Forgive One Another: A Simple Introduction to a Challenging Command

Forgive. One. Another.

Those three words are easy to say; less easy to understand; and sometimes nearly impossible to practice. Truly, for as simple as forgiveness should be, seeking and receiving forgiveness is often the things that brings us to our knees.

Who knew that sins forgiven in heaven could be so difficult to forgive on earth?

Yet, that is often the case. Forgiveness is often a misunderstood doctrine, as well as a misapplied practice. Therefore, Christians who seek forgiveness, demand forgiveness, or seek to help others forgive, often find that the Christian practice of peace-making is more difficult than they might first imagine.

In response, genuine believers may grow frustrated—with themselves, with others, with God, or with the church. How can the cross of Christ not have its full effect? It seems so simple.

And yet, I might offer a different perspective. Such forgiveness—its pursuit and application—is often hard because sin and sinners are hard and because God wants to grow his children in learning how to make peace. If forgiveness were easy, books would not need to be written explaining its intricacies.

Often, the pursuit of forgiveness is not immediate. Instead, it comes by careful attention to God’s Word and prayer; it comes by the work of God and his church. It often involves skilled peace-makers in the church, and sometimes it requires other acts of providence to soften our hearts, such that we would forgive.

Thus, a long-process of peacemaking is not at odds with true forgiveness, it is the way that God impresses on us his wisdom and our need to learn how to forgive from him. How easily, we think we can do his work in our own power. And yet, he shows us nothing good happens apart from him. And part of his work is teaching us more and more about the forgiveness he secured on the cross.

26 Axioms about Forgiveness

In recent days I have found great help on the doctrine of forgiveness in Chris Brauns article and podcast at Christ Over All. Before that, his book Unpacking Forgiveness was instrumental in forming my own reflections on forgiveness, which why at the beginning of 2023 we scheduled him to write for Christ Over All. Eight years ago, his book helped me articulate the command to Forgive One Another. And at that time I wrote up a list of 26 axioms on forgiveness, one for every letter of the alphabet.

That list has hibernated in a folder on my computer for years, but due to recent events, I thought it was time to dust it off and bring it back out. These points highlight the work of God in forgiveness, the necessity of the cross, and the ways in which we must learn how to forgive the repentant and not forgive those who continue to hold fast to their sin. In all, I bring these points back out to remind all of us how intricate the process of forgiveness is. Though the cross of Christ is powerful to forgive any and all sins, there remains the need for the Spirit to grant forgiveness and to teach us how to grow in grace.

Yes, the finish line of forgiveness is easy to see. But the path to that end is not as simple as we might expect. Instead, along the winding path of peacemaking, there are truths that God wants to teach us as we pray for and pursue restored fellowship. Let us not be impatient about the process, or even the results we expect. Instead, with eyes fixed on Christ, let us learn how to forgive one another, as God in Christ has forgiven us.

That is the hope of these alphabetic axioms. In the days ahead, I will develop them further.

Theological Axioms

1. Forgiveness depends on the absolute sovereignty of God.
2. Forgiveness requires a mediator and a sacrifice.
3. Forgiveness reflects the character of God.
4. Forgiveness is not an absolute guarantee to all sinners; it is granted to the elect of God.
5. Forgiveness glorifies God.
6. Forgiveness is the result a priest’s atonement.
7. Forgiveness comes at the temple of God.
8. Forgiveness is a gift of the Spirit.

Practical Axioms

1. Forgiveness creates genuine love for others.
2. Forgiveness is the wellspring our response of love to God.
3. Forgiveness is the wellspring for all genuine healing.
4. Forgiveness is the core promise of the new covenant.
5. Forgiveness requires its recipients to forgive.
6. Forgiveness can be falsely pursued.
7. Forgiveness is given in the way God has forgiven you.
8. Forgiveness requires repentance; repentance of sins is the prerequisite of forgiveness.
9. Forgiveness grows by means of the gospel.
10. Forgiveness will demand more than you can give.
11. Forgiveness, when rejected, invites the judgment of God.
12. Forgiveness withholds itself from unrighteous judgment and unauthorized condemnation.
13. Forgiveness does not keep a record of wrong or use past offenses to harm others.
14. Forgiveness is not limited by the size or scope of the sin.
15. Forgiveness is the message of the church.
16. Forgiveness, in cases of church discipline, is affirmed or denied by the church

I am sure those axioms will be tweaked when I come back to this, but that’s a starting place. What else would you add?

Soli Deo Gloria, ds

Photo by Heloisa Vecchio on Pexels.com 

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