Volume 26, Issue 5
Page 28
WisconsinChristianNews.com
To Forgive Is A Command
By Ron Webster September 2025
For all the law and the prophets are defined by these two com- mandments, as stated by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-40. (Verses 6-8) More often than not, some form of punishment is absolutely necessary for future accountabil- ity; but the end goal always should be rec- onciliation as Paul states, “Sufficient to such a man is their
In our first chapter, we started with Paul the apos- tle’s letter to Philemon, where he expressed his con- fidence in Philemon’s godly character, hoping that he would willingly accept Onesimus as a brother beloved, forgiving his debt
that Paul was willing to pay.
What if Philemon had refused and demanded justice from Onesimus instead of accepting Paul’s gracious offer? Paul makes mention of a similar case in II Corinthians 2:4-11. “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love (26- ‘agape’, perfect love) which I have more abun- dantly unto you. But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not over charge you all (in your error). Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrary wise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, (Why?) lest perhaps such a one should be swal- lowed up with overmuch sorrow.” Refusing to forgive as Christ has forgiven each of us frustrates the testimony of the body of Christ. “Wherefore I (beg) you that ye would confirm your love (26-‘agape’ perfect love) to- ward him. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.” Refusing to forgive is dis- obedience! “To whom ye forgive any thing I for- give also: for if I forgive any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the per- son of Christ: lest Satan should get an advan- tage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices,” or are we? What are the “devices” Paul is referring to that Satan could get an advantage over us? Disobe- dience of any kind gives Satan an advantage over us! Paul also states in verse 9,“For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.” (Verse 8) “Wherefore I (beg) you that ye would confirm your love (perfect love) toward him.” For without perfect love one cannot forgive, nor keep any other commandment from the heart:
there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor circumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on there- fore, as the elect (those chosen for a purpose) of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercy, kind- ness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuf- fering (to emulate the “divine nature”); Forbearing one another, and forgiving one an- other, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity (26-perfect love), which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Any time in the history of the world when those who were called by His name had lost their influence in the world, it was always a result of shifting their faith to other gods, searing their conscience: therefore not able to recognize how far their faith has shifted. In Matthew chapter 23 Jesus refers to these as “blind fools” and “hypocrites,” claiming to be children of God in vain! Are we any different today as the body of Christ?
punishment, which was inflicted by many. So that contrary wise ye ought rather (than con- tinue, but of your free will) to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow,” letting Satan get an advantage of all of us! Paul makes three things clear: First we are to always forgive as God has forgiven us, for Christ’s sake! Secondly, if we do not give up self, as Jesus did in Philippians 2:6-7, and emulate the “divine nature” which is ‘Agape’ love, com- passion, mercy, and forgiveness, we cannot will- ingly forgive others as we are commanded. Thirdly Jesus also makes it clear in Matthew 6:12-15, that “if ye forgive not men their tres- passes (there are serious consequences), neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Without one’s determination to willingly “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first (and greatest) com- mandment.” And the second being like the first is to “love thy neighbor as thyself” (Mark 12:30- 31a). Without being born of the Spirit, the greatest of the commandments are never going to be a reality; and forgiving others as Christ has forgiven us, is impossible!
In Colossians 3:11-17, Paul makes a conclu- sion to the command to believe, trust, and obey;
living in peace as one in Ch r i s t . “ Wh e r e
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