Nougat 24

When we talk about forgiveness, there is the tendency to separate types of sin and offensive actions. Today’s Holy Nougat asks that we think it through.

“Then Peter came to Him and said, “Master, how often shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”” Matthew‬ ‭18:21‬ ‭TLV‬‬

So yesterday when we explored the possible reasons behind Peter’s question, I found myself wondering what if it was a particular issue that generated it. You know, when we find ourselves declaring our ability to overlook most things But for … (insert your pet peeve). Someone I know cannot abide lies. They can overlook many things; but friendships end in the presence of lies. It is the unforgivable sin, the deal-breaker.

I suspect that many of us have our own deal-breakers, over which we are likely to be unyielding. But, would we make exceptions for particular persons committing the same infraction? And is that when we ask Peter’s question?

For others of us, it is not the infraction that is the real problem; rather it is the person. We can tolerate most things, until such person is involved. It could be that there’s another unforgivable issue that hasn’t been resolved as yet; hence everything else is a grave problem. I know I’ve been guilty of that before – have you found yourself there?

The irony is, we can often justify WHY the situation is unforgivable; yet we fail to see the difference in our responses to others doing the same thing. Sometimes we are guilty of the same thing! But double standards have a way of haunting us sometimes, so we really ought to be careful.

Jesus warns us in Matthew 7 (the end of the Sermon on the Mount), that we must guard against judgement as it may come back to bite us. We know that, and many would agree with Him. What we may miss in that warning is that unforgiveness IS an act of judgement! Yes it is. For in the act of declaring the action or person unforgivable, we have tried the case in our hearts; weighed in the balance and found them wanting (short). And our verdict becomes; ‘Beyond Redemption’. It may not be conscious, but that’s our final word.

Of a truth, there are some heinous crimes that earn the right to punishment on this side of eternity; but do the punishments actually result in transformation or even rehabilitation of the perpetrator? Or is that to appease our hurts/anger? And does sentencing change how we truly feel about the situation?

Without looking at Jesus response, let’s allow the shoe to be on the other foot for a moment. Whether the perpetrator was intentional about hurting or not, what would we wish to be done to us if we were the guilty one? For the balance we use to judge one has a tendency to swing back in judgement of us. Are we open to being refused forgiveness?

God’s plan is for Grace to be extended inasmuch as it is sought or received. It surely is NOT an easy one. But by God’s Spirit we press on.

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May all we seek be found in Christ