SOMETHING ONLY YOU CAN DO
(Luke 23:32-34)
Introduction: In a fit of anger, a man threw a heavy stone at his dog. The stone broke the dog’s leg. Whining and dragging the fractured leg, the wounded pet came sadly to the man, fell at his feet and licked the hand which had mercilessly thrown the stone. Is it too much to suggest that we could learn much about Christian love and forgiveness from that dog?
A. Forgiveness is one of the most personal obligations we have. You may neglect the performance of charitable Christian deeds, and someone else may do them. But, only you can forgive those who have sinned against you! The person who refuses to forgive another person destroys the bridge over which he himself must pass (Matt. 6:14). Forgiveness is not just the privilege, honor and duty of the Christian…it is essential for one’s spiritual self-preservation.
B. In the model prayer, our Lord instructed His disciples, "…Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us." Wm. Barclay commented on this passage: "Of all the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer, this is the most frightening." He adds further, "The literal meaning is: Forgive us our sins in proportion as we forgive those who have sinned against us."
C. Let us look at some of the Greek words from which we get our word or words for forgiveness. We will look at a few of the 186 references to forgiveness in the New Testament.
I.
Charizomai (Khar-id’-zom-ahee).Definition of the word from Strong’s Greek Lexicon: (1) to do something pleasant or agreeable to one; to do a favor, to gratify. (2) To show one’s self gracious, kind, benevolent. (3) to grant forgiveness, to pardon. (4) to forgive.A.
B. Uses of this word in the New Testament:
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."1. Eph. 4:31,32
2. Col. 3:12,13 "And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you."
II. Afesis ( af’-es-is).
A. Definition of the word from Strong’s Greek Lexicon: (1) forgiveness or pardon of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed) (2) remission of the penalty.
B. Uses of the word in the New Testament:
Before the Council, Peter said, "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:29-31).1.
2. In Paul’s sermon in the synagogue as recorded in Acts 13, verse 38 records this statement: "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you."
3. In Eph. 1:7 and Col. 1:14, Paul writes: "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace."
III. Afiemi (af-ee’-ay-mee).
A. Definition of the word from Strong’s Greek Lexicon: (1) To let go, let alone, to disregard. (2) To let go, give up a debt, forgive. (3) To give up, keep no longer.
B. Uses of the word in the New Testament:
"And forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors. For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions."1. Matt. 6:12,14,15
2. In the parable of the unforgiving servant, Jesus shows the tragedy of having an unforgiving heart (Matt. 18:21-34).
3. In the story of the Prodigal son, the word forgiveness is not used, but it is seen readily in the attitude of the father, and definitely absent from the attitude of the older brother (Luke 15:11-32).
4. On the cross, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).
IV. What Are The Lessons For Us To Learn?
A. We must be forgiving to be forgiven.
B. Forgiveness is not an option, it is a requirement.
C. Where there is true love, there is forgiveness.
D. Forgiveness may not be easy, but it has its rewards here and in the judgment.
V. Some Worthwhile Observations From Others.
A. Lord Chesterfield wrote, "Little, vicious minds abound with anger and revenge, and are incapable of feeling the pleasure of forgiving their enemies."
B. Booker T. Washington said, "I am determined to permit no man to narrow or degrade my soul by making me hate him."
C. "Doing an injury puts you below your enemy…revenging one makes you but even with him…forgiving it sets you above him." This is so true, not just because Benjamin Franklin said it, but also because it portrays the actions of Christ, who, "when He was reviled, did not revile in return" (II Peter 2:23).
D. Joe Barnett, Gospel preacher said, "Forgiveness, to be real, should be treated like a cancelled note…torn to small bits, burned to ashes and thrown into the four winds so that it can never be used as evidence against anyone again.
Robert L. Brown
Great Oaks Church of Christ
Memphis, TN