The need for forgiveness
TEACHER
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Lesson 07
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
Matthew 18:23-34
BASIC BIBLE TEXT
23 "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
�24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold "was brought to him.
�25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
�
Matthew 18:23-25
BASIC BIBLE TEXT
26 "At this the servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.’
27 The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
�28 "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. "He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
Matthew 18:26-28
BASIC BIBLE TEXT
Deuteronomy 18:9,11
29 "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
�31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
Matthew 18:29-31
BASIC BIBLE TEXT
Deuteronomy 18:9,11
32 "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.
33 Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’
�34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
Matthew 18:32-34
GOLDEN TEXT
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
AIMS
Understand that the offended believer must look to the offender to resolve the conflict;
Comprehend that offering forgiveness is necessary for a good relationship;
Draw the conclusion that human forgiveness is a condition to access God's forgiveness.
INTRODUCTION
No social group, whether large or small, is exempt from conflicts. People get hurt and break up relationships. From the relationship between two people, to relationships in large crowds, there will always be some kind of offense, voluntary or involuntary, which will be responsible for promoting the rupture of friendships and communion. The continuous search for forgiveness, due to the fragility of human nature, requires from each one of us a mutuality in forgiveness, according to the prayer taught by Jesus (Mt 6:12). Jesus conditions the request for forgiveness to the offer of forgiveness. “As we also" establishes a level of comparison and credit.
1. IF YOUR BROTHER OR SISTER SINS
1.1. Which is easier, asking for forgiveness or offering forgiveness?
If I am aware that I have sinned against someone and that the wrong I have done can bring me great harm, then I will make every effort to seek my forgiveness, showing repentance and humbling myself before the one I have offended. However, this is not always the case. If I am not sure that my offense will not do me great harm, I let it go. In that case, my pride will speak louder than my love for the person I offended.
1.2. Forgiveness assumes repentance
Repentance is the act of acknowledging that something wrong has been done. Anyone who is not convinced of having caused the situation ends up creating an even bigger problem. To solve this, Jesus says that the offended must take the initiative to speak to the offender. If the offended can’t convince the ofender of his error, the offended person must bring one or two witnesses to confirm all the effort undertaken in the search for reconciliation. If that doesn't work, the matter should be taken to the Church assembly. If even so the offender doesn’t admit his mistake, the matter must be closed and the troublemaker must be treated as an outsider, a Gentile and a tax collector. So, excluded from fellowship (Mt 18. 15-17).
1.3 Forgiveness is a long-lasting act
Peter thought he was defending a great cause by suggesting to Jesus that forgiveness should be offered up to seven times to someone (Matt. 18:21). However, Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times (Mt 18:22), that is, as many times as necessary.
The incomparable creditor has thrown his debtor into prison. Let's look at the sentence pronounced by Jesus: So will my heavenly Father also do to you, except from the heart you forgive each one his sister his trespasses (Matthew 18:35). It is necessary to stop and meditate on this warning: forgiving offenses is not an option, it is an obligation.
1.4 Forgiveness is a reciprocal act
Who among us doesn't need God's forgiveness? Woe to us if we don't get it: our destiny will be hell. If we have been forgiven of an unpayable debt, how can we withhold forgiveness from those who owe us (Mt 18:23-34)?
All forgiveness involves the canceling of a debt, whether material or moral. If I must forgive to be forgiven, I must also use the same kindness to others, just as the Lord used kindness to me. Forgiveness is an act of grace.
2. WHAT FORGIVENESS IS NOT
Generally speaking, we apologize for an involuntary act. If I involuntarily step on someone's foot and then apologize, I will most likely be excused. Forgiveness is different. What would make me ask a person for forgiveness? Something I did that offended her, such as: saying bad things about her to someone; to have exploited some fault of that person; to have humiliated her in the presence of others; have underestimated their ability; to have denied her some favor; finally, there are so many reasons that it would be impossible to list them here. A simple apology would not be enough.
2.1. Forgiving is not apologizing
Another big mistake about forgiveness is believing that to forgive is to forget. Forgiving is not forgetting; or does anyone think that God suffers from amnesia after forgiving someone, just because He says: “(...) I will forgive their wickedness and I will never remember their sins again (Jer 31:34)?” To paraphrase the text, it would be the same as saying: "When I forgive, I don't keep bringing that problem back to my memory. For me, the matter is closed."
2.2. Forgiving is not forgetting
2.2. Forgiving is not forgetting
The prophet Micah marveled at the fact that God forgave to the point of forgetting iniquity: Who, O God, is like you (...). The Lord will cast our sins into the depths of the sea (Mic 7:18,19). We have to learn to forgive in the same way that God forgives, in this sea it is forbidden to fish!
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.�You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.��(Micah 7:18,19)
There are situations where reconciliation between two people is promoted by someone else; in the end, both sides agree only to respond to an instruction, such as a pastor's request. In these cases, offender and offended leave the situation with the same resentment. Let us not be mistaken: if forgiveness is not released from the heart, it will be of no value before God.
2.3. Forgiving is not a simple gesture
As long as there is no forgiveness, there will be pending (Jn 20:23). This pendency will fall on both the offender, who refuses to ask for forgiveness, and the offended, who refuses to forgive. Restraining forgiveness, in addition to depriving the believer of God's grace, generates a root of bitterness in the heart (Heb 12:15). Unforgiveness is toxic and contaminates the entire being.
2.4. The danger of restrained forgiveness
THE BENEFITS OF FORGIVENESS
* Forgiveness makes love succeed
* Forgiveness defeats satan
THE BENEFITS OF FORGIVENESS
*Forgiveness is an act of obedience
Jesus instructed the disciples to practice forgiveness. The apostles of Christ passed on the same instruction to the Church. There was a brother in Corinth who rebelled against Paul's authority, but the Church rebuked him for it and he repented (2 Cor 2:6,7). On that occasion, the apostle to the Gentiles treated forgiveness as an act of obedience (2 Cor. 2:9).
CONCLUSION
There are things that sadden the Holy Spirit, such as: bitterness, anger, rage, shouting, blasphemies and malice. In these sentiments, Paul proposes: Rather, be kind to one another, merciful, forgiving one another, as God also forgave you in Christ (Eph 4:32). Supporting one another and forgiving one another, if one has a resentment against another; just as Christ forgave you, so do you also (Col. 3:13).Is there a better model than this for a good relationship with others?
CONCLUSION
When we are born again, we gain a new identity. We become new creation (2 Cor 5:17). Our thoughts, feelings, character and attitudes are completely changed by the presence of the Holy Spirit in us and the promise that, in heaven, we will receive a white stone on which our name is recorded (Rev. 2.17). Let us therefore rejoice in the Lord.
God bless you!
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