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Forgiveness is a key element of Christianity because of Jesus’s work on the cross, but forgiving our fellow sinners can feel much more complicated. In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West talk about how popular culture understands forgiveness, how the church has historically misunderstood forgiveness and how the Bible talks about forgiveness in a nuanced way.
Key Points from the Podcast
• Having humility and being willing to hear that we’re wrong, like a small child, is a crucial mark of a Christ-follower. It is also necessary to enter into the process of forgiveness.
• In Matthew 18, Jesus describes an important process for confronting sin, forgiveness and reconciliation with other members of the church community. This process offers an opportunity for people to understand one another and be at peace or, alternatively, to protect the community from a harmful person.
• Scripture’s command to forgive is not necessarily an order for the relationship to continue. In cases of abuse or violated laws, the relationship cannot and should not continue the way it has before. Forgiveness is necessary for every situation; but wisdom, discernment and community are needed for determining whether or not a relationship can or should continue.
• The biblical path of forgiveness safeguards people from abusive situations, but it also guides people toward redemptive conversations and hopefully restored relationships.
• God has forgiven each one of us a lifetime of anger, bitterness, harsh words, and far more; so how can any one of us withhold forgiveness from another person?
• There’s an element of truth to the adage that you can’t be healthy and thriving in any area of life until you’re also giving to others out of that area of your life. We’re not meant to be stagnant ponds; we’re meant to be flowing rivers.
• The Bible bluntly illustrates humanity’s inclination toward vengeance, and Jesus points to that and then explains that God’s way is radical forgiveness that trumps ever offense.
Bible Verses Referenced in this Podcast
Matthew 18:15-35, Matthew 16:14, Amos 1:6-7, Genesis 4:23
About Joshua West
Joshua West serves as the Pastors Network Director at World Challenge helping equip and empower pastors all over the world. Joshua’s desire is to raise up ministers who will correctly and boldly preach the word with passion and integrity. The point of all his work and writings is to preach the gospel, glorify God and to teach sound doctrine.