The Forgiveness of a Christian

Rory Mosley

Romans 12:17-18

June 1, 2008

Paul has indeed carried us on quite an insightful journey

Through the character of a Christian.

For those of us who truly desire to lay our lives upon God’s altar

As a living and holy sacrifice,

Paul has given us no shortage of ways to do it.

Walk in Purity

Walk in Brotherly Love

Walk with a Christ-like Attitude

Worship is not bound only to the songs we sing

Just before the sermon on Sundays,

But worship is literally something we have

The capacity to do every day of our lives.

If we will but obey the Lord in these commands,

Then we can literally be 24/7 worshipers of God.

Tonight we look at another way

In which we can lay our lives upon God’s altar.

It is a foundational truth of the Christian life,

And it is the concept of FORGIVENESS.

WHY IS FORGIVENESS CONSIDERED WORSHIP OF GOD?

Because it runs so foreign to human nature.

I once heard forgiveness defined as:

“Refusing the right to punish”

And forgiveness is foundational to the Christian life.

Even in the beatitudes, we see it mentioned

As one of the basic Christian attributes.

Matthew 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

If so much of our lives hinges upon our receiving mercy,

Then we who understand it’s importance better than anyone else,

Ought to be the leaders in sharing it.

And certainly that thought is expounded upon throughout Scripture.

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

Colossians 3:12-13 “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”

Later in the Sermon on the Mount, while referring to prayer, Jesus said:

Matthew 6:12 “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”

And of course that warning is a very stiff one.

It implies that forgiveness is not essential to become a Christian,

But it is a necessary fruit of a Christian.

It goes so far as to suggest that if you won’t forgive others

Then you are not a true believer and have not been forgiven.

No wonder the writer of Proverbs said:

Proverbs 11:17 “The merciful man does himself good, But the cruel man does himself harm.”

But perhaps the most sobering warning about forgiveness

Came from Jesus later in Matthew’s gospel.

Matthew 18:21-35 “Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. "For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. "When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. "But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. "So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.' "And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, 'Pay back what you owe.' "So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you.' "But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. "So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. "Then summoning him, his lord said to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 'Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?' "And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. "My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart."

See the problem with not forgiving people is that

When we don’t forgive others, we show a disdain for forgiveness

Even the forgiveness we have claimed to have received from God.

Forgiveness is crucial to the Christian life.

Tonight we see three commands that all deal with forgiveness

As a way of worshiping God.

There are three things Paul commands here as a way that we can show forgiveness.

#1 SHUN RETRIBUTION

Romans 12:17a

“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.”

I hope that word “Never” is clear enough for you to understand.

We live in a world of “loop holes” and excuses.

“I know the Bible says…but…”

It seems that Paul is familiar with our loop holes,

So here he puts in a clause

That will render it null and void from the start.

“Never”.

In other words, he is removing all possible excuses.

There is never a time when this command can be broken.

There is never an instance when this command may not be obeyed.

There is never a situation when this is not God’s will.

“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.”

Beyond that, you will notice the clause at the end of the command.

“to anyone.”

There is never a situation in which this command does not apply,

And there is no a human to which this command does not apply.

Paul built in language so that we would see

This command is absolutely always relevant.

“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.”

Now the truth of the matter is that at times in life, it is very possible, and even highly likely that people will dish us out a plate full of evil.

It may be an evil word spoken about us.

It may be an evil action taken toward us.

WHAT YOU DO IN THOSE SITUATIONS

REVEALS YOUR DESIRE TO BE A WORSHIPER OF GOD.

God says that in those instances, lay your life on My altar,

And refrain from returning evil upon them.

Proverbs 20:22 “Do not say, "I will repay evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.”

Proverbs 24:29 “Do not say, "Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."

Paul wrote to the Thessalonians:

1 Thessalonians 5:15 “See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.”

Now certainly this command flies against human nature.

We are born with a desire for revenge.

“But they hit me first.”

IN JESUS DAY, PEOPLE EVEN FOUND BIBLICAL JUSTIFICATION FOR THIS REVENGE.

Remember what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount?

Matthew 5:38-42 "You have heard that it was said, 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.' "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. "If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. "Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. "Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”

Now Jesus preached that due largely in part

To a misinterpretation of Scripture.

Exodus 21:22-25 "If men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she gives birth prematurely, yet there is no injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman's husband may demand of him, and he shall pay as the judges decide. "But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.”

This command spoke of social justice,

And was given to prevent too severe of a punishment.

But by the New Testament times, that verse had been twisted

Into a right to take retribution for a wrong doing.

Jesus condemned it, and Paul here follows in suit.

We are called to walk in forgiveness,

And not feel the need to return evil for evil.

Peter said:

1 Peter 3:8-9 “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.”

In this life, people will do evil things to us, But when that happens, “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.”

Instead, forgive them and “present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

Shun Retribution

#2 SHOWING RESPECT

Romans 12:17b

Here Paul gives another command.

“Respect what is right in the sight of all men.”

The command is simple,

There are things in this life that are intrinsically “right” or “good”.

And it is not just believers who know they are “right”,

But “all men” know they are “right.”

There are just things in this life that are universally accepted as right.

For example.

Even third world countries know stealing is wrong…

Even pagan religions see the value of humanitarian aid…

God has just woven some natural concepts

Of what is good and right into our world.

And we are to “respect” that.

2 Corinthians 8:21 “for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.”

Now, we ask, what does that have to do with forgiveness?

On one hand, nothing at all, for it is a simple command,

But in looking at forgiveness it does have a definite application.

You see, sometimes we don’t forgive people for doing evil to us,

But sometimes we don’t forgive people for doing good to us either.

Take children who grow up and resent the discipline of a parent…

Take an athlete who resents the good discipline of a coach…

Take a young person who resents the good advice of an elder…

Many times in life,

We have people who do things in our life meant to help us out.

The tragedy is when we refuse to accept,

and even grow bitter towards them for their help.

You are familiar with the struggle of the Galatian church.

They struggled with legalism, and Paul was very blunt in correcting them.

It is obvious that they must have resented his help,

For in his letter he wrote:

Galatians 4:16 “So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?”

There were some Galatians that needed to forgive Paul for doing them good.

They were not alone.

The Corinthians were in a similar boat.

We have studied before the stern rebuke Paul gave the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 5:1-2 “It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father's wife. You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.”

Well, it is obvious that the rebuke, which was for their good,

Was not universally accepted well.

For in the second letter, Paul is still seeking to make amends.

2 Corinthians 2:4 “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.”

2 Corinthians 7:9-10 “I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.”

It is evident that some took offense to Paul’s rebukes,

And that their lack of forgiveness even opened the door

For false prophets to enter the scene at Corinth

To try and undercut Paul’s ministry there.

2 Corinthians 10:7-11 “You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ's, so also are we. For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible." Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.”

Paul had done them no wrong, but they still needed to forgive.

Hopefully you see the point.

When we walk in forgiveness,

That includes forgiving people that have wronged us and need it,

But it may also include people that have not wronged us.

They didn’t wrong you…

They didn’t do anything to you…

But because you didn’t like what they did, you hold a grudge.

You need to forgive them and accept that they were right.

“Respect what is right in the sight of all men.”

Shun Retribution – Show Respect

#3 SEEKING RECONCILIATION

Romans 12:18

Now, as we get into this final command tonight,

I do want to point out that of the 25,

This is the only command that comes with a clause.

THE COMMAND: “Be at peace with all men.”

Let’s look at the clauses.

“If possible”

“So far as it depends upon you”

When we are talking about love, it has no bearing on the recipient, we are to love them no matter what.

When we are talking about giving a blessing, it has no bearing on the recipient, we are to bless them no matter what.

But peace doesn’t work like that.

In order for there to be peace,

It requires the mutual consent of two parties.

What Paul does here is let you off the hook

In regard to the response of the other party.

We are not held responsible for someone being hard to get along with.

We are not held responsible for someone who is just disagreeable.

What we are responsible for is doing everything we can

To make sure that we are not the disagreeable party.

IT IS TRUE THAT DIVISIONS EXIST,

And sadly they even exist in the Church.

1 Corinthians 11:17-18 “But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it.”

But let me say this.

Every time there is a division, especially in the Church,

It is because at least on party is walking in selfishness.

Paul’s plea here is that even if there are divisions,

You had better not be the reason.

“If possible, so far as it depends upon you, be at peace with all men.”

Sometimes divisions are unavoidable,

But if you desire to lay your life on God’s altar,

You had better make for certain

That the division is not because you keep it alive.

We are called to “be at peace with all men.”

Mark 9:50 "Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

Romans 14:19 “So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”

1 Timothy 2:1-2 “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”

The command is to “be at peace with all men.”

And again you could ask: What does that have to do with forgiveness?

Well again, it does not necessarily have to do with forgiveness,

BUT HONESTLY I CAN’T THINK OF A SINGLE THING

THAT EFFECTS PEACE MORE THAN THAT.

How many struggles, how many wars, how many Church splits

Could have been avoided if one side would have just determined to offer a little forgiveness?

That is not to say all divisions could be avoided.

Some go deeper than personal preference.

Philippians 1:27-30 “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents — which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

Some divisions are simply the result

Of the war between light and darkness,

But you had better make sure that is what it is,

And not that you just aren’t being disagreeable.

Remember what Peter wrote:

1 Peter 4:15-16 “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.”

I’ll be honest.

I have seen divisions that were for no other reason

Than that light and darkness are not compatible.

HOWEVER, it has been my observation that only about 5% of the ones that claim that as the reason; is that in fact the reason.

95% of the time, it is really

That someone doesn’t want to forgive someone else.

If we want to claim the name of Christian, this cannot be us.

If we desire to be a “living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God”,

This cannot be us.

We are called to walk in forgiveness.

Not because they deserve it, but because that is what God desires.

So tonight, in closing, I just want to ask.

IS THERE ANYONE THAT YOU NEED TO FORGIVE TONIGHT?

I’m not asking you to go to them

(Sometimes that is just a veil to re-address the issue)

TONIGHT I JUST WANT YOU TO FORGIVE THEM IN YOUR HEART.

Tonight, that is how you worship God.

He will be more pleased with your forgiving of that person

Than with a thousand songs sung in His honor.

Forgive them, and show God how grateful you are for His forgiveness.

Romans 12:1 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”