This little seven letter word has a lot of power, either to create peace or continue to produce hurt if not used. Jesus had a lot to say about this word so we need to take heed to what he has said. What does this word mean? The Greek word is aphemi, 863 in the Strongs concordance, and it means to send forth, forsake, lay aside, leave alone, omit, send away, remit, yield up, suffer. Mr. Webster explains it as to cease to feel resentment against an offender, pardon one’s enemy, to give up resentment of or claim to requital for an insult.
What does the word pardon mean? The excusing of an offense without a penalty. As human beings we always want to get even for any offense to us, either real or imagined, and as such we put ourselves in very dangerous situations. Why do we as children of God want to get even in the first place? Remember the story of the person who owed his master a great sum of money? He got pardoned by his master and he was forgiven this debt. What did he learn by this act of forgiveness? Not much according to scripture as he then goes out and refuse’s to forgive his fellow man of a small debt that was owed to him and he has this man thrown in prison till he pays. You can read the result of this in Matthew 18:23.
I will list the scriptures by book and chapter for you to read and study later. Matthew 6, 9, 12, 18. Mark 2, 3, 4, 11. Luke 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 17, 23. Acts 8. Romans 4. 2 Corinthians 2, 12. Ephesians 4. Colossians 1, 2, 3. James 5. 1 John 1, 2. I do hope you will take the time to read these chapters as you search for the words on forgiveness. Each of us should become capable teachers of the Word of God so we can share it with those who are in need of comfort and encouragement.
Today I want to focus on one aspect of this much forgotten word by the common man of our era. This subject is found in Matthew 18 and Luke 17:1-4. In Luke’s version Jesus is talking to his disciples but he is in the home of a Pharisee. This story is in chapters 14 through 18. At times Jesus taught them all and at other times he was only speaking to his disciples. Jesus has just finished rebuking the Pharisees and then turns to his disciples and tells them that in a 24 hour day if someone offends you or trespasses against you, then you are to forgive them if he repents and ask for forgiveness at least 7 times. They all heard this but we see in Matthews account that Peter, this man of many words, heard it as 7 times but he ask Jesus for clarification of His statement.
In Matthew the setting is at a different time and place as Jesus is just talking with his disciples that Peter ask the question about forgiveness. Perhaps he was just wanting to hear it again just to be sure he heard Jesus say 7 times. But Jesus throws him a curve and says not just 7 times but 70 times 7, and mind you that this is just in a single day.
Just consider what Jesus was telling Peter. If you do the math on 24 hours it is 1440 minutes. If you multiply 7 times 70 you will get 490. Then divide 490 into 1440 minutes you get 2.94 or every 3 minutes you have to forgive them. Wow! And this is just on a human level. If Jesus said this for us, then do you think God will do anything less? When you got saved He knew what a problem you would be but He has made each of us for a specific purpose and time. And we put ourselves under such a burden of condemnation when we ask forgiveness for the same sin we fall into on a semi frequent basis. Silly people we are.
We are to relax and let Him finish the work in us that He started. A preacher friend of mine says admit it, quit it, and forget it. Sometimes the hardest part is to quit it. But we are not responsible for cleaning ourselves up. We are to give to God the only thing we can give, that He will not take from us. Our will! Just submit your will to His and watch what happens. Every petty habit and problem we have will be turned for our good if we only let Him put us on the potters wheel again, and again until the image of Jesus is formed in us to His satisfaction.
We are His children and He loves us more than we can comprehend. Sometimes He smiles at us and at other times He cries for us and with us. Our tears must really reach His heart for He keeps them in a bottle (Psalms 56:8) and writes them in a book. Tears always touch the heart of a father. I know, and I wish I could have some of those tearful times to do over again with my own children.
I hope this letter on forgiveness is helpful to each of you on your journey towards home. Don’t let unforgiveness hamper your journey. Be quick to forgive and please do not try to get even. Remember the great debt that God has forgiven you and just let the offenses committed against you be forgiven. Just keep running the race with patience and always remember, You will make it, just don’t give up. See you next week.
In His Service as Kilted Priest
J
The Kilted Priest 