Title: Mystery of Forgiveness
Contents
The Mystery of Forgiveness (Summary)
Isaiah 1:18, Matthew 18:21-22
(This sermon video was made at the church where I worked just before.)
We don't know how tolerant of our own mistakes in our lives compared to the mistakes of others. But in Matthew 7, the Lord rebukes us, saying, “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not understand the log that is in your own eye?” In fact, our eyes are used to seeing others. We can see our face in front of the mirror, but when we step out of the mirror, all we can see is the appearance of someone other than ourselves. That's why I can find other people's tees well, but I can't easily find my own tees.
In Matthew 18, Peter asks Jesus: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how many times shall I forgive him or up to seven times?” At this time, the Lord answered, “Not only seven times, but seven times up to seventy times.” If someone has done something wrong to me, it is the Lord's word to forgive me without limiting myself to numbers. So, what kind of ritual can we forgive more easily?
First, I have to admit that I am a forgiven being.
All of us sitting here are forgiven beings. We have always been forgiven, and we are the ones who deserve forgiveness. There is hope in the future as the door of God's forgiveness is open to us. With this in mind, who can we condemn?
Second, you must look to me at the foot of the cross.
Golgotha Hill, where the cross stands, is the site of forgiveness. From the cross of the Lord, there was not a voice of cursing towards those who crucified and ridiculed, but rather a voice asking for forgiveness and mercy toward the ignorant people. It is the fact that the blood of forgiveness did not flow from the body of the Lord who was crucified, but the blood of anger. Instead of an echo of a cursed voice, a prayer for forgiveness and salvation for the people flowed from the cross.
Anyone who asked for forgiveness under the cross of Jesus was forgiven. Repentance and forgiveness continue to cycle under the cross. Finding us at the foot of the cross will lead to a life of forgiveness.
Third, there is only one God who judges.
Judgment is God's unique authority. All we need to do is to entrust everything to the Lord and practice forgiveness in imitation of the Lord.
However, this kind of forgiveness is followed by a mysterious history. Peace of mind and the grace of God's forgiveness will come to those who forgive. This is the mystery of forgiveness.
Now we pray that under the cross of the Lord, by the power of His power, we can all be transformed into understandable and forgiving Christians.