Bible Thoughts

April 5, 1998

"How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times?" (Matthew 18:21)

 Peter's question followed a message the Lord had presented on what one should do if his brother sins against him. The Lord had outlined the correct procedure in dealing with the unrepentant brother. First, go to the brother. Then, take appropriate witnesses. If no repentance is forthcoming, take the problem to the church. If he refuses to hear the church, he is to be extended no fellowship by the disciples(Matthew 18:15-17).

No doubt the apostle was reflecting upon the Lord's teaching and wondered what happens when a person sins and asks forgiveness and then repeats the transgression. The Lord answered the query by responding "until seventy times seventy" he is to extend the forgiveness(Matthew 18:21-23).

How difficult this is for a human. Have you ever told someone, I will forget it this time--but--it had better not happen again? What if the Lord told us that? It is feared that none of us could make it to heaven. What Jesus taught is what disciples are to practice because this is the way of the righteous.

Once the forgiveness is extended, it is to be forgotten. It is certainly true that one cannot erase the memory of the sin against him and even consequences may follow. However, one is to treat the forgiven as the forgiver would want to be treated(Matthew 7:12). Once the forgiveness occurs, it should never be used as a reminder to the forgiven that he so transgressed. It is not always easy to accept forgiveness. It is not always easy to extend forgiveness. Both actions are those that characterize a righteous person.

I wrote an article a few years ago that was published in a magazine entitled Leaving the Handle Sticking Out. The point made was that some bury part of the hatchet, but leave enough of the handle above ground to grab it and use it whenever they believe it will enhance their cause. Such is not characteristic of a righteous person.

It is also true the person seeking forgiveness must accept the forgiveness. To hold animosity within one's heart because someone cared enough about his/her soul to point out error and/or sin in one's life will endanger the soul. The forgiver must forgive; the repentant person must accept the forgiveness. And...seventy times seventy if such occurs.

There are other lessons to be gained from what Jesus taught Peter. Men do have weaknesses. They fall into sin because of those weaknesses. It may take a lot of time,study, and effort to overcome the temptations they face. Since the Lord understood the ways of men, he knew how their behavior interfered with practicing righteousness. Peter repeated a sin twice when he denied that he knew the Lord. What if the Lord had said, "Peter, this time I will forget it. But--it better not happen the second time?" The Lord accepted the repentance of Peter as he wept bitterly for denying the Master with whom he had walked, learned, and trusted. Peter would, as mortals do, sin again. The Lord extended his forgiveness. So must those of us who follow in the steps of the Master that died for us.

The ultimate reward for one following a life of sin is spiritual death. Any Bible student is aware of such a consequence. As one who follows the word of God will enjoy eternal life, those who do not will be sentenced to eternal death, forever separated from the Giver of Life.

There are other consequences that one will face as a result of sin. These consequences, unfortunately, may be borne even after the person has obtained forgiveness of sins. The result of sin may bring physical ailments to the body, injuries to the mind, and material losses. When the prodigal was accepted by his father and forgiven, the substance he had lost in "riotous living" was not restored even though he was forgiven. When one has mistreated himself physically, he will bear the pain and sorrow of a misguided life. That person can live holy in God's sight, and benefit in all spiritual blessings, but there may be some physical hardships suffered from such a life.

Of late, some brethren have tried to erase the consequences of an unscriptural marriage and/or divorce. They make provision for the guilty party in a marriage, and/or allow one who is divorced for a reason other than adultery to remarry. We are putting a high premium on satisfaction of fleshly desires. As a result, some preachers are leading people in directions that endanger one's soul. No man made God's laws. No man has a right to set them aside to avoid the consequences(even for the innocent).