Christians are to forgive others and especially those in the Church. The old nature is never fully eradicated. It is still a collision of sinners. The biggest problem is often not the offence but the inability to forgive. Forgiveness is important to family, marriage and the Church. The inability to forgive destroys not only relationships with other people but is also self-destructive. It becomes revenge, retaliation and bitterness over time. In the US some 75% of the lawyers exist to help those who want to sue others. It is often about revenge. Sometimes it is outright lies. Forgiveness frees you to enjoy all relationships. Why are we to forgive?

1 – It is the most God-like act a Christian can do

We are no more like God than when we forgive.

• See Exodus 34:5-6. God introduces Himself to Moses as a God who forgives sin.
• See Psalm 32:2 – God not impute iniquity. God does not hold against us our sin. See Psalm 85:1-3, Psalm 130:3 – If God kept a record of our sins would anyone stand?
• See Isaiah 1:18 – Come let us reason together. God can remove the blood of your sins to make you white as snow. See Isaiah 43:25. Sure sins are forgotten. The Lord Jesus is the manifestation of God’s forgiveness.
• See Luke 15:11-32 – The parable of the prodigal son. How great is God’s forgiveness! Notice the robe, ring, sandals and son-ship. We are to display mercy.
• See Colossians 3:13. Paul wrote from jail after being falsely imprisoned.

2 – Unforgiveness is like murder

See Matthew 5:21-22. Notice the continual use of “You have heard”. The interpretation of the sixth commandment was not complete. Jesus says there is more, “But I say to you”. If you have hate in your heart then you are a murderer. See 1 John 3:15. You can’t have murderous attitudes and be innocent. It is abusive, divisive and shows contempt. It is the type of attitude that leads you to hell. It is sin. A Christian is to forgive. If you are a Christian and you have these murderous thoughts towards another Christian then you hate Christ. If the other person is not a Christian then you are destroying your relationship with God.

3 – Whoever has offended you has offended God more

If God forgives and has forgiven you, then don’t tell me you can’t forgive. You are not a more holy person than God! An offence is first against God, not you. See Psalm 51:1-19. Guilt from sin affects the whole person. All sin is an offence against God. The fact that an offence is against us is almost incidental.

4 – Those who have been forgiven on a greater scale should forgive on a lower scale

Do we act in an unforgiving and merciless way after having our sins forgiven and received the free gift of eternal life? If no judgment is coming upon you, why do you need to judge others? See Matthew 18:12-35. The forgiving is not limited to a few times. It is not three strikes and you are out. It is lavish forgiving. The servant who was forgiven much was not forgiving on one who owed him so little in comparison. It is inconsistent for a Christian to not forgive.

5 – The one who does not forgive will not enjoy the love of other Christians

See Matthew 18:30-31. It is the fellow slaves who go directly to the King to complain about this unforgiving behaviour. This is an example of Church discipline in action.

6 – Failure to forgive results in divine chastening

See Matthew 18:32-34. The man who did not forgive was turned over to chastening. See James 2:12-13. The opposite is better. See Matthew 5:7. You will have a hard life if you do not show mercy.

7 – The one who does not forgive will not be forgiven

See Matthew 6:12-15. If you do not forgive then the chastening will be more persistent.

8 – The absence of forgiveness renders us unfit for worship

See Matthew 5:23-26. You must deal with your conflict before worship. You should not worship God if there is an unresolved grudge.

9 – Not to forgive is to usurp the authority of God

Do you think you are a greater judge than God? You are a sinner yourself. Vengeance belongs to God. See Deuteronomy 32:35, Hebrews 10:30 and Romans 12:19.

10 – The offences against you are the trials to perfect you

The difficulties in life are to be embraced. The offences, words, attacks are the very trials that perfect you. See 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Paul took it all and became stronger through his suffering. God perfected him and kept him humble. Paul prays for his thorn in the flesh to go away. He prayed that it would stop. God would not stop the suffering but rather ramp up the grace.

Forgive for the good of yourself and the Church.

Categories: Matthew