Some feel forgiveness is a must and nobody need to live with a guilt if they know the Scriptures. Others say we have to forgive and forgive everyone. Some others proclaim that there is no place for unforgiveness in God’s kingdom. Yet others advocate
unconditional forgiveness. I am very happy about the spirit of forgiveness brooding over God’s people.
However, life is not so simple and any coin has two sides. A convert sister writes that she was helped a lot spiritually by her Christian neighbour. She even conceived after 12 years of marriage and had children by her prayers. Unfortunately the
Christian expected favours in return in the form of material benefits. She demanded a portion from whatever cooked. She would get angry if it was forgotten occasionally. Gradually she started abusing, cursing and even beating. “I am scared” writes this
poor lamb, “because she is a spirtual lady and speaks in tongues and prays powerfully. This has been going on since some years. “Should I forgive and for how long?” “Forgive her, but boldly get away from this person who manifests spiritual gifts but
is devoid of spiritual fruit,” is all we can tell her. Obviously she is guilt- ridden and unable to draw the line for the bully.
The God of mercy who forgave Adam and Eve did not forgive Noah’s generation. Obviously He reached a breaking point when He said, “Enough is enough.” He wanted the Canaanites massacred. Solomon promised life for Adonijah if he proved himself a worthy man, and sent him (1 Ki 1:52). But when he sought the hand of Abishag the Shunammite as wife, Solomon had him executed (1 Ki 2). He, Abiathar and Joab were a villainous trio and Adonijah’s request was the first step to usurp the kingdom. It was not out of personal enmity that Solomon put him to death but to protect the kingdom. We can see the wisdom of God in Solomon’s decision.
God appointed Ben-Hadad, king of Syria to utter destruction by Ahab king of Israel. Ahab wins the battle. But he forgives Ben-Hadad and makes a treaty with him. It is awesome to read God’s anger dramatically enacted by a prophet for this act of kindness which any of us would have lauded (1 Ki 20:31-43). What does this incident teach us? “Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise: why destroy yourself?” (Eccl 7:16). We should not question the wisdom of God and try to be super holy.
Talking about offences, Jesus said, “If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea” (Mt 18:6). So what do we do
with people who lead young believers to sin? Forgive and spread a red carpet for him to damage more and more lives? Think.
Moreover, Jesus said if your BROTHER sins against you, confront him alone. If he repents forgive him. If he doesn’t come round, go with one or two. You give him another chance to feel sorry and repent. If he refuses to hear them tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector (Mt 18:15-17). So you see, forgiveness ceases to be a virtue at a certain point. Sin must be dealt with. If we boldly practice this truth, the church will have more Christian brothers and sisters and less or no “heathen” brothers and sisters. “Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him,” writes Paul (2 Tim 4:14). If any one runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ and comes to us, we are not to receive him into our house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work (2 Jn 9-11). People who hinder the work of God must be mercilessly sidelined.
So, when there is a coin in your hand, look at both sides and make a wise decision.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Some feel forgiveness is a must and nobody need to live with a guilt if they know the Scriptures. Others say we have to forgive and forgive everyone. Some others proclaim that there is no place for unforgiveness in God’s kingdom. Yet others advocate
unconditional forgiveness. I am very happy about the spirit of forgiveness brooding over God’s people.
However, life is not so simple and any coin has two sides. A convert sister writes that she was helped a lot spiritually by her Christian neighbour. She even conceived after 12 years of marriage and had children by her prayers. Unfortunately the
Christian expected favours in return in the form of material benefits. She demanded a portion from whatever cooked. She would get angry if it was forgotten occasionally. Gradually she started abusing, cursing and even beating. “I am scared” writes this
poor lamb, “because she is a spirtual lady and speaks in tongues and prays powerfully. This has been going on since some years. “Should I forgive and for how long?” “Forgive her, but boldly get away from this person who manifests spiritual gifts but
is devoid of spiritual fruit,” is all we can tell her. Obviously she is guilt- ridden and unable to draw the line for the bully.
The God of mercy who forgave Adam and Eve did not forgive Noah’s generation. Obviously He reached a breaking point when He said, “Enough is enough.” He wanted the Canaanites massacred. Solomon promised life for Adonijah if he proved himself a worthy man, and sent him (1 Ki 1:52). But when he sought the hand of Abishag the Shunammite as wife, Solomon had him executed (1 Ki 2). He, Abiathar and Joab were a villainous trio and Adonijah’s request was the first step to usurp the kingdom. It was not out of personal enmity that Solomon put him to death but to protect the kingdom. We can see the wisdom of God in Solomon’s decision.
God appointed Ben-Hadad, king of Syria to utter destruction by Ahab king of Israel. Ahab wins the battle. But he forgives Ben-Hadad and makes a treaty with him. It is awesome to read God’s anger dramatically enacted by a prophet for this act of kindness which any of us would have lauded (1 Ki 20:31-43). What does this incident teach us? “Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise: why destroy yourself?” (Eccl 7:16). We should not question the wisdom of God and try to be super holy.
Talking about offences, Jesus said, “If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea” (Mt 18:6). So what do we do
with people who lead young believers to sin? Forgive and spread a red carpet for him to damage more and more lives? Think.
Moreover, Jesus said if your BROTHER sins against you, confront him alone. If he repents forgive him. If he doesn’t come round, go with one or two. You give him another chance to feel sorry and repent. If he refuses to hear them tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector (Mt 18:15-17). So you see, forgiveness ceases to be a virtue at a certain point. Sin must be dealt with. If we boldly practice this truth, the church will have more Christian brothers and sisters and less or no “heathen” brothers and sisters. “Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him,” writes Paul (2 Tim 4:14). If any one runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ and comes to us, we are not to receive him into our house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work (2 Jn 9-11). People who hinder the work of God must be mercilessly sidelined.
So, when there is a coin in your hand, look at both sides and make a wise decision.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
