Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Wednesday May 6, 2009

A long time and dear friend wrote in response to yesterday's letter on Forgiveness:

"I heard a statement the other day, "I can forgive him, but I can't accept him." I suppose the statement could mean, I have forgiven, but I don't condone his sin. However it was along the lines of, "He has hurt so many and he has a lot to do to make it right." What would you think?"

I am using a Bible event to answer, though if people, by which I mean many preachers, are not fully aware of the grace bestowed upon them, refuse to see the scope of God's forgiveness in Christ they attempt to justify the mean spirited writing off people rather than embracing the restorative power of Christ.

A grand battle between two great men took place and the bolded verses give the event, the recommendation and the personal use of one who at one time was considered unfit:

Acts 15:37-39 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;

2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

A serious flaw was seen in Mark by Paul, the ensuing argument is recorded. Somewhere along the line Mark overcame the flaw by Christ's power and the mentoring of Barnabas, and Paul recommends Mark to the church at Colosse and 2 years later which is 14 years from the instant case, Paul requests the presence of Mark with himself at Rome as he sees Mark as "profitable."

Over the years Mark had demonstrated that he understood the seriousness of the offense, served the Lord passionately, and Paul gave to Mark that which he had himself received, grace. The idea of forgiving and restoring "if" the offender pays some humongous price is foreign to grace. We all owe a debt we never repay and we who have received grace must bestow this grace upon others. Paul and Philemon are a case study of this principle.

As to worrying about "condoning" forgiven sin, the statement on its face bears evidence the person has NOT forgiven, for when sin is forgiven there is nothing to condone. According to scripture the "sin" is gone, under the blood as the old timers and the Bible state, and cannot be presented as evidence.

Larry Lilly Copyright (C) 2009 Use with credit

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