Two-way Street

Many concepts in the Christian life (and secular, for that matter) are, to use a well-worn cliche, two-way streets.  That is, they require participation by two parties to be effective, or even feasible.  For example, giving and receiving, communication (speaking and listening), you get the idea. 

I believe the most serious Biblical two-way street between believers is repentance and forgiveness.  To be forgiven, one must be truly repentant.  If one is repentant, the other must be truly forgiving.

Scripture is very clear on this notion of forgiveness, going back into the Old Testament.  Isaiah 43:25 and Jeremiah 31:34 show God dealing with much sin, much unrepentance, and yet He knows that those who are truly His people will indeed come around, and will seek forgiveness and restoration, and it is then that He "remembers their sin no more." 

This is an interesting concept, but first, think beyond what we think of as "remember."  We often equate "to not remember" with "forgetting."  This is not the case here.  God does not forget sin, He chooses to not remember.  If you think I am practicing double-speak, I understand, but this is not so.

The word/phrase used by God, as inscripturated in the Hebrew, is more literally "to not recall to mind" or "to not bring up again," with both options being related to a pronouncement of guilt toward the offender.  Think about that...Sinners, guilty before God, in need of reconciliation, are offered the certainty of having God not bring the sin up when it comes to being in relationship with Him.  Wow!

Colossians 3:13, and several other passages, show that if believers are forgiven by God, they must be forgiving of each other.  Same concept as above, and way more than mere words of "I forgive you."  We are to behave just as God did.  It's hard, but the right thing to do, always.  And that makes it easy for the mature believer.

Repentance is this: A turn of direction regarding one's sin.  Actually saying I'm sorry without offering excuses and reasons for the behavior.  Actually asking for forgiveness.  It's hard, but the right thing to do, always.

Forgiveness is this.  Refusing to bring up the issue again, EVER!  Refusing to bring up the issue again, ever, to God, to the offender, and in your own thoughts, EVER! It's hard, but the right thing to do, always.

When one repents and asks someone to forgive him, he rightly expects a believer to give an answer.  Some answer "No", "Maybe later" or "Yes."  Sadly, some never answer the question, assuming time will simply heal their non-response.  Some people actually say they forgive, and then bring the issue up again.  Biblically, that is not forgiveness.  Biblically, believers can never personally reconcile when both repentance and forgiveness have not taken place. 

It's all hard, and it's always the right thing to do.  And that actually makes it easy for the mature believer willing to grow.

So how are we doing with our repenting and our forgiving?

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Holding Fast to the Name of our Creator