Forgiving As Much As God Forgives

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. - Matthew 18:22

Disputes in the body of Christ must be resolved first in the household of God according to principles set out in the Bible. According to Matthew 18: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the Church; and if they refuse to listen even to the Church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Also in Luke 17 it says: “So watch yourselves. ‘If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.’” In Galatians 6 it says: “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”

We must forgive seventy times seven but we should not have fellowship with such a person unless he or she repents and turns around. God tells us that if we forgive, He will forgive us. If we don’t forgive, He will not forgive us. In any correction in the body of Christ, may we follow the example of Moses who flung himself in the dust before rebellious Korah (Numbers 16:4). This humble servant leadership that does not seek evil for anyone but rather forgiveness and mercy that is approved by God. God still judged Korah in the end for his disobedience but Moses gave every opportunity for Korah to repent as he humbled himself in a great way before him. Moses was not trying to build his reputation but rather was simply following the Lord in humility.