Bible Thoughts

October 24, 2004

There are fewer lessons harder to learn than how to forgive. Some people live a lifetime without realizing the true meaning of forgiveness. Yet, in order for a Christian to be faithful, he must, of necessity, be willing to completely and unreservedly forgive those who sin against him. Jesus commanded, "And whensoever ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any one; that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive your trespasses"(Mark 11:25). Stated negatively: "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses"(Matthew 6:15). One of the strongest of the messages in the New Testament points to a willingness on the part of the Christian to forgive.

Many ask, "But how often should I forgive?" This is similar to the question put to the Lord himself by Simon Peter. The apostle said, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?"(Matthew 18:21). No doubt Peter felt quite liberal in the allowances made for continued offenses. In spite of Simon's apparent liberality,

Jesus answered, "I say not unto thee, until seven times; but, until seventy times seven." Certainly no Christian would stop at the forty-ninth offense and claim to have fulfilled his obligations. The thought is: as often as one sins and states his repentance, the Christian should forgive(Luke 17:3-4).

To further focus our minds, we might ask the question, "What if God displayed the attitude toward us that we display toward others?" Would one be forgiving our every offense, or upon the slightest mistake, say, "Oh, I forgave you yesterday and you did the same thing today. Do you expect me to keep on forgiving you time after time?" God isn't like that and neither should his children display such an attitude. If one sins against us every hour and asks our forgiveness on the half hour of the day, we are to be willing to forgive him. This takes a character who has acquired a deep love for God, for Christ, and for the souls of men.

How sad it is to hear one say, "Well, I forgive you this time, but don't let it happen again." Such an attitude is far from that expected of a child of God. In principle, he is burying the hatchet, but leaving the handle sticking out so posed as to be grabbed at the slightest provocation. When such happens it is often used as a club over the head of the offender. If God was as unmerciful toward us as many of us are toward others, the gates of Heaven would close for a lack of customers.

Christian, examine your heart. Do you have something back in the corner of your heart, hidden from everyday sight, that can be called a grudge? Something you have hidden possible for years just waiting for the chance to spring it on someone? Did you give lip forgiveness to some offense, but not heart forgetfulness? Too many have the idea they can forgive and leave the handle sticking out. If that has been one's attitude, let us hope such a one will not only bury the hatchet, but cover it sufficiently that it can never be found.

Every secure plan in the world today must have the proper authority. The President acts on the authority for him to make proper decisions. A policeman has the authority to make arrests. When it comes to corporations, the manager of the company is the authority for that organization. Everything operates and functions by the authority that is given. So it is when it comes to religion. Everything in the realm of religion must exist and function by the authority of Him who is head over the church, Jesus Christ(Ephesians 1:22-23). Such a position should pose a question of supreme importance in one's mind, Does the church of which I am a member exist by divine authority? And--that which is taught and practiced by a congregation is found in the New Testament? Such is the only source that we have to successfully answer these questions.

When we consider the name or descriptive title given to the Lord's church, do I respect the will of Jesus Christ in everything found in His New Testament?(The church belongs to Him through the sacrifice of His blood.) The denominational world does not honor the authority of Jesus Christ. The products of sectarian error conflict with the New Testament. If every religious person would use that book as the guide for all religious teachings and practices, they would be respecting divine authority and practice unity, not division.

When we go to the New Testament and learn the will of Jesus Christ, we have sufficient authority for what we practice in the our worship and actions. When we do what is invented by man, we have products of men(not God). If churches of Christ do not follow the scriptures in their teachings and practices, they are following the path of denominationalism in the future. Over the past few years, we have seen a large number of departures from the faith in communities due to the unwillingness to stick with what is revealed in the New Testament. Let each congregation, and every Christian, always seek divine authority for all that is taught and practiced.

Mankind has been trying to define itself through the years(without success). The Bible answer is straightforward: man is a creature made by Jehovah. He spoke him into existence after preparing the earth for his habitation. God created the Atmosphere, the vegetation, and the animals in order that man might survive on this earth. Every breath, every movement, every particle of good, will of these come from the Lord. We survive on this earth as a result of the power and protection of Jehovah. Man has not appreciated what God has done. We often destroy the wondrous and marvelous things we find on our planet. The Lord has not forgotten mankind: he continues to supply his physical needs even though, as a whole, humanity does not accept Him nor His word. Yet, he still provides blessings for all who will accept them. The Lord asked Eve, after they had partaken of the forbidden fruit, "Who told you that you were naked?"(Genesis 7:11).

Adam and Eve tried to hide from God, but such was not possible. They had eaten of the forbidden fruit and now felt the shame of their actions. Embarrassed, Eve tried to hide her nakedness. The Lord, in His mercy, made them garments from animal skins to cover their bodies. They were then separated from the tree of life in the Garden of Eden for their transgressions. The first couple violated the command of God and paid the price. So it is in our day, we pay the price for transgression. We may not suffer punishment in this life, but God always punished the transgressor. Their sin caught up with them; our sins catch up with us.