Christian Challenge International

"Ask the Pastor"

We frequently receive questions in email from people about doctrine, practice, etc. From time to time we will post the questions and the answers here on the web page. If you'd like to submit a question, simply email our pastor at Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org or use the form below.

October 8, 2000

Arnold,

There is a lot to be said about forgiveness. I'll touch on a couple
of things.

> Would you describe what the term "forgivenesss" means, exactly? How
> would the Jesus' words for this be taken, in modern, American English
> terms?

Our English word for forgive means to excuse for a fault or an
offense; to pardon. It also carries the idea of renouncing
resentment against the person that we forgive. It can also mean to
resolved from the payment of a debt.

The Bible word means much the same thing. The primary New
Testament word for forgive is 'aphiemi.' It means to send off or send
away, to pardon or cancel; to dismiss. Whether there is repentance
involved depends on the case.

There are more than one variable with repentance. On the cross
Jesus "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are
doing." (Luke 23:34) In this case the Lord released the Roman
soldiers even though they had not repented. The reason was that
they did not understand what was going on with Jesus. Their sin
was ignorance.

Jesus said the Jewish authorities who had turned Him over to
Pilate were charged with a greater sin. It seems they knew exactly
what they were doing, and their sin was with malice and foresight.
Their sin was not forgiven. (John 19:11)

> Luke 17:3 states, "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass
> against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him." It seems
> clear that we should expect repentance before we forgive a brother's
> trespasses, else there would be no need for that phrase "if he repent"
> and it could read, rebuke and then forgive him." This seems
> parallel with repenting from our sins for forgiveness of them from
> God.

Yes, if a brother repents, we are never to withhold our
forgiveness. This does not mean that the sin cannot be
addressed properly. Sometimes a restitution is required.

The problem with unforgiveness is that it is an issue of the heart.
Forgiveness acts as a healing balm in the believer. If we have a
situation where we refuse to forgive a person that person has a
certain amount of control over our lives whether we like it or not.

In Luke 17:3 the Lord draws attention to a case where a 'brother'
repents and asks forgiveness. The issue is that we should never
withhold forgiveness from someone who asks, even if this is a
repeated issue.

> Are they different "forgiveness" meanings? Is it just letting go of
> resentment, or is it wiping the slate clean, or what?

In the case our being sinners, yes, it is wiping the slate clean.
And, yes, God does not hold any resentment against us. But I
assume you are speaking from a personal point of view.

If we forgive someone, then we should release them completely.
This does not mean that the person forgiven can always walk
fully restored.

I realize this sounds strange. Take the case of a minister who has
fallen into sin and the damage to God's people has been great. Are
we to forgive him? Yes. Are we to resent him? No. Is he to be
restored back to his position? Probably not for awhile. His
restoration is not a matter of unforgiveness or resentment. It is a
matter of helping him regain his spiritual life.

Hope this helps.

Bro. Buddy

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What would you like to "Ask the Pastor?"

Your full name:
Your email address: (e.g.: you@aol.com)
PLEASE include your email address or we won't be able to send the answer to you.

Your question

(Note: Please include your full name and email address. Answers will be sent by return email. Christian Challenge reserves the right to reprint your question and edit it for clarity and content on our "Ask the Pastor" web page. Please note that we will not divulge your full name nor your email address. Typically we'll use your first name only. Not all questions are posted on this page - many more are responded to privately. Please let us know if you do NOT want your question listed or if you'd prefer it to be listed anonymously. We respect your privacy and will NOT sell/give/loan your name and email address to any other organization/business/entity.)

Back to the Christian Challenge International home page!