490 TIMES !!490 TIMES !!490 TIMES !!490 TIMES !!

−− a study on the grace of forgiveness by –a study on the grace of forgiveness by –

Ken ChantKen Chant

introductionintroductionintroductionintroduction

There is a peculiar formula, There is a peculiar formula, repeated 8 times, in the early repeated 8 times, in the early chapters of Amos –chapters of Amos –

“ “For three transgressions and for For three transgressions and for four,” says the Lord, “I will not four,” says the Lord, “I will not revoke their punishment”revoke their punishment” (1:3,6,9,11,13; 2:1,4,6).(1:3,6,9,11,13; 2:1,4,6).

There is a peculiar formula, There is a peculiar formula, repeated 8 times, in the early repeated 8 times, in the early chapters of Amos –chapters of Amos –

“ “For three transgressions and for For three transgressions and for four,” says the Lord, “I will not four,” says the Lord, “I will not revoke their punishment”revoke their punishment” (1:3,6,9,11,13; 2:1,4,6).(1:3,6,9,11,13; 2:1,4,6).

Because of that Because of that Amos formula, Amos formula, the Jewish rabbis the Jewish rabbis in the time of in the time of Jesus argued that Jesus argued that it was enough to it was enough to forgive your forgive your neighbour three neighbour three times. times.

Because of that Because of that Amos formula, Amos formula, the Jewish rabbis the Jewish rabbis in the time of in the time of Jesus argued that Jesus argued that it was enough to it was enough to forgive your forgive your neighbour three neighbour three times. times.

So Peter probably felt pleased with So Peter probably felt pleased with himself when he said to Jesus –himself when he said to Jesus –

“ “Lord, how often do I have to Lord, how often do I have to forgive someone who offends forgive someone who offends me? me? SevenSeven times?” times?”(Matthew 18:21)(Matthew 18:21)

So Peter probably felt pleased with So Peter probably felt pleased with himself when he said to Jesus –himself when he said to Jesus –

“ “Lord, how often do I have to Lord, how often do I have to forgive someone who offends forgive someone who offends me? me? SevenSeven times?” times?”(Matthew 18:21)(Matthew 18:21)

But Christ scorned But Christ scorned Peter's offer of Peter's offer of seven-fold seven-fold forgiveness –forgiveness –

“ “I tell you, not I tell you, not just seven just seven times, but times, but seventy times seventy times seven!” seven!” (vs. 22)(vs. 22)

But Christ scorned But Christ scorned Peter's offer of Peter's offer of seven-fold seven-fold forgiveness –forgiveness –

“ “I tell you, not I tell you, not just seven just seven times, but times, but seventy times seventy times seven!” seven!” (vs. 22)(vs. 22)

“The Tears of Peter”

– El Greco

Yet we should not be too quick to Yet we should not be too quick to judge Peter! judge Peter! I have met many Christians I have met many Christians

who refuse to forgive even who refuse to forgive even one offence!one offence!

Yet we should not be too quick to Yet we should not be too quick to judge Peter! judge Peter! I have met many Christians I have met many Christians

who refuse to forgive even who refuse to forgive even one offence!one offence!

But Christ But Christ declared that declared that our our willingness to willingness to forgive must forgive must be limitless. be limitless.

But Christ But Christ declared that declared that our our willingness to willingness to forgive must forgive must be limitless. be limitless.

The “Forgiveness” Rose

Such limitless Such limitless forgiveness seems to forgiveness seems to impose upon our frail impose upon our frail humanity an intolerable humanity an intolerable burden. burden. Yet it is refusing Yet it is refusing

pardon, not giving pardon, not giving it, that makes life it, that makes life arduous …arduous …

Such limitless Such limitless forgiveness seems to forgiveness seems to impose upon our frail impose upon our frail humanity an intolerable humanity an intolerable burden. burden. Yet it is refusing Yet it is refusing

pardon, not giving pardon, not giving it, that makes life it, that makes life arduous …arduous …

Honoré Daumier, “The Burden”

The High Cost of The High Cost of Limiting Limiting

ForgivenessForgiveness

The High Cost of The High Cost of Limiting Limiting

ForgivenessForgiveness

1.1. To limit forgiveness places you To limit forgiveness places you under the tyranny of hateunder the tyranny of hate Those who refuse to forgive, Those who refuse to forgive,

no matter how they try to no matter how they try to disguise it or to justify it, are disguise it or to justify it, are actually living by a law of actually living by a law of hatred.hatred.

1.1. To limit forgiveness places you To limit forgiveness places you under the tyranny of hateunder the tyranny of hate Those who refuse to forgive, Those who refuse to forgive,

no matter how they try to no matter how they try to disguise it or to justify it, are disguise it or to justify it, are actually living by a law of actually living by a law of hatred.hatred.

We Christians are We Christians are obliged to live by the obliged to live by the royal law of love. But royal law of love. But we cannot love and yet we cannot love and yet not truly forgivenot truly forgive 1 Jn 2:9-11; 3:14-1 Jn 2:9-11; 3:14-

18; 4:19-2118; 4:19-21

We Christians are We Christians are obliged to live by the obliged to live by the royal law of love. But royal law of love. But we cannot love and yet we cannot love and yet not truly forgivenot truly forgive 1 Jn 2:9-11; 3:14-1 Jn 2:9-11; 3:14-

18; 4:19-2118; 4:19-21

If you refuse to forgive, then you If you refuse to forgive, then you are saying that the other person are saying that the other person does not deserve God's does not deserve God's forgiveness, which means that you forgiveness, which means that you think he deserves to suffer the think he deserves to suffer the torments of hell forever.torments of hell forever. The most virulent hatred could The most virulent hatred could

not wish any greater pain not wish any greater pain upon an enemy.upon an enemy.

If you refuse to forgive, then you If you refuse to forgive, then you are saying that the other person are saying that the other person does not deserve God's does not deserve God's forgiveness, which means that you forgiveness, which means that you think he deserves to suffer the think he deserves to suffer the torments of hell forever.torments of hell forever. The most virulent hatred could The most virulent hatred could

not wish any greater pain not wish any greater pain upon an enemy.upon an enemy.

2.2. To limit forgiveness To limit forgiveness places you under the places you under the tyranny of selfishnesstyranny of selfishness those who limit those who limit

forgiveness will forgiveness will no longer see any no longer see any virtuevirtue in the in the offender, nor will offender, nor will they see any they see any faultfault in themselves.in themselves.

2.2. To limit forgiveness To limit forgiveness places you under the places you under the tyranny of selfishnesstyranny of selfishness those who limit those who limit

forgiveness will forgiveness will no longer see any no longer see any virtuevirtue in the in the offender, nor will offender, nor will they see any they see any faultfault in themselves.in themselves.

If the offender is a If the offender is a believerbeliever, , unforgiveness unforgiveness prevents us from prevents us from seeing Christ in them.seeing Christ in them. If the offender is If the offender is

an an unbelieverunbeliever, , unforgiveness unforgiveness prevents us from prevents us from bringing Christ to bringing Christ to them.them.

If the offender is a If the offender is a believerbeliever, , unforgiveness unforgiveness prevents us from prevents us from seeing Christ in them.seeing Christ in them. If the offender is If the offender is

an an unbelieverunbeliever, , unforgiveness unforgiveness prevents us from prevents us from bringing Christ to bringing Christ to them.them.

3.3. To limit To limit forgiveness forgiveness places you under places you under the tyranny of the the tyranny of the pastpast Do you really Do you really

want to enter want to enter each each tomorrow tomorrow under the under the shadow of shadow of yesterday?yesterday?

3.3. To limit To limit forgiveness forgiveness places you under places you under the tyranny of the the tyranny of the pastpast Do you really Do you really

want to enter want to enter each each tomorrow tomorrow under the under the shadow of shadow of yesterday?yesterday?

Paul's advice is wiser: Paul's advice is wiser: "Do not "Do not let the sun go down on your let the sun go down on your anger"anger" (Ephesians 4:26)(Ephesians 4:26)

Paul's advice is wiser: Paul's advice is wiser: "Do not "Do not let the sun go down on your let the sun go down on your anger"anger" (Ephesians 4:26)(Ephesians 4:26)

Can you afford to jeopardise Can you afford to jeopardise the wonderful future God the wonderful future God has planned for you by has planned for you by stubbornly clinging to the stubbornly clinging to the faults of yesterday?faults of yesterday?

Can you afford to jeopardise Can you afford to jeopardise the wonderful future God the wonderful future God has planned for you by has planned for you by stubbornly clinging to the stubbornly clinging to the faults of yesterday?faults of yesterday?

So this is why Christ insisted upon So this is why Christ insisted upon forgiveness without limit forgiveness without limit −− the the cost of limiting forgiveness is cost of limiting forgiveness is absurdly too high.absurdly too high.

So this is why Christ insisted upon So this is why Christ insisted upon forgiveness without limit forgiveness without limit −− the the cost of limiting forgiveness is cost of limiting forgiveness is absurdly too high.absurdly too high.

Nonetheless, let us not Nonetheless, let us not make the mistake of make the mistake of thinking that thinking that forgiveness is always forgiveness is always easy.easy. You may leave an You may leave an

impression that impression that you think the you think the offence is trivial.offence is trivial.

Nonetheless, let us not Nonetheless, let us not make the mistake of make the mistake of thinking that thinking that forgiveness is always forgiveness is always easy.easy. You may leave an You may leave an

impression that impression that you think the you think the offence is trivial.offence is trivial.

Don’t demand the impossible, Don’t demand the impossible, either from yourself or others.either from yourself or others.

It may take time and much It may take time and much prayer before one can truly prayer before one can truly forgive.forgive.

Don’t demand the impossible, Don’t demand the impossible, either from yourself or others.either from yourself or others.

It may take time and much It may take time and much prayer before one can truly prayer before one can truly forgive.forgive.

Yet, difficult as it may be, the high Yet, difficult as it may be, the high cost of holding back our pardon cost of holding back our pardon makes it imperative that we find a makes it imperative that we find a way fully to forgive any and every way fully to forgive any and every offence.offence.

Yet, difficult as it may be, the high Yet, difficult as it may be, the high cost of holding back our pardon cost of holding back our pardon makes it imperative that we find a makes it imperative that we find a way fully to forgive any and every way fully to forgive any and every offence.offence.

What is the Nature of What is the Nature of this Forgiveness?this Forgiveness?

What is the Nature of What is the Nature of this Forgiveness?this Forgiveness?

True forgiveness demands a True forgiveness demands a threefold renunciation - threefold renunciation -

1)1) Renounce the right of revengeRenounce the right of revenge God reserves to himself the God reserves to himself the

right of vengeance against right of vengeance against those who have wronged you.those who have wronged you.

True forgiveness demands a True forgiveness demands a threefold renunciation - threefold renunciation -

1)1) Renounce the right of revengeRenounce the right of revenge God reserves to himself the God reserves to himself the

right of vengeance against right of vengeance against those who have wronged you.those who have wronged you.

But two qualifications But two qualifications need to be added to this –need to be added to this –

a)a) Don't pretend that you Don't pretend that you have forgiven the have forgiven the offender just because offender just because you are not actively you are not actively seeking to extract seeking to extract some penalty from some penalty from him or her.him or her.

But two qualifications But two qualifications need to be added to this –need to be added to this –

a)a) Don't pretend that you Don't pretend that you have forgiven the have forgiven the offender just because offender just because you are not actively you are not actively seeking to extract seeking to extract some penalty from some penalty from him or her.him or her.

b)b) If the offence involves some If the offence involves some crime, you may be entitled (or crime, you may be entitled (or even obliged) to initiate legal even obliged) to initiate legal action against the offender. action against the offender.

b)b) If the offence involves some If the offence involves some crime, you may be entitled (or crime, you may be entitled (or even obliged) to initiate legal even obliged) to initiate legal action against the offender. action against the offender.

In other words, Christian In other words, Christian forgiveness does not require you forgiveness does not require you to put yourself or others into the to put yourself or others into the hands of cruel, irresponsible, or hands of cruel, irresponsible, or criminal people.criminal people.

In other words, Christian In other words, Christian forgiveness does not require you forgiveness does not require you to put yourself or others into the to put yourself or others into the hands of cruel, irresponsible, or hands of cruel, irresponsible, or criminal people.criminal people.

Renounce the right of Renounce the right of resentmentresentment What is your What is your

reaction when reaction when you look at, or you look at, or think about, the think about, the offender: offender: lovelove or or loathingloathing??

Renounce the right of Renounce the right of resentmentresentment What is your What is your

reaction when reaction when you look at, or you look at, or think about, the think about, the offender: offender: lovelove or or loathingloathing??

Resentment is a luxury no one can Resentment is a luxury no one can afford; it is a crippling poison; it afford; it is a crippling poison; it will dwarf your soul; it will stunt will dwarf your soul; it will stunt your spirit; it will bring disease to your spirit; it will bring disease to your very flesh!your very flesh!

Resentment is a luxury no one can Resentment is a luxury no one can afford; it is a crippling poison; it afford; it is a crippling poison; it will dwarf your soul; it will stunt will dwarf your soul; it will stunt your spirit; it will bring disease to your spirit; it will bring disease to your very flesh!your very flesh!

3)3) Renounce the right Renounce the right of estrangementof estrangement A true Christian A true Christian

cannot say, "I cannot say, "I forgive you, but forgive you, but I never want to I never want to see you again!"see you again!"

3)3) Renounce the right Renounce the right of estrangementof estrangement A true Christian A true Christian

cannot say, "I cannot say, "I forgive you, but forgive you, but I never want to I never want to see you again!"see you again!"

Malo, “Indifference”

But do not confuse forgiveness But do not confuse forgiveness with trust, supposing that with trust, supposing that forgiveness is proved by offering forgiveness is proved by offering to trust the offender.to trust the offender. That is not so. I cannot deny That is not so. I cannot deny

pardonpardon to any person; but my to any person; but my trusttrust must be earned. must be earned.

But do not confuse forgiveness But do not confuse forgiveness with trust, supposing that with trust, supposing that forgiveness is proved by offering forgiveness is proved by offering to trust the offender.to trust the offender. That is not so. I cannot deny That is not so. I cannot deny

pardonpardon to any person; but my to any person; but my trusttrust must be earned. must be earned.

God’s Right to Make God’s Right to Make this Demandthis Demand

God’s Right to Make God’s Right to Make this Demandthis Demand

Jesus told a parable about two Jesus told a parable about two men. One owed his king ten men. One owed his king ten thousand talents, which was thousand talents, which was equivalent to the wages of 15,000 equivalent to the wages of 15,000 soldiers for ten years … soldiers for ten years …

Jesus told a parable about two Jesus told a parable about two men. One owed his king ten men. One owed his king ten thousand talents, which was thousand talents, which was equivalent to the wages of 15,000 equivalent to the wages of 15,000 soldiers for ten years … soldiers for ten years …

By contrast, the second owed the By contrast, the second owed the first man 100 denarii, equal to the first man 100 denarii, equal to the wages of a labourer for about wages of a labourer for about three months. three months. (Matthew 18:21-35)(Matthew 18:21-35)

By contrast, the second owed the By contrast, the second owed the first man 100 denarii, equal to the first man 100 denarii, equal to the wages of a labourer for about wages of a labourer for about three months. three months. (Matthew 18:21-35)(Matthew 18:21-35)

The first debt, The first debt, absurdly vast, absurdly vast, represents our represents our indebtedness to God indebtedness to God −− which he has fully which he has fully and freely forgiven and freely forgiven us for Christ's sake.us for Christ's sake.

The first debt, The first debt, absurdly vast, absurdly vast, represents our represents our indebtedness to God indebtedness to God −− which he has fully which he has fully and freely forgiven and freely forgiven us for Christ's sake.us for Christ's sake.

The second debt represents the The second debt represents the worst that any other person can worst that any other person can do to us.do to us. The point is, nothing that The point is, nothing that

anyone can do to me can be anyone can do to me can be compared with the enormous compared with the enormous injury I have done God. injury I have done God.

The second debt represents the The second debt represents the worst that any other person can worst that any other person can do to us.do to us. The point is, nothing that The point is, nothing that

anyone can do to me can be anyone can do to me can be compared with the enormous compared with the enormous injury I have done God. injury I have done God.

Jesus said that the merciless man Jesus said that the merciless man was was "delivered into the hands of "delivered into the hands of the torturers till he should pay all the torturers till he should pay all his debt".his debt".

Then he added the stark warning: Then he added the stark warning: "So also my heavenly Father will "So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do do to every one of you, if you do not not forgive your brother from your forgive your brother from your heartheart."."

Jesus said that the merciless man Jesus said that the merciless man was was "delivered into the hands of "delivered into the hands of the torturers till he should pay all the torturers till he should pay all his debt".his debt".

Then he added the stark warning: Then he added the stark warning: "So also my heavenly Father will "So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do do to every one of you, if you do not not forgive your brother from your forgive your brother from your heartheart."."