In the Gospels we have a number of quotes from Jesus that should give us all pause when we say things like, "God (or I) could never or should never forgive so and so for what they did." The first scripture that comes to mind it from Matthew chapter six immediately following "The Lord's Prayer". It says that when we do not forgive our brothers (or sisters for that matter) then God will not forgive us! Yikes, in my book that is reason alone to always forgive.
Maybe be its easier if you have failed in a big way; if you have committed one or more of the big ten. And maybe it's harder when you have not overtly committed one of the great sins. But In Jesus words, if you will excuse my paraphrase, "If you thought it, you did it." The person who looks at another person with lust in their heart is guilty of either adultery, if they are married, or fornication. Pretty serious sins. He also tells us that if we hate someone then we are guilty of murder. So if you think you are sinless or that your sins don't count as much as those of a murder, fornicator, homosexual or adulterer, then think again.
The cost of sin is death. All of us have sinned an fall short of the glory of God. All of us need the saving power of God's grace and Jesus' blood. But actually at this point I am more concerned about those people who don't think that God can forgive them, or that think that they cannot forgive another. According to Jesus there is only one sin that cannot be forgiven; blaspheming the Holy Spirit. I think that most people do not know how to do that, but there are some out there treading on it by claiming that speaking in tongues (strange languages) is of the devil. Now putting that aside I might ask if it is possible for people to so far as to become unforgivable. I would say no.
In a conversation with Peter beginning in Matthew 18:21 the topic comes up to about forgiveness. Peter being super-spiritual asks, "How many times shall I forgive my brother up to 7 times?" Jesus response is, "Not seven times but seventy times seven." Now I am not a legalist. I do not take it to mean that Jesus was saying that we only need to forgive someone 490 times. I take it as hyperbola. It is a way of saying, "Always forgive!" When I think that here our Lord is telling us that we must always forgive someone when they sin against us, I am left to wonder what is God's position on forgiveness. If we must always forgive others, then I am left with believing that God will always forgive us, when we come to Him earnestly asking for forgiveness.
The Hebrews saw God as The God who forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases (Ps. 103:3). So even in the OT the people of God saw YHVH as the God who will always forgive. In John's first epistle we are told, first that anyone who says they are without sin is a liar. We all need God's forgiveness. But then he goes on to tell us that if we confess our sins, (which is to say be in agreement with God that we have in fact committed a sin) then God is faithful and just and will forgive us of our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Those are pretty powerful words. And I must ask myself how must I respond to them?
I am left with the conclusion that God doesn't want to hold anything against me. So long as I am willing to fess up and admit that I have sinned and ask for His forgiveness, He is willing to forgive me.
What what about those people who are perpetually sinning. People who are addicted to pornography, sex, drugs, alcohol or any number of other life dominating behavior patterns? Can such a person receive again and again, God's forgiveness? I must say yes. First if God requires us to repeatedly forgive others, then He too must be willing to forgive anyone and every one. Whatever God asks us to do, is in line with His will and His character. Now there may be consequences for such behavior, much as there is a consequence for putting your hand in a fire. But I have seen people who spent most of their young adult lives, using drugs and alcohol, who have been fornicators and who have repeatedly stolen from their families to pay for their addictions be forgiven and healed even of things like AIDS.
The problem is, is that there are schemes of the enemy in place, set to entrap us, to take advantage of our weaknesses so that we will be held captive to sin and not see the fullness of Gods redemption. Now I cannot say that I know all the theology behind this; why it is that some people find it easy to be free of sinful habits and for other's it is a life long struggle? Some blame it on generational curses. Others blame it on strongholds in our lives. Whatever the case, some people just seem to struggle more than others until the root of it is found and pulled out.
I have seen multiple methods employed to get to the source of these people's problems. I have seen people set free only to be sucked back into the same web of sin and condemnation. I have recognized the enemy's one-two punch of temptation followed up with the double cross of condemnation. I have also seen people who have been deeply hurt by loved ones. This can be one of the hardest things to overcome. Children whose trust was betrayed by parents or close family friends or members. I have seen wives and husbands betrayed or abused by their spouses. For many the cycle goes on and on; abuse, forgiveness followed by further abuse. But whatever the case, from what I have seen the only path to healing for those sinned against is through forgiveness.
I don't mean to say that someone must continue to subject themselves to abuse, but at the same time, I am saying that no matter the hurt, we must work to not repay the sin but rather to forgive the one who has sinned against us.
Jesus forgave those who crucified him while he hung on the cross and doing so demonstrated to us how we are to deal with those who hurt us. As his followers we are called to become more and more like him. To lay down our preconceived notions of fairness and the right to retribution and instead bless those who curse us and pray for the benefit of those who mistreat us. We must also forgive those who disappoint us; this has been a difficult path for me. We are all in process. We are all working out our salvation with fear and trembling. I know of no one when compared to God and his perfect Word who can all themselves perfect. So if we are not perfect in God's eyes and yet He has offered us salvation and forgiveness, how can we then who are imperfect expect perfection out of another person? Yes people will fail us.
So let us all move on and live in the freedom of God's love by giving up unforgiveness and granting forgiveness to those who have failed us or hurt us. Jesus came to set the captives free. One of the things that holds us in captivity, to fear and endless anger is unforgiveness. Let us cast it aside and embrace to fullness of God's agape love that we might walk in the freedom that Christ has granted us through the forgiveness of sins.
To God be the Glory forever and ever, Amen
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