Forgiveness is conditional

 

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Many people feel they are required to forgive those offenders who are not sorry, and turn their cheek for more abuse.

So, do we just permit evil by forgiving it?

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One of the most famous passages in the Bible is when Jesus looked down from the cross, and says, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

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Was he canceling the repentance required for forgiveness, that his Heavenly Father had ordained?

Luk 23:26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear [it] after Jesus.

Luk 23:27   And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

Luk 23:28   But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

Luk 23:33   And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

Luk 23:34   Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

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There are some passages that, in themselves (out of context), seem to encourage unconditional forgiveness – forgiveness to those who have not repented:

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1. We are also reminded in scripture to turn the other cheek

Mat 5:39   But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

** resist here means: (1) to set one’s self against, to withstand, resist, oppose, (2) to set against.

Now the impression is worse, that we should not oppose evil. We get the impression that we are to be victims of evil ones, or just let evil happen.

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2. What seems like a threat, also is given, if we do not forgive, even if it seems no one is sorry:

Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

There has to be more to Christianity than getting crucified, submitting to evil, and forgiving people who are not sorry!!!

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How do we balance these scriptures with those which give a clearer idea of what God expects?

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Start early with man’s relationship with God. Some Old Testament examples:

1. When Adam sinned, he blamed his wife. Both were removed from Eden, and promised a savior for a later time.

What would have happened if Adam had immediately repented?

2. The world sinned with fallen angels, and no one repented. They were all destroyed in Noah’s flood.

3. Joseph forgave his brothers after they repented

Gen 50:17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.

4. Abigail repents for her husband’s sin against David, taking it on as her own sin

1Sa 25:28   I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee [all] thy days

5. Forgiveness comes when people repent

2Ch 6:37   Yet [if] they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly;

2Ch 6:38 If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gave unto their fathers, and [toward] the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name:

2Ch 6:39   Then hear thou from the heavens, [even] from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.

2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

6. Psalms of David -admits to sin when asking for forgiveness

Psa 25:18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.

7. Conditions for avoiding invasion

Jer 36:3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.

8. Old Testament: passages about repentance

1Ki 8:47 [Yet] if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;

Job 42:6 Wherefore I abhor [myself], and repent in dust and ashes.

Jer 26:3 If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.

Jer 26:13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.

Eze 14:6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn [yourselves] from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.

Eze 18:30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn [yourselves] from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

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New Testament

Mat 3:2 And [John the Baptist] saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mar 1:15 And [Jesus] saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Mar 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

Luk 13:3 I [Jesus] tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Story of the unrepentant rich man who went to hell, and wanted to warn his family to repent:

Luk 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

Repentance required for forgiveness:

Luk 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

Luk 17:4 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.

Repentance and baptism

Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Early Church

Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Act 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and [then] to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

Book of revelation to the churches

Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent

2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Rev 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

Rev 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

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Passages quoted in introduction, and their context

1. a closer look at

Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you

This was part of the Lords’ prayer. The Lord’s followers already knew the requirements for forgiveness.

2. conditions for forgiveness of others and self – confronting the sin, discussion about the wrong, patience, removing the offense.

Mat 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Mat 18:9   And if your eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

The servant asks for forgiveness but is found unworthy because he is unforgiving himself.

Mat 18:26   The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Mat 18:32   Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desired me:

Mat 18:33   Should not you also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?

Mat 18:34   And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

3. turning the other cheek- Jesus is referring to relationships with other Jews and family.

Mat 5:22   But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Mat 5:23   Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remember that thy brother hath ought against thee;

Mat 5:24   Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Mat 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

Mat 5:32   But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced commit adultery.

Mat 5:39   But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Resist: to set one’s self against, to withstand, resist, oppose

Evil: full of labours, annoyances, hardships, bringing toils, annoyances, perils, of a bad nature or condition, in a physical sense: diseased or blind, in an ethical sense: evil wicked, bad

This might also be written: Do not resist, oppose, or complain about all the hardships, annoyances that your brother has caused you, be patient with him, as he might be blind to what problems he is causing you.

Mat 5:41   And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

5. Forgiveness will be granted to those who forgive.

Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

This is not unconditional forgiveness.

From other passages, it is understood that repentance is needed.

However, once the offender has asked for forgiveness, then one is required to do so.

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Conclusions:

1. No easy forgiveness for someone who is not sorry……

There is no free ride into heaven, if you are in sin.

When Jesus was on the cross,

Jesus did not say “you do NOT have to repent…..I will forgive you anyhow, and you can keep on sinning….Go ahead, and murder, rape, steal and lie. The law is gone. Do what you want, and I will still love you, and forgive you. You do not have to change.

2. If Jesus looked down from the cross, and forgave them, it was because he saw sorrow and repentance.

The unbelievers may have come for awhile, but most would have eventually departed, as they lost interest.

Remember, there were faithful followers there, and the Roman guard even expressed acknowledgment that the execution was a mistake (this is the son of God) and Jesus was innocent.

I think, outside of those casting lots for his clothing, most of those remaining were very sorrowful, and understood that Jesus was dying for their sins.

3. for those who need to repent.

We do live by grace now, but it is because we obey the moral law out of love, not fear.

If the moral law had been cancelled by grace, then it would be ok to murder, steal, hate, lie, and commit adultery and idolatry.

Jesus would not expect us to repent, if there were no such thing as the law, and sin, which is disobedience to the law.

So, there is still something called sin, and we are to turn away from it and accept salvation.

The proof of our repentance is in the turning away from the sin.

If we continue in sin, then we are NOT sorry, and we have NOT repented.

We are therefore NOT forgiven, and we are still lost, and not saved.

The whole idea that we do not have to obey the 10 commandments, and can continue in sin, is offensive to God.

4. for those who need to forgive

We must be ready to forgive, as the Father was in the parable of the Prodigal son. So, the forgiveness is there, waiting to be shared.

But the ACT of forgiveness only comes when there is sincere repentance by the offending party.

With multiple offenses, as long as there is sincere repentance, we must be ready to forgive repeatedly.

5. Repentance shows respect for God, His heart, and his holiness.

Those that truly love God will WANT to repent, and turn away from sin.