Introduction: Several years ago there was an article in the Tuscaloosa News entitled “Would you forgive these men?” The article mentioned Mohamed Atta, the man who led the attacks on the world trade center; Timothy McVeigh, who bombed the Federal Building in Oklahoma City; Ted Kaczynski, the man who was called the Unabomber. The writer discussed the merits of offering forgiveness to another person who has hurt you. The caption underneath the article stated “researchers are finding that forgiving even the most heinous acts can do more than just bring peace; the act of forgiving can affect one’s emotional and physical health.” (Jan. 13, 2002; Tuscaloosa News; Staff Writer, Stephanie Hoops) It is interesting that social scientists are recognizing something the Bible has been teaching for years. They are finding out, as the Bible teaches, that forgiveness is important spiritually, psychologically and emotionally. A six year old displayed pretty good theology when she prayed this prayer, “forgive us our trash passes, as we forgive those who passed trash against us.” Unforgiveness in our hearts is like trash in our house, it makes an unsightly mess.
It is important that we learn to forgive. Forgiveness is a learned response. It is not something that is instinctive. The opposite is true. Our sinful nature keeps us from seeking or giving forgiveness. However, the greatest teacher who ever lived, Jesus Christ, wants to teach us to forgive. He has many valuable lessons he wants to teach us. These lessons will help us spiritually, physically and emotionally. Jesus wants to give us the gift of eternal life. He also wants to give us victory in this life as well. Let’s look at one of the passages that teach about forgiveness. Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’’ Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”(Mt. 18:21-22 NKJV) What a challenging text. We are to forgive other people up to 490 times. What does this text teach us about practicing forgiveness? There are three valuable lessons to be found.
1. This text teaches us the Importance of Forgiveness. Jesus stressed the importance of forgiveness by using a breath taking challenge. He instructed Peter to forgive up to four hundred ninety times. Forgiveness is important!
Illustration: “The Spanish have a story about a father and son who became estranged. The son left home, and the father later set out to find him. He searched for months with no success. Finally, in desperation, the father turned to the newspaper for help. He ran an ad. His ad simply read, ‘Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your father.’ On Saturday, eight hundred young men named Paco showed up looking for forgiveness and love from their estranged fathers. The world is filled with people who desperately long for reconciliation—with each other, and with God.” (Illustration 705 in Something to Think About; edited by Raymond McHenry) Forgiveness is important!
Besides saying that forgiveness is important, I want to mention two practical reasons why forgiveness is important!
A. First, forgiveness is important because God’s forgiveness of us is dependent on our forgiving others. Look at what the Bible has to say about this concept. "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.’’ (Mk 11:25-26 NKJV)
B. A second reason why forgiveness is important is because our spiritual freedom depends on our forgiving others. Whenever you harbor unforgiveness in your heart you will be in bondage. You will not have freedom when you try to worship.
"Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Mt. 5:22-23 NKJV)
Unforgiveness hinders worship.
Unforgiveness keeps you in bondage.
Illustration: Two little brothers, Harry and James, had finished supper and were playing until bedtime. Somehow, Harry hit James with a stick, and tears and bitter words followed. Charges and accusations were still being exchanged as their mother prepared them for bed.
She said, “Now boys, what would happen if either of you died tonight or you never had the opportunity to forgive one another?” James spoke up, “Well, OK, I’ll forgive him tonight, but if we’re both alive in the morning, he’d better look out.” (Contributed to Sermon Central by Greg Buchner)Obviously James went to bed and slept in bondage. He had unforgiveness in his heart as he slept.
“Forgiveness doesn’t make the other person right, it makes you free.”
(Stormie Omartian; Contributed by SermonCentral)
2. These verses teach the importance of forgiveness. However, it also teaches the impossibility of forgiveness. There is a somewhat humorous story line in this passage. In verse 21 we read where Peter comes to Jesus with a question. His question was, “how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?” (then Peter adds) “up to seven times?” This is the catch: the Jewish Rabbis taught that forgiving someone three times was sufficient. Peter was offering a generous over-stepping of obligation. If three was the magical number then seven should be going the extra mile. Jesus stunned Peter when he suggested (in verse 22) that Peter should forgive 70 times 7 (or 490 times). Jesus point, there should be no limits on forgiveness. Jesus was using a teaching method called “hyperbole”, which is over-statement in order to establish a point. This is the same method used when Jesus referred to a camel passing through the eye of a needle. Obviously, a camel cannot pass through the eye of a needle. It is impossible! In this passage, from Matthew’s gospel, Jesus was teaching that forgiveness (according to God’s standard) is impossible. We do not have it within ourselves to forgive anyone. This is a vitally important principle in living the Christian life.
We cannot live the Christian life. We cannot bring about a spiritual transformation in our lives. We cannot live up to God’s standards. We cannot fulfill the teachings of the New Testament. The Christian life is a supernatural act whereby God empowers us to do what we could not do otherwise. So, what should we do if we find ourselves facing an impossible task.
Admit you need help. Someone has written a prayer that illustrates this point. It is entitled "A Morning Prayer for Help." "Dear God, so far today I’ve done alright, I haven’t gossiped, lost my temper, been nasty, selfish or over indulgent. But in a few minutes God, I’m going to get out of bed and from then on, I’m going to need all the help I can get." (Contributed to Sermon Central by Owen Bourgaize)
The apostle Paul gave us a verse that will help us do the impossible. In this passage Paul was discussing contentment. He indicated he had learned to be content in all circumstances. As he made the statement he added his formula for success. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13 NKJV) The beginning point of being able to forgive is to admit you need help.
Admitting the need for help is at the core of the Alcoholics Anonymous process. Consider the first three parts of their twelve step process.
Step 1: They admit they are powerless over alcohol.
Step 2: They admit there is a higher power that
can help.
Step 3: They make a decision to turn their
situation over to God.
That is the essence of facing any difficulty. Victory begins when we admit we need help and that we are facing an impossible situation.
3. We have discussed the importance of forgiveness. We have discussed the impossibility of forgiveness. Now, I want to consider the Inspiration to offer forgiveness. There is inspiration in the Bible, in real life stories and ultimately in Jesus Christ.
A. Consider a couple of biblical examples.
Example: In Genesis chapters 40-50 we find the story of a man named Joseph. Joseph was the eleventh of twelve children. While he was still a boy Joseph was sold as a slave. He was carried away against his will and spent many years living in a foreign land. When that story played itself out Joseph had the last laugh. He turned out to be a powerful political leader and his brothers stood before him seeking his help. When they realized his identity they were stricken with fear. Joseph displays a God sized character in that situation. He said "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Gen. 50:19-21 NKJV) Joseph displayed a remarkable ability to forgive his brothers in spite of years of pain and hurt.
Example: Another example of forgiveness is found in the life of David, who became the king of Israel. At one point David was hunted by Saul, his adversary, as if he were a wild animal. On several occasions David could have secretly killed his adversary but he did not. He chose, rather, to forgive. Listen to what he said “"The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.’’ (I Sam. 24:6 NKJV)
B. Consider a couple of real life examples.
Illustration: In the story I cited from the Tuscaloosa News we find an inspiring example. The writer tells the story of a mother whose son was murdered and yet she chose to forgive the man who murdered her son. As the mother stood before her son’s murderer she said, “I stand before you today with sadness in my heart because you took something from me I could never get back…I don’t hate you, I just hate what you did to my child. I forgive you, and I love you and I pray for you every night.”
Illustration: Another example comes from World War II. It involves a man named Mitsuo Fuchida. Fuchida was one of the pilots who bombed Pearl Harbor. This man took part in many of the major battles in the Pacific. He was there on the deck of the USS Missouri at the surrender ceremonies. Though defeated, he was pleased with his behavior as a pilot. After the war, though, he became disillunioned. He was surprised to learn that Japanese POWs were treated humanely—a sharp contrast to the Japanese treatment of Allied prisoners. He also learned of a woman who ministered to the Japanese prisoners. Her parents were missionaries to Japan but had been beheaded by his countrymen. She had forgiven the Japanese and met the needs of their captured soldiers. Such love led him to the Bible. He eventually became a Christian, and later an evangelist. Before his death in 1976, he led many to Christ through his preaching in Japan and the United States. Transformation started when one woman chose to forgive like Christ. (Illustration 340 in
Something to Think About; edited by Raymond McHenry)
C. The ultimate example of forgiveness is Jesus Christ. As he hung on the cross he prayed a prayer of forgiveness, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Lk. 23:34)
We have discussed an important issue in the spiritual life. However, there is a deeper issue at stake. The issue is following Jesus Christ. Jesus loves you. Jesus created you. He knows what is best for you. He knows, far better than social scientists, that forgiveness is healthy for you. He knows that unforgiveness will damage you emotionally. The important thing is that you trust Him, obey Him and follow Him.
