THIS IS TABLE ROCK FELLOWSHIP – PASTOR RYAN LADEN
| In our study of the Sermon on the Mount we came across a teaching of Jesus Christ that directly challenges the follower of Christ to become the kind of person who shows forgiveness to those that have hurt us, damaged us, persecuted us, or who have caused us trouble and grief. This challenge was made painfully clear in Matthew 6:14-15. I have provided two different translations of this teaching below: First, the NIV-11: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”Matthew 6:14-15 NIV-11 Second, the ESV: “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”Matthew 6:14-15 ESV Differences You might have noticed the difference between these two English translations. The NIV-11 uses the term, “sins” to describe that which we are needing to forgive while theESV uses the term, “trespasses.” The difference between these two words in English is significant when we look at how these words are commonly used or understood. Greek The Greek word behind both “sins” and “trespasses” is that of, “paraptoma” (παράπτωμα). This word is typically used to describe an act that is done by one person against another person. This is when someone wrongs you or harms you in some way that steps across the lines of acceptability or legality. By translating this idea as “sin,” the NIV and other translations add an element to the idea of forgiveness that is not helpful. The reason for the problem is that the word, “sin” is an old English word used to describe a missed shot in archery (when we miss the mark). We do not use the idea of “sin” in this way in modern English. Most of our uses of the word, “sin,” speak to some sort of act of evil, failure, or rebellion that is in violation of God’s command or example. The modern use of the word speaks to the ways that we fail to honor the Lord in our actions, words, or attitudes. Sin Language This kind of action that is knowingly against the Lord is typically described in Greek using the term “hamartia” (ἁμαρτία). This kind of action against God is something that only God can forgive. And it is this kind of willful rebellion that leads every human being into a place of judgement before a Holy and Righteous God. All are guilty of rebellion against what we know of God’s will and ways. Confusion The reason all of this matters is that we often struggle to forgive others when they do something that harms us or is against our interests because we confuse our responsibility in forgiveness with that which is exclusively the purview of the Lord. We are not called to forgive hamartia… sin. We cannot do such a thing. · Jesus forgave us our sin by taking the punishment for our sin.· We owed a debt, and Jesus bore the cost.· Our sins have found justice. The penalty has been paid.· This is the amazing work of the cross. This beautiful act of grace was articulated well by the Apostle Paul in the following: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV-11 The forgiveness of God is not at all something that we can emulate or do on behalf of others. · We cannot bear the consequence of their failings.· We cannot remove the guilt that they carry.· We cannot undo the worldly or the eternal consequences for their sin. Seek Peace What we can do is seek to live at peace with those that have brought pain and suffering into our lives (See Romans 12:18 and Hebrews 12:14 for more). · To seek peace is to make peace from our side of the battle lines. We choose to not attack further, not seek retribution, not do damage to those that might call themselves our enemies.· To seek peace is not to bear the cost of their sin but to open your hands and to let go of your part of the hostilities.· True forgiveness of sin, forgiveness that releases others from their own failure belongs to the Lord. But we can seek to walk in his ways as we choose to turn away from continued attacks, increased hostilities, or ongoing anger and resentment. Prayer Even in the call to seek peace, we are in desperate need for the Lord to provide us the strength and resolve we need. Pray to the Lord and ask him to continue to lead you to be a peacemaker, a man or woman of peace, a person who exhibits the peace loving fruit of the Spirit. In Christ,Ryan Laden |
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