DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- FORGIVE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS

"For whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices." (II Corinthians 2:10-11)

In response to the admonition of Paul in the first letter regarding the one engaged in immoral conduct, the Church had indeed disciplined the person. In response to the correction, he had apparently repented. And that is the purpose of correction – repentance and restoration.

However, it seems that the fellowship of believers were having a difficult time fulfilling the restoration part. They were not willing to welcome him back into the congregation. So the Apostle now had to deal with this issue. He wrote that the punishment – the disbarment from the fellowship – was sufficient. It was enough, and now that he has repented, they needed to receive him back into the fellowship. They needed to reassure him of their forgiveness and love, and comfort him, lest he should be consumed with too much sorrow. Not receiving him back into fellowship would be an open door for Satan to take advantage and cause even more heartache.

We are not ignorant of Satan's devices. One of the greatest devices he uses to bring disharmony in the Church is unforgiveness. If he can get Believers to carry grudges, he can cause separation and conflict between the Believers and bring distress to Body.

This is an extremely important thing. We are called to forgive one another. Jesus highlighted the need for forgiveness in His Sermon on the Mount. He said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 5:14-15). This is a sobering word and we need to take it seriously.

In another place, the Apostle Paul admonished us to forgive one another just as Christ has forgiven us (Colossians 3:13). Jesus does not carry grudges. When we repent, we are forgiven, and the offense is cast into the sea to be remembered no more. There is no sword hanging over our heads because the sin is cleansed by Christ's own blood, and our fellowship with Him is restored. We are to forgive in the same way.

The Church at Corinth needed to learn this lesson. And, I think, so do we. If God in His love has forgiven the repentant sinner, so should we. The restoration process is not complete until the offender has been welcomed back into fellowship.

May that be our goal.

Love, Dad