If, Then...

Sinning, Rebuking, Repenting, Apologizing, Forgiving…

Today my thoughts continue to rest on a few concepts we are familiar with, and while I am not writing on a specific text, if I had to pick one it would be Luke 17:3-5. Very simple biblical commands of “if this, then that”.

Sinning really does not need much explanation, I trust that is a fair statement. We are good at sinning. And where there is sin, there needs to be repentance and forgiveness. God’s plan is very clear in very simple fashion in this text. I’m also fairly certain that when we sin, we know we do. Yet it can often happen that we are convinced of something one way or the other, and we may sin against someone and not be readily aware that the other party was sinned against. So we sin, agree?

Now, if someone sins against me, I am to rebuke that person (I’ll use “he/him” just to make things easy to type). If he sins against me, I must rebuke him. Note that Christ does not say “you can rebuke him if you like”, rather “if he sins, rebuke him.” We can talk proper rebuke another time; let’s just keep in mind that rebuke, whether gentle or harsh, is to be for the purpose of restoring a relationship, not destroying it. And in the Luke account here, the word form used in the word “rebuke” is indeed actually a very gentle form. In other NT references, when apostles are challenged with heresy, the rebuke is harsh and designed to preserve sound doctrine. Both rebukes are serious, and when dealing believer to believer, firmness with a gentle spirit is the desired form.

OK, rebuke takes place, now what? Repentance. If he repents (implying that he actually may not), then forgive him. Forgiveness is not a choice if he repents. So, a word (OK, several) on forgiveness. Biblically, the word is literally to mean “not remember”. And just to sound confusing, this is NOT forgetting. That is, “to not remember” is different than “forgetting”. The implication is that I could remember, but I choose not to. God could remember our old lost state, but since we have been saved, He looks on Christ, and chooses to “not remember” as it pertains to salvation. That is one amazing forgiveness! Naturally, the point is then if God can forgive me, surely I can forgive another.

And forgiveness is total. I must choose to “not remember” or “not recall” the sin to that person, to others, or to myself in my thoughts. If believers could get good at repenting and forgiving, wow, how great our relationships would actually be! And the process repeats, because we sin repeatedly, as seen by verse 4. If he sins against you again, and repents, then forgive.

Side note, we get “apologetics” from “apology”, which is actually a defense of one’s position or statements. In essence, to “apologize” is to defend one’s actions, and is greatly different from repenting. There is a time and place for both, and when we sin against another, we are to repent. “I’m sorry for_________, please forgive me.” No excuses. If explanation is needed, we should allow for that, and then ultimately we still need to end on repentance if sin has occurred.

I’m not sure which hurts more, being sinned against, or being unforgiven. Then again, I suppose they are the same. If someone has repented and not been forgiven, then the person who is not doing the forgiving is also sinning, so in essence being sinned against and being unforgiven will likely produce the same empty feeling. And they do. Just as not forgiving someone else leaves that same emptiness. “But he doesn’t deserve it!” Yeah I know, just like we did not deserve forgiveness through Christ. Praise God we are forgiven!

And I’m also not sure which gives a greater feeling, being forgiving TO someone or being truly forgiven BY someone. I say we try our hand at good repenting, and good forgiving, and God will work it out to His wonderful glory.

Verse 5: “Increase our faith.” Indeed. May that be our prayer as well.