Wyoming Church of Christ Sunday 30th March 2008
The horizontal dimension (1) Forgiveness Allan Blyth
Texts 1 John 4:7-21; Psalm 16
A Scottish Doctor was in the habit of extreme generosity to his poorer patients. His case book pages showing what was owed, were mostly overwritten in red, “forgiven”.
On the Dr’s death his executors aimed to enhance the estate by recovering some of the “forgiven” debts. Bills were sent out and legal proceedings commenced. But when the judge saw the word “forgiven” as he examined the case book, he said, “No tribunal in the land could enforce payment of amounts marked “forgiven””. And the case was dismissed.
At Easter we heard again the Saviour say, “Forgiven!” “Father Forgive them”. Jesus is our judge. All Christians humbly delight in the joy and freedom of forgiveness. For all who trust in Jesus the case against us is dismissed.
So why did Jesus, when responding to the request of the disciples to teach them how to pray (Lk 11:1-4) include “Forgive us our sins”? Isn’t this superfluous when the work of forgiveness is already finished?
This is where we need to be aware of “the horizontal dimension” of our relationship as well as the vertical. These two dimensions to the Christian life - the vertical ie our relationship with God, and the horizontal, our relationships with one another, are interdependent & essential to each other. Over the next few Sundays I’ll be reflecting on aspects of the horizontal dimension. - the one another.
Today’s Scriptures Psalm 16; 1 John 4: 7-21
Jesus summed up the commandments Mt 22: 37-39; Jn 14:25-26 as two, 1. Love God and 2. Love your neighbour
It’s one thing to say, “I love God, or even I love you”, but quite another to “love others also”.!
The Good Samaritan who helped a traditional enemy, expounds God’s idea of neighbour and loving one another.
Hearing God speak in the quiet of the Quaker silences she’d been brought up in, Elizabeth Fry, of rich and noble birth ignoring warders’ warnings entered Newgate women’s prison. The women were silenced by her composure and her presence. She knelt and prayed with them. Shocked by the experience she began a personal campaign of reform. Contrary to friends’ advice, she took her newborn into the prison to share the joy of God’s gift. Inspiring an army of helpers by her example, prisons and convict-filled huilks were transformed. Women and children discovered their hair was coloured. Using the Bible as a text, reading classes were established. Knitting & crotchet were taught and a system for selling was arranged. Many found economic independence and a way out of theft , poaching and prison.
Elizabeth became a sought-after advisor on prison and mental asylum reform at the highest levels of society and government. Received by nobility, denominational heads and royalty across the British Isles and Continental Europe, society would go to great lengths to be in her presence.
Her husband was a much better husband and father than he was a banker - which was his profession. When his bank failed in 1828 they were forced to sell their house, reduce staff and adopt a much simpler lifestyle. Many clients lost investments. At the Quaker meeting the following Sunday Elizabeth, expressed emotionally, “Though He slay me yet will I trust Him.” The church family rallied with support and sympathy as did their extended family.
But the response in wider society was much less forgiving. It was harsh. There were accusations of misappropriation, of deception, that the prisoners had only pretended to be influenced by her and God, that she was just showing off inviting friends into the prisons to see prisoners reading and in prayer. Elizabeth’s response was to pray in earnest that “no harm should come to others through her mistakes”.
How is your horizontal dimension? How’s mine?
The Psalmist says (16:3) I say of the godly… they are the noble people in whom is all my delight.” For us, could the fellowship of the Church be “all our delight”?
Things happen. Relationships get strained and our commitment to Jesus isn’t always obvious by the way we love one another. Cf Jn 13:35
Last Sunday we were acting out the resurrection story. I got so excited that I ended the drama before Jesus had appeared to the women. On reflection I realize I was embarrassed by my mistake and not wanting to take responsibility for it I said “You should be slapped over the wrists for forgetting the most important part.” I owe you all an apology. If anyone should have been “slapped over the wrists” it was me! Today I want to apologize. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. And please don’t say, “There’s nothing to forgive.” That will deny me forgiveness and keep you accused.
Pride, desire to blame & reluctance to take responsibility for our actions can easily lead to strained relationships.
But God has given us a wonderful solution to this problem.
Forgiveness.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you then your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done.” Mt 6:12, 14 & 15
For a healthy horizontal dimension in our lives, there are two phrases that need often to be on our lips : “I’m sorry, please forgive me” and “I forgive you”.
Sins can be good intentions gone wrong, helping hands misunderstood, blame, accusations, avoidance (to protect), or genuine hurts reacted to with simmering silence, revenge or distancing. Genuine forgiveness fosters healing.
Jesus told his disciples shortly after he rose from the dead, “If you forgive people’s sins they are forgiven, if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Jn 20:23
As human beings we are fragile, easily offended, easily hurt. Forgiveness is not easy. Jesus was hurt by the rejection of His people. He wept over Jerusalem. And yet before the end of His agony on the cross he let them (and us) hear those wonderful words: “Father forgive them”. Lk 23:34
Awareness of my sin compared to what I’ve been forgiven becomes an infinite source of power for us to forgive. Cf. Mt18:21-35 (The parable of the unforgiving servant) And so Paul writes to the Colossians “You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you.” Col 3:13
We must forgive. God commands it, our own forgiveness hinges on it, and the health of the horizontal dimension of our lives demands it. When we refuse to forgive, bitterness grows and eats away at us. Unforgiveness can cause stress and illness and great lack of joy. The therapy is forgiveness.
When we refuse to forgive, we allow the sin that was committed against us to hurt us twice: once when we were first sinned against, and again by keeping us from receiving God’s forgiveness.
Is there someone who you need to forgive? Is there someone who you haven’t talked to in a long time because of what they did? Is there some one who you refuse to trust because of what they did? Is there someone who you avoid, prefer not to sit beside? Forgiveness may well be your answer.
Let us attend to our horizontal dimension today: “Forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.” Eph 4:32
Hymn for Reflection: “Forgive our sins as we forgive…”
