Brothers and Sisters,
Regarding the biblical doctrine and practice of forgiveness, we will look at the example of Hezekiah who sought forgiveness from God. In this chapter, Hezekiah experienced the effect of the broken relationship and the Lord's mercy upon him. And once again, I would remind you of a foundation verse: Ephesians 4:32. "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." The example of divine forgiveness is to be our guide.
In verses 9 through 13, Hezekiah recognized that his offense had brought personal disaster. His whole life was negatively affected. He also saw the true end of his offense. In his case, the end was death. There was no part of the relationship which was not affected. The illustration of the sickness of Hezekiah is a perfect one. Hezekiah was wasting away and nothing else mattered. And while his whole life was affected, his relationship with God in particular was negatively effected. Even though the cause of the offense was over, the effect continued because it was unresolved. He saw that apart from some intervention, the problem would be a perpetual problem (as a lion which will not leave the prey, but break all the bones (verse 13). One can sense the total despair which overwhelmed Hezekiah. His whole world had been turned upside down. So the first point is that offenses play havoc with relationships and lives. While death is not necessarily the result, a relationship can be severely wounded by the thousand little paper cut offenses. These unresolved offenses can very easily affect the whole relationship and this principle is true whether you are examining your relationship with your spouse, your children, or your parents, not to mention your relationship with your Heavenly Father.
In verses 14 through 16, Hezekiah realized the result of his offense and it caused him pain as well. (He calls it mourning and bitterness) Something as simple as a word can cause relationship foundations to quiver. And if a word can do this, certainly harsh actions, cruelty, and so many other behaviors can tear down what has been built over many years. So it is not unusual for the one who has offended to grieve at this, The one who has offended can also perceive no way to restore what has been lost. When God is the one offended, believers can (and should) feel the pain, bitterness and yet, for all this, seeking forgiveness and granting forgiveness is not about finding a way to ease the pain, or to make what is bitter sweet. Seeking and granting forgiveness is about restoration and reconciliation. It is quite possible that the pain of a sin will never pass even though the offense is repented of and forgiven. Do not mistake feeling good with the purpose and goal of forgiveness. Sometimes one can forget that both the offender and the one offended can experience the pain which is caused by the offense. (In the case of offending God, it is not that He experiences pain, but that His holiness is offended and violated.) But notice the glimmer of hope which Isaiah reports in verse 16. Hezekiah knows that God is a God who is merciful and looks with compassion upon him and the act of love and compassion is described in the next verse.
In verse 17 through 20, we see that God's forgiveness brings personal restoration. Restoration was possible because the one offended loved the offender. This relationship between love and reconciliation is at the core of the message of the gospel. John 15:9-13, "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." Galatians 2:20-21, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain." I John 3:16, "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." Restoration was possible because the Lord had cast Hezekiah's sins out of His sight (behind His back). The Lord has promised to not remember your sins when they are forgiven in Christ. Psalm 103:8-14 says, "The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust." So the pattern of divine forgiveness is to take the offense and put it in a place where it cannot be seen anymore by the one who was offended. That is, the offence is removed and therefore, the relationship is restored. Restoration is possible, but love and forgetfulness must meet together. When you forgive, it is an act of love, but for it to be true forgiveness and true love, you must cast the offense behind your back. And if you forgive, you are to forget the offense as well. I do not say that it is easy, but that if you find yourself embracing that offense, consider that the Lord has pardoned you and restored you.
So in review, offenses cause great damage, but there is a remedy. The effect of offenses also tends to spread, but there is a remedy. And true restoration is the forgiving of the offense so that it never becomes a matter to be brought up again. Are you ready to forgive? Are you ready to restore?
All For Him,
Pastor Schlegel |
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