FORGIVENESS IS CONDITIONAL

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Forgive “As” Yahweh Forgives

Matthew 6:12  Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.

 

Thayer Definition:

1) to send away
1d) to let go, give up a debt, forgive, to remit

 

“Forgive” in this first verse means to “let go of” or “give up” a sin debt.

“Forgiving” in the following two verses carries with it the idea of “graciously restoring” a relationship.

Ephesians 4:32  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.

Colossians 3:13  bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

 

Thayer Definition:

1) to do something pleasant or agreeable (to one), to do a favour to, gratify
1b) to grant forgiveness, to pardon
1c) to give graciously, give freely, bestow
1c1) to forgive
1c2) graciously to restore one to another

These three examples teach us to forgive others “as” Christ and our heavenly Father have forgiven us.  We are to forgive others in the same way that God forgives us.

Forgiveness Is Conditional

We know that Yahweh lovingly and mercifully extends the offer of forgiveness to all people.  We also know that we must repent and confess our sins if we are to personally receive that gracious offer of forgiveness.

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

Romans 10:10  For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 2:4  Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

2 Corinthians 7:10  For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.

It is clear that Yahweh’s offer of forgiveness is conditional.  We are commanded to forgive “as” he forgives.  Therefore, it becomes clear that person to person forgiveness is conditional and also requires repentance and confession.  It is our job, within the body of Messiah, to bring any known sin to light and encourage repentance and restoration of fellowship.

The Goal is Reconciliation

Psalms 86:5  For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; abundant in loving kindness to all those who call on you.

Galatians 6:1  Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted.

Matthew 18:15-18  “If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother.   16  But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.   17  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.   18  Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven.

Yeshua gave a similar statement to his apostles shortly after the resurrection.

John 20:19-23  When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Yeshua came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”
20  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord.  21  Yeshua therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”  22  When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit!   23  If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”

Here is an example of an entire church body rebuking one individual.  This person apparently did not repent to one individual or later to two or three members of the body.

2 Corinthians 2:6-11  Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the many;  7  so that on the contrary you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow.  8  Therefore I beg you to confirm your love toward him.  9  For to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.  10  Now I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,  11  that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

Matthew 18:21-22  Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?”
22  Yeshua said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.   

Matthew 18:23-35  Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants.   24  When he had begun to reconcile, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.   25  But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.   26  The servant therefore fell down and kneeled before him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!’   27  The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
28  “But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
29  “So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you!’   30  He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due.   31  So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told to their lord all that was done.   32  Then his lord called him in, and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me.   33  Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?’   34  His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due to him.   35  So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.”

Luke 17:3-4  Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him.   4  If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

Mark 11:25-26  Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions.   26  But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your transgressions.”

Give Yahweh the Burden

Romans 12:17-21  Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.  18  If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.  19  Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”  20  Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21  Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Psalms 55:22  Cast your burden on Yahweh, and he will sustain you.
He will never allow the righteous to be moved.

Psalms 68:19  Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens,
even the God who is our salvation.
Selah.

Galatians 6:2  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Unconditional Examples

Luke 23:33-34  When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.
34  Yeshua said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots.

2 Timothy 4:14-17  Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works,  15  of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words.
16  At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them.  17  But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

Both of these example are directed towards a group of people who had some degree of weakness and ignorance.

Conclusion

Chris Braun is author of, Unpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep Wounds.  He says that God’s forgiveness is, “a commitment by the one true God to pardon graciously those who repent and believe so that they are reconciled to him, although this commitment does not eliminate all consequences.”

Any comments or questions accepted.

tedc@messiahshouseofyahvah.org