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This week I wanted to share some verses and thoughts on the subject of
forgiving our brother. It is most probable that the reader understands
the definition of forgiveness, it is simply an act of pardon. Now that
we see the way the word is defined, let's define another keyword in
this parable and that is the word "brother". As we see from the
original Greek word "Adelphos" the word can have a few different
meanings. Strong's defines it as:
1. a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the
same father or mother
"There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without,
sent unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they
said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for
thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?
And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said,
Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of
God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother." - Mark 3:31-35.
The use of the term "fellowservant" throughout the Parable in Matthew
18 also points to the fact that our brothers in the LORD are spoken of.
Jesus did not pay for the sins of all people or forgive them; He paid
for the sins of His people. But as believers, we cannot judge others,
so in turn we must forgive all who have sinned against us. If one
cannot bring themselves to forgive others, they have put themselves in
some serious spiritual jeopardy because the nature of a true Christian
is being Christ-like.
"And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came
to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church,
and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first
in Antioch." - Acts 11:26.
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine
is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if
ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will
your Father forgive your trespasses."- Matthew 6:13-15.
If one has lost the ability to forgive, Christ very well may not be
dwelling in them, because He is the ultimate example in forgiveness.
Forgiveness also goes hand and hand with repentance:
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted
out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the
Lord" - Acts 3:19.
"Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a
Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." -
Acts 5:31.
"Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke
him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee
seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee,
saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him." - Luke 17:3,4.
When we forgive our neighbor, we should also exhort them unto
repentance and holy living. The measure by which we forgive one
another is "as God forgave us". You see, God forgives all the sins of
His children: past, present and future; so we cannot say that we
forgive others of alot of sins, but there may be some we will not
forgive them of. This is not the nature of a true child of God:
"be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even
as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." - Ephesians 4:32.
Note that Stephen forgave his enemies even as he was being murdered:
"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus,
receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice,
Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he
fell asleep." - Acts 7:59,60.
As of course did Jesus:
"And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there
they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and
the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they
know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." -
Luke 23:33,34.
These are examples for all believers today - if Jesus & Stephen could
forgive others while being killed, how much more can we forgive those
who have done us a far less wrong?
The basis of forgiveness is that it identifies with God's nature of
pure, Holy Spirit. He will forgive and hear the cries of His servants:
"Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up
my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous
in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O LORD, unto my
prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my
trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me." - Psalm 86:4-7.
Those who truly identify with Christ will likewise identify with
sorrow and forgiveness as we know from Isaiah 53 that Jesus was a man
of sorrows and forgiveness. If you are utterly shattered, pray that
you not be hardened as well and forgive without limit, do not seek
revenge, but wait, hope and trust in the LORD who knows everything. He
will hear the cries of His children and render forgiveness and revenge
according to His infinately good will:
"Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the
proud he knoweth afar off. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou
wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath
of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. - Psalm 138:6,7.
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