Forgiveness

If one sins against God’s Law, then to God we must go for forgiveness.

Psalms 51:1b-4 “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.”

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Men do not always get along and one must ask forgiveness or forgive a brother. Many read only Matthew 6:14-15, Luke 6:37 and Ephesians 4:32 ignoring further teaching. Forgiveness is for a brother who is repentant. A brother is only a fellow Christian by scriptural definition.

Matthew 18:21-22 “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

Then Christ tells the parable about the man who was forgiven, but did not forgive his fellow servant.

Matthew 18:35 “So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

Luke 17:3-4 “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”

It is hard to overcome the teaching of Psychology in the churches, but forgiveness is never extended to an unrepentant sinner. God did not give us the power to forgive unrepentant sinners.

Matthew 18:17 “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

Christ is our example.

Luke 23:39-43 “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee today, thou shalt be with me in paradise.”

Did Christ forgive the unrepentant sinner?

The idea of extending forgiveness to everyone and anyone is not found in scripture. Forgiveness is never extended to an enemy of God. Rightly divide the Word of God.

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