God’s Unlimited Forgiveness and the Danger of Bitterness by Greg Gordon

[gregjgordon]

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ – Matthew 18:21
God’s forgiveness is unlimited in this earth. What a joy to know that no one has out sinned God’s love, or done things that God cannot forgive. But at times our forgiveness for others especially in the Church is very limited. When we do not fully understand the grace of God and how much forgiveness God has shown us then we are willing to forgive others very little also. When we see our sins are not very bad, then we will be able to judge others sins as worse. Peter the Disciple of Jesus here shares he astonishment of God’s long-suffering to restore just one believer in the Church. Peter’s way of thinking was if they did not fit the mark then its better they are not with us, but Jesus gave the importance to the lessor and the weakest. How many times have we cast out a brother or sister from our circle of friends because of their sin or weakness they had? The picture Jesus is giving here is to allow God’s forgiveness and heart for his “little ones” to be in our own hearts. Peter thought he was very good and righteous to tell the Lord, he was willing to forgive someone seven times! But our Lord replies with “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22). In other words he is saying Peter you do not understand yet but you will one day soon, my forgiveness is so great and unlimited just like my Heavenly Father.
Watchman Nee says, “Frequently the enemy entices Christians to harbor an unforgiving spirit – a very common symptom indeed among God’s children. Such bitterness and fault-finding and enmity inflict a severe blow upon spiritual life.” Our Lord speaks of how to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven and uses the picture of a child. My friend, reading this, are you like a child being able to forgive another person a great crime and hurt in your life? Are you able to see unforgiveness as a great sin and it better that your arm or leg were cut off then to hold such a bitter grudge? No matter how godly we are or how much progress we have made on the Christian life, if we are not able to forgive others as Christ forgave then we will start to be greatly hindered in our progress towards Christ-likeness. Peter saw it as impossible to forgive so much, yet when he failed the Lord and denied him three times, then he began to understand the Lord’s heart for those who fail. Jesus asks us this question today, “Do you love me?” (John 21:17). If we love the Lord and understand his grace and love we will be able to help his little ones, forgive their failings, and restore them and help them grow. Such a heart is not just for a pastor and leader in God’s Church but for all members to share the heart of the Great Shepherd to see forgiveness and restoration happen. God’s grace and love is like an ocean and his forgiveness like the bottomless depths, if you have been a partaker of it, you will show it to others.

 

[tooldtocare]

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ – Matthew 18:21
God’s forgiveness is unlimited in this earth. What a joy to know that no one has out sinned God’s love, or done things that God cannot forgive. But at times our forgiveness for others especially in the Church is very limited. When we do not fully understand the grace of God and how much forgiveness God has shown us then we are willing to forgive others very little also. When we see our sins are not very bad, then we will be able to judge others sins as worse. Peter the Disciple of Jesus here shares he astonishment of God’s long-suffering to restore just one believer in the Church. Peter’s way of thinking was if they did not fit the mark then its better they are not with us, but Jesus gave the importance to the lessor and the weakest. How many times have we cast out a brother or sister from our circle of friends because of their sin or weakness they had? The picture Jesus is giving here is to allow God’s forgiveness and heart for his “little ones” to be in our own hearts. Peter thought he was very good and righteous to tell the Lord, he was willing to forgive someone seven times! But our Lord replies with “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22). In other words he is saying Peter you do not understand yet but you will one day soon, my forgiveness is so great and unlimited just like my Heavenly Father.
Watchman Nee says, “Frequently the enemy entices Christians to harbor an unforgiving spirit – a very common symptom indeed among God’s children. Such bitterness and fault-finding and enmity inflict a severe blow upon spiritual life.” Our Lord speaks of how to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven and uses the picture of a child. My friend, reading this, are you like a child being able to forgive another person a great crime and hurt in your life? Are you able to see unforgiveness as a great sin and it better that your arm or leg were cut off then to hold such a bitter grudge? No matter how godly we are or how much progress we have made on the Christian life, if we are not able to forgive others as Christ forgave then we will start to be greatly hindered in our progress towards Christ-likeness. Peter saw it as impossible to forgive so much, yet when he failed the Lord and denied him three times, then he began to understand the Lord’s heart for those who fail. Jesus asks us this question today, “Do you love me?” (John 21:17). If we love the Lord and understand his grace and love we will be able to help his little ones, forgive their failings, and restore them and help them grow. Such a heart is not just for a pastor and leader in God’s Church but for all members to share the heart of the Great Shepherd to see forgiveness and restoration happen. God’s grace and love is like an ocean and his forgiveness like the bottomless depths, if you have been a partaker of it, you will show it to others.

Your thoughts above made me think of "forgiveness and restoration" in a different light..,.,.,.

Thanks (:-

 

[gregjgordon]

Thank you for your kind comment!

 

[M.B.]

Unlimited forgiveness? He didn't teach that.

Luke 17:13
If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
repent: to feel such regret for sins or crimes as produces amendment of life.

nor does He offer that:

Revelation 2:21-22
And I gave her time to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Now, Revelation and that particular Judgement was written down by John approximately 75 years after the forgiveness on the cross.

so, I don't know anyone here and I don't mean to be derisive with my first post, but my questions are:

• Why do some believe that they live in a perpetual state of grace?
• Why do some expect unlimited forgiveness when He said forgiveness must be conditioned on repentance?
• Would offering unlimited or unconditional forgiveness to those who sin against you actually go against what He said?

I'll start with my own answers to those questions....

• Because many have been taught incorrectly by the churches and leaders they trusted.
• I'm not sure why any Christian would not believe what Christ said. Perhaps it's because forgiveness is what they desire or they aren't really Christians at all.
• Yes. It would be anti-Christian to offer unconditional forgiveness.

Personally, I live in solitude and isolation because I refuse to forgive those that have sinned against me. They know what they did and they refuse to change their ways or have an honest discussion of the issues. It would make my life a lot easier if I simply unconditionally forgave them all but I cannot and will not because it would be very hypocritical of me if I did.

I take solace in John 15:18-25

 

[lforrest]

Bless you Greg,

This topic has been on my heart recently. Everywhere I look I see deplorable conduct from Christians, conduct that reeks of worldliness. It has been causing me to doubt my earlier belief that most people are merely deceived.

I think sin and deception goes hand in hand. One affects the other like a snowball effect leading to false beliefs and more sin.

God does hold people accountable for their actions, but how is that fair if all sins are the product of deceit?

 

[StanJ]

Bless you Greg,

This topic has been on my heart recently. Everywhere I look I see deplorable conduct from Christians, conduct that reeks of worldliness. It has been causing me to doubt my earlier belief that most people are merely deceived.

I think sin and deception goes hand in hand. One affects the other like a snowball effect leading to false beliefs and more sin.

God does hold people accountable for their actions, but how is that fair if all sins are the product of deceit?

The deceit is from our own selfish heart, as Jer 17:9 shows. We can't always blame Satan for what we are. He may know how to exploit it, but we are ultimately responsible for who and what we are. With God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can change, but only when we recognize that Christ is our righteousness and that without Him we are nothing.