Peter’s Big Number
“So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:35 NASB
Not forgive – Does God forgive everything? Before you say, “Of course!” you may wish to read this parable one more time. It is the parable of the slave who owed his master an enormous sum – so large that it would have been humanly impossible to pay it back. The parable concerns not only the compassionate gesture on the part of the master but also the entire lack of compassion on the part of the slave. The consequences are dire.
All of this begins when Peter asks the wrong question. Peter realizes that Yeshua has just taught about restoring a fallen brother to the faith (the parable of the lost sheep). But that parable is about acknowledging any sin committed by a brother. Peter tries to elicit a more personal application. “What about a sin against me? How many times must I forgive that kind of sin? Seven times?” Sounds like something we would ask, doesn’t it? “Yeshua, can you clarify this for me? Yes, I know all about helping others recognize their sins, but what about the person who does something against me?”
The entire question is wrong. Why? Because its premise is about counting. When a man asks for a statute of limitation on forgiveness, has he really forgiven? Thus, the parable. Forgiveness has no statute of limitation. Oh, that sounds so good when it is applied to me. I wouldn’t want God to have only a certain number of forgiveness chits. Yes, Lord, keep the option always open.
But then there is the end of the parable. The Greek is ean me aphete, “unless you forgive.” If you do not forgive in like kind, there are no chits! Even worse, there is torture and eternal punishment. Lack of forgiveness equals unrelenting misery.
What kind of God is this? What kind of God would send someone to the tormenters forever just because he couldn’t bring himself to actually let go (aphete) of the infraction? I mean, some things are really just too much, aren’t they? How can we be expected to forgive really hideous acts against us? It’s not reasonable! But, of course, it isn’t reasonable to be forgiven our own debt in the first place. That kind of forgiveness demands reciprocity. That is the master’s point of view. We must be worthy of being forgiven, a worthiness that comes after we ourselves have been shown what forgiveness really means. To fail to act in kind is to demonstrate an unchanged spirit, a recalcitrance of attitude, a failure to be transformed. Such a person sets his own statute of limitation. Such a person is still counting.
Peter’s request for a big number was a big blunder. Perhaps it’s a blunder far too familiar. How many times do I really need to forgive? To answer that question is to already be on the wrong track.
Topical Index: forgiveness, not forgive, ean me aphete, Matthew 18:35
I am struggling with the difference between “forgive” and “excuse” in the Christian community.
Lately I have noticed that we give an excuse for someone’s misbehaviour/sin and then let him/her not bear the consequences of their actions, because “Ag, shame, it was the circumstances, you know”. I am then told that it is forgiveness.
However, I understand forgiveness as the definite decision to not execute rightful punishment after it was established that you or someone else was indeed wronged and both parties understand that a wrong has taken place.
Now it is true that Yshua died for me on the cross before I confessed my sins … and therefore forgiveness for my sins is available.
Yet, if I do not confess my sins, am I actually taking the opportunity of forgiveness that Yshua is offering me?
If sins are forgiven without confession of guilt, why is my friend Mohammed Said, a devout Muslim, not a “saved man” (he believes that Yshua was a prophet, but not above Mohammed)?
If sins are forgiven without confession of guilt, why do we need to be aware of sin? Why did we need Yshua to PAY for our sins so that we may receive forgiveness.
God’s grace and forgiveness has value for me because I listen when the Holy Spirit tells me that I have sinned and I confess my sin, because HaShem is YHWH and I have wronged Him.
It is easy for me to excuse someone, but still not have forgiven him. Forgiveness can only take place when guilt was established.
The flipside of the coin is that someone has maybe wronged me by calling me an inappropriate name; a brother hears and steps in to correct this someone; someone says to him “I forgive you for interupting me, but let this not happen again.” And when the brother walks off, someone says “Can you imagine the cheek! But its OK, I’ve forgiven him.” And I stand flabbergasted. Obviously I don’t have anything to forgive … someone has obviously not sinned otherwise someone would not have regarded the brother as the offender. At least the brother has received forgiveness for his godly action in protecting me…
Your distinction is a good one, and helpful. Notice that forgiveness requires acknowledgement of the offense and acceptance of the required punishment. Forgiveness removes the offense and the punishment. It does NOT excuse either. It is also valuable to note that forgiveness in Hebrew thought is usually tied to PUBLIC acknowledgement, not private justification.
Come with me to Calvary..- “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do..”-
One of, it not the major “weapons” at our disposal is forgiveness. How many times a day do we forgive someone who has “stepped on our toes” or “ruffled our feathers?’ -Or worse yet, -“trespassed against us..”
I knew a man (who shall remain nameless to protect the guilty) who refused to forgive. In a perverted sort of way it feels kinda good to “hold a grudge”- doesn’t it? And this man, according to the way he was treated had a “right” to feel the way he did against his brothers. He was treated like a red-headed stepchild.. (with apologies to all the red-headed stepchildren). Unforgiveness is like an acid which eats the vessel that contains it. It’s called “bitterness” and it will eat on you.
Forgiveness costs us. We are the ones who have to pay, we must be willing to ‘pay the price’- and take the hit. How do wo do this? “looking unto Jesus”- how did He do it? He laid down His life for His friends and friends- He was (and is) the “friend of sinners.” We also must become the “friend of sinners” and show them the Way. The Way of forgiveness. I have been forgiven, you have been forgiven therefore we are able to forgive. We cannot give that which we do not possess, and until we are forgiven (by G-d) we will not be able to forgive those who trespass (in any way,shape,form or fashion) against us. We have received forgiveness, therefore we are able to forgive. We give what we have received (from Above)
Have you received what is available unto you? Have you sins, your trespasses, your blunders, your errors, your imperfection, your pride, your ego, your rebellious attitude towards G-d been forgiven? Have you been to Calvary? Have you fallen on your knees and cried with all beggars including yourself- Jesus thou Son of David -have mercy on me? -“Ask and you will receive, seek and your will find..-knock and it shall be opened unto you..- Friend, (and fellow sinner)- grace, G-d’s grace is available to any and all who ask..- It is available but we must avail ourselves of it. We receive it by faith.
Once Romans 8.1 is ours, then we are able to give that which we have received- ‘forgiveness.’ I use this just about every day I live,I have ‘opportunity’ to forgive someone. Practice forgiveness. Practice mercy. Practice compassion. Friends- it feels good to be forgiven and it actually is a relief to forgive as well! lol!- It’s all good!
This forgiveness rides across the spectrum. From family to foes- from “enemies without to enemies within”- forgiveness is both crucial and vital (life-giving). We are never more like Yeshua than when we forgive. Start with these words, “today, I will forgive _______.” “Try it.. -you’ll like it!!”
This reminds me of Psalm 85: The Psalmist begins with remembering God’s favor and grace, then asks: “Restore us again… Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? […] Show us your *unfailing love*…”
I read that the other day and was struck by how the Sons of Korah (the ones who wrote the Psalm) were still claiming that God’s love was unfailing, even though he was punishing them. It wasn’t a matter of God’s love only applying sometime: even when he was angry with his people, his love was still UNFAILING.
The key, I think, comes in verse 8: “He [the Lord] promises peace to his people, his saints – but let them not return to folly.”
We have on the one hand God’s promise towards us. He has already provided the grace, he has already provided the forgiveness. In 2 Peter 1:3 we even learn that “his divine power has given us ALL that pertains to life and godliness”. We already are offered everything we need. On the other hand is our choice, that is, our response to the promise. The key is not to return to folly. We have to receive the forgiveness. We have to receive the promise. And if we receive the promise, we receive it in the form of the Holy Spirit himself; God’s gifts are himself. That means that when we truly receive the promise, we receive a power that changes us.
Joel, very good, clear, concise way of progression to forgiveness & the power of the Holy Spirit within us…♥
Ms. Jan
” … She (Faint Heart) heard Jalyn’s( God’s) voice: ” give account of your stewardship.”
The huge screen displayed her life:
… Then her affair with Double Life began(to show)
She had never repented of her involvement with him. She had always felt the victim and laid the blame on Slander and Double Life(for deceiving and lying to her). This caused her to never take responsibility for her choices. As her life unfolded(on the big screen), she watched anger, bitterness and a desire for revenge multiply…. she actually blamed Jalyn(God) for her hardships. How could he have allowed it?
Her resentment and unforgiveness was being exposed as hard and relentless. However even with all this revealed before the great assembly, she was confident her previous strong commitment( believing in God) would secure her favor with the king. She dreaded a little scolding, but never saw what was coming…
( P47 the allegory of Affabel, Driven by Eternity, John Bevere)
I realize that none of the above shares in any way a Hebraic view, but God used this allegory and especially the characters Faint Heart and Deceived , to turn my life towards Him, Torah and seeking Truth. ( I have never read the book again or any other books of John). YHWH showed me and taught about forgiveness. I had a good life to back my beliefs,but my heary became hardened, the lobe within me died and like Faint Heart, I thought that it was not my fault. Others caused me to grow cold. I was Deceived! Forgiveness started my journey to freedom.
Today I had to apply what was learn t long ago:
This morning at around 8:15 Five armed gun men attempted to rob us on our farm. Fortunately we had just left the house, but the lady working for me was traumatized, but not seriously injured. ( And when the intruders could not find money or weapons, they did not take ANYTHING else,not my weddingring, laptop, nothing). So we were thinking ;” forgive them for they know not what they were doing?( Luke 23:34). Or do we wait for acknowledgment?
Thank Skip for this very timely TW and also Joel for your comment.
sorry should read: .. but my heart became hardened, the love within me died…..
Dearest Luzette,
I was so sorry to hear about the attempted robbery. You and I have talked a lot about a country that is now overrun with people who have NO legacy of God’s order in their lives. Chaos is the inevitable result of Man left to himself. I am glad, overjoyed, to hear that no one was hurt, but it saddens me to know that the beauty of South Africa is being destroyed by the greed for power and the racial politics of idolatry.
Skip, as you said:” God is in charge. Period. And what happens happens because it somehow fits His plan.” – totally not an easy concept for most to grasp. People just give us a sheepish stare, as if we have gone mad.
And yes, YHWH truly blessed us:1. He saved us from definite injury or death( for a reason?).
2. He made known our desires in our hearts, for a few years ago we would have been up in arms, ready to go to war – now we have gratitude and forgiveness.
3. The whole community knows that we don’t stash(or have) any money!
And yes it is sad that the beauty of SA that is being destroyed, but is it not something that is happening around the world? London is burning, in rurel Somalia people are dying of hunger-( you never ever see what the well fed leaders look like), Egypt, Siria, Israel, Guatamala, Mexico, America. Just because there’s NOT a war in the country or community does not mean that there is PEACE?
And to what few will we disciple in the mountains of Tibet or the icelands of Alaska?
A world driven by greed for resources, power and wealth is a world copying the Roman Empire. In fact, one interpretation of Revelation considers our present world simply the continuation of Rome, not yet defeated by the King of Kings. Yes, the whole world is in collapse, and not just economic. Spiritual idolatry precedes all other forms of decay. Maybe when I come to SA in January I should speak about Money, Sex and Power.
Very true, Luzette. I was saddened to hear about the calamity striking your home, but grateful for the tremendous blessing of YHWH. Praying for peace and healing for your and your affected employee.
Here in the US, this “land of opportunity” is going into the next step of entropy. The bands of marauding youth in Chicago, Philadelphia, and the gangs that are taking over small towns in the south, the bullies that wreak havoc with tender spirits in our schools…seem to be manifesting the spirit of the world that is pervasive in “high places”. The monster that lay beneath the surface of the nation founded in Christianity, has come out to show itself and does not appear ashamed! Our political bickering, in government and our homes and churches are significant examples of our being asleep while the spirit of anti-Christ drives the train.
It has been coming on us for quite some time, but we were blinded by our prosperity and being told that WE, as Christians are the light to the nations and all that replacement theology has lulled us to sleep. If the light within us is darkness, how great is that darkness!
The message of repentance was overshadowed by “God loves you just as you are” preaching, and our sin of willful ignorance has seemingly overtaken us. Teaching/Preaching the unadulterated truth could not have continued to sustain the religion of health, wealth and prosperity that has been perpetuated now for so many years. Our view of repentance was to turn to a religion’s doctrine rather than the Creator of the universe and His Way. May we turn to Him and no other, that we may be healed. May we accept His forgiveness as sons and daughters of the Most High, doing the works of our Father, with gratitude for whatever comes from Him. HE is our great reward! Praise YHWH!
Luzette, Skip,
Could we make that a DEFINITE on “Money, Sex and Power” for January and drop the “maybe”?
Mary, you don’t have a “reply” option either unless you chose not to…
i agree with everything you stated above & maybe that is how it has to go for the apostate church to take hold & for the end to come – there is a huge ball rolling that we truly don’t have any control over other than to make sure we are ready… ♥
jan