PODCAST
A Christian Perspective on Forgiveness
January 23rd, 2013
2 Corinthians 1:23—2:11
Christians are not immune to making mistakes, bad judgments, and erroneous interpretations of what others may say or do. The Corinthian congregation had a number of internal spiritual problems. It appears there was an open contention with Paul–perhaps regarding his authority. This caused him a great deal of consternation. Further, the whole Corinthian congregation was troubled that one of its members was creating trouble for the apostle.
When Paul heard of the incident he did not take it lightly. While there may have been a knee-jerk reaction to bring some sort of punishment to the perpetrator, Paul asked the congregation to exercise Christian grace and affection to the offender and to perpetuate a spirit of forgiveness with the grace of Christian comfort.
There was a divine purpose for such forgiveness and comfort. The powers of evil (Satan) would be outwitted by such a loving, forgiving, comforting posture shown in the joint attitude of Paul and the congregation.
This might be a good time for all of us to appraise our actions and reactions to some problem areas in our own life and even within our own congregation.
Author: Richard H. Neiderhiser
January 23rd, 2013 at 2:58 am
When Jesus stated that we should forgive 77 times in Matthew 18:21-22, it was foreshadowed back in Genesis 4:23-24 by Lamech’s statement regarding God’s vengeance for his sin.
Few understand God’s vengeance upon Cain as in his inheritance line. It took 6 children before the 7th child (Cain’s look-a-like or name sake) was born; whereas, it took 77 generations (according to Luke) before God’s name-sake (Our Savior) was born. The first sin of Adam’s disobedience (carried forward to his first born and beyond) and Abel’s blessing for his righteousness carried forward to his “replacement” — Seth.
Jesus fulfilled the “atonement law” and the “religious law” but He didn’t fulfill the sins of sins of the father issue due to the fact that His Father is without sin.
Now, we only have the blessings that go along with the righteousness of Christ, other than the sins of the parents portraying bad examples and strongholds upon the children.
Human nature is to take revenge upon the person who has wrong us; however, God is our judge (Hebrews 4:12) and avenger (Romans 12:19). We are to rely upon the Holy Spirit to fight our battles (2 Corinthians 10:4) and not hinder the outcome with fleshly desires (particularly non-forgiveness with which words and actions do not reflect love).