Practising Christ’s Unorthodox Teachings on Forgiving

Daily Devotional – Sunday, November 20, 2022

And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.

Luke 17:4 (NKJV)

Christ’s unorthodox teachings on forgiving go against the grain, urging His disciples to do the unthinkable. Indeed, if we practiced the faith exactly as Jesus taught it, we would turn the world upside down, like the First Century disciples.

Conventional Conditions for Pardon

For example, if a person hurts me, the natural human tendency is to forgive him only when he apologizes. Even then, I need evidence that the person is remorseful. I am also likely to ask for an assurance that the he will not repeat the offense.

How do I react, then, when he offends me multiple times? Cut off the relationship. Having nothing to do with that person. Keep the grudge and hit back whenever possible. After all, he is taking advantage of my hospitality.

You Shall Forgive Him

Contrast this with how Jesus wants me, a born again Christian, to react in such circumstances. He warns, “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” (Luke 17:3). Up to that point, I agree with the Lord.

This second part, though, is unthinkable: “And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” (Verse 4). Seven offenses in a day? It that not deliberate provocation? Are the seven apologies even sincere?

Unconventional Mercy

Which other religion teaches the same? The most common maxim is tit-for-tat or any eye for an eye. The highest number of offenses one can tolerate from another person is two. Anything above that is unforgiveable.

I am sure no one has come close to upsetting me seven times in a day, but I know someone I have hurt even more times in 24 hours. I cannot fathom how God keeps tolerating me despite uncountable rebellious thoughts and actions.

Pardoning Others is not Optional

On reflections, I now understand why He commands me to do what is unthinkable in human terms. I can forgive those who hurt me countless times because God never tires forgiving me. In essence, God models the attitude and conduct He wants me to adopt.

Jesus commands us to forgive irrespective of what we think of the sincerity of the person asking for pardon. In Luke 17-1-2, He says that the unrepentant offender will receive a deserved punishment but so shall we if we refuse to forgive from the heart.

Practising Christ’s Unorthodox Teaching on Forgiving

Is there a serial offender you need to remove from your blacklist and forgive? As long as you need God’s forgiveness, you have no alternative but to forgive your offenders. That is what you signed up for – an unorthodox religion.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, impress on me how much You have forgiven me so much that I will forgive others irrespective of the number of times they offend me.