“Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses”— Matthew 18:32-35.
IF we fail to distinguish the various aspects of forgiveness as set forth in the Word of God, we are likely to be in great confusion of mind because of God’s disciplinary dealings with us after our conversion to Christ. When He saves us He forgives us fully and eternally, and will never, as Judge, remember our sins again (Heb. 10:17). But as His children, we are to confess our sins whenever we fail, and He gives restorative forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Certain governmental results, however, may follow these failures, which are not to be construed as indicating that God has not pardoned, but He would teach us by discipline the heinousness of sin in His sight (2 Sam. 13:14). Forgiven ourselves, we are to forgive our brethren who sin against us (Col. 3:13). Members of the Church who offend against God’s righteous principles are to be disciplined, but forgiven when they give evidence of repentance (Matt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 5:13; 2 Cor. 2:7).
“Not far from New York, a cemetery lone,
Close guarding its grave, stands a simple headstone,
And all the inscription is one word alone—
“Forgiven.”
It shews not the date of the silent one’s birth.
Reveals not his frailties, nor lies of his worth,
But speaks out the tale from his few feet of earth—
“Forgiven.”
And when from the heavens the Lord shall descend,
This stranger shall rise, and to glory ascend,
Well known and befriended, to sing without end—
“Forgiven.”