[Redbook4:208-209][19871210:2315f]{The
Transfer of Burdens and the Forgiveness of Sins [continued
(5)]
– (2) Forgiveness}[10th
December 1987]
19871210.2315
(Thursday)
[continued]
The
New Testament teachings {on} forgiveness and repentance sometimes
seem difficult to reconcile. Taking Matthew:
V.21
&[sic]
25
{–} I think explains the duty of the wrong-doer to make reparation.
V.38-42
(Turning the other cheek) {–} as stated, explains the duty of the
victim not to take revenge. It covers only actions, not
states of mind or intentions.
V.43-48
{–} Love your enemies.
XVIII.15-17
{–} The victim (or
any neighbour? (“brother”) must confront the wrong-doer
privately; then with witnesses; then in the community; then, if the
wrong-doer still will not listen and be won over, he must cut
contact.
XVIII.{21-35}
{–} Always forgive – the parable of the King's debtor and the
debtor's debtor{.} In both cases, the debtor begged for mercy: he
acknowledged the debt, asked for forgiveness, and promised to repay
if given time {–} i.e. was aware of his wrong-doing, repented of
it, and promised to make reparation: and was forgiven, in the first
case.
*[
{Underlining
added later}
The
Gospel According to St. Matthew:
V.21
- 26:
21
Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not
kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without
a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say
to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but
whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest
that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24
Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be
reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with
him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and
the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26
Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till
thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
V.38-42:
38
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth
for a tooth:
39
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall
smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let
him have thy cloak also.
41
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee
turn not thou away.
V.43-48:
43
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour,
and hate thine enemy.
44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do
good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use
you, and persecute you;
45
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he
maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain
on the just and on the unjust.
46
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even
the publicans the same?
47
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do
not even the publicans so?
48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is
perfect.
XVIII.15-17:
15
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him
his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou
hast gained thy brother.
16
But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more,
that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be
established.
17
And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if
he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man
and a publican.
XVIII.21-35:
21
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin
against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but,
Until seventy times seven.
23
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which
would take account of his servants.
24
And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed
him ten thousand talents.
25
But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be
sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to
be made.
26
The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord,
have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27
Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed
him, and forgave him the debt.
28
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants,
which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took
him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29
And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him,
saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30
And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should
pay the debt.
31
So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry,
and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32
Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou
wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst
me:
33
Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant,
even as I had pity on thee?
34
And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he
should pay all that was due unto him.
35
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from
your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
(Authorised/King
James Version of the Bible: The Gospel according to St. Matthew.)
]
[continues]
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