Eighteenth century English poet Alexander Pope once wrote, “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” These words spark a question in my mind’s eye: What is more difficult? To ask for forgiveness or to forgive our offender? It is clear that Pope has already provided his answer since he states that “to forgive, [is] divine.” The Master solidifies this conclusion since “Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1st Peter 3:18). The apostle illuminates the selfless act of the Master willfully shedding His blood on the cross as “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him” (Isaiah 53:4-5). Truly, Jesus displayed the divine nature of forgiving your transgressors on His cross. There are several reasons why it becomes difficult for man to forgive his fellow man’s transgressions. In the poet’s quote, we are able to spot his subtle hint of one reason; we tend to forget that we, as humans, constantly err. Yet, the undeniable truth that it takes a divine nature to be able to earnestly forgive our offenders, also reveals another quality found in forgiveness. If we meditate carefully about what the apostle and prophet are teaching us about the Lord’s sacrifice, our minds will be led to an astonishing revelation. We fully understand that by allowing Himself to be crucified, God’s mercy and love for His creation was abundantly manifested. Yet, the amazing power of Christ’s sacrifice was not only the forgiveness for man’s sin, but its ability to restore man’s relationship with his Creator. Both, Isaiah and Peter, boldly declare that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross allowed man to return to God. It is no secret that man, due to sin, became separated from Jehovah God since “what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness” (2nd Corinthians 6:14-18)? Therefore, it is plain to see that being able to forgive grants the power to give peace to a heart tormented by guilt, but also restore a relationship torn by an offense. This divine message was one repeatedly taught by the Master during His time here on earth. In the majority of His lessons, the Lord Jesus would emphasize the importance and magnitude of forgiveness. In Corinth, we read about an unpleasant situation that was being severely mishandled by the congregation’s leadership. It was an event so deplorable that it was “not even named among the Gentiles” (1st Corinthians 5:1). For Paul (who was Jew by birth) to mention that this case of immorality was unmentionable even among the Gentiles, he is making a powerful admonishment because the Gentiles were believed to lack a moral compass. Therefore, to say that even these people who were very open to illicit behavior dare not cross the boundary this Corinthian man crossed, illustrated how deep his offense (and their tolerance of it) had wounded the Lord’s church. Needless to say, the apostle commanded immediate action upon the “evil person” (1st Corinthians 5:13). However, there is evidence in his second letter to them that this perverse man repented from his sin. It’s wonderful to see that the same man Paul “absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged” was now interceding for him to the Corinthians (1st Corinthians 5:3, 2nd Corinthians 2:3-11)! In doing so, the apostle gives the motive impulsing him to this merciful action. He warns and encourages the brethren in Corinth that they “ought rather forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow” (2nd Corinthians 2:7). Observe that the Corinthians dealt with the offender in a righteous manner after the admonishment of the apostle. So much so, that now they were forgetting that the purpose of disciplining the offender was so “his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1st Corinthians 5:5). Although it is true that he was to be reprimanded for his actions, it was not to be done so with an attitude of destroying the offender. The Master explains Paul’s understanding best when he taught His lesson of how to deal with a sinning brother (Matthew 18:15-20). Our Savior states, “if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother” (Matthew 18:15). Notice that the purpose of approaching the sinning brother is to “gain” him. This gives insight, once again, of how sin creates a separation between the bond of two brothers. If by the act of forgiveness we “gain” our brother, then it is irrefutable that we lost our brother by his offense. Paul writes to the church in Corinth the exact message. Since the immoral man repented from his sin, the Corinthians were able to “gain” their brother. The problem was that in not lifting the punishment from him, they were (in fact) rejecting him and pushing him further into self-destruction. Hence the magnificent quality forgiveness contains. Like Jesus on His cross was able to reconcile man with God, so should man use this avenue to reconcile himself with his fellow man. It is the medicine that cures the wounds and burns left behind by sin. This is where we see the divine nature behind the ability to genuinely forgive. It is unwise to believe that true forgiveness will allow an uncomfortable ambiance between the offended and his offender. If we listen intently what the Holy Spirit is teaching us, we see that true forgiveness repairs the rift created by the offense. If that were not so, then Jesus lied to His disciples when He said “you have gained your brother.” The same is true when we illuminate the spotlight on God’s mercy exhibited from the cross of His son. In forgiving mankind, Peter states that Jesus brought us to God. Here is the definition of gaining our brother. Being able to forgive our brother from his offenses, brings us to him. It allows us to rescue him from being consumed by the shame of his guilt. Amazingly, the purpose of disciplining an erring brother is fully complete when it is followed by forgiving and comforting him if he repents from his sin. It is dire to never forget that the intention should be to restore, not destroy. This restoration can only be accomplished when it is done with a sincere heart readily available and open to once more accept the offender with loving, open arms. Observe the position Jesus’ arms were in while He was on the cross before His offenders. There is no doubt that they were open, ready to embrace and comfort every single one of them.
