SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS
Commentary by
Forgiveness is the Key to Restoring Broken
Relationships
2 Corinthians 2:5-11; 7:2-15
Key Verse: For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death. – 2 Corinthians 7:10
In the Dictionary of Quotations only one person is quoted under the word “forgiveness.” That person is Jesus and the quotation is the entire parable of the prodigal son found in the 15th chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Obviously the authors felt this statement on forgiveness by our Lord has no equal. And they are correct.
Of course
Jesus had much more to say about forgiveness. The necessity of forgiveness was
a cardinal teaching of Jesus. His teaching was penetratingly clear as in
Matthew 6:14-15: “For
if you forgive men when they sin against you, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive
men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
“And
be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving
one another, just as God in Christ forgave
you.” (NKJV) That admonition to forgive has challenged me all my life. Even
when I am slow to forgive, I know I must for the Lord leaves us no other
alternative.
Paul learned firsthand the need for a
forgiving spirit. Not everyone in the church at
When a person has been grievously
offended, forgiveness is never easy. In fact, it becomes possible only when we
remember the grace of God. Paul helps us understand the crucial role of grace
in forgiveness. Grace makes the impossible possible. God forgives us for our
sins. He expects us to forgive those who sin against us. This we must do or our
fellowship with the Father is broken. We cannot know God and at the same time
harbor resentment toward another person.
What then can motivate us to repent of
our resentment or hatred toward another? Paul’s answer is “godly grief.” Godly
grief is grief that involves God. Godly grief makes us aware that we have
sinned against God as well as the person we resent. Remember the cry of David
as he repented of his adultery with Bathsheba? His was godly grief:
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to
your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my
transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight. . . .” (Psalm 51:1-4)
Godly
grief moves us to genuine repentance. Paul commends the church for their
repentance; it has brought him great joy. He hammers home the sharp contrast
between godly grief and “worldly grief.” Godly grief “produces a repentance
that leads to salvation” while worldly grief “produces death.” One leads to
peace with God; the other to separation from God.
Today’s
scripture offers us yet another jewel from the apostle: “Make room in your hearts for us.” Here Paul shows us that genuine Christianity
is a matter of the heart. Despite our differences and inevitable conflict in
the church, we can learn to open our hearts to one another! We can recognize
that our sins grieve God and we can repent. We can forgive one another and
allow grace to restore broken relationships. When we do this, even pagans will
testify, “Those Christians really do love one another!”
Satan
has a field day when Christians engage in bitter conflict. He delights to see
us focus our attention on what is wrong with other people. He loves it when we
think we are always right! But when we remember the Cross and repent of our own
sins, we defeat Satan. He wants nothing to do with genuine repentance,
forgiveness, and reconciliation.
Our
churches become stronger when Christians practice forgiveness. Old wounds can
be healed by a forgiving spirit. Broken relationships can be mended by
forgiveness. As the old gospel song puts it, “chords that were broken will
vibrate once more,” and joy will abound in the household of God!
The
key is to open our hearts to one another, to love one another unconditionally,
and to be willing for God to mend not some but all our broken
relationships. He can do it – when our
hearts are open to him and to each other. May God give us the willingness so to
live!
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