Abstract
Authentic Forgiveness and Unity
Being quick to forgive is one of the greatest of virtues because it reflects the character of God, who is infinitely merciful. There is always the temptation to be merciless if wronged. Jesus discussed excluding someone, as opposed to forgiving (v. 17), which compelled Peter to ask how often should one forgive an erring believer prior to that no longer being an option (v. 21). By means of a parable, Jesus illustrated the attitude to have toward individuals who are indebted to someone else as a result of their sin (vv. 22–35).
Jesus condemned an unforgiving attitude because his followers have received limitless forgiveness from the heavenly Father. Therefore, one should never be slow to forgive. Authentic forgiveness does not have any limits (vv. 21–27) and should even make a person merciful toward people who offend (vv. 28–30). Ephesians 4:32 declares this rationale as follows: ‘Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.’
For a person to be unforgiving who has been forgiven so much is simple wickedness (vv. 31–34). Jesus’ parable made the evil of such conduct evident, and illustrated how terribly blind people can be sometimes to their own sinful conduct. Authentic forgiveness is required from those who are forgiven and should arise ‘from the heart’ (v. 35). Sometimes, however, forgiveness can be difficult because one does not recognize how God overrules for good all the evil that one may experience (cf. Gen 50.15–21). When a person has faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, God forgives a tremendous debt so that anything someone perceives he or she is due is certainly inconsequential by comparison. A habitual lack of forgiveness reflects a heart unchanged by the love of God. Praise the Lord for his mercies to his people (Ps 103:[1–7], 8–13)!
What joy to know the free gift of salvation! God’s forgiveness of one’s debt of sin is reason to be forgiving and merciful toward others. James 2:13 states, ‘For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.’ The possession of humility is proven by radical action. God exalts the humble, and humbles the proud (23:12). The only people that God forgives are those who know they are sinners, and who admit and confess inability to do anything to earn or merit his forgiveness. How shall those who died to sin live any longer therein? Christians are those who have been loved, called, and forgiven so that the old self is crucified with Christ. Remember God’s calling and where you were. Do not neglect the love of Christ by forgetting the greatness of his forgiveness and that you can accomplish nothing without Him.
Problems are natural to develop among believers. How should God’s people humbly interact with one another when problems arise? Christians are to be unified in their witness for God, but they cannot do so if they are not cohesive in their daily lives. The Christian unity that the Bible demands requires forgiveness (as an evidence of love) and unity that exemplifies the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. Unity is a direct consequence of forgiveness and humility, liberty and love (cf. John 13:35).
Anglican minister Charles Kingsley stated memorably, ‘There are two freedoms—the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where a man is free to do what he ought.’ In a manner similar to people today, the nation of Israel struggled with the two freedoms that Kingsley identified. Christian maturity involves using one’s freedom for edification as opposed to self-centered purposes because much responsibility is inherent with it, such as trusting God (Exod 14:19–3 1; Ps 114) and praising the Lord (Exod 15:1b–11, 20–21).
Romans 14 communicates five principles for living in harmony with fellow believers, particularly in regard to Christian freedom. First, ‘accept the one who is weak in faith.’ The Greek word (proslambanesthe) translated ‘accept’ means ‘to receive’ to one’s self, and therefore implies affection and friendship. Whereas it is easy to deny or isolate someone because they do not regard things like us, Scripture condemns such exclusivism toward a fellow believer. There is also a warning in verse 1: ‘accept the one who is weak in faith’ not for the purpose of argument or belittlement; rather, because the immature believer needs Christian fellowship.
Second, have a mutual respect toward one another (14:3–4). The discussion is addressed to the ‘weak in faith’ and the strong in faith. The weaker believer who is more sensitive in his/her observations is not to judge those who are not. Both the weak and strong in faith are ‘not to regard’ each other ‘with contempt’ (14:3; cf. Luke 23:11). Christians are not to have behavior toward one another that is the same derisive attitude that unbelievers have toward spiritual things. ‘The Lord’ is the Master, and it is to Him that each Christian will give an account for his/her actions (14:4).
Third, personal convictions are not what are most important (14:5–6). What is important is that each believer is ‘fully convinced in his own mind’. Each believer should study the Scripture diligently to have his/her behavior conform to its teaching. When a Christian’s behavior conforms to the Bible, his/her convictions become personal ones. When this occurs, he/she ‘gives thanks to God’ for the privilege of either abstaining or participating (14:6).
Fourth, ‘live for the Lord’ whether abstaining or participating in an activity (14:7–8). ‘For not one of us lives for himself . . . for if we live, we live for the Lord.’ Behavior is not a matter of personal preference; it is a matter of submitting to the lordship of Jesus Christ. God’s glory is foremost!
Fifth, the lordship of Christ is something that every believer should consider solemnly. Verses 10–12 remind, ‘each one of us will give an account of himself to God’ (cf. 1 Cor 3:9–15; 2 Cor 5:10). The judgment will not be to determine salvation ‘for by grace [are we] saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God’ (Eph 2:8). The works of every believer will be judged, in addition to actions and motives. Christians are to live their lives with consideration that the Lord Jesus Christ will assess the worth of our service.
Many championship games have occurred or are still occurring, after which only one team will be able to say, ‘We’re number one’! The greatest burden of the Lord Jesus for His followers was unity (oneness). When fellow saints are united based upon common faith/trust in Jesus Christ, there is a tangible, visible witness to the world (cf. John 17:20–26). Among believers in Jesus Christ, the chant should be, ‘We’re one’!