Forgiving One Another

<Dear Members and Friends:

True forgiveness of a person is important in Christianity. From the prayer Jesus taught his disciples and us, we find:

MATTHEW 6
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

We also find something about how a person may get tired of forgiving the same person over and over from a question Peter asked Jesus as given below:

MATTHEW 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?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

One may ask, “What type of relationship should I have with another person who has continually sinned against me?” I pose a case where Jane and Joan (fictitious names) women have been friends for years, enjoying many things together such as outings, coffee klatches, shopping sprees, etc. During one period of time, Joan secretly commits adultery with Jane’s husband several times, then repents of her actions and sincerely asks Jane’s forgiveness. Should Joan forgive Jane? According to what Jesus said, she should. What then should the future relationship between Jane and Joan? I WANT THE MEN TO CONSIDER A SIMILAR SITUATION. Is Jane in forgiving Joan obligated by her Christian faith to continue a close friendship with Jane? I personally do not think so, but certainly Jane should pray for Joan and not try to take vengeance upon Joan.

Suppose that we have had a good relationship with God through Christ Jesus for years and then begin to sin against Him. After a period of time we come to our senses and sincerely repent, sincerely asking God’s forgiveness. How do you think our relationship with God is changed? Does God restore us to the same relationship with Him that we had before? I suggest a searching of the Scriptures for your answer. However, I will tell you that David’s relationship with God was forever changed in his natural life, even though God forgave him of his sins and did not condemn him to eternal damnation. (2 Samuel 12:9-14). David continued to have joy in the LORD although his effectiveness in God’s church as a prophet of God, his effectiveness as a king, and his favor with God was never the same as before his sins. Please read this Old Testament story at your convenience.

In the New Testament, we find:
Hebrews 6:4-6
4 For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame.

We also find:
Hebrews 10:28-29
28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

My advice is to forgive all their sins against us although we may not be required by God to maintain a close relationship with them as before they sinned against us. Additionally, we should ask God to forgive us of every sin and be willing (as David was) to take whatever punishment God gives us in this life with joy, because whom the LORD loves, He chastens and scourges because we are His sons with eternal life through believing in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:6).

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Bishop J. O. Lawson

Pastor, Holy Light COGIC

Jurisdictional Prelate, Texas Western Jurisdiction