In life, forgiveness of others is necessary. But, as you also know, is sometimes very heard. Yet, Jesus insisted that we forgive others. As I recently thought through what Jesus taught, I made one observation that will help you forgive others in your life who need it or help you in the future as you face that challenge.
Jesus Challenges His Disciples to Forgive Others – Luke 17:1-10
In a discussion of sin and how it gets treated among disciples, Jesus made the following statement:
3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” (Luke 17:3-4)
Jesus makes a couple of key statements here that are important for us to understand forgiveness. Plus, I made one observation that will help you forgive others.
Self-Counsel
Notice, Jesus begins with Watch yourselves! Around our place, we simply call that Self-Counsel. In verse one, Jesus mentions that potentially leading someone else toward sin is inevitable. All of us sin. When we do, we sometimes wittingly or unwittingly encourage others to sin as well. Jesus refers to this as being a stumbling block. He then immediately says, “Watch yourselves!”
Both in regard to becoming a stumbling block to others and in regard to just living for Jesus in general, we must practice regular self-counsel. We begin with our own hearts. As we do, we make sure that our hearts are pure, sensitive, and open to God’s Word and His will. We seek to find out for what we are living. Again, this is the first step according to Jesus – start with your own heart!
Approach Your Brother or Sister Who Sinned
Then, Jesus instructs to go to your brother or sister who has sinned against you and rebuke that person. What does Jesus mean by rebuke the person? Here, he means to go warn them and express strong disapproval. Let that person know of their sin. Help the other individual know how God is not honored and the possible nature of that one becoming a stumbling block.
Forgive the Other Person
What is the goal? The goal is repentance. Jesus emphasizes this as the text continues.
“And if he repents, forgive him.”
If the individual acknowledges that sin did take place and takes responsibility for it, and says they want to pursue a heart and life change in order to honor the Lord, then forgive that person. Here the Bible calls this process repentance.
What must you do though in order to protect the integrity of this process and ensure that your heart is right with God?
You must begin with self-counsel. Before you go to the other person, in the process of checking your own heart, you determine that both your motive is correct (desiring repentance) and you are committed to forgiving the other individual. A check on your motive and a commitment to God to forgive provide the foundation for the forgiveness Jesus demands.
Repeat the Process as Necessary
Jesus then takes it at least one step (maybe even a dozen steps) forward. Jesus instructs:
“And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
Jesus teaches that if this process takes place up to seven times in one day, then repeat it as necessary. Here, do not let the number seven get you confused. Essentially, Jesus is not emphasizing a particular number of times; instead, He emphasizes to repeat the process as often as it requires.
As I noted above, this process requires a commitment to the motive and goal because it is hard.
One Observation that Will Help You Forgive
How is this type of forgiveness even possible? How can you live consistent with Jesus’ expectations of forgiving others as followers of His?
As I have thought through this process, one of the strongest paths to help you get to this place and remain where you are willing to forgive, even if it is up to seven times in one day, is the path of the Gospel in your own life. Consider what John wrote:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
John reminds us that each and every time we confess our sins (repentance as discussed above), then God, because of the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf, faithfully forgives us our sins and cleanses us from all our unrighteousness. Every. Single. Time.
Each and every time you sin. Each and every time you ask God to forgive you of that sin. Every single time God forgives you and clears all impediments of relationship with you when you ask.
Think about that for a second. No matter what your sin was or who it was against, God willingly forgives you. That’s incredible.
Friend, this is the Gospel. As a result of the incredible, sacrificial, substitutional atonement of Jesus Christ, God forgives you of your sin every single time you ask. He is faithful and righteous to do so every single time. No matter what you did, it does not matter. God continues to offer you forgiveness.
How Then Can You Forgive Others?
The one observation that can help you forgive others as they ask points back to an awareness of the Gospel. As you are aware, meditate upon, and rejoice in the forgiveness you receive in Christ by God every single time you ask, you can share that same forgiveness with others who also ask you.
Is this process easy? No. However, when you struggle, continue to look at your own journey in Christ, the forgiveness made available to you through Christ, and God’s faithfulness to always forgive. As you do, you will find forgiving others is much easier. The Gospel grants you the perspective you need to forgive others.
Image Credit Josue Escoto
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