YBible Thoughts Y September 20, 1998
"Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother sin, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him"(Luke 17:3-4).
The subject of forgiveness has been one of the most talked about items in the news of late. Not everyone who talks about forgiveness knows what the Bible teaches in regard to the subject and/or the action.
God defines the conditions for forgiveness. In order to obtain forgiveness from God, one must follow the instructions that are set forth in His word. Far too many believe that the only condition for forgiveness is to say, "Please forgive me." In the instructions of Jesus, the path for forgiveness between brethren was simple and straightforward. When one sins, a brother is to rebuke the sinner. When he repents, he is to be forgiven. A simple and effective procedure for solving problems among those who are disciples. This instruction has to do with obtaining forgiveness between men.
In the association with fellow humans, one may acknowledge a transgression against another and ask forgiveness for the offense(a inference of repentance). The offended one can then extend personal forgiveness to the transgressor. A parent readily forgives a child; the child readily forgives the parent. One's friend will ask and obtain forgiveness for an offense if both hearts are right. These situations and circumstances occur every day.
The New Testament defines how men must seek forgiveness from God. It is not the same as the steps one takes to receive forgiveness from another human. It is not enough for one to approach God while an unbeliever(alien sinner) and say, "I have sinned and I now repent of that sin." The Lord has set forth a procedure in His word that must be followed for one to obtain forgiveness from the Almighty.
It is obvious to one who reads the Bible that one will not seek forgiveness unless he has faith. Yet, faith alone will not save a person(James 2:24). Faith is the beginning step to reconcile a soul to God, not the final step. After one has faith, repentance is the next step. When the people on Pentecost were convicted(had faith), they askedwhat they must do(Acts 2:37). Peter told them they were to repent(Acts 2:38). Following this sorrow for sin and the resolution to live right, they were commanded to "be baptized...in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins"(Acts 2:38). When they completed these actions, they were forgiven and not before! The alien must comply to these instructions before they are acceptable to God. It does not count how sorrowful and repentant one may be, this will not make that person a Christian(one who is pleasing to God). The alien must obey the gospel to cleanse him, by the blood of Christ, from sin.
Denominational and sectarian preachers do not speak the truth when it comes to forgiveness. They have no right to tell people they can be forgiven by just believing, or just confessing one's sins(alien was never told to do this), or just repenting and saying, "I am sorry." Nothing short of following the gospel plan of salvation as preached by Peter on Pentecost can save one from their sins and keep one from spending an eternity in Hell. Your church, your preacher, your friends, your neighbors, and the whole world may forgive you, but you are only forgiven of your sins by the God of Heaven when you follow His commands.
After one obeys the gospel and becomes a Christian(disciple of Christ), that person has prayer as an avenue for forgiveness of God. Should one sin against a brother, the procedure is taught by Jesus Christ. Go to your brother and ask for forgiveness of the transgression (Luke 17:3). Such a one is to ask forgiveness of the Father. That right belongs to the child of God since it is the prayer of those who are obedient to him that will be heard.
When a Christian sins against God, the avenue of prayer is the avenue of forgiveness. In a repentant condition, one prays for forgiveness(Acts 8:22). The transgressor can request that the faithful pray for him(Acts 8:24).
The procedure for forgiveness in the sight of God does not rest in the hands of the clergy. They may unite in a moment of crisis and lead the world to believe they are one in their faith and actions. Even if they were, it is the God of Heaven that decides how and when men are to be forgiven. It rests not in a priest, a pastor, a Pope, a synod, or a church creed. Not all the commandments and traditions of men can change what God has set forth in His word. The spiritual tragedy of all of this is the misleading of millions of souls into eternity with a false hope.
The one who created each of us is willing to forgive those who follow His word. Continued forgiveness as we live as disciples also requires that we continue to follow His will. There is no other way than God's way to absolve men of their sins