Since we live in a fairly “churched culture,” I think it’s safe to assume that most people (particularly readers of this blog) have probably heard the message of forgiveness found in the gospel of Jesus. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s safe for me to assume that everyone understands the absolute centrality of forgiveness in the cross of Christ and the implications that has for us.
Forgiveness is central to understanding Jesus and the path he calls his followers to tread. Forgiveness is difficult and at its most basic level requires sacrifice by somebody. A simple but accurate understanding of sin is debt. Forgiveness provides the payment required to settle the account. When we wrong somebody—God, spouse, friends—debt is incurred. In order for the debt to be paid, someone must sacrifice. Allow me to use a simple illustration.
Imagine you lend your lawnmower to your neighbor. Upon mowing his lawn he proceeds to mow over a pile of rocks that utterly destroys your lawnmower. Though his intent was not malicious—a debt was still incurred. Either your neighbor will need to replace your lawnmower and be out $200 or you will “forgive” him and absorb the debt yourself, either by replacing it or choosing to be “that guy” on the block and not mow your lawn anymore. Regardless of the outcome, a debt must be paid by somebody.
Biblical forgiveness means giving up the right to seek repayment from the one who harmed you. This definition (unashamedly borrowed from Tim Keller!) provides new insight to Jesus’ words as he hung on a cross between two common criminals.
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” –Luke 23:34
Jesus chose to absorb the debt of those who wronged him. The ambiguous nature of “them” provides great comfort for the world. Jesus was certainly speaking of the Roman soldiers who physically punished him and placed him on the cross; but many more can find themselves in the “them” of this text.
Friday was all about forgiveness. The work of the Roman soldiers accurately represented our sympathies toward God—hatred, rebellion, evil—while Jesus’ proclamation of forgiveness displayed his willingness to absorb the debt we owe to God for these sympathies. As unruly people who constantly incur debt against a perfectly holy God, a great sacrifice must be made. Either we will pay for our own debt for eternity in hell; OR, we will look to the Infinite One who paid the debt in full for us. Jesus made good for our debt owed to God.
Are you looking for a way to pay back God apart from faith in Jesus—religion, works, social justice? Jesus alone is sufficient to pay your debt and bring about genuine forgiveness. The implications for life after forgiveness are endless, unfortunately Scott has a “500 word rule”…next up, Sabbath…
By: Adam Viramontes
Showing posts with label Forgiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Forgiveness. Show all posts
Friday, April 22, 2011
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Tug O' War and Wrinkles
We all know it too well - the tug o' war of life. In marriage it is experienced all too often. The wife is really good at cleaning, and the husband is not. Or, one is really good at confronting, while the other is really good at waiting (both are needed).
In our house, Katie is really good at remembering very small details about our lives - like family birthdays, household chores that need to be done, doctor and dentist appointments, and so on. I, on the other hand, am horrible with remembering small details. If it were up to me, the kids wouldn't go to their checkups or the dentist! I'm doing good just to feed them when Katie is not around! I simply don't remember. But, I think I do a decent job steering the family in the direction of God's will for our lives. Big decisions are easier for me (I think) than for Katie. We are a great team.
However, because one person's strength is the other's weakness, opportunity often arises to become frustrated. Just think of it. Because Katie is so good with remembering things, she cannot comprehend (unless she stops to think about it) how or why I am not. So, when I forget to call my mom on her birthday (which I did last year!), she (Katie) gets a bit frustrated. Let the tug o' war begin!
What we have hear is a wonderful situation, but one that could easily go bad. This is the tug o' war of life in relationships. And it happens in other arenas as well - not just marriage. Sit back and think of the friends that God has given to you. Are they strong in an area where you are particularly weak? If so, isn't that a great gift? Sure it is. But like I said earlier, this gift is also fragile. Your strong friend is gonna be quick to see your weaknesses. And vise versa. He/she is going to be quick to see the "wrinkles" in your life and character. And when our wrinkles rub up against the wrinkles of another - again, let the tug o' war begin!
Every human experiences this - Christian and non-Christian alike. It is the Christian, however, that has the only reasonable way of using such occasions (tug o' wars and wrinkles) for their God-ordained purposes. The Gospel is our guide and help to use these for the edification, encouragement, and strengthening of our brother or sister. The Gospel is the only way to take the "tug" out of the "war" as it shows us where our wrinkles can be dealt with properly and peacefully - namely, to the Prince of Peace who has already fought the war (by the way, a "wrinkle" is closely related to sin - it is that part of us that frustrates, offends, or hurts others).
C.S. Lewis said in one of his books (I can't remember which one) that "we all have wrinkles in our lives that God has no intention of ironing out." In other words, God has decided to allow sin to linger in each and every one of our lives. As John Owen said, "Sin still dwells, but it no long has dominion."
I am thankful for honest friends. Last night one of them said something to the effect of, "It has been so encouraging learning the right way to relate to each other in our marriage, and how to handle arguments and such. But it is so frustrating to be in the heat of an argument (which is another way of saying - a tug o' war caused by wrinkles rubbing together:), and not implementing what I have learned." I totally understand what she was talking about. Thank you AP for your honesty.
Well, why is that? Why does it seem that as Christians we learn exactly how to deal with a situation, but when we get into it, we throw it out the window? Why does sin still linger? Why is it that we are so weak at those moments when we need to be so strong? Where is God?
He is there. Oh yes, He is there. And He will gladly take our strength in order to bring us to confession of our weaknesses. He will gladly show us the futility of tug o' war - where either you keep using all of your energy pulling your way, just to have the other pulling their way; getting weaker by the second to see the situation going nowhere - or to see the other fall flat on their face. There is no victory in either case. So why allow it God?
The answer is clear. Drop the rope and look to Christ in faith and repentance. Our goal in seeing the wrinkles in others is not to show them how strong we are by pulling the rope harder than they do. That's not real strength. Christ showed His superior strength, not in condemning us, but in saving us when He had every right to condemn us. When He had every right to beat us for our sins, He took a beating for our sins. When He had every right to fight us, He forgave us. Think of it this way. How much strength does it take to see and show someone that they are wrong? None at all. Anyone can do that (for the most part). Now, think about how much strength it takes to forgive them...to help them in their weakness...to take their sins to the Cross. It takes divine strength.
What lesson does the Gospel teach us? When we play tug o' war, we can expect to get really tired and to fall flat on our face. Wrinkles are no occasion for fighting - but they are great occasions for forgiving. And when we do fight and fall on our face (namely, by not implementing what we know we are supposed to do), we understand that this is a perfect opportunity to glorify Christ in repentance, forgiveness and faith. It is a great opportunity to see just how strong our God is!
In our house, Katie is really good at remembering very small details about our lives - like family birthdays, household chores that need to be done, doctor and dentist appointments, and so on. I, on the other hand, am horrible with remembering small details. If it were up to me, the kids wouldn't go to their checkups or the dentist! I'm doing good just to feed them when Katie is not around! I simply don't remember. But, I think I do a decent job steering the family in the direction of God's will for our lives. Big decisions are easier for me (I think) than for Katie. We are a great team.
However, because one person's strength is the other's weakness, opportunity often arises to become frustrated. Just think of it. Because Katie is so good with remembering things, she cannot comprehend (unless she stops to think about it) how or why I am not. So, when I forget to call my mom on her birthday (which I did last year!), she (Katie) gets a bit frustrated. Let the tug o' war begin!
What we have hear is a wonderful situation, but one that could easily go bad. This is the tug o' war of life in relationships. And it happens in other arenas as well - not just marriage. Sit back and think of the friends that God has given to you. Are they strong in an area where you are particularly weak? If so, isn't that a great gift? Sure it is. But like I said earlier, this gift is also fragile. Your strong friend is gonna be quick to see your weaknesses. And vise versa. He/she is going to be quick to see the "wrinkles" in your life and character. And when our wrinkles rub up against the wrinkles of another - again, let the tug o' war begin!
Every human experiences this - Christian and non-Christian alike. It is the Christian, however, that has the only reasonable way of using such occasions (tug o' wars and wrinkles) for their God-ordained purposes. The Gospel is our guide and help to use these for the edification, encouragement, and strengthening of our brother or sister. The Gospel is the only way to take the "tug" out of the "war" as it shows us where our wrinkles can be dealt with properly and peacefully - namely, to the Prince of Peace who has already fought the war (by the way, a "wrinkle" is closely related to sin - it is that part of us that frustrates, offends, or hurts others).
C.S. Lewis said in one of his books (I can't remember which one) that "we all have wrinkles in our lives that God has no intention of ironing out." In other words, God has decided to allow sin to linger in each and every one of our lives. As John Owen said, "Sin still dwells, but it no long has dominion."
I am thankful for honest friends. Last night one of them said something to the effect of, "It has been so encouraging learning the right way to relate to each other in our marriage, and how to handle arguments and such. But it is so frustrating to be in the heat of an argument (which is another way of saying - a tug o' war caused by wrinkles rubbing together:), and not implementing what I have learned." I totally understand what she was talking about. Thank you AP for your honesty.
Well, why is that? Why does it seem that as Christians we learn exactly how to deal with a situation, but when we get into it, we throw it out the window? Why does sin still linger? Why is it that we are so weak at those moments when we need to be so strong? Where is God?
He is there. Oh yes, He is there. And He will gladly take our strength in order to bring us to confession of our weaknesses. He will gladly show us the futility of tug o' war - where either you keep using all of your energy pulling your way, just to have the other pulling their way; getting weaker by the second to see the situation going nowhere - or to see the other fall flat on their face. There is no victory in either case. So why allow it God?
The answer is clear. Drop the rope and look to Christ in faith and repentance. Our goal in seeing the wrinkles in others is not to show them how strong we are by pulling the rope harder than they do. That's not real strength. Christ showed His superior strength, not in condemning us, but in saving us when He had every right to condemn us. When He had every right to beat us for our sins, He took a beating for our sins. When He had every right to fight us, He forgave us. Think of it this way. How much strength does it take to see and show someone that they are wrong? None at all. Anyone can do that (for the most part). Now, think about how much strength it takes to forgive them...to help them in their weakness...to take their sins to the Cross. It takes divine strength.
What lesson does the Gospel teach us? When we play tug o' war, we can expect to get really tired and to fall flat on our face. Wrinkles are no occasion for fighting - but they are great occasions for forgiving. And when we do fight and fall on our face (namely, by not implementing what we know we are supposed to do), we understand that this is a perfect opportunity to glorify Christ in repentance, forgiveness and faith. It is a great opportunity to see just how strong our God is!
Monday, August 30, 2010
How Many Bullets Do You Have in Your Gun?
An old friend (who was not a believer) once told me that he carried around an imaginary gun in his pocket. Every time his wife did something wrong, particularly against him, he would remain silent, all the while putting a metaphorical "bullet" in his gun for future use. Then, at some future date, when he did something wrong, he would pull out the gun and shoot her with it - in other words, he would unleash war upon her with a list of all of her previous wrongs.
It's easy to look at this situation and see the major flaws. This is no way to live in the home. This is a marriage that will not last unless it is rescued by the power of the Gospel. But, I would bet that we all have "guns" and we all, at times, like to load them. What are we to do? How do we end the miserable cycle? Well, I am no expert, but I know who is.
Christ is the remedy. But how? Sure, it's easy to say that He is, but what does that mean? Is it realistic to think that a simple fact - that Christ died - can help in the heat of the battle? I mean, come on! How does a man dying on a cross, over 2000 years ago, help our situation? Here is at least one way:
Consider Col 3:3, "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." or, Gal 2:20 where Paul says, "I have been crucified with Christ."
Bullets are instruments of punishment. When we "shoot" others we are attempting to vindicate ourselves by their punishment. This is tremendously crafty. It's very difficult for a sinner on trial to place another (namely, us) on trial. That's why we let the stored up bullets fly when our faults are exposed.
There is a serious problem with this though. A person who sins against us cannot possibly pay for the sins they have committed against us. When we try and vindicate ourselves, we really condemn ourselves. Why? B/c we find satisfaction in seeing them pay outside of the Cross. We shoot and say, "Debt paid." Well, no. The debt is not paid! And if we think that our little bullet is enough, we are selfish and unjust. We care only that we feel better about the situation and care nothing at all about God's justice being satisfied.
If we truly stored up bullets for the sake of justice, we would take the matter to the highest court and forsake the temptation to settle it in the courtroom of our mind and emotions. If we were truly concerned with justice, we would let God handle it. We would let Him prononce the punishment. We would let Him shoot!
Now, for the gospel. God has already pronounced and exacted the punishment. He has already shot His vindicative "bullet." It is called the Cross of Christ. And those who place their faith in Christ are so united with Him that His death can be called their death as well. Amazing. What does this look like in an argument in the home or among friends?
Billy shoots his bullet at his wife Betty saying, "You did this and that the other day! You treated me miserably!" Betty then sets her mind on Christ and understands that Billy's bullets cannot kill her. Her sins have been punished already. In reality, Billy is shooting someone who has already died, in Christ. She says, "Yes, Billy you are right. I am a sinner and I did do this and that. I repent. Will you forgive me?"
Billy, looking surprised, puts his gun down. It doesn't make since shooting a dead person. It is unjust to make Betty pay for sins that Christ has already justly paid for. He repents saying, "Betty, I am sorry for being so crummy. I am sorry for not seeing you in Christ. He thinks to himself, "Yes, she sinned against me - but I will take that to the Cross and see her sins punished there." He then says to his wife, "I have sinned against you and God. I have tried to settle this matter myself. Of course I forgive you, but I'm the one that needs forgiveness. Will you forgive me?"
I know this is easier said than done. But it must be said first...well, it has already. The Word is sufficient for us. Praise God that in Christ we have died and, in Christ, we now live!
It's easy to look at this situation and see the major flaws. This is no way to live in the home. This is a marriage that will not last unless it is rescued by the power of the Gospel. But, I would bet that we all have "guns" and we all, at times, like to load them. What are we to do? How do we end the miserable cycle? Well, I am no expert, but I know who is.
Christ is the remedy. But how? Sure, it's easy to say that He is, but what does that mean? Is it realistic to think that a simple fact - that Christ died - can help in the heat of the battle? I mean, come on! How does a man dying on a cross, over 2000 years ago, help our situation? Here is at least one way:
Consider Col 3:3, "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." or, Gal 2:20 where Paul says, "I have been crucified with Christ."
Bullets are instruments of punishment. When we "shoot" others we are attempting to vindicate ourselves by their punishment. This is tremendously crafty. It's very difficult for a sinner on trial to place another (namely, us) on trial. That's why we let the stored up bullets fly when our faults are exposed.
There is a serious problem with this though. A person who sins against us cannot possibly pay for the sins they have committed against us. When we try and vindicate ourselves, we really condemn ourselves. Why? B/c we find satisfaction in seeing them pay outside of the Cross. We shoot and say, "Debt paid." Well, no. The debt is not paid! And if we think that our little bullet is enough, we are selfish and unjust. We care only that we feel better about the situation and care nothing at all about God's justice being satisfied.
If we truly stored up bullets for the sake of justice, we would take the matter to the highest court and forsake the temptation to settle it in the courtroom of our mind and emotions. If we were truly concerned with justice, we would let God handle it. We would let Him prononce the punishment. We would let Him shoot!
Now, for the gospel. God has already pronounced and exacted the punishment. He has already shot His vindicative "bullet." It is called the Cross of Christ. And those who place their faith in Christ are so united with Him that His death can be called their death as well. Amazing. What does this look like in an argument in the home or among friends?
Billy shoots his bullet at his wife Betty saying, "You did this and that the other day! You treated me miserably!" Betty then sets her mind on Christ and understands that Billy's bullets cannot kill her. Her sins have been punished already. In reality, Billy is shooting someone who has already died, in Christ. She says, "Yes, Billy you are right. I am a sinner and I did do this and that. I repent. Will you forgive me?"
Billy, looking surprised, puts his gun down. It doesn't make since shooting a dead person. It is unjust to make Betty pay for sins that Christ has already justly paid for. He repents saying, "Betty, I am sorry for being so crummy. I am sorry for not seeing you in Christ. He thinks to himself, "Yes, she sinned against me - but I will take that to the Cross and see her sins punished there." He then says to his wife, "I have sinned against you and God. I have tried to settle this matter myself. Of course I forgive you, but I'm the one that needs forgiveness. Will you forgive me?"
I know this is easier said than done. But it must be said first...well, it has already. The Word is sufficient for us. Praise God that in Christ we have died and, in Christ, we now live!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
To Forgive or Not to Forgive those Who are Unrepentant
There have been many discussions on this topic. I know I always thought that I must forgive everyone the same - those who repent and those who do not. Then I read Pink's take on the whole issue where he states and emphasizes the 'if they repent' clause, then you forgive (from Luke 17). This is tricky. Why? B/c it can be easily abused. There is no license in Scripture to keep a grudge against those who have offended and have not repented. But, at the same time, we do desire to take the Scripture seriously ('if' clauses and all).
Here is Piper's take on it which I find very enlightening and comforting. It is perhaps the most balanced view that I have read.
He states:
Forgiveness of an unrepentant person doesn't look the same as forgiveness of a repentant person.
In fact I am not sure that in the Bible the term forgiveness is ever applied to an unrepentant person. Jesus said in Luke 17:3-4, "Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him." So there's a sense in which full forgiveness is only possible in response to repentance.
But even when a person does not repent (cf. Matthew 18:17), we are commanded to love our enemy and pray for those who persecute us and do good to those who hate us (Luke 6:27).
The difference is that when a person who wronged us does not repent with contrition and confession and conversion (turning from sin to righteousness), he cuts off the full work of forgiveness. We can still lay down our ill will; we can hand over our anger to God; we can seek to do him good; but we cannot carry through reconciliation or intimacy.
The whole message can be found HERE.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)