he#ha($er we find $he %dgmen$ of ,od being

(rono%n#ed on him and in $he final (ar$ of $he#ha($er we read

&hat very night *elshaMMar, king of the *abylonians, was slain, andarius the ede took over thekingdom... (aniel !49#4%

0elsha++ar $ho%gh$ $ha$ he #o%ld blas(heme ,od b%$ he rea(ed %dgmen$)

*n $he Bew Tes$amen$ we read of ing -erod) Thisman* s evil a#$ions are re#orded in man' (la#es$hro%gho%$ $he s#ri($%re) 0r%$ali$' and m%rder were

b%$ some of $he #rimes of whi#h he was g%il$') The

(rin#i(le of sowing and rea(ing as i$ a((lied $o-erod* s life is re#orded in #$s 1

'n the appointed day 0erod,wearing his royal robes, sat on histhrone and delivered a publicaddress to the people.

&hey shouted, :&his is the voice of agod, not a man.+ Immediately,because 0erod did not give praise toGod, an angel of the Lord struck him

139



down, and he was eaten by wormsand died. ()cts 1!1#14%

This was ano$her o(era$ion of $he %n#hanging $r%$hof sowing and rea(ing) -erod rea(ed from wha$ hehad sown)

*$ wo%ld be (ossible $o give man' o$her ins$an#esfrom $he 0ible where individ%als or na$ions re#eiveda dire#$ (enal$' as a res%l$ of $heir a#$ions) /ne

eam(le wo%ld be $he #hildren of *srael who were$a"en in$o slaver' be#a%se of disobedien#e) So of$enwe read of individ%als na$ions "ings or servan$swho were affli#$ed diseased or s%ffered o$her dis$ressing #ir#%ms$an#es as a dire#$ res%l$ of $heir own evil a#$ions)

So.ing and the Increase

*$ is im(or$an$ $ha$ we remember $ha$ rea(ing isnormall' in grea$er meas%re $han $ha$ whi#h issown) The 0ible s(ea"s of a seed whi#h brings for$h$hir$' or si$' or a h%ndredfold) Seldom do we (lan$

one seed or one flower and ge$ onl' one ba#" again)There is a m%l$i(li#a$ion whi#h $a"es (la#e be#a%seof $he sowing) n a#$ion for good or ill whi#h ma'seem $o be minor ma' have far>rea#hing anddevas$a$ing res%l$s in a (erson.s life) We ma' sa'8Tha$ wasn.$ an'$hing ver' serio%s ,od wo%ldn.$

be #on#erned abo%$ $ha$) /ne small seed however

#an (rod%#e a large res%l$)

*$ was man' 'ears ago $ha$ $he following even$s$oo" (la#e b%$ * vividl' remember $hem) *a((roa#hed $he ho%se wi$h a feeling of $re(ida$ion'e$ e#i$emen$ be#a%se * was a 'o%ng and

14!



ine(erien#ed (as$or) The name of $he o##%(an$ of $he ho%se had been sen$ $o me b' $he #o%nseling

#ommi$$ee of $he 0ill' ,raham #r%sade m' ver'firs$ #on$a#$ Wha$ "ind of a res(onse wo%ld * ge$:' "no#" on $he door was a li$$le %n#er$ain b%$ waslo%d eno%gh $o bring a res(onse and $he door o(ened) -e s$ood framed in $he doorwa' a big manwi$h a hard fa#e and * fel$ li"e a ;avid #onfron$inghis ,olia$h

' words of in$rod%#$ion $%mbled o%$ and *re#eived a warm wel#ome and was soon sea$edwi$h him in $he living room) *$ was $he beginning of a mi$%re of e(erien#es) *n $he 'ears $ha$ la' ahead* was $o re#eive from $his man warm friendshi(s%((or$ %nreliabili$' dishones$' re(en$an#e

ego$is$i#al behavior dr%n"enness s(iri$%al affir>ma$ions of desire $o live a #onsis$en$ Chris$ian lifeand $hen wa$#h him fa#e ban"r%($#' and $he%l$ima$e brea"down of his marriage) man wi$h som%#h (o$en$ial who %l$ima$el' rea(ed from $heseeds of selfishness and sin $ha$ he #on$in%ed $o

sow)

There is a multiplication whichtakes place through sowing.

-e wan$ed ,od in his life b%$ he also wan$ed hisown wa') The war 'ears had made him $o%gh and

somewha$ r%$hless) Commando $raining had b%il$ aviolen#e $ha$ wo%ld of$en rise %( wi$hin him b%$ hewas li"eable and eas' $o forgive)

' new #h%r#h needed all $he man(ower (ossibleand he began $o hel( wi$h $he 'o%$h wor" b%$

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al#ohol was an o##asional (roblem al$ho%gh hewo%ld den' i$) We hel(ed him s$ar$ in b%siness b%$

he mis%sed o((or$%ni$ies and s(en$ mone' needed$o (a' s%b>#on$ra#$ors for his own (leas%re and for "ee(ing %( a (re$en#e $ha$ he was a weal$h'

b%sinessman)

* #o%ld no$ #o%n$ $he ho%rs $ha$ o$hers and * s(en$wi$h him) We (ra'ed (leaded and even we($ b%$

ever' a#$ of re(en$an#e b' him was followed b' ana#$ of selfishness or foolishness) The seed was smallwhen i$ was firs$ sown b%$ i$ bro%gh$ for$h a harves$of des(air and des$r%#$ion) * wo%ld li"e $o wri$e of aha((' ending b%$ i$ didn.$ ha((en) f$er * lef$ $hearea and $hen moved $o ano$her #o%n$r' * heard of his ban"r%($#' ad%l$er' and divor#e)

The 'ears (assed wi$ho%$ hearing an'$hing abo%$him $hen no$ long ago he a$$ended a mee$ing whi#h* was #ond%#$ing in $he #i$' where he was living) -ehad seen m' name adver$ised and had #ome $o $hemee$ing) -e was in $he las$ s$ages of $erminal#an#er b%$ * had $he o((or$%ni$' $o (ra' wi$h him

and $hen wri$e $o him before he died) * believe $ha$he had made his (ea#e wi$h ,od b%$ * s$ill mo%rnwhen * $hin" of $he was$ed (ossibili$ies of his life)

* have alread' 2%o$ed $he s#ri($%re 8ow the wind

and reap the whirlwind < H-osea @7I) os$ da's $hewind is blowing) Gven if $he wind be#omes s$rong

i$ is normall' no$ a (roblem) The e(ression 8 sow tothe wind < is ill%s$ra$ing a na$%ral #lima$i# o(era$ionof $he wind *f however a whirlwind o##%rs $ha$ isen$irel' differen$)

14



*f 'o% have e(erien#ed a whirlwind or a $ornadoor #'#lone 'o% will "now $ha$ i$ is ver' differen$

from $he wind $ha$ blows da'>b'>da') Wee(erien#e #'#lones in $he (ar$ of $he world where *live and * have e(erien#ed man' severe s$ormsand #'#lones over $he 'ears and have seen $heir devas$a$ing effe#$) *n $he se#%lar o##%(a$ion whi#h *was engaged in for man' 'ears as an inde(enden$?oss d%s$er bo$h in Bew Dealand and %s$ralia *was involved in $he assessmen$ of damage #a%sed

b' mos$ of $he s$orms $ha$ o##%rred in $hose 'ears) *have seen $he effe#$s of a whirlwind * have seenroofs ri((ed from ho%ses and s$rongl' #ons$r%#$ed

b%ildings des$ro'ed li"e ma$#hwood) * have seenr%in lef$ in $he (a$h of #'#lones) Ee$ da' af$er da'

$he wind had blown over $hose ho%ses and b%ildingsand no damage o##%rred b%$ s%ddenl' be#a%se of $he whirlwind $here was des$r%#$ion)

ow the wind and reap the whirlwind.

/n $he 1!$h (ril 196@ a devas$a$ing s$orm s$r%#"

$he #i$' of Welling$on in Bew Dealand and * was ane'e wi$ness $o (erha(s $he wors$ s$orm ever $o s$ri"e$ha$ (ar$ of $he world)

The so%$herl' wind lashed a$ $he ho%ses and#ommer#ial b%ildings near $o $he #oas$ and on $hee(osed hillsides) 0%ildings designed $o resis$ $he

mos$ severe winds #o%ld no$ wi$hs$and $he violen#eof $he s$orm and were wre#"ed) The large in$er>island mo$or vessel Wahine was #a%gh$ b' $heviolen#e of $he s$orm as $he shi( a$$em($ed $o en$er $he Welling$on -arbor and was #arried on $o a reef

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and wre#"ed) ira#%lo%sl' $he maori$' of (assengers and #rew were saved al$ho%gh over fif$'

(eo(le were drowned)Who #o%ld imagine a s#ene li"e $his: For mon$hsm' offi#e was in%nda$ed wi$h $he assessmen$ of $ho%sands of #laims for damage) We em(lo'ed e$ramen and women $o hel( %s #o(e wi$h $he sheer vol%me of wor" as a res%l$ of $he devas$a$ion) For

over fo%r mon$hs * wor"ed from 7 a)m) $o 1! ()m)ever' da' and mos$ wee"s $his in#l%ded S%nda')

* "now wha$ a s$orm #an do *$ #an #hange a s#eneof bea%$' and $ran2%ili$' $o one of horror anddes$r%#$ion) * have a dee( a((re#ia$ion of wha$ $he0ible means when i$ de#lares 8ow the wind and

reap the whirlwind(< When $he s#ri($%re sa's $ha$ we are no longer dealing wi$h $he wind b%$ wi$h a whirlwind i$gra(hi#all' ill%s$ra$es $he in#rease $ha$ #an #omefrom wha$ we sow b' o%r a#$ions) The seed $ha$ is

(lan$ed seems small b%$ $he res%l$s whi#h s%ddenl'

#onfron$ %s are devas$a$ing) We need $o $hin" serio%sl' abo%$ $his analog' %sed in ,od.s Word)

?e$ me now deal wi$h $he (osi$ive benefi$s of sowing and rea(ing) We #an sow $ha$ whi#h ,oda((roves and blesses and in $%rn rea( $hir$' si$'and a h%ndred $imes of $he blessings of ,od) es%s

said:Aell done, my good servant+ hismaster replied, :*ecause you havebeen trustworthy in a very small

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the word, and my servant will behealed. (atthew <!<%

es%s was ama+ed a$ $he fai$h shown b' $he#en$%rion and said

:I tell you the truth, I have not foundanyone in Israel with such great faith.+ (atthew <!9%

s a res%l$ of $he fai$h in es%s shown b' $he#en$%rion his servan$ was healed) The #en$%rion b' (lan$ing a seed of fai$h re#eived a harves$ of ,od.shealing in $he life of his servan$)

,od wan$s $o in#rease $he good $ha$ -e desires for o%r lives) ,od is mer#if%l and will alwa's infli#$

less %(on %s $han $he legal (%nishmen$ $ha$ wedeserve so if sin re$%rns an in#rease i$ sho%ld ma"e%s %nders$and) how serio%s sin is $o ,od) hol',od and sin of an' "ind is in#om(a$ible:

The good that we sow is magnified, as isthe evil that we sow. Whatever we sow will

be greater in the reaping than in the sowing.

So.ing by the %nbeliever

The (rin#i(le of sowing and rea(ing as i$ a((lies $o (eo(le in $hree differen$ #a$egories are as follows

Q The %nbeliever)Q The (erson who is #onver$ed $o Chris$)

Q The Chris$ian in his s(iri$%al life)

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The 2%es$ion we need $o answer is $his wha$ doesforgiveness (rovide for $he (erson in $hese $hree

differen$ #a$egories and how does $he (rin#i(le of sowing and rea(ing a((l' $o him:

The %nbeliever

The 0ible sa's “&he wages of sin is death”"2omans 0&3-(. *$ also sa's “&he soul who

sins is the one who will die” "45ekiel$&3%I) The (erson who does no$ a##e($ b' fai$h$he salva$ion $ha$ is offered $hro%gh es%s Chris$ is%nder sen$en#e of e$ernal se(ara$ion from ,od

be#a%se $he 0ible also sa's “ )ll have sinned”Homans 33I) Bone of %s is righ$eo%s The bes$ of o%r a#$ions fail $o #ome %( $o $he s$andard re2%ired

b' a hol' ,od)

The %nbeliever ma' #on$in%e $o eno' #er$ain$em(oral benefi$s and blessings $ha$ #ome from $hegeneral mer#' of ,od) We have seen before how,od gives $he benefi$s of $he differen$ seasons $o

bo$h $he %s$ and $he %n%s$ ali"e) ,od is no$res$ri#$ed $o a((l'ing $he law of sowing and rea(ingin $his life alone) ,od.s wa's are e$ernal so $he $r%$hof sowing and rea(ing will #on$in%e $o a((l') The%nbeliever goes on re#eiving a meas%re of $he mer#'and $he goodness of ,od and ma' (ros(er in ama$erial wa') Some %nbelievers ma' #on$in%e $o

(ros(er all $heir lives even $ho%gh $he' have a#$ed%n%s$l')

We need $o reali+e $ha$ $he e$ernal #onse2%en#es of rea(ing wha$ we have sown are far more dras$i# andim(or$an$ $han $he $em(oral as(e#$) * wo%ld ra$her

147



rea( $he blessings of ,od e$ernall' $han now if *had $o ma"e a #hoi#e) This life is des#ribed in $he

s#ri($%re as 8a mist that appears for a little whileand then vanishes< Hames 414I) ,od has (romised%s onl' a limi$ed life s(an a$ $he bes$ b%$ e$erni$' is%nending) This life is ,od.s $raining gro%nd for wha$ lies ahead of %s in e$erni$')

We find however $ha$ some (eo(le rea( ver'

2%i#"l' $he res%l$s of $heir wa' of life and s%#h#ases are no$ isola$ed) There are (eo(le in $he worldwho have rea(ed 2%i#"l' from wha$ $he' havesown) We #o%ld $hin" of some weal$h' (eo(lewhose wa's of b%siness have been %ns#r%(%lo%sand dishones$) The' have b%il$ finan#ial em(ires

b%$ onl' $o see wha$ $he' have b%il$ #olla(se aro%nd

$hem) There are man' s%#h #ases a$ $he (resen$ $imeand some of $hose involved have ended in

ban"r%($#' and even (rison)

We #o%ld $hin" of $he famo%s who have rea#hed a (la#e of (rominen#e $hro%gh de#ei$ or selfishnessand $hen s%ddenl' had $heir a#$ions e(osed and

$heir re(%$a$ions r%ined)

The eternal conse#uences of reaping whatwe have sown are far more drastic andimportant than the temporal aspect.

We do no$ have $o go ba#" far in #on$em(orar'his$or' $o re#all leaders of na$ions who weres%ddenl' disgra#ed be#a%se $he' were sowing seedsof dishones$' and s%ddenl' $hese s(rang %( in$osigh$ and were e(osed) The same is $r%e of some

14@



religio%s and #h%r#h leaders) The' rea(ed wha$ $he'had sown

We of$en read of men and women in $heen$er$ainmen$ ind%s$r' who died some a$ a 'o%ngage be#a%se of wha$ $he' had sown in $heir ownlives) The' rea(ed 2%i#"l' The' had sown $o $hewind and $r%l' rea(ed a whirlwind) /f$en i$ had

been a whirlwind of disease or men$al disorder)

Some have sown seeds of #orr%($ion b' dr%g ab%seand ever' "ind of e#ess and (erversion ands%ddenl' $he whirlwind #ame)

,od allows some $o rea( 2%i#"l' from $heir sin ando$hers $o a((ear $o #on$in%e $o (ros(er b%$ $heo(ening verses of Psalm 37 are a((ro(ria$e for %s $o

remembero not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;for like the grass they will soonwither, like green plants they willsoon die away.

&rust in the Lord and do good; dwellin the land and en>oy safe pasture.(salm 4$!#4%

The (salm #on$in%es wi$h $hese words

or evil men will be cut oK but those

who hope in the Lord will inherit theland.

) little while, and the wicked will beno more; though you look for them

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they will not be found. (salm 4$!-#9%

/ne $hing is s%re $he %nbeliever will %l$ima$el' rea(from his sin) -e will rea( from i$ e$ernal %dgmen$and se(ara$ion from ,od a(ar$ from an' $em(oral

%dgmen$ $ha$ his sin ma' invo"e)

What "appens at Conversion?

The 0erson Who is Converted toChrist

We #ome now $o $he se#ond #a$egor') -ow does $helaw of sowing and rea(ing a((l' in $his (erson.slife: The 0ible de#lares $ha$ $he blood of es%sChris$ ,od.s Son #leanses %s from all sin) Pa%l

wri$ing $o $he Corin$hian #h%r#h said

&herefore, if anyone is in @hrist, heis a new creation; the old has gone,the new has come (1 @orinthians!$%

&he Living *ible paraphrase of thisverse says! Ahen someone becomesa @hristian, he becomes a brandnew person inside. 0e is not thesame any more. ) new life hasbegun.

This is a #lear s$a$emen$ b%$ of$en i$ does no$ seem$o ha((en Peo(le re#eive Chris$ and i$ does no$seem $ha$ $he old $hings (ass awa') There are h%r$swo%nds and disa((oin$men$s $ha$ remain allowingnega$ive a$$i$%des $o domina$e $hem)

15!



$ne thing is sure + the unbeliever willultimately reap from his sin.

* wan$ $o give $he ill%s$ra$ion of a 'o%ng man *"new) -e had a grea$ s$ar$ $o his Chris$ian life) -is

bro$her was a fine Chris$ian 'o%ng man and we had (ra'ed for $he salva$ion of his bro$her for some $ime before be finall' #ame $o #h%r#h) The $wo bro$hers#ame $o o%r home for a sna#" a$ $he #lose of $ha$S%nda' nigh$ servi#e and we $al"ed abo%$ $he need$o re#eive Chris$ in a (ersonal wa')

* e(lained $he wa' of salva$ion and as"ed if hewo%ld li"e $o re#eive Chris$ in$o his life) -e re(liedin $he affirma$ive and * began $o lead him in a (ra'er of re(en$an#e and a##e($an#e of es%s) Bo words#ame from his mo%$h * re(ea$ed $he sim(le (ra'er

b%$ s$ill no words #ame) s we loo"ed a$ him hismo%$h seemed $o be lo#"ed and $r' as he wo%ld nowords wo%ld #ome

We dis#erned $ha$ he was bo%nd b' some demoni#s(iri$ and we began $o s(ea" agains$ i$ in $he Bame

of es%s) S%ddenl' he was free The (ra'er flowedfrom his li(s and $he o'o%s #hange in his wholea((earan#e was ama+ing) ?a$er $ha$ nigh$ he and his

bro$her were (h'si#all' a$$a#"ed b' demoni# for#es$o $he e$en$ $ha$ $he older bro$her fell $o $he floora((aren$l' %n#ons#io%s) gain we #laimed $he

a%$hori$' in $he Bame of es%s and saw #om(le$edeliveran#e)

?e$ me ass%re 'o% $ha$ $his is no$ an ill%s$ra$ion of some e$reme a$$i$%de $o deliveran#e) Bever beforeor sin#e have * had a similar e(erien#e) ,od.s

151



(ower was marvelo%sl' (rovided for $he release of $his 'o%ng man and for $he (ro$e#$ion of his older

bro$her)We saw $he 'o%nger bro$her (ress on in $heChris$ian life for some mon$hs b%$ $hen he began $odo%b$ and allowed old nega$ive fears and a$$i$%des$ha$ had (revio%sl' (lag%ed his life $o re$%rn) -isChris$ian life be#ame in#onsis$en$) moodiness $ha$

had been a (roblem and whi#h had vanished wi$hhis #onversion re$%rned and his s(iri$%al life

be#ame wea" and indifferen$) * am glad $o sa' $ha$in la$er 'ears he re#a($%red $he blessing and (ea#eof ,od and $oda' he is involved wi$h a livel'effe#$ive #h%r#h b%$ he s(en$ some 'ears ins$r%ggling $o over#ome his wea"nesses)

Sho%ld o%r s(iri$%al e(erien#e be li"e $his or dowe of$en fail $o a((ro(ria$e all $ha$ is available$hro%gh o%r fai$h in Chris$: There #an be a big ga(in $he lives of (eo(le be$ween wha$ $he' have8(ossessionall'< $ha$ is wha$ $he' a#$%all'e(erien#e in $heir lives and wha$ $he' have

8(osi$ionall'< $ha$ is $he f%llness of wha$ ,od has (rovided in es%s Chris$) * am s%re $ha$ man' of $he (roblems $ha$ Chris$ians fa#e $oda' are be#a%se $he'have no$ dis#overed how $o re#eive wha$ es%s hasa#$%all' (rovided for $hem) *$ is o%r a((ro(ria$ion$ha$ is defe#$ive and no$ $he (rovisions of $he Word

of ,od or $he (ower of $he -ol' S(iri$)an is a $ri(ar$i$e being #om(rising s(iri$ so%l and

bod') There is a $o$al (rovision in all of $hese areas$hro%gh $he sa#rifi#e of Chris$ on $he Cross) There ishealing for o%r s(iri$ from $he effe#$ of sin and also

15



from a wo%nded s(iri$) The s(iri$ is $he inner s(iri$%al (ar$ of a (erson $he (ar$ $ha$ has an affini$'

wi$h ,od) There is healing for $he so%l) The so%l is$he area of $he na$%ral man involving mindemo$ions and will) -ealing was (rovided for $hesefa#%l$ies when es%s $oo" o%r griefs and sorrows%(on -imself) The dea$h of es%s also (rovideda##ess $o (h'si#al healing for o%r bodies) The dea$hof es%s Chris$ on $he Cross was a #om(le$e defea$of Sa$an and a #om(le$e vi#$or' for es%s) 0' -isdea$h and $hen -is res%rre#$ion (rovision was madefor all o%r needs)

We reali+e however $ha$ ,od is wor"ing asovereign (lan and we #anno$ demand $ha$ all o%r needs be immedia$el' me$ be#a%se -is $iming is no$

o%r $iming) We are #hallenged b' $he Word of ,od$o be 8over#omers< $o #ome $hro%gh ever' $es$ and$rial as winners and no$ losers $o s$and firm and$r%s$ ,od wha$ever ma' be ha((ening) We arere2%ired $o live o%r lives in ho(e wi$h an eager and#onfiden$ e(e#$a$ion of good regardless of o%r

#ir#%ms$an#es and we need $o learn how $oa((ro(ria$e all $ha$ Chris$ has (rovided for %s ra$her $han allow o%r (as$ (roblems $o domina$e %s)

)t is our appropriation that is defective andnot the provisions of the Word of %od.

When a (erson a##e($s Chris$ as Savior $he (rin#i(leof sowing and rea(ing from an e$ernal (ers(e#$ive islif$ed) ,od no longer infli#$s $he (enal$ies whi#hwo%ld o$herwise be a((li#able be#a%se of sins#ommi$$ed b' $he (erson (rior $o his salva$ion) The

153



sla$e is wi(ed #lean from $he (enal$' and g%il$ of all (as$ sin) Wha$ a fan$as$i# (rovision $ha$ is Salva$ion

does no$ however save a (erson from $he $em(oral#onse2%en#es of a #rime of whi#h he or she ma' beg%il$') ,od has #leared $he re#ord and $here will beno e$ernal (enal$' b%$ $he (erson ma' s$ill bea##o%n$able $o $he #ivil a%$hori$ies)

*$ is a $raged' however $ha$ so man' Chris$ians

$hro%gh %nwillingness $o a##e($ $ha$ ,od has reall'forgiven $hem and $hro%gh %nbelief fear anddo%b$ allow old a$$i$%des $o #on$in%e and so bringabo%$ a nega$ive rea(ing in $heir lives) *n doing $his$he (erson red%#es in his own life some of $hewonderf%l (rovisions of $he Cross) The new #onver$and also $he e(erien#ed Chris$ian m%s$ #ons$an$l'

allow his mind $o be renewed his emo$ions $o be (%rified and his will $o be se$ free so as $o a##e($ $heforgiveness $ha$ ,od has given and $o harmoni+ewi$h ,od.s will for his life) Knfor$%na$el' we findin e(erien#e $ha$ born again Chris$ians are s$illrea(ing in a s(iri$%al sense from even$s $ha$

ha((ened before $he' were saved) This sho%ld no$ be

When one re#eives Chris$ 8the old is gone! the new

has &ome< H Corin$hians 517I) This is $he (romise b%$ we are $hen fa#ed wi$h $he #hallenge of ma"ing$his real in o%r dail' e(erien#e)

Many hristians through unbelief and fear,allow old attitudes to continue, and so bring

about a negative reaping in their lives.

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$ur 'e. !ife in Christ

The Christian in "is Spiritual !ife

This is $he $hird #a$egor')

The 8new bir$h< (rovides a fresh s$ar$ from ,od.s (oin$ of view b%$ from $hen on we again be#omea##o%n$able for o%r a#$ions) The law of sowing andrea(ing on#e more be#omes (ar$ of o%r life as i$ was

before #onversion) er#' and forgiveness arealwa's available b%$ #onse2%en#es are a reali$' $o befa#ed) *n ohn.s firs$ le$$er we read

&his is the message we have heardfrom him and declare to you! God islight; in him there is no darkness at all.

If we claim to have fellowship withhim yet walk in the darkness, we lieand do not live by the truth.

*ut if we walk in the light, as he is inthe light, we have fellowship with

one another, and the blood of Cesus,his Son, puri/es us from all sin. (

Cohn !#$%

This is $he (romise of ,od) -e #leanses %s andres$ores %s $o fellowshi( wi$h him b%$ $he (romiseis for forgiveness and fellowshi( no$ (ardon) There

are fail%res $ha$ have $o be deal$ wi$h) We ma' have$ho%gh$ $ha$ all was well) /ne migh$ sa' $o himself

8Ees * did $rea$ $ha$ (erson badl' b%$ i$ ha((ened along $ime ago and (erha(s i$ is now forgo$$en)<

155



8* wo%ld be $oo embarrassed $o go ba#" now anda(ologi+e)<

8Ees * did le$ $hem down) * $old lies abo%$ $hem)<

Kn$il wrongs are (%$ righ$ we #an go on s%ffering$he #onse2%en#es of wha$ we have sown

We #anno$ (%$ ba#" $he #lo#" $o $he da' when wewere firs$ saved when if onl' we had %nders$ood

$hese (rin#i(les how differen$ o%r Chris$ian lifemigh$ have been) We #an however avail o%rselvesnow of ,od.s gra#e and h%mble o%rselves bo$h

before ,od and o%r bro$her if ne#essar' in order $o brea" $he #'#le of rea(ing wha$ we have sown)

*$ is vi$al $o em(hasi+e a $r%$h $ha$ has (revio%sl'

been men$ioned) We #an be wi$ho%$ fa%l$ in adis(%$e b%$ be#a%se we are %nforgiving ,od.s %dgmen$ s$ill res$s %(on %s be#a%se we will rea( $he (enal$' of %nforgiveness) The g%il$' (ar$' also is no$e#%sed as even if he is forgiven ,od.s dealingsma' #on$in%e %n$il $he righ$ res(onses are made)

We do no$ need $o be bo%nd b' $he fail%res of $he (as$) We #an s$ar$ rea(ing $he fr%i$ of righ$eo%snessand no$ $he fr%i$ of %nrigh$eo%sness) We do no$ need$o rea( a whirlwind b%$ we #an rea( $he blessingsand rewards of ,od) s we a##e($ $he (rovisions of $he Cross f%lfill ,od.s #ondi$ions and wal" inobedien#e $o -im $his #an be o%r e(erien#e)

'o%ng married man in a leadershi( (osi$ion in a#h%r#h gave me $his $es$imon'

* had $he (rivilege of a fine s$able home lifeand a$ $he age of $hir$een 'ears was

156



#onsidered a de#en$ "id) * had a$$ended adenomina$ional #h%r#h b%$ "new no$hing

abo%$ a (ersonal e(erien#e of "nowinges%s Chris$ as Savior and ?ord)

$ $his age * began $o desire a##e($an#e fromo$hers of m' own age gro%( man' of whomwere involved in immorali$' and drin"ing)This desire in#reased as * (rogressed $hro%gh

high s#hool and $o gain $he es$eem of $heo$her bo's * began $o #rea$e a web of liesabo%$ m'self and m' a#$ivi$ies) These liesin#reased $o s%#h an e$en$ $ha$ b' m' earl'$wen$ies $he real me was a s$ranger $om'self)

' $een 'ears gave me $he o((or$%ni$' $odevelo( a life s$'le in whi#h * do%b$ed $heeis$en#e of ,od and #onsideredChris$iani$' a middle #lass so#ial #l%b)

0' $he $ime * rea#hed $wen$'>one 'ears *was a heav' drin"er and was involved in

ever' "ind of #ond%#$ #on$rar' $o m' earl'%(bringing) ' life was a mess of falsehoodas * $ried $o "ee( %( wi$h $he image * had#rea$ed for m'self b%$ dee( wi$hin $here wasinse#%ri$' de(ression and self>(i$') * wore a"nife s$ra((ed $o m' leg and on o##asions#arried a sho$g%n in $he ba#" of m' #ar in

order $o feed m' ego as a 8$o%gh man.

*n $his si$%a$ion a des(air began $o gri( m'fian#Ne and me and * began $o sear#h for some s(iri$%al answer) We $ried s(iri$%alismeas$ern m's$i#ism and (hiloso(h' b%$ $hese

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merel' made %s #ri$i#al of eis$ing religionsand so#ial (a$$erns)

' fian#Ne and * married and de#ided $os(end some $ime fr%i$ (i#"ing) The or#hardowners were evangeli#al Chris$ians and wewere dee(l' #hallenged b' $he message of $he ,os(el b%$ seemed %nable $o rea#h a

(la#e of $o$al a##e($an#e of Chris$.s wa')

We moved from Bew Dealand $o S'dne'%s$ralia and again be#ame asso#ia$ed wi$hChris$ians and were in#reasingl' #onvi#$edof $he degree of falsehood $ha$ was in bo$hof o%r lives) The -ol' S(iri$ was dealingwi$h %s and old fears and (re%di#es were

beginning $o #r%mble) /ne Sa$%rda' nigh$we a$$ended a film servi#e in a lo#alPen$e#os$al Ch%r#h) 0o$h m' wife and *res(onded $o $he invi$a$ion $o re#eive Chris$as Savior and one wee" la$er were ba($i+edin wa$er) Wi$hin a shor$ $ime we were bo$h

ba($i+ed wi$h $he -ol' S(iri$)

Wha$ a #hange ll $hose 'ears of (re$ending$o be some$hing $ha$ * wasn.$ and $r'ing $ofind a sa$isfa#$ion $ha$ remained be'ond m'gras() Bow i$ was over ,od had man'$hings $o do in m' life) -e deal$ wi$h (ride%nwillingness $o be s%bmissive and self

effor$ b%$ we had fo%nd some$hing real andmeaningf%l in o%r lives)

* (raise ,od for -is gra#e and (ower) When* f%ll' reali+ed $ha$ * was in a ra#e of life and,od.s wa' was $he onl' wa' and $here was

15@





Chapter 8

What is "appening?

n %n%s%al $i$le has been #hosen for $his #ha($er be#a%se of wha$ (eo(le have said $o me) /n man'

o##asions * have $al"ed wi$h men and women whowere e(erien#ing (roblems and diffi#%l$ies and$he' have said 8Wha$ is ha((ening: * do no$%nders$and wha$ is $a"ing (la#e in m' life<

* wan$ $o refer $o $hree differen$ (assages of s#ri($%re and $he' need $o be read so $ha$ $he

#om(arison #an be #learl' seen) The firs$ fo%nd inomans @@M39 has been se$ o%$ on $he fea$%re (age of $his #ha($er)

The se#ond s#ri($%re is fo%nd in The 0oo" of %dges

&he angel of the Lord went up from

Gilgal to *okbim, and said! :I led youup from 2gypt and brought you tothe land that I swore to give to your forefathers. I said, :I will never break my covenant with you, and you shallnot make a covenant with the

people of this land, but you shallbreak down their altars. Eet youhave disobeyed me. Ahy have youdone this?

16!



Jow therefore I tell you that I willnot drive them out before you; they

will be thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you. (Cudges1!#4%

The $hird s#ri($%re is fo%nd in $he le$$er $o $he-ebrew #h%r#h

)nd you have forgotten that word of

encouragement that addresses youas sons!

:y son, do not make light of theLord6s discipline, and do not loseheart when he rebukes you, becausethe Lord disciplines those he loves,

and he punishes everyone heaccepts as a son.+

:2ndure hardship as discipline; Godis treating you as sons. or what sonis not disciplined by his father?

:If you are not disciplined (andeveryone undergoes discipline%,then you are illegitimate childrenand not true sons.

:oreover, we have all had humanfathers who disciplined us and we

respected them for it. 0ow muchmore should we submit to the ather of our spirits and live

:'ur fathers disciplined us for a littlewhile as they thought best; but God

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disciplines us for our good, that wemay share in his holiness.+ (0ebrews

1!#9%

Three 3lternatives

We have 2%o$ed $hese s#ri($%res in f%ll for anim(or$an$ reason) *n $hese (assages we have $hreevas$l' #on$ras$ing as(e#$s) The verses in omans

@@M39 s(ea" of $he (romises and (rovisions of ,od so $ha$ in s(i$e of ever' "ind of diffi#%l$' and$es$ing we #an be #onfiden$ $ha$ ,od is s$ill wi$h %sand we #an live $ri%m(han$l') Promises of s$reng$hening and hel( are given so $ha$ $hose wholove ,od and are #alled b' -im will s$and firm andno$ be sha"en in $heir fai$h and ho(e regardless of $heir #ir#%ms$an#es)

The se#ond s#ri($%re H%dges 1M3I refers $o a (eo(le #hosen b' ,od who %nder -is dire#$ionwen$ in $o (ossess $he land of Canaan $ha$ had been

(romised $o $hem) The enem' was #onfron$ed and$he land #on2%ered of$en in mira#%lo%s wa's) 0%$

la$er $he (eo(le of *srael be#ame disobedien$ $o,od and be#a%se of $heir disobedien#e s%fferedo((osi$ion and a$$a#" from $he original o##%(an$s of $he land) ,od de#lared $ha$ $he Canaani$es wo%ldnow be#ome 8$horns in $he sides of $he *sraeli$esand $he gods of $he land of Canaan wo%ld be#ome a

snare $o $hem< H%dges 3I) The *sraeli$es were a (rivileged (eo(le and ,od had been wi$h $hem b%$now $he' were reb%"ed and %dged)

The $hird s#ri($%re H-ebrews 15M1!I $ells of aloving heavenl' Fa$her dis#i(lining -is #hildren o%$

16



of #on#ern and #are be#a%se -e loves $hem andwan$s $o see $hem grow and develo( in$o $he

li"eness of Chris$)Peo(le have s(o"en $o me of (roblems anddiffi#%l$ies in home life (ersonal rela$ionshi(s or in$heir wor" and al$ho%gh $he' had $a"en a((aren$s$e(s of $r%s$ in ,od $heir effor$s had ended in a

blind alle' *n #onf%sion and no$ "nowing where

$he' were going in life $he' had #ome for #o%nsel (o%ring o%$ a s$or' of des(air and had said 8Wha$ isha((ening:<

Cause and *ffect

From wha$ has been said in $he las$ #ha($er dealing

wi$h rea(ing and sowing $here are some as(e#$s $ha$m%s$ now be #larified) The 2%es$ion $ha$ #onfron$s%s is wha$ are $he reasons for $he #hallenges

(roblems and diffi#%l$ies $ha$ o##%r in o%r dail'lives: The' #an be s%mmari+ed %nder $hreeheadings

1) -ave we failed $o a((ro(ria$e $he $o$al (rovisionsof $he Cross:

We have alread' deal$ wi$h $he $o$al redem($ivewor" of $he Cross and have seen how es%s gave-imself as a sa#rifi#e in bod' so%l and s(iri$) -emade i$ (ossible for o%r s(iri$ $o be born anew and

indwel$ b' $he S(iri$ of ,od so $ha$ we migh$ be#ome (ar$ of a new #rea$ion) -e (o%red o%$ hisso%l $o dea$h and bore o%r griefs and sorrows anddeal$ wi$h ever' infl%en#e $ha$ $o%#hes o%r mindemo$ions and will)

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Some 0ible $ea#hers have em(hasi+ed $he s%be#$ of inner healing and healing of memories b%$ es%s

made (rovision for $his on $he Cross when -es%ffered in $he realm of $he so%l) There ma' belingering res%l$s from some of o%r (as$ e(erien#es

b%$ we sho%ld no$ need $o re#eive (ro$ra#$edminis$r' or (ra'er for s%#h (roblems)

The (ro(he$ *saiah de#lared 8 >y his wonds we are

heated < H*saiah 5395<$ (rovision has been madefor (h'si#al healing $hro%gh $he s%ffering andsa#rifi#e of Chris$ on Calvar')

*f we have %ne(lainable (roblems $he firs$2%es$ion we m%s$ as" o%rselves is are wea((ro(ria$ing $he f%ll benefi$s of wha$ Chris$ has

alread' done for %s:) re we rea(ing wha$ we have sown:

Gver' a#$ion has a res%l$ There is no$hing $ha$ wedo $ha$ is isola$ed b%$ as we have deal$ wi$h $hiss%be#$ in de$ail i$ is no$ ne#essar' $o elabora$e) ?e$%s however no$e #aref%ll' $ha$ ever' a#$ion we $a"e

will have a res%l$ for good or ill so when we arefa#ed wi$h #onf%sion or diffi#%l$' we need $o ma"ean hones$ eval%a$ion as $o whe$her we are rea(ing anega$ive res%l$ from wha$ we have sown)

3) *s ,od $hro%gh $hese diffi#%l$ #ir#%ms$an#esdis#i(lining %s and (r%ning o%r lives be#a%se of -is

love and #are:

The s#ri($%re sa's

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...because the Lord disciplines thosehe loves, and he punishes everyone

he accepts as a son. (0ebrews 1!"%es%s gave $ea#hing $ha$ is similar $o $his

:I am the true vine and my ather isthe gardener. 0e cuts oK every branch in me that bears no fruit,while every branch that does bear

fruit he prunes so that it will be evenmore fruitful.+ (Cohn !#1%

/very action we take will have a resultfor good or ill.

*n $imes of diffi#%l$' %n#er$ain$' or $es$ing we arefa#ed wi$h $hese $hree al$erna$ives) Whi#h of $hese$hree reasons a((l': We m%s$ "now so $ha$ we #anfind (ea#e or if $here is a wrong $o be (%$ righ$ $a"ea#$ion $o bring abo%$ a sol%$ion)

The (roblem we all have is $o be gen%inel'

obe#$ive when we $r' $o eval%a$e wha$ is ha((ening$o %s) We all see $hings from o%r own (oin$ of view)os$ Chris$ians are sin#ere in $heir desire $o serve,od b%$ we all loo" a$ even$s from o%r own

(ers(e#$ive) *$ is ver' na$%ral $o sa' 80e reasonabledo i$ m' wa'< We are %s%all' #onvin#ed $ha$ o%r wa' is righ$ so i$ is hard $o loo" a$ $he (roblem

from all angles and (ar$i#%larl' $o re#ogni+e $ha$ weall have some blind s(o$s) We do no$ see i$ be#a%sewe reall' are blind $o i$ The onl' (erson who #anhel( %s $o see a blind s(o$ is someone else) wife#an be good a$ seeing a blind s(o$ her h%sband has

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and a h%sband #an do $he same wi$h his wife b%$of$en nei$her are a##%ra$e be#a%se i$ %s%all' $a"es

some disasso#ia$ed (erson $o gen%inel' see wha$ $he (erson #on#erned #anno$ or will no$ see)

We are (rone $o be s%be#$ive and $oo #lose $o o%r own (roblems $o see a #a%se) * wo%ld be deligh$ed$o give a sim(le form%la $o $his (roblem b%$ $here isno eas' answer) There are however (rin#i(les $ha$

we #an learn and a((l')an' adverse e(erien#es in life are %n2%es$ionabl'allowed b' ,od when $here has been no (ersonalfail%re on o%r (ar$) We read in $he s#ri($%res howes%s and -is dis#i(les were wal"ing (as$ a manwho was blind from bir$h) The dis#i(les as"ed es%s

$his 2%es$ion:8abbi, who sinned, this man or his

parents, that he was born blind?+

:Jeither this man nor his parentssinned,+ said Cesus, :but thishappened so that the work of God

might be displayed in his life.+ (Cohn-!1#4%

The na$%ral $enden#' of $he dis#i(les was $o find a#a%se for $he blindness and $heir immedia$e rea#$ionwas $o $hin" $ha$ $here had been some fail%re ei$her

b' $he man or his (aren$s) Tha$ was ver' m%#h in

line wi$h $he ewish $hin"ing of $hose $imes) es%showever #om(le$el' s2%ashed s%#h a (ro(osi$ionand in fa#$ was em(ha$i# $ha$ nei$her $he man nor his (aren$s were a$ fa%l$ b%$ ,od had allowed $his

166



man $o go $hro%gh 'ears of blindness so $ha$ $hewor" of ,od migh$ be dis(la'ed in his life)

)t is hard to be obective regardingourselves and difficult to reali-e that we

all have some “blind spots’.

The 0oo" of ob gives %s a similar si$%a$ion) Weread in $he o(ening #ha($er of $his boo"

&hen the Lord said to Satan, :0ave you considered my servant Cob?&here is no one on earth like him; heis blameless and upright, a man whofears God and shuns evil.+

:oes Cob fear God for nothing?+ Satan replied.

:0ave you not put a hedge aroundhim and his household andeverything he has? Eou have blessedthe work of his hands, so that his

=ocks and herds are spreadthroughout the land

:*ut stretch out your hand andstrike everything he has, and he willcurse you to your face.+

&he Lord said to Satan, :Dery well,

then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself donot lay a /nger.+ (Cob !<#1%

?a$er ,od allowed Sa$an $o a$$a#" ob.s bod' andhe was #overed wi$h (ainf%l sores b%$ in all of $his

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ob did no$ sin in wha$ he said) ob had doneno$hing wrong when ,od allowed $his des$r%#$ion

and loss of famil' (ossessions and heal$h $o beinfli#$ed %(on him) ,od allowed a grea$ $es$ $o #omeon ob b%$ in la$er 'ears ,od res$ored $o ob do%bleof wha$ he had had before $hese disas$ers #ame) ,odwas allowing $hese e$reme $es$s $o (rove $he#hara#$er of his servan$ ob)

Many adverse e(periences of life areun#uestionably allowed by %od when therehas been no personal failure on our part.

The Trial of Faith

* wan$ $o remind 'o% of $he s%ffering $es$ing and$rials of $he a(os$le Pa%l) When wri$ing $o $heCorin$hian #h%r#h he re#o%n$ed wha$ he hadend%red

)re they servants of @hrist? (I amout of my mind to talk like this.% I ammore. I have worked much harder,been in prison more fre7uently, been=ogged more severely, and beene3posed to death again and again,ive times I received from the Cewsthe forty lashes minus one.

&hree times I was beaten with rods,once I was stoned, three times I wasshipwrecked, I spent a night and aday in the open sea, I have beenconstantly on the move. I have beenin danger from rivers, in danger

16@



from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from

Gentiles; in danger in the city, indanger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from falsebrothers.

I have labored and toiled and haveoften gone without sleep; I have

known hunger and thirst and haveoften gone without food; I have beencold and naked.

*esides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for allthe churches. (1 @orinthians !14#

1<%Were $hese e(erien#es be#a%se Pa%l $he grea$a(os$le did no$ "now how $o a((ro(ria$e $he

benefi$s of wha$ Chris$ had (rovided $hro%gh $heCross: ;id $his man $o whom es%s gave $herevela$ion of $he #h%r#h M a m's$er' $ha$ had been

hidden down $hro%gh $he ages M no$ "now how $ore#eive $he f%llness of wha$ es%s hada##om(lished: S%#h a (ossibili$' is %n$hin"ableal$ho%gh some s%((osed fai$h $ea#hers $oda' wo%ld$r' $o have %s believe $ha$ if Pa%l "new as m%#h as$he' do $oda' or had $he fai$h $ha$ $he' #laim $ohave he wo%ld no$ have needed $o fa#e s%#hhardshi(s

Was Pa%l s%ffering be#a%se he had sown nega$ivel'in his life: We are aware $ha$ Pa%l before his#onversion was a (erse#%$or of $he #h%r#h and awi$ness $o $he dea$h of S$e(hen $he firs$ mar$'r b%$

169



in re#eiving Chris$ he wo%ld have been $o$all'forgiven) These s%fferings $ha$ Pa%l e(erien#ed

#o%ld no$ have been a res%l$ of rea(ing nega$ivel'from sowing disobedien#e Pa%l was $o$all'#ommi$$ed $o $he gos(el of es%s Chris$) -e#hallenged $he Chris$ians of his da' $o imi$a$e him

Bo$ man' of %s wo%ld dare $o ma"e s%#h a #laim)

The onl' o$her e(lana$ion is $ha$ ,od was molding

a man.s life and #hara#$er for $he (%r(ose $ha$ -ere2%ired) ,od was $a"ing a life $ha$ -e had #hosenand allowing him $o go $hro%gh $he mos$ harrowinge(erien#es so $ha$ Pa%l wo%ld be e2%i((ed $oa##om(lish all $ha$ $he ?ord wan$ed from his life)We don.$ %s%all' learn m%#h from $he eas' even$s of life) We learn when $he (ress%res #ome and we have

o%r ba#"s $o $he wall and have $o $r%s$ es%s whenwe #an.$ see $he final res%l$ and when a((aren$disas$er s$ares %s in $he fa#e$ Pa%l.s own ferven$

(ra'er was $his

*ut whatever was to my pro/t I nowconsider loss for the sake of @hrist.

Ahat is more, I consider everythinga loss compared to the surpassinggreatness of knowing @hrist Cesusmy Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish,that I may gain @hrist and be found

in him, not having a righteousnessof my own which comes from thelaw, but that which is through faithin @hrist # that righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

17!



I want to know @hrist and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship

of sharing in his suKerings,becoming like him in his death, andso, somehow, to attain to theresurrection from the dead.

Jot that I have already obtained allthis, or have already been made

perfect, but I press on to take holdof that for which @hrist Cesus took hold of me. (hilippians 4!$#1%

%od was molding a man’s life and character for the purpose that &e re#uired.

*$ is #lear from $he le$$ers $ha$ Pa%l wro$e $o $hedifferen$ #h%r#hes $ha$ he had man' de$ra#$ors in hisda') *$ wo%ld be reasonable $o ass%me $ha$ $herewere man' in $he #h%r#h a$ $ha$ $ime who wo%ldhave in$er(re$ed Pa%l.s $rials and s%fferings $o be $heres%l$ of some (ersonal disobedien#e or fail%re) Pa%l

had man' enemies wi$hin $he #h%r#h and of$enfo%nd i$ ne#essar' $o defend his a(os$leshi() Thosewho were agains$ him no do%b$ wo%ld have been

(leased $o (oin$ $he finger of a##%sa$ion a$ him be#a%se of his $rials and hardshi(s)

s we loo" ba#" over $he re#ord of Pa%l.s life and

his effe#$iveness fr%i$f%lness s$eadfas$nessdedi#a$ion and $he revela$ions he had re#eived from$he ?ord we see a man who ma' no$ have been

(erfe#$ in ever'$hing he did b%$ one who was $o$all'#ommi$$ed $o $he ?ord es%s Chris$ and whose

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minis$r' eviden#ed signs wonders and $he (ower of ,od) We see a man who be#a%se of $he $es$ings and

$rials of life be#ame so s$rong $ha$ no$hing #o%ldmove him) Pa%l made $hese $wo differen$affirma$ions in $wo se(ara$e le$$ers $ha$ he wro$e $o$he #h%r#hes

or our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an

eternal glory that far outweighsthem all.

So we /3 our eyes not on what isseen, but on what is unseen. or what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (1 @orinthians

5!$# <%Jot only so, but we also re>oice inour suKerings, because we knowthat suKering produces

perseverance; perseverance,character; and character, hope.

)nd hope does not disappoint us,because God has poured out his loveinto our hearts by the 0oly Spirit,whom he has given us. (8omans!4#%

The s#ri($%res are #lear= (erse#%$ion s%ffering and

$es$ing are (ar$ of $he $r%e Chris$ian life *n $heSermon on $he o%n$ es%s said

*lessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say

17



all kinds of evil against you becauseof me.

8e>oice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in thesame way they persecuted the

prophets who were before you.(atthew !#1%

es%s (redi#$ed (erse#%$ion for $hose who followed-im) *$ wo%ld be eas' for someone $o sa' 8* ams%ffering and going $hro%gh $his diffi#%l$ $ime

be#a%se * am living in obedien#e $o es%s< Tha$ma' or ma' no$ be so) We are 2%i#" $o find e#%sesfor o%rselves) There are however $he $hreeal$erna$ives $ha$ #o%ld a((l' and we m%s$ be ver'

hones$ as we #ome $o dis#ern $he #a%se of differen$ (roblems)

The a(os$le Pa%l was e(erien#ing an affli#$ion a$one $ime d%ring his minis$r' and he (ra'ed andas"ed $he ?ord $o remove i$) The re(l' he re#eivedwas no$ wha$ he wo%ld have e(e#$ed and he wro$e

abo%$ i$ in $his wa'&o keep me from becomingconceited because of thesesurpassingly great revelations, therewas given me a thorn in my =esh, amessenger of Satan, to torment me.

&hree times I pleaded with the Lordto take it away from me.

*ut he said to me, :y grace issuNcient for you, for my power ismade perfect in weakness.+

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&herefore I will boast all the moregladly about my weaknesses, so that

@hrist6s power may rest on me.&hat is why, for @hrist6s sake, Idelight in weaknesses, in insults, inhardships, in persecutions, indiNculties. or when I am weak,then I am strong. (1 @orinthians

1!$#9%

We see a man who, because of the testingsand trials of life, became so strong that

nothing could move him.

There is no eviden#e in $he 0ible $o s%gges$ $ha$Pa%l was referring $o a (h'si#al si#"ness when hewro$e of $his 8thorn in the flesh$< Pa%l ma' have

been referring $o $he (erse#%$ion o((osi$ion andhardshi( $ha$ he #ons$an$l' fa#ed) *$ wo%ld bena$%ral for Pa%l $o (ra' earnes$l' for $he ?ord $odeliver him o%$ of s%#h #ir#%ms$an#es) /n $he o$her

hand $here is no eviden#e $o show $ha$ he was no$s%ffering from a (h'si#al #ondi$ion $ha$ ma' havemade his missionar' wor" more diffi#%l$) n'#ommen$ as $o $he meaning of Pa%l.s thorn in the

flesh is s(e#%la$ion) The hear$ of $he meaning of $his (assage of s#ri($%re has $o do wi$h $he res(onse $ha$Pa%l made $o $he ?ord.s re(l' $o $he (ra'er)

Pa%l a##e($ed $ha$ $he ?ord was no$ going $o remove$he (roblem a$ $ha$ (oin$ in $ime) When Chris$ said

?y gra&e is sffi&ient for yo! for my power is made

perfe&t in weaness! Pa%l a##e($ed $ha$ answer wi$ho%$ f%r$her 2%es$ion) Pa%l #o%ld have given %(

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his missionar' wor" -e #o%ld have be#omeoffended wi$h es%s be#a%se he didn.$ ge$ wha$ he

wo%ld have li"ed -e #o%ld have los$ #onfiden#e in$he #all $ha$ was on his life -e did no$ do an' of $hese $hings -e (ressed on wi$h his wor" "nowing$ha$ $he ?ord wo%ld give him $he s$reng$h and (ower $ha$ he needed)

This is $he a#id $es$ $o de$ermine if ,od is allowing

a (roblem for o%r grow$h and develo(men$ and no$ be#a%se of some (ersonal fail%re) Can we sa' in $hemids$ of $he diffi#%l$' $ha$ -is gra#e is s%ffi#ien$ for %s and $ha$ -is (ower is made (erfe#$ in o%r $ime of wea"ness:

Trusting 9ut 'ot 9eing Delivered

?ife has i$s %(s and downs and (roblems) * read $hiss$a$emen$ 8Pain is inevi$able b%$ miser' iso($ional< Hohnson 0arbara) Pain is Inevitable bt ?isery

is %ptional$ Word P%blishing Gng) 1991I) *f we are in $hemids$ of $ro%ble #an we hones$l' sa' $ha$ $he ?ord.sgra#e is s%ffi#ien$ for %s or are we so in des(air $ha$

we are read' $o give %(: /bvio%sl' $he a(os$le Pa%lwas des(era$e when he (ra'ed $o $he ?ord andal$ho%gh $his a$$a#" of Sa$an was no$ immedia$el'removed $he (romise of $he ?ord.s hel( in $he

(roblem was eno%gh for Pa%l $o (ress on wi$ho%$wavering)

*n -ebrews 11 we read of $he grea$ heroes of fai$h)ma+ing #on2%es$s $hro%gh fai$h mira#les andvi#$ories are re#orded) We read of men s%#h asGno#h Boah braham *saa# a#ob osh%a,ideon Samson ;avid and o$hers who $hro%gh

175



fai$h #on2%ered "ingdoms adminis$ered %s$i#egained wha$ had been (romised sh%$ $he mo%$hs of

lions 2%en#hed $he f%r' of $he flames and es#a(ed$he edge of $he sword) The s#ri($%re sa's 8Whosewea"ness was $%rned $o s$reng$h< H-ebrews 113M 34I)

0%$ as we read on in $his #ha($er we #ome $o anen$irel' differen$ s$or'

... 'thers were tortured and refusedto be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.

Some faced >eers and =ogging, whilestill others were chained and put in

prison.

&hey were stoned, they were sawedin two; they were put to death by the sword. &hey went about insheepFskins and goatskins,destitute, persecuted and illFtreated# the world was not worthy of them.

&hey wandered in deserts andmountains, and in caves and holesin the ground. (0ebrews !4#4<%

Wha$ ha((ened $o $hese (eo(le: Were $he'disobedien$ or %nable $o rea#h ,od in (ra'er: Were

$he' rea(ing wha$ $he' had sown: ;o we have in-ebrews 11 a lis$ of s%##esses who "new how $oeer#ise fai$h and (ra' $hro%gh $o a (la#e of vi#$or'in $heir #ir#%ms$an#es and also a gro%( of fail%reswho were disobedien$ and whose (ra'ers were

176



%nheard: Oerse 39 in $his #ha($er gives a ver' #lear answer

&hese were all commended for their faith, yet none of them receivedwhat had been promised. (0ebrews!4-%

These were all #ommended for $heir fai$h as well as$hose who had had mira#%lo%s deliveran#es) The'

were no$ s%ffering be#a%se of $heir inabili$' $o $r%s$,od nor were $he' rea(ing nega$ivel' from wha$$he' had sown b%$ ,od had allowed $hem $o s%ffer and even die

Bo one is able $o e(lain $he wa's of ,od) Wh',od allows differen$ even$s $o $a"e (la#e even $o

$hose who love and serve -im wi$h $o$al $r%s$ is"nown onl' $o ,od -imself) 0%$ we #an be ass%red$ha$ ever' e(erien#e of life is allowed b' $he ?ordso $ha$ if we ma"e righ$ res(onses we will be

(re(ared no$ onl' for ,od.s bes$ in $his life b%$ alsoin e$erni$')

an we say in the midst of the difficulty that&is grace is sufficient for us and that

&is strength is being revealedin our time of weakness0

$pportunity !ost

0' wa' of #on$ras$ le$ %s #onsider ing -erod whowas $he onl' man in $he 0ible $o whom es%sref%sed $o s(ea") Wha$ a dis$in#$ion There is nore#ord of es%s being %nwilling $o s(ea" $o an'o$her (erson in#l%ding (ros$i$%$es (%bli#ans le(ers

177



s#ribes or Pharisees) Some$imes es%s s(o"e s$ernl'and wi$h reb%"e b%$ -is words alwa's #on$ained

ho(e and o((or$%ni$' for re#on#ilia$ion wi$h ,od)To -erod however es%s wo%ld no$ s(ea") ?%"ere#ords $his in#iden$ in his gos(el

Ahen 0erod saw Cesus, he wasgreatly pleased, because for a longtime he had been wanting to see

him. rom what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him performsome miracle. (Luke 14!<%

We #o%ld well $hin" $his wo%ld have been a grea$o((or$%ni$' for es%s $o #onvin#e ing -erod a

(rominen$ na$ional leader $ha$ -e had s%(erna$%ral

(ower and was $he Son of ,od b%$ $he s#ri($%resa's

0e plied him with many 7uestions,but Cesus gave him no answer. (Luke14!-%

es%s ref%sed $o s(ea" $o -erod) There were no

words of #om(assion or ho(e for $his evil "ing andla$er -erod rea(ed wha$ he had sown as a res%l$ of alife of selfishness br%$ali$' and m%rder) ,od.s$em(oral %dgmen$ %(on -erod was re#orded in#ha($er five of $his boo")

no$her ill%s$ra$ion #on#erns %das one of $he

$welve dis#i(les a man who was wonderf%ll'favored b' ,od and given $he (rivilege of beingwi$h es%s for more $han $hree 'ears and 'e$ for hisown selfish reasons a##e($ed $hir$' (ie#es of silver $o be$ra' es%s) ?a$er %das filled wi$h des(air and

17@



#ondemna$ion hanged himself) -ere was a manwi$h one of $he grea$es$ o((or$%ni$ies of all his$or'

b%$ be#a%se of his greed and self>desire he hadrea(ed wha$ he had sown)

/very e(perience of life is allowed by %odso that, if we will make the right responses,we will be prepared not only for %od’s best

in time, but also in eternity.

Dictator or Directed?

We are s$ill eamining how we #an de$ermine wha$is ha((ening when $here are (roblems anddiffi#%l$ies in o%r lives) *$ is hard when we are

(ersonall' involved and are #a%gh$ in des(air) The0ible ma"es $wo s(e#ial (rovisions $o hel( %s o%$ of $he dilemma in whi#h we ma' find o%rselves) Thes#ri($%res (rovide for $he o(era$ion of s(iri$%ala%$hori$' and also for $he (l%rali$' of leadershi()The 0ible $ells %s $o s%bmi$ $o $hose who are over %s

'bey your leaders and submit totheir authority. &hey keep watchover you as men who must give anaccount. 'bey them so that their work will be a >oy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to

you. (0ebrews 4!$%The 0ible also sa's

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Submit to one another out of reverence for @hrist. (2phesians !1

%S%bmission is a s%be#$ $ha$ has been mis%sed andmis%nders$ood) S%bmission is an a$$i$%de ra$her $hanan a#$ion) The Bew Tes$amen$ does no$ (rovide $ha$an' (erson sho%ld be %nder $he domina$ion of ano$her as o%r life rela$ionshi( is essen$iall' wi$h $he

?ord es%s Chris$) 0%$ ,od has (rovided a wa' of (ro$e#$ion b' o%r being s%bmi$$ed $o s(iri$%alleaders and also $o one ano$her)

S%bmission is no$ $o #r%sh a (erson.s life or $o $a"eawa' in#en$ive b%$ $ha$ o$hers wo%ld be able $o give%s obe#$ive dis#ernmen$ and #o%nsel when we are

#onfron$ed wi$h $he (roblems of life) This is also $hereason for (l%rali$' of leadershi( so $ha$ no one man#an $a"e a di#$a$orial oversigh$)

,od gives s(iri$%al (ro$e#$ion when we obe's(iri$%al (rin#i(les) We migh$ wonder if aneldershi( overseer or (as$or wo%ld alwa's have $he

righ$ answer for o%r lives and of #o%rse ea#h (ersonhas a righ$ $o e(ress his own view (oin$ or leadingin an' si$%a$ion) 0%$ if we will obe' s(iri$%al

(rin#i(les $hen in $he even$ of an overseer beingwrong in his dire#$ion ,od will s$ill honor -is

(rin#i(les and (ro$e#$ %s even when we don.$%nders$and how -e will do i$)

* do no$ s%gges$ $ha$ an' (erson sho%ld viola$e hisown #ons#ien#e or a#$ #on$rar' $o a gen%ine#onvi#$ion in order $o obe' a s(iri$%al a%$hori$'),enerall' s(ea"ing we are safer obe'ing s(iri$%aloverseers even if we $hin" $he' are wrong $han

1@!



doing wha$ we wan$ $o do even if we $hin" $ha$ weare righ$) A%i$e of$en righ$ and wrong #anno$ be

de$ermined a$ $he $ime an even$ is $a"ing (la#e andonl' $ime shows wha$ was $he #orre#$ #o%rse of a#$ion) Bever overloo" ,od.s abili$' $o in$ervene on

behalf of $he (erson who is a#$ing wi$h a sin#erehear$) These #ommen$s are made in regard $og%idan#e or (roblems $ha$ are being fa#ed andwhere i$ wo%ld be wise and benefi#ial $o see" #onfirma$ion or #o%nsel from an e(erien#ed leader or ano$her ma$%re Chris$ian before $a"ing some%nila$eral a#$ion)

%od has provided a way of protection byour being submitted to spiritual authority

and to one another.

When $here is a di#$a$orial leader $here is none $owhom he is a##o%n$able= $here is none $o give him#orre#$ion so $he Bew Tes$amen$ (a$$ern is ver'#learl' $ha$ of elders (l%ral)

Perha(s 'o% believe $his and wo%ld sa' 8Ees * believe $ha$ $he Bew Tes$amen$ (a$$ern for #h%r#hgovernmen$ is (l%rali$' of leadershi( and $ha$eldershi( is ,od.s (a$$ern) There sho%ld no$ be oneman wi$h all $he sa' domina$ing $he life of $he#h%r#h or a (ar$i#%lar (ar$ of Chris$.s 0od')< ;o wereali+e however $ha$ while we ma' agree wi$h $his

(rin#i(le $ha$ i$ is eas' $o ma"e o%rselves adi#$a$orial a%$hori$' over o%r own life: We sa' 8Boone $ells me wha$ $o do) * #an go s$raigh$ $o es%s) *don.$ need a she(herd) *.m #om(le$e in Chris$ anddon.$ need an'bod' else< There is a degree of $r%$h

1@1





-ead $hen -e brings -is 0ride $o a (la#e of e2%ali$' so she r%les and reigns wi$h -im on $he

$hrone)The 0ible sa's $ha$ $he h%sband is $he head of $hewife and $ha$ $he wife is $o s%bmi$ $o her h%sband)Chris$ is of #o%rse $he head of $he h%sband and $heh%sband m%s$ obe' $he ?ord) *f $he h%sband obe'sChris$ and $he wife s%bmi$s $o her h%sband $hen

,od.s divine order is #om(le$e and $he' $oge$herh%sband and wife en$er in$o e2%al righ$s in ,od andr%le over $he famil')

S%bmission does no$ ma"e one less $han ano$her)S%bmission in divine order #om(le$es ,od.s (lan of a%$hori$' and allows e2%ali$' in sharing $he righ$s

and (rivileges as #o>heirs wi$h Chris$) The fa#$ $ha$some leaders have mis%sed $he (rin#i(le of s%bmission and have bro%gh$ (eo(le in$o bondageand de(enden#e on $hem does no$ invalida$e $he$r%$h of gen%ine 0ible s%bmission) ;o no$ be afraidof bibli#al s%bmission as i$ #an be $he means of releasing a (erson in$o liber$' and also a righ$

%nders$anding of ,od.s will for his life)

$ $he $ime of wri$ing $his boo" one 'o%ng womanin $he #h%r#h where * was (as$or gave me $his%nsoli#i$ed $es$imon'

n in#iden$ o##%rred in m' life some 'ears

ago d%ring a $ime of ra$her bi$$er disill%sionmen$ and * had made a de#ision $oleave $he #h%r#h) * $ho%gh$ $o m'self 8*.lls$ill believe in ,od b%$ * won.$ go $o #h%r#han'more)< When S%nda' #ame a smallvoi#e wi$hin me seemed $o sa' 8The (as$or

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has been good $o 'o%) $ leas$ 'o% #an have$he #o%r$es' $o $ell him $ha$ 'o% are going $o

leave)< * $ho%gh$ abo%$ i$ and de#ided $ha$ *wo%ld do $ha$ so * dressed for #h%r#harrived la$e and sa$ in $he ba#" and no$ near $he fron$ where * normall' sa$) ,od wasmer#if%l $o me and * sensed -is (resen#eand s%ddenl' $ho%gh$ 8* don.$ #are wha$

(eo(le have done $o me or wha$ $he' migh$do in $he f%$%re or even wha$ * have donem'self * love ,od and * am going $o follow-im)< Some$hing ha((ened inside me

Con$in%ing her $es$imon' $he 'o%ng woman said$ha$ a$ $he #lose of $he servi#e * had #ome $o her andsaid 8Where have 'o% been:< l$ho%gh she had

been absen$ for seven wee"s she said 8/h *.ve %s$ been $hin"ing< and * said $o her 8Can.$ 'o% do $ha$a$ #h%r#h:< She said 8Bo $his (la#e affe#$s m'$hin"ing $oo m%#h< and * re(lied 8Eo% have been$a"ing a wrong #o%rse of a#$ion<

She #on$in%ed wi$h her s$or'

This was $he end of a #risis for me) * never s$a'ed awa' from #h%r#h af$er $ha$ and when* $ho%gh$ abo%$ $he in#iden$ i$ frigh$ened mehow #losel' * had #ome $o reall' missing o%$in m' wal" wi$h ,od) *f * had no$ obe'ed$ha$ li$$le voi#e wi$hin me $ha$ sen$ me ba#"

$o $ell wha$ * had in$ended doing * wo%ldhave lef$ $he #h%r#h and * do no$ "now wha$$he #onse2%en#es wo%ld have been) $ $he$ime * did no$ see an' s(iri$%al (rin#i(le

behind wha$ had ha((ened and $ho%gh$ $o

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m'self 8-ow #o%ld ,od le$ m' life hang onwha$ seemed s%#h a sim(le iss%e:< *$ was

no$ however a sim(le iss%e= i$ was one $ha$#o%ld have serio%sl' affe#$ed m' whole life)* now %nders$and $ha$ ,od was (ro$e#$ingme and bringing me ba#" %nder a s(iri$%aloverseer)

ubmission, in divine order, completes%od’s plan of authority, and allows e#uality,in sharing the rights and privileges as co'

heirs with hrist.

;o no$ %nderes$ima$e $he #a(a#i$' of a believer inChris$ $o re#eive #lear individ%al g%idan#e b' $he

-ol' S(iri$ or $o be led b' $he Word of ,od and (ra'er b%$ * wan$ $o s$ress $ha$ i$ is no$ alwa's eas'$o gen%inel' hear from ,od in o%r S(iri$) We need$o learn $o dis#ern $he voi#e of $he -ol' S(iri$ asdis$in#$ from o%r own s(iri$ and g%idan#e and hel(from $hose who #are for %s is vi$al as we aredevelo(ing in $his abili$')

The words 8,od has $old me< do no$ valida$e $hea#$ions of a (erson So of$en a (erson has said $ome 8,od has $old me< b%$ $he o%$#ome hasdis(roved $he words as $he a#$ion $a"en b' $he

(erson has res%l$ed in #onf%sion disorder andsome$imes disas$er) The mere e(ression 8,od has

$old me< is no$ a divine seal on a #o%rse of a#$ion)Time has of$en (roven $ha$ wha$ was done b' a

(erson was his own desire and no$ g%idan#e b' $he-ol' S(iri$)

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#ons#ien#e from a#$s $ha$ lead $o dea$h H-ebrews914I)

When o%r #ons#ien#e is s(iri$%all' #leansed as ares%l$ of $he new bir$h and "e($ sensi$ive b'obedien#e $o i$s (rom($ings $hen i$ be#omes a vi$alfa#$or $o enable %s $o #learl' hear $he voi#e of ,od)

So man' Chris$ians fail a$ $he basi# levels of obedien#e (ar$i#%larl' in regard $o reading of $he

0ible (ra'er and "ee(ing a #lear #ons#ien#e) * havenever in all m' 'ears of minis$r' deal$ wi$h a

ba#"slider who #o%ld hones$l' sa' 8* havediligen$l' read $he 0ible and (ra'ed)<

/%r #omm%nion wi$h ,od is so vi$al $o b%ilding andmain$aining an abili$' $o "now #learl' $he dire#$ion

of ,od) Peo(le #an so glibl' sa' $ha$ ,od has led$hem in a (ar$i#%lar dire#$ion b%$ $he eviden#e of $heir lives is one of self>(leasing and disorder) n'sin#ere (erson who #onsiders $ha$ $he -ol' S(iri$has given g%idan#e in some im(or$an$ ma$$er or dire#$ion sho%ld be willing $o s%bmi$ $ha$ g%idan#e

$o $r%s$ed s(iri$%al leaders for #onfirma$ion)/ver $he 'ears * have been glad $o wor" wi$h $eamsof men wi$h whom * have been able $o s%bmi$ wha$* believed ,od was sa'ing $o $he #h%r#h $o $hewider fellowshi( of #h%r#hes or $o m' life a$ a

(ersonal level) We #an easil' develo( (ersonal

desires and #onvi#$ions $ha$ ma' no$ be $he will of ,od and $o have $hose who love and #are for %s sa'8We do no$ believe $ha$ $his is $he righ$ a#$ion< is aval%able (ro$e#$ion)

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) came to see that our conscience was

a vital faculty of the human spirit by whichwe could discern right and wrong,

and truth and error.

3 ind ade %p5

The maori$' of (eo(le who have #ome $o me for

g%idan#e over man' 'ears (ar$i#%larl' in ma$$ers of im(or$an#e have generall' s(ea"ing alread' made%( $heir own minds before #oming) The' have #ome$o me for a 8r%bber s$am(< endorsemen$ Themomen$ * have beg%n $o 2%es$ion $hem or raiseddo%b$s as $o $heir a#$ion $here has been a rea#$ionand of$en $he' have been offended) Some$imes $hese

(eo(le have $hen lef$ $he #h%r#h

*$ is eas' $o sa' s(iri$%al words b%$ when we are#onfron$ed wi$h $he 2%es$ion of wha$ is ha((ening inlife we need $o reali+e $ha$ we are of$en $he a%$hor of o%r own misfor$%ne be#a%se we will no$ a#$ ina##ordan#e wi$h ,od.s wa') Tragi# res%l$s

ba#"sliding #onf%sion and resen$men$ havefollowed $hose who have de$ermined $o go $heir ownwa')

* $hin" wi$h sadness of a gro%( of (eo(le in one of $he home mee$ings in m' own #h%r#h who lef$ $he#h%r#h wi$h a wrong a$$i$%de and wi$ho%$

e(lana$ion) Wi$hin a #om(ara$ivel' shor$ $imehardl' an' were #on$in%ing as a#$ive Chris$ians 'e$all of $hem obvio%sl' $ho%gh$ $ha$ $he' were $a"ing$he righ$ a#$ion in leaving $he #h%r#h) Time (roved

1@@



$ha$ $he s$e(s $a"en were of $heir own ini$ia$ive andno$ of ,od.s leading)

There is a #on$in%al hear$a#he $o (as$ors and loss $o$he ingdom of ,od be#a%se men and women havemade %( $heir own mind and are de$ermined $o $a"ea#$ion %nder $he g%ise of ,od.s will)

Tragic results, backsliding, confusion and

resentment have followed those who havedetermined to go their own way.

/n one o##asion * lis$ened $o an in$erna$ionals(ea"er $ea#hing abo%$ $he (rin#i(le of release) -esaid $ha$ when we viola$e ,od.s Word or wa' $hereis a bondage $ha$ #an remain in o%r lives) -e s(o"e

(ar$i#%larl' in regard $o (eo(le leaving a #h%r#hwi$ho%$ ma"ing an e(lana$ion or wi$h h%r$ feelingsand a #ri$i#al s(iri$) The fa#$ $ha$ $he' had been (ar$of $he lo#al bod' for several 'ears was $o$all'imma$erial $o $hem b%$ be#a%se of somedisagreemen$ $he' fo%nd i$ #onvenien$ $o sa' $ha$

$he ?ord had $old $hem $o go)This in$erna$ional s(ea"er #onfided $ha$ on oneo##asion he had lef$ $he #h%r#h where he had been$he (as$or be#a%se a se$ of h%r$f%l #ir#%ms$an#es andill>will and bi$$erness had been involved) Kl$ima$el'he re$%rned $o $ha$ #h%r#h and s$ood before $he

#ongrega$ion and as"ed $hem $o release him be#a%sehe had fo%nd $ha$ in $he manner of his leaving $he#h%r#h he had bro%gh$ res$ri#$ion %(on his own lifeand minis$r') -e had been %nable $o find freedomand (ea#e in ,od be#a%se he had viola$ed ,od.swa' of being g%ided b' $he -ol' S(iri$ and

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#onfirma$ion from o$hers) *n#iden$s similar $o $his b' ei$her leadershi( or la' (eo(le arise so of$en in

#h%r#h life $ha$ we need $o fa#e $he $r%$h $ha$#onf%sion and (roblems will follow %s if we a#$ inselfishness and has$e)

?e$ %s be ver' #lear abo%$ $wo ma$$ers

1) *f we do no$ a((ro(ria$e wha$ Chris$ has (rovidedfor %s we are #ommi$$ing sin

0' #on$in%ing wi$h old a$$i$%des of mind emo$ionand will we red%#e $he (ower of Chris$.s dea$h andres%rre#$ion $o bring %s in$o #om(le$e liber$' andvi#$or') There are several differen$ ,ree" words $ha$are $ransla$ed b' $he Gnglish word 8sin.) /ne of $hese words is hamartia whi#h means to fall short

of the mar or target ) This is $he word %sed b' $hewri$er $o $he -ebrew #h%r#h where he sa's

&herefore, since we are surroundedby such a great cloud of witnesses,let us throw oK everything that hinders and the sin that so easily

entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (0ebrews 1!%

The sin $ha$ easil' en$angles %s is $he sin $o fail $o beall $ha$ we #o%ld be and no$ $o a##e($ all $ha$ Chris$has (rovided) *$ is eas' $o be sa$isfied wi$h $he

medio#re and fail $o a$$ain $he f%ll (%r(ose of ,odfor o%r lives) *f we live o%r own wa' doing $hose$hings we did before #oming $o Chris$ and #on$in%ewi$h old habi$s $hen we are #ommi$$ing sin b'failing $o 8hi$ $he $arge$< ,od has se$ for %s)

19!







no$ have $o $al" o%rselves in$o believing $his b%$ wewill "now i$ dee( in o%r s(iri$s and will have

#onfiden#e $ha$ in s(i$e of all $ha$ is $a"ing (la#e,od is s$ill in #on$rol and has no$ forsa"en %s)

We will "now wha$ i$ means $o be an over#omer andso rise above $he #ir#%ms$an#es $ha$ #onfron$ %s andno$ onl' win vi#$or' over $hem b%$ #on$in%e $o#on2%er $hem %n$il $he' have no a#$ive (ower $o rise

%( again and bring des(air $o %s) This is wha$ $he0ible means when i$ s(ea"s abo%$ o%r being 8more

than &on@erors< Homans @37I) Bo$ onl' have we#on2%ered b%$ we have also s%bd%ed $he enem' or area of fail%re and i$ has no (ower $o affe#$ %sagain)

/ven in the midst of turmoil,there will be an inner peace and oy.

The inner wi$ness of $he -ol' S(iri$ is a grea$#onfiden#e b%$ we need $o have $his #onfirmed b'o%r bro$hers and sis$ers in Chris$) *$ is (ossible $o

#onvin#e o%rselves $ha$ we have (ea#e even whenwe are wrong) There is a signifi#an$ (assage of s#ri($%re fo%nd in ;e%$eronom' following $he

(romises of blessings or #%rses $ha$ are given for obedien#e or disobedien#e

Ahen such a person hears the words

of this oath, he invokes a blessingon himself and therefore thinks, :Iwill be safe, even though I persist ingoing my own way.+ &his will bringdisaster on the watered land as wellas the dry.

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&he Lord will never be willing toforgive him; his wrath and Meal will

burn against that man. )ll the cursewritten in this book will fall uponhim, and the Lord will blot out hisname from under heaven.(euteronomy 1-!-#19%

This is a ver' solemn (assage $ha$ s(ea"s of a man

who is viola$ing $he Word of ,od and 'e$ blesseshimself in his hear$ and sa's $ha$ he will have (ea#e)Peo(le have some$imes said $o me '* have a (erfe#$

(ea#e abo%$ wha$ * am doing, b%$ la$er even$s have (roven be'ond do%b$ $ha$ $heir a#$ion was wrong)The ?iving 0ible (erha(s gives even a #learer %nders$anding of $he verses $o whi#h we have %s$referred

Let no one blithely think, when hehears the warnings of this curse, Ishall prosper even though I walk inmy own stubborn way or the Lordwill not pardon 0is anger and

>ealousy will be hot against that man. )nd all the curses written inthis book shall lie heavily upon him,and the Lord will blot out his namefrom under heaven. (euteronomy 1-!-#19%

*$ is no$ onl' o%r own inner (ea#e and #onfiden#e$ha$ is needed i$ is also $he #onfirma$ion of $hosewho #an loo" a$ o%r a$$i$%de and a#$ion obe#$ivel')From 'ears of observing Chris$ians and from m'own (ersonal e(erien#e * am #onvin#ed $ha$ a high

194



(er#en$age of o%r (roblems are of o%r own ma"ing)We are %nder $he %di#ial dealings of ,od be#a%se

of some disobedien#e or fail%re even $ho%gh wehave been forgiven) ?e$ %s loo" a$ some #onfirmings#ri($%res

0ave you noticed how )hab hashumbled himself before me?*ecause he has humbled himself I

will not bring this disaster in his day,but I will bring it on his house in thedays of his son. ( Bings 1!1-%

0e#a%se hab h%mbled himself ,od removed $heimmedia$e %dgmen$ from him b%$ la$er allowed $he

(enal$' $o #ome on hab.s ho%sehold) ,od e$ended

mer#' $o hab b%$ no$ removal of $he#onse2%en#es) We read

*ecause your heart was responsiveand you humbled yourself before theLord when you heard what I havespoken against this place and its

people, that they would becomeaccursed and laid waste, andbecause you tore your robes andwept in my presence, I have heard

you, declares the Lord. (1 Bings11!-%

This is an in#iden$ in $he life of ing osiah when,od s(ared him be#a%se of his 'o%$h b%$ la$er $hena$ion s%ffered be#a%se of his sin)

195



)t is possible to convince ourselves that wehave peace, even when we are in the wrong.

Ahen the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the Lord came to Shemaiah! :Sincethey have humbled themselves, Iwill not destroy them but will soongive them deliverance. y wrath willnot be poured out on Cerusalemthrough Shishak.

:&hey will, however, become sub>ect to him, so that they may learn thediKerence between serving me andserving the kings of other lands.+ (1@hronicles 1!$#<%

This (assage s(ea"s of ing ehoboam whore(en$ed of $he sin he had #ommi$$ed b%$ $he 0iblesa's $ha$ al$ho%gh he re#eived mer#' from ,od anddeliveran#e in his immedia$e si$%a$ion he wen$ onrea(ing some of $he #onse2%en#es of his foll')

&hen 0eMekiah repented of the prideof his heart, as did the people of

Cerusalem; therefore the Lord6swrath did not come upon themduring the days of 0eMekiah. (1@hronicles 41!1"%

-e+e"iah af$er his fail%re h%mbled himself and,od removed $he (%nishmen$ $ha$ had been$hrea$ened b%$ la$er $he na$ion s%ffered)

196



Some$imes we #an es#a(e $he #onse2%en#es of o%r a#$ions b%$ leave a nega$ive heri$age for o$hers) The

0ible sa's $ha$ $he sins of $he fa$hers #an be visi$ed%(on $he #hildren $o $he $hird and fo%r$hgenera$ions HGod%s !5I)

When ,od is allowing $es$ing for o%r develo(men$however we will no$ be li"e $hese /ld Tes$amen$fig%res who willf%ll' disobe'ed and $hen so%gh$

,od* s mer#' b%$ we will have an a$$i$%de of s%bmission and h%mili$') We will no$ be arrogan$and self>willed de$ermined $o do wha$ we $hin" isrigh$ regardless of $he o(inions of o$hers who are#on#erned for o%r welfare) ore $ragedies have#ome from s%#h an a$$i$%de $han from an' o$her single #a%se in $he life of $he #h%r#h) Eears of

#onf%sion have of$en followed $hose who have a#$edin $his wa') es%s made $his s$a$emen$

&he greatest among you will be your servant. or whoever e3alts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be e3alted.

(atthew 14!#1%

,od as"s for h%mili$' from %s $hen when we a#$$his wa' he gives %s honor and re#ogni$ion) amessa's $his

0umble yourselves before the Lord,

and 0e will lift you up. (Cames 5!9%The a(os$le Pe$er #on$in%es wi$h $he same $heme

:Eoung men, in the same way besubmissive to those who are older.

)ll of you, clothe yourselves with

197



humility toward one another,because, God opposes the proud but

gives grace to the humble. 0umble yourselves, therefore, under God6smighty hand, that 0e may lift you upin due time.+ ( eter !O"%

,od wan$s $o honor %s if we will be h%mble ands%bmissive) When we main$ain $his a$$i$%de $hen

even $ho%gh we (ass $hro%gh $imes $ha$ ma' seemdiffi#%l$ ,od will %se $he #ir#%ms$an#es $o refineo%r #hara#$er and #a%se %s $o grow more li"e Chris$)This is of #o%rse ,od.s %l$ima$e (%r(ose)

ometimes we can escape the

conse#uences of our action, but leave anegative heritage for others.

We #an live in gen%ine freedom and have vi#$or'over $he adverse #ir#%ms$an#es whi#h #onfron$ %s)We #an eno' ,od.s fellowshi( and (ea#e $hro%gh-is forgiveness) We #an have $he #onfiden#e $ha$

be#a%se of ,od.s (ardon we are no$ s%ffering $he#onse2%en#es of sin) This is wha$ ,od wan$s) -edoes no$ wan$ (eo(le %nder #ondemna$ion and fear

b%$ (eo(le who are filled wi$h o' and (ea#e andwho are overflowing wi$h ho(e "nowing $ha$ inever' $es$ $he gra#e of ,od will be s%ffi#ien$ for $hem)

There are $imes when we all feel a meas%re of des(air) * have of$en fel$ li"e giving %( $heres(onsibili$' of #h%r#h leadershi() * have never wan$ed $o give %( m' fai$h in $he ?ord) * have never wan$ed $o be a ba#"slider) There have been

19@



however $imes of dee( disa((oin$men$ when * have been dis#o%raged and la$er fo%nd i$ ne#essar' $o

#onfess $o $he ?ord $ha$ * had no$ been loo"ing $o-im b%$ $o $he (roblem) Some$imes * have had $orea( wha$ * have sown and go $hro%gh $he dealingsof ,od in a %dgmen$al wa' be#a%se of m' ownfear disobedien#e or %nwillingness $o $r%s$ -imwhen * was %nder (ress%re) We all have $he sameh%man $enden#ies $ha$ #a%se %s $o feel $he im(a#$ of o((osi$ion or h%r$s b%$ $he ?ord wan$s $o $ea#h %s$o s$and fas$ and a##e($ $ha$ all of $hese even$s will%l$ima$el' be for o%r good)

When #ond%#$ing a series of s$%dies on $he Sermonon $he o%n$ * was im(ressed b' $he words in $he?ord.s Pra'er whi#h ma"e $his sim(le s$a$emen$

8ive s today or daily bread < Ha$$hew 611I)Wha$ grea$ fai$h i$ re2%ires $o be able $o (ra' $hosewords and as" for a s%((l' s%ffi#ien$ for onl' oneda' Bo$ man' of %s wo%ld li"e $o be in $he (osi$ionof having food for onl' one da' in o%r ho%se

We can live in genuine freedom and havevictory over the adverse circumstanceswhich confront us.

Wha$ $r%s$ in ,od had $o be shown b' $he (eo(le of *srael when wandering in $he wilderness $o ga$her onl' eno%gh manna for one da' Wha$ na$%ral

do%b$s wo%ld have been in $heir minds wonderingwhe$her $he s%((l' wo%ld again be available $hene$ da')

We ma' be fa#ed wi$h $imes when we will need anabsol%$e ass%ran#e $ha$ ,od is wi$h %s in s(i$e of

199



o((osi$ion or hardshi( so we need $o "now how $odis#ern wha$ is ha((ening in o%r lives) *f we a((l'

$he (rin#i(les se$ o%$ in $his #ha($er we will 2%i#"l'learn whe$her we are s%ffering be#a%se of o%r ownfail%re or are being $rained as $r%e sons andda%gh$ers of ,od)

!!



Chapter :

"o. to Forgive

We have eamined man' differen$ as(e#$s as wehave s$%died $he bibli#al basis of forgiveness and *

now wan$ $o give some (ra#$i#al wa's b' whi#h we#an a#hieve $he obe#$ of "nowing how $o gen%inel'forgive)

"earing or Doing?

*$ is no$ diffi#%l$ $o se$ o%$ (rin#i(les and #ommands

$ha$ we dis#over in $he 0ible b%$ $o (%$ $hem in$o (ra#$i#e is as all of %s have dis#overed an en$irel'differen$ ma$$er) We #an "now wha$ $he 0ible sa'swe #an agree wi$h i$ b%$ when i$ #omes $o doing i$$he #hallenge #an be $oo hard for %s)

es%s "new $ha$ men and women were be$$er hearers$han doers and $he 0ible has m%#h $o sa' abo%$ $hedifferen#e be$ween hearing and doing) *n (ar$i#%lares%s s(o"e s$rongl' on $he s%be#$ when -e said $o$he #rowd who had ga$hered 8 )o yo have eyes bt

fail to see! and ears bt fail to hear7< Har" @1@I)These (eo(le were wa$#hing -im and lis$ening $o-im b%$ obvio%sl' were no$ (%$$ing in$o (ra#$i#e

wha$ was being said) *n a$$hew 7 a$ $he #lose of $he #ha($er #on#l%ding $he Sermon on $he o%n$$he ?ord em(hasi+ed wi$h a (owerf%l (arable $hedifferen#e be$ween hearing and doing) * have alwa's

!1



been #hallenged b' $his (arable of $he $wo ho%sesone b%il$ on $he sand and $he o$her on $he ro#")

*$ is eas' $o $ell (eo(le $o be doers of $he Word andno$ hearers onl') This living o%$ $he Word of ,odm%s$ be#ome real in o%r e(erien#e) We #anno$ %s$give li( servi#e $o wha$ $he 0ible sa's= $here m%s$ bea defini$e im(lemen$a$ion of $he s#ri($%re) We read

Ae know that God does not listen to

sinners. 0e listens to the godly manwho does his will. (Cohn -!4%

*$ is no$ merel' o%r worshi((ing $ha$ #a%ses ,od $ohear %s b%$ i$ is a worshi((er who does -is will $ha$$he ?ord hears) The $heme of being a doer and no$ ahearer onl' is re(ea$ed in man' (ar$s of s#ri($%re)

We read $his in $he le$$er wri$$en b' ames

)nyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like aman who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself goesaway and immediately forgets what

he looks like.

*ut the man who looks intently intothe perfect law that gives freedom,and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it # he will be blessed in what

he does. (Cames !14#1%

The difference between building upon arock and building upon sand is not how

!



much we know, or how much we believe,but how much we do.

The em(hasis is %(on $he need $o (%$ in$o (ra#$i#ewha$ we hear) ames #on$in%es his le$$er wi$h $hiss$a$emen$

)nyone, then, who knows the good

he ought to do and doesn6t do it,sins. (Cames 5!$%

*f we are aware of $r%$h and do no$ do wha$ is#ommanded we are g%il$' no$ merel' of anomission b%$ of sin There are a#$s of #ommissionwhere we delibera$el' viola$e ,od.s Word b%$ $here

are also a#$s of omission where we "now $o dowha$ ,od #ommands b%$ we fail $o do i$) 0o$h aresins as far as ,od is #on#erned)

3 (oot Cause

The (ra#$i#al a((li#a$ion of o%r fai$h ver' of$en

seems $oo diffi#%l$) We #an be e$remel' $han"f%l$ha$ ,od forgives %s b%$ we also need $o be awareof o%r res(onsibili$' $o forgive one ano$her) We #analso a#"nowledge $ha$ fail%re $o forgive ano$her

(erson will im(air o%r fellowshi( wi$h ,od) We #ana##e($ $he 0ible s$a$emen$ $ha$ %nforgiveness #an

#a%se a roo$ of bi$$erness whi#h #an defile o%rselvesand man' o$hers 'e$ in s(i$e of $his "nowledge wema' have been so dee(l' h%r$ b' $he even$s of life$ha$ i$ seems im(ossible $o forgive)

!3



We m%s$ find a (ra#$i#al answer) -ow #an weforgive when $he h%r$s have been so dee( and $he

wo%nds have done so m%#h damage $o o%r (ersonali$' $ha$ we #anno$ (%$ o%r "nowledge in$o (ra#$i#e:

*n $he las$ #ha($er $i$led 8Wha$ is -a((ening:< weeamined vario%s #a%ses of (roblems and $%rmoil$ha$ o##%r in (eo(les. lives) Were $hose diffi#%l$ies a

res%l$ of rea(ing wha$ had been sown: Were $he' be#a%se of a fail%re $o a((ro(ria$e $he (rovisions of $he Cross: /r was ,od allowing %s $o be $es$ed $o

b%ild o%r #hara#$er: The roo$ (roblem $he ver'#en$er of $he s%be#$ we are s$%d'ing is o%r fail%re$o forgive o$hers 0e#a%se we have no$ forgivensome o$her (erson we are living wi$h a maor

(roblem) Knforgiveness ea$s awa' a$ all areas of o%r lives men$all' emo$ionall' and s(iri$%all' and isof$en $he (rimar' reason for o%r being miserable)?e$ me re(ea$ wha$ es%s said

or if you forgive men when they sinagainst you, your heavenly ather

will also forgive you. *ut if you donot forgive men their sins, your ather will not forgive your sins.(atthew "!5#%

* said in $he $hird #ha($er $ha$ $his s$a$emen$ b'es%s #o%ld no$ (ossibl' a((l' $o $he forgiveness

$ha$ has $o do wi$h o%r e$ernal salva$ion o$herwisesalva$ion wo%ld be in some meas%re of wor"s and$he gra#e of ,od wo%ld be %ndermined) es%s wasno$ s(ea"ing abo%$ salva$ion when -e made $ha$de#lara$ion)

!4



/n one o##asion a (rominen$ b%sinessman s(o"e $ome abo%$ $he 2%es$ion of forgiveness and when *

$old him abo%$ m' s$%dies on $he s%be#$ he said8For some $ime * have been ver' #on#erned abo%$$he s$a$emen$ in $he ?ord.s Pra'er where i$ sa'sR Forgive s or debts! as we also have forgiven or

debtors$* < Ha$$hew 61I) This man a$$ended a$radi$ional #h%r#h where i$ was $he #%s$om for $he#ongrega$ion $o re(ea$ $he ?ord.s Pra'er $oge$her)-e #on$in%ed 8For some $ime now * have been%nable $o sa' $hose words as * have be#ome so#on#erned abo%$ $he im(li#a$ions of as"ing ,od $oforgive me in (ro(or$ion $o how * forgive o$hers)<

This man "new $ha$ his abili$' $o forgive o$hers didno$ ma$#h $he forgiveness $ha$ he needed from ,od

and so he was in #onf%sion) * was able $o $ell him$ha$ * did no$ believe $ha$ $he forgiveness referred $ohad $o do wi$h o%r e$ernal salva$ion b%$ wi$h o%r fellowshi( wi$h ,od and was $herefore s$ill a vi$alfa#$or for o%r inner (ea#e emo$ional s$abili$' andChris$ian grow$h)

*f we do no$ forgive ano$her (erson we do no$ loseo%r salva$ion b%$ i$ affe#$s o%r rela$ionshi( wi$h,od and in $%rn $his #an bring nega$ive res%l$s

(h'si#all' men$all' and emo$ionall' in o%r ownlives) nd i$ ha((ens

&ow can we forgive when the hurts havebeen so deep and the wounds have done somuch damage to our personality that wecannot put our knowledge into practice0

!5



We m%s$ learn $o forgive or we will #ons$an$l' be a$odds wi$h ,od and o%rselves) /%r #on$in%ing

in$ima$e fellowshi( wi$h ,od and $he eno'men$ of -is dail' (resen#e is endangered if we will no$forgive o$hers) We ma' be saved b%$ we will#er$ainl' no$ eno' $he blessing o' heal$h s$reng$hand 2%i#"ening of $he -ol' S(iri$ be#a%se we have

bro%gh$ o%rselves %nder ,od.s %dgmen$al dealings b' viola$ing one of -is grea$ (rin#i(les)

We m%s$ remember $ha$ forgiveness b' %s does no$#ondone $he a#$ions or words of ano$her (erson)/ne of $he reasons wh' (eo(le are rel%#$an$ $oforgive is $ha$ $he' $hin" $ha$ b' forgiving $he' areendorsing a (erson.s a#$ion) This is no$ so Wha$ weare doing is leaving $he %dgmen$ and $he

#onse2%en#es of $he o$her (erson.s a#$ions in $hehands of an all>seeing and all>"nowing ,od) We #anhave #om(le$e #onfiden#e $ha$ when we forgive,od goes on dealing wi$h $he (roblem and i$ is now-is res(onsibili$' no$ o%rs)

There are man' hidden #a%ses and reasons wh'

(eo(le offend agains$ o$hers) * have $ried $o loo" obe#$ivel' a$ differen$ si$%a$ions $ha$ have o##%rredin m' own e(erien#e b%$ $o "now $he hear$ of ano$her (erson is im(ossible)

Ga#h of %s $a"es a #er$ain a#$ion be#a%se we $hin" we have a valid #a%se and o$hers ma' no$

%nders$and wh' we have done i$) The hear$ of a manor a woman is "nown onl' $o ,od) We willgenerall' see even$s from o%r own (oin$ of view soif * am involved in a si$%a$ion where * have beenh%r$ or offended * will have a na$%ral bias in m'

!6



own favor) The onl' sensible a#$ion $ha$ we #an $a"eis $o leave $he ma$$er $o ,od who "nows $he hear$ of

$he o$her (erson and no$ %s$ $he o%$ward#ir#%ms$an#es $ha$ we see) 0' doing $his we "ee(o%rselves free from ,od.s %dgmen$ be#a%se wehave gen%inel' forgiven $he one who has offended%s) /%r fellowshi( wi$h ,od is "e($ in harmon' and$he ?ord $a"es #are of $he (roblem)

We must learn to forgive or we willconstantly be at odds with %od

and ourselves.

9enefits to (eceive

There are (ra#$i#al s$e(s $ha$ we #an $a"e so $ha$ wewill no$ be #a%gh$ in $he snare of %nforgiveness) *s%((ose $ha$ hardl' a wee" goes b' wi$ho%$ o%r

being offended or h%r$ in some wa' ei$her a$ wor"a$ home or in #h%r#h life) Bearl' all of %s aresensi$ive $o wha$ o$hers sa' or do) Some (re$end $o

be indifferen$ $o h%r$f%l si$%a$ions b%$ of$en

%ndernea$h $he' are dee(l' wo%nded b%$ are $oo (ro%d $o a#"nowledge i$) *$ is na$%ral $o be h%r$ or offended when we are wrongl' $rea$ed) Wha$ is%nna$%ral is no$ $o #are or $o $r' and ignore i$ and$ha$ #an res%l$ in a (erson be#oming #allo%sed and

bi$$er) We have $o wor" hard a$ im(lemen$ing $he#lear (rin#i(les whi#h we find in $he 0ible b%$ if wedon.$ we will find o%rselves holding %nforgivenessand will s%ffer $he #onse2%en#es)

?e$ me give some defini$e s$e(s $ha$ we #an $a"e

!7



emind 'o%rself of $he benefi$s 'o% will re#eives(iri$%all' men$all' emo$ionall' and (h'si#all' b'

gen%inel' forgiving o$hers) This is $he firs$ s$e()We are no$ selfish in doing $his) Ta"e in$o a##o%n$$he benefi#ial res%l$s if 'o% forgive or $he harmf%lres%l$s if 'o% do no$ forgive) The 8old self life<loves $o hold on $o i$s h%r$s We sa' 8*.m no$ going$o le$ $ha$ (ass wi$ho%$ re$alia$ion) * won.$ forge$

$ha$ easil')< Tha$ is 8self< s(ea"ing) We are in a ba$$le agains$ o%r old na$%re and we m%s$ remindo%rselves of $he blessings $ha$ ,od gives when wea#$ and res(ond -is wa') *n ohn.s $hird le$$er hesa's

ear friend, I pray that you may

en>oy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soulis getting along well. (4 Cohn 1%

Tha$ is ,od.s desire) emind 'o%rself $ha$ $he ?ordwan$s $he bes$ for 'o%) There are grea$ benefi$s $o bere#eived in ever' area of life if we will do wha$ ,od

sa's and hones$l' forgive $hose who ma' havewronged %s) Knforgiveness will rob 'o% of $he bes$)

Take into account the beneficial results if you forgive, or the harmful results if you do

not forgive.

!@



Forgiveness (eceived

(e#e#ber $ha$ 'o% have been forgiven b' ,od)This is $he se#ond s$e()

ll of %s were sinners wi$ho%$ ho(e and deservingof no$hing e#e($ dea$h and e$ernal se(ara$ion from,od) The ?ord in -is grea$ love sen$ es%s allowing-im $o be des(ised ree#$ed #r%#ified and $a"ing

$he sin of %s all) *n $his a#$ion ,od forgave %s inChris$)

emember $he forgiveness $ha$ 'o% have re#eived) Bo$ onl' wha$ we have re#eived b%$ wha$ we#on$in%e $o re#eive as we #onfess and re(en$ if $hereis f%r$her fail%re) Co%ld an' of %s sa' $ha$ even in a

shor$ (eriod of $ime we had no$ viola$ed ,od.sWord -is wa' or -is goal for o%r life: We ma' no$have delibera$el' sinned b%$ (erha(s in some%ng%arded momen$ we missed an o((or$%ni$' for good 'e$ ,od forgave Eo% ma' have said 8?ord*.m sorr' * didn.$ reall' mean $o do $ha$ * was

indifferen$ * was la+' Please forgive me< nd,od forgave) *f we re#eive forgiveness on $his s#alei$ is a small $hing $o forgive o$hers even if $he' don.$as" for forgiveness)

ee( $han"ing $he ?ord for -is willingness $oforgive) * have alwa's a((re#ia$ed ,od.s mer#') The

mer#' of ,od has been an a$$rib%$e of -is na$%rewhi#h has blessed and en#o%raged me) *n s(i$e of allo%r fail%re ,od is mer#if%l and of #o%rse mer#'leads $o forgiveness and forgiveness $o (ardon) Weneed $o have an a$$i$%de of $han"f%lness $o ,od $ha$in s(i$e of o%r fail%re wea"ness or dis#o%ragemen$

!9



-e has forgiven and res$ored %s $o fellowshi() *f wedo $his we will find $ha$ i$ is ano$her (ra#$i#al wa'

of hel(ing %s $o forgive o$hers) We will "ee(sensi$ive $o $he s%be#$ of forgiveness)

3n Inviolate 0rinciple

(ecogni;e $he inviola$e (rin#i(le of sowing andrea(ing) This is $he $hird s$e()

We have alread' deal$ wi$h $his s%be#$ in de$ail b%$i$ is a $r%$h whi#h m%s$ #ons$an$l' be "e($ in mind)Gver' a#$ion of o%rs will bring for$h a defini$eres%l$) This is %n#hanging) *f we sow evil $hensooner or la$er we will rea( evil) *f we sow $ha$whi#h is good we will rea( (osi$ive benefi$s)

The res%l$s #an var' a##ording $o how m%#ha$$en$ion we give $o $he seed we have sown) *n $hena$%ral when a seed is sown i$ re2%ires wa$eringand $o be #ared for in order $o bring for$h a f%ll #ro()*f $he seed is sown and $hen negle#$ed and lef$wi$ho%$ wa$er i$ migh$ never germina$e)

*n $he s(iri$%al realm we migh$ sow a seed andimmedia$el' reali+e i$s nega$ive (ossibili$' and a#$ins$an$l' $o des$ro' i$s (ower $o bring for$h anega$ive harves$) This is done b' immedia$ere(en$an#e #onfession and if a((li#ableres$i$%$ion) Oer' seldom however do (eo(le do $his

b%$ $he' ei$her allow $he seed $o lie and be wa$ered b' $he general #ir#%ms$an#es of life or $he' a#$ivel'assis$ $he develo(men$ b' #on$in%ing $heir nega$ive#o%rse of a#$ion)

1!



6eep thanking %od for &iswillingness to forgive.

?e$ me give a (ersonal e(erien#e $ha$ ha((enedd%ring $he $ime $ha$ m' wife and * were selling one

(ro(er$' and (%r#hasing ano$her) /ne of $he (eo(lewho was in$eres$ed in b%'ing o%r (ro(er$' was a

b%sinessman) -e #ame wi$h his wife $o ins(e#$ o%r home on several o##asions and me$i#%lo%sl'#he#"ed o%$ ever' as(e#$ of $he (remises) -e drovehis #ar in$o $he garage $o ma"e s%re $ha$ i$ wo%ld fi$#omfor$abl' and finall' made an offer $ha$ was far

below a fair mar"e$ val%e) Wi$ho%$ hesi$a$ion we$%rned down $he offer) The ne$ da' $he agen$handling $he $ransa#$ion $ele(honed and said 8*.ve

go$ ano$her b%'er $ha$ * am s%re will (%r#hase $he (ro(er$')< The (erson #ame and a##e($ed $he (ri#e$ha$ we had as"ed) ?a$er $he #on$ra#$ for $he salewas signed) Wi$hin $wo da's $he original man$ele(honed and said 8-ave 'o% signed $he#on$ra#$:<

* said 8Ees)<-e re(lied 8*.ll give 'o% L!!! more if 'o%.ll ge$$he b%'er $o #hange her mind)<

* said 8*$.s $oo la$e<

This man had wan$ed $o (%r#hase $he a(ar$men$ we

owned in $his (ar$i#%lar high>rise blo#" b%$ be#a%seof his hard bargaining he had los$ $he o((or$%ni$')?a$er he (%r#hased an a(ar$men$ in $he blo#" b%$one wi$ho%$ man' of $he advan$ages and e$raswhi#h o%rs had and he finall' (aid man' $ho%sands

11



of dollars more) -e sowed from a selfish s(iri$ andrea(ed a loss)

* am no$ agains$ someone loo"ing for a good b%siness deal b%$ $here is a differen#e be$ween being an as$%$e b%sinessman and see"ing $o de(rivesomeone of a fair $ransa#$ion) * %se $his ill%s$ra$ion

be#a%se i$ made an im(a#$ on me a$ $he $ime and#learl' ill%s$ra$es $ha$ we will rea( wha$ we sow

whe$her in b%siness s(iri$%all' in home life or ino$her (ersonal rela$ionshi(s) Ta"e $his (rin#i(leserio%sl') *$ ma' no$ ha((en immedia$el' and wema' $hin" $ha$ we are ge$$ing awa' wi$h i$ b%$ wewon.$ be#a%se 8$he birds will #ome home $o roos$)<*$ is a (rin#i(le of ,od.s Word no$ a $heor')

*$ is essen$ial $ha$ we forgive 2%i#"l') The longer wehold %nforgiveness $he harder i$ is $o le$ go) Themore we $hin" abo%$ $he reasons for o%r h%r$ anddwell %(on i$ $he more o%r mind is #a($iva$ed b'$he s%((osed %s$i#e of o%r #ase) Then we $r' $o

%s$if' o%r a$$i$%de and are #a%gh$ in $he web of %nforgiveness)

We will reap what we sow whether inbusiness, spiritually, in home life or in other

personal relationships.

We are s$range (eo(le We $hin" abo%$ a h%r$ and i$

seems $o ge$ bigger and bigger and we begin $o$hin" of wha$ we #o%ld have said a$ $he $ime $he (roblem o##%rred) We $hin" of a shar( re$or$ $ha$wo%ld have answered a #%$$ing word or a wea"nessin an a##%sa$ion where a righ$ word from %s wo%ldhave (roved $he (erson wrong) The more we $hin"

1



$his wa' $he larger $he h%r$ grows %n$il i$ hase(anded o%$ of all (ro(or$ion)

Some 'ears ago * read a s$or' en$i$led 8Wan$ $o0orrow a a#".) *$ $old of a man who was driving his#ar on a #o%n$r' road a$ nigh$ and go$ a fla$ $ire)When he wen$ $o #hange $he wheel he dis#overed$ha$ he had lef$ $he a#" for $he #ar a$ home) Therehe was s$randed on a lonel' road in $he dar"ness

wi$h no o$her #ars (assing b' wi$h a fla$ $ire and no a#" $o #hange $he wheel) -e wai$ed and wai$ed b%$no #ar #ame) *n $he dis$an#e he #o%ld see a ligh$ sohe $ho%gh$ $o himself 8Tha$ is a farm ho%se and $he

(eo(le will (robabl' have a #ar) *.ll wal" $here andas" $o borrow a a#") So he se$ off)

s he wal"ed he began $o m%se wi$hin himself andsaid 8Well (erha(s $he' migh$ no$ have a a#" or migh$ no$ li"e being dis$%rbed a$ nigh$) The' will

(robabl' sa' $o me 8*f 'o% are s$%(id eno%gh $oleave home wi$ho%$ a a#" 'o% #an (a' $o hire i$)<

* will sa' 8Pa' $o borrow a a#" * didn.$

delibera$el' ge$ a fla$ $ire Can.$ 'o% hel( a man in$ime of need:<

The imagined #onversa$ion #on$in%ed) 8-e will (robabl' sa' 8*$ will #os$ 'o% L! if 'o% wan$ $o%se m' a#")<

* will sa' 8L! %s$ $o le$ me have a loan of a a#"<

The man loo"ed %( and s%ddenl' $he ligh$s in $heho%se wen$ o%$) -e $ho%gh$ Bow $he' are in bed *$will (robabl' be worse Bow $he farmer won.$ wan$$o ge$ o%$ of bed and will (robabl' sa' 8*f * have $oge$ o%$ of bed $o ge$ a a#" for 'o% i$ will #os$ 'o%

13



L4!)< The man angril' said $o himself 8L4! %s$ $o borrow a a#"<

-e wal"ed aggressivel' $o $he fron$ door of $heho%se m%mbling $o himself 8L4! %s$ $o borrow a

a#")< -e "no#"ed lo%dl' on $he door) n %(s$airswindow o(ened and a man leaned o%$ and said8-ello wha$ do 'o% wan$:<

The s$randed $raveler angr' and s$irred b' his own

$ho%gh$s loo"ed %( $o $he fa#e in $he window andsho%$ed 8Eo% and 'o%r a#" 'o% #an "ee( i$<

*sn.$ $ha$ $r%e of h%man na$%re: We b%ild %( a big#ase abo%$ wha$ migh$ ha((en or we feel resen$f%labo%$ a real h%r$ or $he words someone %sed andwha$ we sho%ld have said in re$%rn and all $he $ime

we are enlarging $he (roblem) *f we have a need $oforgive le$ %s a#$ on i$ 2%i#"l')

)t is essential that we forgive #uickly. Thelonger we hold unforgiveness

the harder it is to let go.

When m' older bro$her firs$ s$ar$ed wor" as a %nior in a #ar(e$ wareho%se i$ was in $he da's when a#om(an' manager was a (erson $o be feared and$his hardheaded manager said $o m' bro$her 8* wan$$o give 'o% some advi#e= #%l$iva$e a good memor')<Tha$ so%nded li"e wisdom b%$ i$ was wha$ followed

$ha$ was so signifi#an$) The manager said 8*f 'o%don.$ have a good memor' 'o% migh$ forge$someone agains$ whom 'o% have a gr%dge< -erewas a man whose desire for a good memor' was $oma"e s%re $ha$ he wo%ld #on$in%e $o hold

14



resen$men$ and ge$ even wi$h o$hers) Tha$ man died'ears la$er miserable lonel' and largel' friendless)

-ow $ragi# ?earn $o forgive 2%i#"l' be#a%se wewill never bea$ $he (rin#i(le of rea(ing wha$ wesow)

Whose !ife and Whose Wor4?

eali/e $ha$ 'o%r life does no$ belong $o 'o% b%$ $o

,od) This is $he fo%r$h s$e() Pa%l wro$e $hisor none of us lives to himself aloneand none of us dies to himself alone.

If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So,whether we live or die, we belong to

the Lord.

or this very reason, @hrist died andreturned to life so that he might bethe Lord of both the dead and theliving. (8omans 5!$#-%

/%r life is no$ o%r own *s $ha$ s$a$emen$ a s(iri$%al#li#hN or $r%$h: os$ of $he reasons we have for holding %nforgiveness rela$e $o (ersonal h%r$s)Children have been h%r$ b' $heir (aren$s (erha(s$hro%gh s$ri#$ dis#i(line la#" of love negle#$ or even ab%se) Paren$s have been h%r$ b' $heir #hildrenas a res%l$ of %n$han"f%lness and indifferen#e for all

$he (rovisions and sa#rifi#es $ha$ have been made)Wives have been deser$ed b' $heir h%sbands and lef$wi$ho%$ finan#ial s%((or$) -%sbands ma' have been

be$ra'ed b' $heir wives) The lis$ is endless) Personal

15



h%r$s are %s%all' $he #a%se of %nforgiveness) Pa%l.sle$$er $o $he omans in#l%des $his s$a$emen$

or we know that our old self wascruci/ed with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.(8omans "!"%

*n $he #on$e$ $hese words refer $o sin b%$ $he' #an

e2%all' a((l' $o o%r (ersonal righ$s) We do no$ have (ersonal righ$s The 0ible ma"es #lear $ha$ if o%r life belongs $o Chris$ $hen we do no$ have an'$hingwe #an #laim $o be o%r own) *f we were deserving of dea$h be#a%se of sin $hen o%r life is de(enden$en$irel' %(on Chris$) This $r%$h m%s$ be #ons$an$l'

affirmed)The (roblem bo$h in $he #h%r#h and in o%r (ersonallives is $ha$ we "now $hese words so i$ is eas' $o sa'$hem b%$ (%$$ing $hem in$o a#$ion #an be a maor

ba$$le) We m%s$ ge$ $o gri(s wi$h $his $r%$h if we aregoing $o win $he ba$$le $o gen%inel' forgive)

#"nowledge $ha$ 'o% do feel h%r$ b%$ alsoa#"nowledge $hese $r%$hs 8* am dead ' life ishidden wi$h Chris$ in ,od * live b%$ onl' be#a%se *live in -im and -e lives in me< We do no$ have

(ersonal righ$s) /%r lives belong $o Chris$)

t is because of personal hurts

that there is usually unforgivenessin the hearts of people.

16





$he five>fold minis$r' gif$s $ha$ Chris$ has given for $he e2%i((ing of $he #h%r#h) 0%$ $he #%rren$ s(iri$%al

s#ene is s$ill one of s%s(i#ion mis%nders$andingdislo'al$' #ri$i#ism eaggera$ion and some$imeshos$ili$') We sho%ld reoi#e a$ $he good $hings $ha$$he -ol' S(iri$ is doing b%$ #ondi$ions wi$hin $he#h%r#h and among believers #ons$an$l' give rise $o$he need for forgiveness)

o often the hurts we receive and theproblems we face come from those we loveand care for rather than from the outsider.

-ow #an we forgive when $he ver' wor" of ,od inwhi#h we are involved is hindered and se$ ba#" b'

$he selfish a#$ions of men and women: #h%r#h bod' $ha$ ma' have $a"en 'ears $o b%ild is s%ddenl's(li$ b' an asso#ia$e and we sa' 8-ow #an weforgive someone who does $ha$:< The answer is2%i$e sim(le al$ho%gh i$ ma' be hard $o (%$ in$oo(era$ion when we are (assing $hro%gh $he $ra%ma)The fa#$ is i$ is no$ o%r wor"= i$ is $he ?ord.s wor")

#h%r#h does no$ belong $o a man or a woman or $he eldershi() The #h%r#h belongs $o es%s Chris$)es%s said 8 I will bild my &hr&h< Ha$$hew161@I)

,od gives %s $he (rivilege of being #o>wor"ers wi$hChris$ b%$ i$ is $he ?ord.s wor") We are no$ b%ilding

a (ersonal "ingdom) We are wor"ers in $heingdom of ,od and we need $o remind o%rselvesof $his) *$ is no$ a (ersonal minis$r' $ha$ is a$ s$a"e)We are servan$s of Chris$ and ,od has a righ$ $o$a"e %( a (erson and %se him or se$ him aside as -e

1@



desires) *$ is $he (reroga$ive of $he ?ord $o wor" wi$hin -is #h%r#h as -e wishes) /f$en i$ is diffi#%l$

$o #ome $o gri(s wi$h $his as we believe we have been #alled $o a $as" and we see o$hers bringingdisr%($ion and h%r$ $o $he bod') The na$%ral$enden#' is $o figh$ ba#" and $o deal wi$h $he$ro%blema"ers b%$ we m%s$ "ee( remindingo%rselves $ha$ $he wor" belongs $o ,od and no$ $o%s)

Tha$ does no$ mean $ha$ we s$and ba#" and allowSa$an $o do wha$ever he wan$s) We m%s$ be on o%r g%ard and be diligen$ and ferven$ in all we do) 0%$when we have done all $ha$ we #an righ$eo%sl' dowe m%s$ $hen leave ,od $o do $he res$)

,od "nows how $o (%rge refine and b%ild so $hemomen$ we $hin" i$ is o%r wor" and $ha$ $he s%##essof $he #h%r#h de(ends %(on %s and we are i$s

(ro$e#$or $hen we have a wrong (ers(e#$ive) *$ is,od.s wor" When we reali+e $his $hen $he weigh$of $he h%r$s and b%rdens $ha$ give rise $o%nforgiveness and have #ome be#a%se of o%r desire

$o (ro$e#$ a wor" will lif$ from %s)

Forgiveness Does 'ot *<cuse5

(eassure 'o%rself $ha$ forgiveness and (ardon areno$ $he same) This is $he si$h s$e()

* have s$ressed $his (revio%sl' b%$ * wan$ $os%mmari+e i$ again) We do no$ have $heres(onsibili$' $o #om(le$e $he moral #'#le and seesomeone re#eive his %s$ (%nishmen$) ,od "nows all$he fa#$s wi$ho%$ dis$or$ion or bias) The re#ord of $he0ible is #lear= ,od will deal wi$h ever' (roblem and

19



do wha$ever is ne#essar' for #orre#$ion so we #anleave $he %dgmen$ and #onse2%en#es $o -im)

)t is the prerogative of the 5ord to workwithin &is church as &e wishes.

We have #onsidered si defini$e a$$i$%des $o ado($and a#$ions $o $a"e in order $o gen%inel' forgive)These are #lear (rin#i(les) Si (osi$ive s$e(s we #an

$a"e $o hel( %s $o forgive= affirma$ions $ha$ we #anma"e ever' da' if ne#essar' $o over#ome $he

(roblem of %nforgiveness)

There is one o$her vi$al as(e#$ $ha$ we m%s$re#ogni+e) es%s did no$ onl' sa' 8Forgive oneano$her< Ha$$hew 615I) -e also said 8?ove one

ano$her even o%r enemies< Ha$$hew 59;;<$ This isano$her "e' in hel(ing %s $o forgive someone whohas le$ %s down wronged and h%r$ %s or evendes(ised %s) Ees es%s said we were $o love eveno%r enemies Someone who has failed %s does no$a%$oma$i#all' be#ome o%r enem' b%$ we ma' find i$

im(ossible ini$iall' $o have $he same #om(le$e $r%s$and #onfiden#e in a (erson who has le$ %s down aswe did before $he (roblem arose) The ?ord does no$e(e#$ %s $o have $he same #onfiden#e (ersonm%s$ be (roved again and his in$egri$' and#redibili$' re>es$ablished)

an' (eo(le have an ina##%ra$e %nders$anding of $r%s$) We (%$ o%r $r%s$ in a friend or even in a famil'member and $ha$ (erson fails $he $r%s$ we (%$ inhim) *$ is almos$ #er$ain $ha$ we will all fail some$r%s$ $ha$ is (%$ in %s) Someone #onfides in ano$her and as"s $ha$ $he informa$ion no$ be given $o an'

!



one else) $'(i#al #onversa$ion goes li"e $his 8*have %s$ heard some #onfiden$ial news and if 'o%

(romise no$ $o $ell an'one else * will $ell 'o%)<os$ of %s are $oo #%rio%s $o de#line $he o((or$%ni$'$o hear some ho$ gossi( so we lis$en in$en$l')

We now have $he #hallenge $o "ee( $ha$ informa$ion (riva$e) *nforma$ion #an re(resen$ (ower and $heonl' wa' we #an eer#ise $ha$ (ower is $o (ass $he

news $o ano$her (erson) /f #o%rse we onl' do soaf$er ea#$ing from $hem $he (romise no$ $o $ellan'one else nd so $he news s(reads and we haveviola$ed $he original $r%s$ $ha$ was (la#ed in %s)

,od "nows how %nreliable all of %s #an be and $he0ible a#$%all' $ells %s no$ $o $r%s$ ano$her (erson

HPsalm 1463I) This ma' so%nd s%r(rising as we arealwa's loo"ing for someone $o $r%s$ and we#om(lain bi$$erl' when someone fails %s) *$ is $r%ehowever $ha$ $he 0ible $ells %s $o $r%s$ onl' ,od b%$$o love one ano$her) Tr%e love #om(ensa$es for $hewea"nesses $ha$ are inevi$able in men and women)While we do and m%s$ $r%s$ $he mo$ives of a loved>

one we also "now $ha$ $he bes$ of his in$en$ions #anfail b%$ $r%e love ma"es allowan#es for fail%re)

4 person must be proved again and hisintegrity and credibility re'established.

We do need some meas%re of #onfiden#e in (eo(leand i$ is a blessing $o have as o%r friends $hose whoare %s%all' reliable and who will (ro$e#$ %s from $hea$$a#"s of o$hers) When someone has been in $his#a$egor' and has $hen failed 'o% i$ ma' $a"e a li$$le$ime $o re>es$ablish $he same sense of #onfiden#e

1



$ha$ 'o% (revio%sl' had (ar$i#%larl' if $he fail%rehas been re(ea$ed) 0%$ regardless of how of$en a

(erson fails %s we s$ill have $he grea$er res(onsibili$' of loving him $hro%gh es%s Chris$)

s men$ioned earlier $here is a #ommon idea $ha$ be#a%se ,od is loving and forgiving -e forge$sabo%$ fail%re) ,od never forge$s When $he 0ibles(ea"s abo%$ ,od forge$$ing i$ is %sed in $he sense

of -is no$ infli#$ing a (enal$' $ha$ o$herwise wo%ld be d%e) When $he 0ible sa's $ha$ ,od will no longer remember o%r sins and ini2%i$ies i$ does no$ mean$ha$ -e #anno$ re#all $hem an' more b%$ $ha$ -edoes no$ hold $hem agains$ %s) The average h%man

being is in#a(able of forge$$ing a(ar$ from $hedimming of memor' wi$h $he (assage of $ime) 0%$

as ,od (roves %s af$er fail%re so we m%s$ (rove (eo(le when $he' have failed %s and a$ $he same$ime we have a #lear res(onsibili$' $o forgive $hema##ording $o s#ri($%re Ha$$hew 1@1MI)

!oving and !i4ing

From wha$ we have alread' seen in $he s#ri($%re i$is obvio%s $ha$ we m%s$ be able $o bo$h love andforgive a (erson even when we do no$ have $hesame #om(le$e #onfiden#e in him) There is adifferen#e be$ween loving and li"ing) When es%ssaid we are $o love o%r enemies -e was s(ea"ing of

an a$$i$%de higher $han li"ing be#a%se who #anreall' li"e an enem': We #an love o%r enemies b%$no$ ne#essaril' li"e $hem)

?i"ing a (erson de(ends on man' differen$ as(e#$son $em(eramen$ (ersonali$' and #ommon in$eres$s)



ll of $hese fa#$ors have a bearing on whe$her weini$iall' li"e someone) There are emo$ions $ha$ are

involved in li"ing) ?i"ing #o%ld be defined as 8$hedrawing $oge$her of (eo(le in an agreeableeno'able fellowshi(<) This is eas' when we aredealing wi$h #o>o(era$ive famil' members or lo'alfriends b%$ no$ so eas' when we are fa#ed wi$h$hose who have h%r$ or wronged %s)

We need $o be as (ra#$i#al as (ossible and no$ besa$isfied wi$h mere s(iri$%al words) There is a2%ali$' of love $ha$ is be'ond na$%ral or famil' love)The 0ible s(ea"s of aga(e love whi#h is $he divinelove of ,od -imself and whi#h $he 0ible de#lares#omes from $he -ol' S(iri$

)nd hope does not disappoint us,because God has poured out his loveinto our hearts by the 0oly Spirit,whom he has given us. (8omans!%

Ba$%ral love #omes from emo$ion) There are (eo(le

we love be#a%se of who $he' are) The' are $hosewi$h whom we harmoni+e and feel a "indred s(iri$$ha$ is o'o%s and (leasan$ b%$ aga(e love #omesfrom $he will no$ merel' from emo$ion) ga(e lovemeans 8a de$ermina$ion of $he mind where wea#hieve an a$$i$%de of %n#on2%erable goodwill$owards $he one who ma' even have serio%sl'

wronged %s<) no$her wa' of defining aga(e love is8$he (ower $o love $hose we do no$ li"e and who dono$ li"e %s<)

3



There is a differencebetween loving and liking.

*$ is (ainf%l and s%r(rising for a (rea#her $o dis#over $ha$ $here are (eo(le who do no$ li"e his minis$r' *heard an in$erna$ional (rea#her sa' on one o##asion8*.ve had $o learn $ha$ $here are (eo(le who #anno$abide m' minis$r'< os$ of %s who (rea#h and$ea#h li"e $o $hin" $ha$ ever'one will eno' anda((re#ia$e wha$ we sa' b%$ $ha$ is no$ so) We m%s$however "ee( an a$$i$%de of %n#on2%erablegoodwill $owards $hose who do no$ li"e %s and whoin $%rn we ma' no$ na$%rall' li"e) This is no$ beingh'(o#ri$i#al) *$ is a gen%ine o(era$ion of a (rin#i(leof ,od)

*f we $rea$ a (erson as if we do li"e him $hen $hisreleases aga(e love) *$ $a"es an o(era$ion of bo$h $hewill and of $he mind if we are $o $rea$ a (ersonwhom we do no$ li"e as if we reall' #ared for him)We migh$ sa' 8-ow #an we do $ha$:< Well we #anand * wo%ld li"e $o ill%s$ra$e how i$ is (ossible from

a ver' vivid (ersonal e(erien#e)s a 'o%ng self>em(lo'ed b%sinessman * hadmoved m' offi#e from one lo#a$ion $o $he fif$h floor of a ra$her old b%ilding in $he #i$' where * $henlived) *$ was a b%ilding $ha$ had an old>fashionedman%all'>o(era$ed lift$ *$ was fi$$ed wi$h an in$erior

me$al folding ga$e and re2%ired $he servi#es of ano(era$or in $he b%s' wor"ing ho%rs) The b%ildingwas owned b' a $rans(or$ #om(an') The' had$ransferred one of $he mos$ aggressive and ill>mannered drivers in $heir em(lo'men$ $o be $he lif$

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o(era$or) This was be#a%se of his age and inabili$'$o handle heav' loads)

*$ was a semi>re$iremen$ ob for $his man and $he$enan$s in $he b%ilding were $o$all' de(enden$ onhim for $he %se of $he eleva$or) -e arrived earl' in$he morning and lef$ af$er offi#e ho%rs) * moved in$o$he b%ilding ha((il' $hin"ing $ha$ * had a (leasan$new offi#e wi$h a view from $he fif$h floor b%$

s%ddenl' * me$ $he im(a#$ of $his man*$ wo%ld be im(ossible $o reall' #onve' wha$ he wasli"e -e never smiled) -e half lo%nged agains$ $hewall of $he lif$ and when he did s(ea" his fa#ewo%ld s#owl and he wo%ld gr%n$ o%$ some $erse#ommen$) * wo%ld gree$ him in $he morning and sa'

8,ood morning)< There was onl' a gr%n$ for a re(l')8*$.s a (leasan$ da')< no$her gr%n$ When one (ressed $he #all b%$$on a bell rang in $he lif$ and if $he o(era$or was on ano$her floor he wo%ld $a"e his$ime abo%$ #oming) *n fa#$ he wo%ld of$en wal" along $he (assage before answering $he #all %s$ $o

be diffi#%l$ and %n(leasan$) 0' $he $ime $he eleva$or

arrived a$ $he a((ro(ria$e floor $he in$ending (assenger wo%ld of$en be f%rio%s *f a #om(lain$was made his %n(leasan$ness in#reased) There wasno$hing one #o%ld do be#a%se somehow $he#om(an' who owned $he b%ilding was willing $o"ee( him em(lo'ed in s(i$e of his r%deness and la#"

of effi#ien#');a' af$er da' * wo%ld go $o $he eleva$or ring $he

bell wai$ wai$ and wai$ and finall' $he eleva$or wo%ld arrive) The door wo%ld be fl%ng o(en) 8-ow

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are 'o%:< * wo%ld sa' and a gr%n$ wo%ld be $heonl' re(l')

* had re#en$l' had a new e(erien#e of $he -ol'S(iri$ in m' life and * had a dee( desire $o serve $he?ord wi$h all m' hear$) The o(era$or #o%ldhowever ma"e life diffi#%l$ so * s%((ose $here wassome self>(reserva$ion in m' a$$i$%de be#a%se if onego$ on $he wrong side of $his man he wo%ld $a"e

even longer $han normal $o #ome) * de$ermined $o"ee( %( a barrage of goodwill $oward him and i$m%s$ have been b' $he gra#e of ,od as * didn.$%nders$and $he (rin#i(les $ha$ * am now sharing)

* learn$ $o give him a warm gree$ing in s(i$e of hisr%deness) -e wo%ld o(en $he lif$ door and his

%nha((' fa#e wo%ld loo" o%$) 8,ood morning< *wo%ld sa' 8-ow are 'o%:< The familiar gr%n$ was$he onl' re(l') 8*$.s a (leasan$ da' did 'o% have agood wee"end:< no$her gr%n$) * was de$ermined $owin *$ be#ame a game and a #hallenge da' af$er da'$o sa' some$hing #heerf%l and $o gree$ him wi$hgoodwill)

on$h af$er mon$h * "e($ a$ i$ and finall' he began$o res(ond wi$h a smile and (leasan$ word and *

began $o see him as a h%r$ wo%nded and #ri((ledman on $he inside no$ someone who was o%$ $o doever'one a bad $%rn)

This man did no$ "now wha$ i$ mean$ $o li"e (eo(le b%$ when * #ame $o move o%$ of $ha$ b%ilding some'ears la$er * had a rela$ionshi( wi$h him $ha$ waswarm and (leasan$ and * had even grown $o li"ehim) -e was %s$ as %n(leasan$ wi$h some o$her

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(eo(le b%$ * had won his res(e#$ b' %n#on2%erablegoodwill)

Some da's $he #hallenge was $oo m%#h $o fa#e andin $he energ' of m' 'o%nger 'ears * bo%nded %( $hefive fligh$s of s$airs ra$her $han be #onfron$ed b'$ha$ %n(leasan$ man) *$ was no$ alwa's eas' $o be#heerf%l $o him b%$ * finall' won) We #an a#$$oward a (erson as if we do li"e him and $his

releases divine love)

4nother definition of agape love is “thepower to love those we do not like and who

do not like us”.

When 'o% have been h%r$ and need $o forgive

someone le$ me #hallenge 'o%= medi$a$e on $hesesi (rin#i(les of how $o forgive) *f 'o% fail andre$ain %nforgiveness 'o% will be $he one who wills%ffer) We "now $ha$ i$ is vi$al $o medi$a$e on $heWord of ,od and i$ is im(or$an$ $o medi$a$e on$hese (rin#i(les whi#h are in harmon' wi$h wha$ $he

0ible sa's);ire#$ goodwill $oward $he (erson who has offended'o% and "ee( on doing i$ ;on.$ sa' 8Well * $ried$o $rea$ him "indl' on#e and all * go$ ba#" was ani#' s$are) Tha$.s i$ *.ve done m' (ar$) *$.s over $ohim now< Bo The ball is alwa's in o%r #o%r$) ee(

on eer#ising goodwill and forgiving $hose whohave offended 'o% if 'o% wan$ $he #on$in%ed blessing of $he ?ord in 'o%r own life) es%s said<

*ut I tell you! Love your enemiesand pray for those who persecute

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you, that you may be sons of your ather in heaven...(atthew !55#

5%*f we are blessing and (ra'ing for (eo(le $hensome$hing good is going $o ha((en wi$hin %s andalso wi$hin $hem) ga(e love does no$ %s$ ha((en)We have $o a#$ in a (osi$ive wa' for divine love $oflow $hro%gh %s)

When we obe' $he $r%$hs $ha$ have been se$ o%$ wewill find i$ no$ onl' eas' $o forgive b%$ also $o (%$o%$ of o%r mind $hose $ho%gh$s $ha$ for 'ears havenega$ivel' #a($%red %s) There is grea$ (ower for good $o be se$ in mo$ion in o%r lives $hro%ghgen%ine forgiveness) There is grea$ (ower for harm

if we do no$ forgive The ?iving 0ible gives $hise#ellen$ (ara(hrase from Pa%l.s le$$er $o $heColossian #h%r#h

*e gentle and ready to forgive;never hold grudges. 8emember, theLord forgave you, so you must

forgive others.ost of all, let love guide your life,for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony.

Let the peace of heart which comesfrom @hrist be always present in

your hearts and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege asmembers of 0is body, and always bethankful.

@



8emember what @hrist taught andlet 0is words enrich your lives and

make you wise; teach them to eachother and sing them out in psalmsand hymns and spiritual songs,singing to the Lord with thankfulhearts. (@olossians 4!4#"%

We will find a new dimension of freedom when we

learn $o forgive) We will se$ in mo$ion a flow of (ea#e heal$h o' (ros(eri$' and blessing) ,odwan$s %s $o eno' -is favor and -is (resen#e) -ewan$s %s $o have $he ass%ran#e $ha$ even in hard$imes -e is $raining %s $o be ma$%re sons andda%gh$ers) The s#ri($%res are #lear #on#erning o%r need $o be forgiven b' ,od and o%r res(onsibili$'$o forgive o$hers even if we are $he offended (ar$')

We #anno$ es#a(e $his res(onsibili$' if we wan$,od.s (ea#e in o%r hear$s) When we hold%nforgiveness $oward o$hers i$ will inevi$abl' bring

(roblems in$o o%r lives) When we forgive o$hers i$will bring release $o %s) While we hold %nfor>

giveness we be#ome $he (risoner of $he (ersonwhom we will no$ forgive) *ll>will and bi$$erness #anrise in o%r minds and $he $ho%gh$ of $ha$ (erson and$he wrong $he' ma' have done $o %s #an be li"e a#an#er $ha$ s(reads i$s des$r%#$ive $en$a#les in$o o%r en$ire being) ,od has been mer#if%l $o %s -e has

forgiven %s and (ardoned %s) ?e$ %s in $%rn bemer#if%l and forgiving in all of o%r dealings wi$ho$hers)

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There is great power for good to be set inmotion in our lives through genuine

forgiveness. There is great power for harmif we do not forgive!

!nforgiveness "rings pro"lems#

Forgiveness "rings "lessing#

Documents

Power and Problem of Forgiveness