Forgiveness
βοΈ Repentance is a pre-requisite to forgiveness.
We are taught to forgive, and many quote the parable of Jesus in Matthew 18:21-35 when discussing how often we are to forgive a brother, and the consequences of not forgiving.
However, one crucial aspect of forgiveness is rarely if ever mentioned; that he who commits the trespass must repent and tell the person against whom he has trespassed prior to forgiveness.
Just as 1 John 1:7-9 declares that God forgives us if we walk in the light and if we confess our sins, so too Jesus declares in Luke 17:3-4 that we are to rebuke those that trespass against us and if he repent, forgive him. Jesus emphasises the importance of repentance by stating that even if he trespasses against us seven times in a single day, each time he turns to us saying, I repent we forgive him.
Psalms 86:5 declares the Lord is ready to forgive all that call upon him, likewise Jesus commands us in Matthew 6:14-15 and Mark 11:25-26 to forgive from our heart every brother that repents from his trespass against us; warning if we donβt forgive then neither are we forgiven.
Paul shows us in 2 Corinthians 2:10 that when the trespass is against a group, no one person can forgive on the groupβs behalf without the consent of the group as a whole.
Weβve established that repentance is a pre-requisite to forgiveness. So, what do we do when those that trespass against us donβt repent?
In Matthew 18:15-17 Jesus commands that when a brother trespasses against us and refuses to hear our rebuke, or that of our witnesses, or that of the church, then we are to treat that person as an unbeliever.
Just as 1 Timothy 2:3-4 declares God desires all men to be saved, and Romans 3:24-26 declares that only those that believe in Jesus are saved, so too whilst our desire is to forgive all those that trespass against us, only those that repent and show the fruit of repentance are forgiven.
Matthew 5:23-24 and Luke 12:57-59 clearly show that forgiveness does not remove the requirement for restoration by the one that committed the trespass. Restoration, as prescribed in Leviticus 6:4-5 and Proverbs 6:30-31, is a fruit of repentance from the choice to do that which is lawful and right, Ezekiel 33:14-16.
Supporting scriptures
βοΈ Luke 17:3-4
3. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
4. 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.
β Psalms 86:5
5. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
β 1 John 1:7-9
7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
β Romans 3:24-26
24. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25. Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26. To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
β 1 Timothy 2:3-4
3. For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
β 2 Corinthians 2:10
10. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
β Matthew 18:15-17
15. Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16. But if he will not hear [thee, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
οΌ Matthew 6:14-15
14. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
οΌ Matthew 18:21-35
21. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22. Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took [him] by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33. Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34. And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
οΌ Mark 11:25-26
25. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
βοΈ Leviticus 6:4-5
4. Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,
5. Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering.
β Proverbs 6:30-31
30. [Men] do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31. But [if] he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
β Ezekiel 33:14-16
14. Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;
15. If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.
16. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.
β Matthew 5:23-24
23. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24. Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
β Luke 12:57-59
57. Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
58. When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
59. I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.