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"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." (Matthew 18:21-22)

In this passage, Peter asked Jesus a very important question in dealing with forgiveness. He asks Jesus if there is a limit as to how many times we should forgive each other. In Matthew's account, Jesus states seventy-seven times, while Luke records Jesus as saying up to seven times a day! Why the difference in the number of times one is supposed to forgive another? Jesus' point was simple, as disciples, there is no limit! We are always called to forgive one another!

Why such a strong emphasis on forgiveness? Jesus knew the destructive nature of unforgiveness as it is able to destroy both the disciple and the Church. Paul admonished the Ephesian Church to "not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." (Ephesians 4:26) The Hebrew author states, "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." (Hebrews 12:15) I once heard a preacher say, "bitterness is the poison you drink hoping to kill someone else." Unfortunately for those who drink from the cup of bitterness they not only kill themselves but they also destroy the fellowship as they spew this deadly poison!

Since 2002 at the Long Beach Unity Meeting and the ensuing Kriete letter of 2003, I have heard many justifications for unforgiveness that have become accepted. People have exchanged psychology terms for biblical ones and have adopted doctrinal concepts such as "You do not need to forgive those who don't repent." These concepts come from some of the best selling denominational books out there. One such book is Henry Cloud's and Robert Townsend's book entitled "Boundaries" printed in 1992. For example, instead of using biblical terms such as "bitterness" and "unforgiveness." Many now use psychology terms such as "damage(d)" and "hurt"! While we are quick to challenge those who admit to being bitter, most do not even acknowledge hurt and damage as sin! Most destructive however has been the widely excepted doctrine, "we do not need to forgive those who don't repent." Jesus sets an example for us in that while he was on the cross he cried out, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34), in reference to the guards who gambled for his clothes in an obvious state of non-repentance. Stephen makes a similar statement while being stoned in Acts 7:60, "Lord do not hold this sin against them." It would be hard to prove that the men stoning Stephen had in fact repented! Yet, many have made the acceptance in their faith!

Too many have suggested that when one is damaged/unforgiving or hurt/bitter it is only time that will bring healing. Some have even suggested that they themselves are healers! Yet scripturally Jesus reminds us in the book of Luke that "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:31-32) In this passage, Jesus is the doctor and the remedy is simple: healing comes with repentance not time! Repentance happens in the decision to forgive and healing is a byproduct of that decision. Biblically speaking forgiveness is as essential as baptism.! As one cannot be saved without being baptized, one cannot be forgiven if they are not willing to forgive others.

Honolulu Church let us not limit the number of times we are willing to forgive those who have sinned against us. Let us totally avoid the false doctrines concerning forgiveness but rather work tirelessly to help others to have the forgiveness we have received from the father.

Aloha!

Lead Evangelist

Kyle Bartholomew