Unforgiveness?

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 NIV

This verse is normally used to emphasise the forgiving nature of God, and I am so very thankful that we have a loving God who forgives when we don’t deserve it. That is grace personified in the Lord Jesus. Can I ask you to bear with me as I take a different angle on this verse?

Jesus was being abused by His accusers in a way that we would see as horrific, and yet they were forgiven even though they didn’t ask for it. Why? I suggest it is because they “did not know what they were doing”. That’s the part that caught my attention, making me feel better and yet worse about our sins. Jesus forgave BECAUSE they didn’t know the significance of what they were doing. I suggest it follows that we cannot and indeed will not be forgiven if we DO KNOW we are doing wrong, and sin anyway.

Susanna Wesley, the praying mother of John and Charles defined sin this way: “Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish for spiritual things, whatever increases the authority of the body over the mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may seem in itself.”

You and I must be very careful in our actions and behaviour because once we KNOW what we are doing is wrong, we may NOT BE FORGIVEN because we have known the truth of the gospel and turned our back on it. That is good news for the many who have never heard the gospel, but it is not good news for those of us who have heard and rejected it. It’s one thing for the Wesleys to believe this, but Jesus says the same thing in His own words, so we must be very careful when we recognise the truth of the gospel…..

Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 ESV

That's Grace

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 NIV

The Word of God, speaks directly to us just when we need it. The Bible is called “The Word of God” for good reason. It speaks straight into our heart and life without cutting corners, and this is such an occasion.

It’s not a case of ‘if we stumble’, but ‘when’. The worst kinds of stumbles are those little ones that surprise us and come out of the blue, at least that’s the way it is for me. It is possible that few, if any, will have been noticed but that’s not the point is it? We could kick ourselves by entertaining those thoughts, or saying those little words that offended. Especially a little one or someone young in the faith or searching for the truth.

God’s grace is there for us all in the big mistakes of life, and those little ones too, but first we need to ask, and then to know that they are pardoned, and I love this part, “He will….hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”. Indeed, as the verse starts, “who is a God like you?” Thank you, Lord.

What Makes The Difference?

There was a sinful woman in that town. She knew that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house. So the woman brought some expensive perfume in an alabaster jar. She stood at Jesus’ feet, crying. Then she began to wash his feet with her tears. She dried his feet with her hair. She kissed his feet many times and rubbed them with the perfume. I tell you that her many sins are forgiven. This is clear, because she showed great love. People who are forgiven only a little will love only a little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7:37-38, 47-48 ERV

Have you ever asked yourself what the big deal is about being a Christian? What difference does it make? And perhaps more important is the question, “What changes do others see in me?” Do they see me as approachable, loving, or forgiving? Let’s be honest, in this world many people desperately need the assurance of love and forgiveness.

The woman in this passage is a good example of the overwhelming love of God, and His total forgiveness. In a relatively short period of time she goes from being a social outcast, to being loved, forgiven, and a child of the Kingdom. What happened? The short answer is that she opened her heart in love to the Saviour, and forgiveness naturally followed.

Who do you and I need to forgive? Or let me put it another way, who is there that might need forgiveness FROM us? Can you think of someone who needs our love and assurance, or are we so ‘good’ that there is no one in that category? Think again. The chances are that we may have dismissed some needy person from our life, and that person is desperate for our forgiveness. How about the ones whom we avoid, or move away from because of their bad history just like the sinner in Luke’s account? The others round the table didn’t think her past lifestyle deserved that second chance, but thankfully Jesus did.

For me, the key lies in the words near the end of the verse: “People who are forgiven only a little will love only a little.” Your ability to love is directly linked to your capacity to forgive. So that person we have decided can’t be forgiven has cost us our love. Can we be happy with that? A better question would be: Is Jesus happy with us being like that?

Oh No!

To say I don’t like shopping is an understatement, so when I am pushing that shopping trolley round the supermarket, I am looking and hoping for a quick exit. Sometimes I will bump into someone and have a short chat, and that’s ok. Until last week, that is.

As I turned at the end of an aisle, I saw him but fortunately he didn’t notice me, so I backtracked up the aisle I had just come down for no other reason than to avoid this person I didn’t like or get on with. By way of explanation, we had a conversation a couple of weeks before, and it quickly turned into a debate, and then an argument. I don’t know who won, but I didn’t want to go through all that again, hence the evasive action. I must have looked suspicious as I peered round the end of each aisle in an effort to avoid this troublesome man.

I wasn’t the only person he had crossed. It had happened before, and now I was the latest casualty of his contrary opinions. If you said something was white, he would say it was black. You get the picture? I hadn’t seen him for a while, so let my guard down thinking he had finished shopping, and had left the shop and the car park. How wrong I was!

As I turned the last aisle I needed to get some shopping in, there he was facing me, and there was no way I could avoid him. My heart sank. I took a deep breath, and thought ‘Oh No, here we go’. The same determined look was there again. I could see it in his eyes. In a matter of a few microseconds, I felt my day was ruined. And then it happened. He reached out and touched my arm, and said softly, “I’m really sorry about the last time we met and how we left each other after that awkward conversation. I am so very sorry”. You could have knocked me over with a feather. I had spent over an hour avoiding this man, and could have missed hearing the benefit and blessing of his heart felt apology. I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts, I had forgotten that he had thoughts and feelings too, and rather than wait for me, he had decided to take the step and apologise first. I ask you, who showed the most grace? Sadly, not me because while I held the grudge, my friend (because that is what we suddenly became) took the step of being vulnerable and taking the risk of me either ignoring his words, or even worse, giving him a piece of my mind.

We are firm friends now, and our conversations have been agreeable and cordial. What happened? While I bottled up my feelings, my friend prayed about his, and God showed the way of forgiveness, which is always better than holding the grudge. Always! I was the loser and my heart and actions showed this failing. It is no mistake that we are told by the authority of Jesus Himself:

“Yes, if you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, then your Father in heaven will also forgive your wrongs. But if you don’t forgive others, then your Father in heaven will not forgive the wrongs you do.” Matthew 6:14,15

“I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other just as I loved you. All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.” John 13:34,35

Forgiveness

And forgive us …..    as we also have forgiven. Matthew 6:12

Are we serious about forgiving those who might have slighted or wronged us, whether in a small way or a massively huge way? Don’t gloss over the question. Give it the consideration it deserves in light of the words of Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer.

It is quite easy for us to wrong someone, whether deliberately, or even unintentionally, but it is another matter altogether to reach out in forgiveness, and importantly, to be sincere about it. There is the small matter of our pride which gets in the way, which means we will have to climb down publicly. The more people we have involved, the harder the climb down and greater the humiliation. We don’t like that, do we? I know I don’t.

If we are serious about claiming the name of Jesus, and calling ourselves Christian, we cannot ignore the words of Jesus which simply say, I will forgive you when you forgive your brother or sister. Ouch. Really? Is it that serious? It certainly is, and it will benefit us in ways we cannot imagine. After all, saying sorry releases you from the burden and guilt of unforgiveness, and lets you breathe easily again. Sure, your brother gets forgiven but I believe the bigger benefit is for the one who forgives!

Why Church?

Why do we have churches in our towns and communities? Do you think they are antiquated and no longer needed? After all what purpose do they have? Great questions, and I would not be surprised to know that you have asked these questions yourselves. I know I have.

Have you wondered why we have so many non government backed charities, or good works set up in our communities? Who are the most likely to visit the sick without being asked, or paid? Think about your friends, and ask yourself who would be most likely to care about you? Who are the most likely (but not the only!) people to work on a voluntary basis in a food bank, or charity shop, or in a hospital? Whoever they are, our very fabric of society depends on their willingness to help, and one thing is certain. They are good people. Let me make another suggestion. Many will be Christians, and attend one of these ‘no longer needed’ churches.

It will not surprise you to know, that these good people don’t do good works to make them suitable for church. It’s the other way round. Most will go to church, and in their own hearts will want to reach out as a result of their commitment to Jesus Christ, not their church. Surprised? The fact is, none of us are good enough in our own right, for heaven, but with our confession of sin (now there's an old word!) and God’s forgiveness, we want to reach out for no other reason than we care. It’s really quite simple, and often overlooked.

So, next time you walk past a church, and wonder what goes on inside, and what kind of crazy people go there, step inside and be amazed. With an open heart and mind, who knows what will happen inside your own heart, and spill over into other lives!

He'll Never Know

I was about 10 years old and because I was the only boy, and eight years younger than my sister, I got away with a lot. The 1950s was a good time to grow up. Even though the nation was just recovering from the ravages of war, and food was not plentiful, freedom was not taken lightly, and we were trusted. Trusted to act properly, and above all to tell the truth. We didn't know it, but we were being taught thankfulness and integrity at the same time.

My dad was a good and Godly man. He was easy to look up to, respect, and love. We didn't talk much about love then, but we knew it and could feel it. Love was all around us, and tangible. However a love like that has to be tested, and even as a 10 year old, I knew a day of testing would come, and it did.

Like many others, my dad had a small plot of land to grow much needed vegetables, and I would go with him on a Saturday morning, straddled over the crossbar of his bike on the 10 minute cycle to the days work. My attraction was not the work on the ground, but in the fact that we were a short walk to Palm Beach, and whether the tide was in or out, there was adventure. Sliding in the wet mud, or throwing stones and skimmers was allowed, but the last words spoken by my dad were always, "don't go in the water". Tell a child often enough not to do something, and guess what happens? The urge to do the forbidden thing grows inside you until that itch just has to be scratched.

The day came when I broke my word, but I figured, he will never know, because I would paddle up to my knees, and will be completely dry again by the time I got back to the hut at the plot. The plan was foolproof, so I took my shoes and socks off, and rushed into the River Clyde. It felt so good. I had got away with disobeying my dad, no one would ever know, and it was a good feeling into the bargain. That feeling lasted about 10 seconds, because in my rush I slid on a submerged seaweed covered rock, and I went down. Not only that, I went under, and was completely and totally soaked. The game was up, and I knew it, so back to the hut at the plot I trudged, knowing that judgement was mine. Not only that, but my punishment was deserved. I had gone against the only thing my dad had asked of me, and now it was obvious to anyone who saw me walk back from the river, that I was saturated from head to toe. The only dry things were my shoes and socks, which I carried.

My dad saw me coming, and I had no time to hide, or even get an excuse ready. My deserved punishment was coming, and I knew it was my own fault. I said the only thing I could and I meant it. "I'm sorry dad". It was enough. He didn't give me what I deserved for disobeying, and instead with a father's love, he told me to sit by the wood stove in the hut and stay warm, while he peddled back to the house for dry and clean clothes. My dad made sure I was safe, dry and forgiven. Forgiven. What a lovely word. Many years later I see the episode as a parallel to God's ready forgiveness for our wilful sin, when we do something thinking, "He'll never know", but we learn that to get His total forgiveness, all we have to do is say and mean those simple words, "I'm sorry Dad", and He will. But we have to ask first. I am glad my earthly dad forgave me, but more glad that my Heavenly Father forgave me. Just a thought, have you said sorry to God? 

This also reminded me of the old Sunday School verse in Numbers 32:23: "Be sure your sin will find you out". It was true then, and it is still true now.