By Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson III, BA, MA, DD
(Unless otherwise stated, all Scriptural quotations are
from the New American Standard Bible)
I.
LESSON PURPOSE.
A.
THE VERDICT. This
week was the pronouncement of a verdict regarding a former Dallas, TX
policewoman who shot and killed an unarmed black man while he was eating ice
cream in his own residence. Her story was that she thought a person had entered
her own residence and her life was in danger.
B.
BLACK AND WHITE. The
policewoman was white; the victim was black. There is evidence of racial
remarks that have been made by the former policewoman. She received 10 years
for this crime.
C.
INJUSTICES. While
there are differences of opinion on how long or short the sentence should be,
at least this was a glimmer of hope in a long series of injustices that have
occurred to Black Americans through the years.
D.
INNOCENT VICTIMS. Most
law abiding Black Americans do not endorse criminal behavior. That is not the
issue. The issue is when the innocent are killed; whoever it is by the hands
of.
E.
DIVISION OF THE HOUSE.
What has caused MAJOR DIVISION among Christians is when the brother of the
victim offered forgiveness and a hope in Jesus Christ to the former policewoman;
and also the (black) Judge offered her a Bible. So the question before us today
is, “IS
THERE EVER A TIME WHERE FORGIVENESS IS OUT OF THE QUESTION?”
1.
TWO DIFFERENT STORYLINES. The reason for the confusion and strife is that you have
two different story lines being told at the same time.
a.
THE STORYLINE OF JUSTICE. People are furious over this (forgiving the
perpetrator); because it is like for years we have been seeking justice. This
case is not processed in a vacuum. It represents a multi centuries long
struggle. It finally looks like the system is going to work (at least in
this one case). Then the perpetrator gets off with what many view as a light
sentence. And, then those victimized offer forgiveness and love; while most
people know that the system would never give to them that same forgiveness (if
the “shoe was on the other foot”).
b.
THE STORYLINE OF FORGIVENESS. The other issue is that the Savior emphatically taught
that we were to forgive. But, is that in every case? Let’s look at a few
Scriptures and grapple with this dilemma.
Matthew 18:21-22 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
21 Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how
often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus *said
to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up
to seventy times seven.
Matthew 6:12-15 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have
forgiven our debtors. 13 ‘And
do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and
the glory forever. Amen.’],14 For
if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you. 15 But if you do not
forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
Mark 11:25-26 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
25 Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you
have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also
forgive you your transgressions. 26 [But if you do not
forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your
transgressions.”]
F.
ON A MORE PERSONAL NOTE. I was raised by my grandparents, who were intricately
involved in the Civil Rights Movement. They ensured that I was a member of the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People from a child.
1.
RACISM IN THE DEEP SOUTH. My grandfather received an opportunity through the “Army
Airforce” and also the field of education. Thus, they left the Deep South
(Florida) because of the harsh racism they experienced in that part of the
country. I yet have many of their newspaper clippings; including one where an
older black lady was arrested for attempting to attend a white Baptist church
in Florida.
2.
HOW WOULD MY GRANDPARENTS REACT? To be honest, they saw so much of the wicked side of
humanity; that I am sure that they would be appalled at the very thought of
forgiving a white person that had shot an innocent black man in his home.
3.
JESUS IS TO BE OUR PERFECT EXAMPLE. However, as much as I love and appreciate their memory,
my grandparents are not the Person I have pledged my life to; the Lord Jesus Christ
is.
II.
LESSON INTRODUCTION.
A.
WHILE WE SAY ALL SIN IS SIN; GOD SEES IT DIFFERENTLY.
1.
YES THE BIBLE SAYS THAT ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS SIN.
1 John 5:17 New American
Standard Bible (NASB)
17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a
sin not leading to death.
2.
HOWEVER, GOD WILL RESERVE GREATER JUDGMENT FOR SOME SINS.
Matthew 11:20-24 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
20 Then He began to denounce the cities in which
most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you,
Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and
Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and
ashes. 22 Nevertheless I say to
you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23 And
you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will descend to
Hades; for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it
would have remained to this day. 24 Nevertheless
I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you.”
3.
SOME SINS ARE SO EGREGIOUS THAT GOD RESERVES SPECIAL
PUNISHMENT FOR THESE TRANSGRESSIONS.
2 Peter 2:4 New American
Standard Bible (NASB)
4 For if God did not spare angels when they
sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness,
reserved for judgment;
B.
GOD IS TOTALLY AGAINST THE SIN OF OPPRESION. This sin is to be judged.
1.
JEWS WERE OPPRESSED.
During the time Christ walked the Earth, the Jews were under the oppression of
the Roman Empire. Even then, you had two main different schools of thought
(among many others): First, those who
believed in the overthrow of the Roman Empire (referred to as Zealots) and,
second, those who focused more on establishing a spiritual Kingdom (of course
this second group was led by Christ Jesus Himself).
Matthew
10:4 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who
betrayed Him.
John 18:36 New American
Standard Bible (NASB)
36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My
kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would
not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”
2.
BLACKS HAVE BEEN OPPRESSED. Blacks may not be under the oppression of an actual
empire. But, the “residue” of racism, poverty and injustice exist until this
day. Much like the segregation and prejudice between Jews and Samaritans exist
to this day (two thousand years after this passage was written).
John 4:9 New American
Standard Bible (NASB)
9 Therefore the Samaritan woman *said to Him,
“How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan
woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)
C.
NOWHERE IN THE BIBLE DOES IT SAY TO FORGIVE “AN OPPRESIVE
SYSTEM.” While individuals may be forgiven of their
transgressions; an oppressive system (e.g., ideologies, legal systems,
government, economic systems, etc.) is never to be forgiven. It is to be
repented of; or the perpetrators face the wrath of Almighty God. Prophets in
the Bible (Old and New Testament) often preached against the oppression of the
poor and down trodden:
Psalm 72:4 New American
Standard Bible (NASB)
4 May he vindicate the afflicted of the people,
Save the children of the needy
And crush the oppressor.
Proverbs 22:22-23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor,
Or crush the afflicted at the gate;
23 For the Lord will plead their case
And take the life of those who rob them.
Isaiah 1:17 New American
Standard Bible (NASB)
17 Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Reprove the ruthless,
Defend the orphan,
Plead for the widow
Jeremiah 7:5-7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
5 For if you truly amend your ways and your
deeds, if you truly practice justice between a man and his neighbor, 6 if you do not oppress the alien, the
orphan, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor walk
after other gods to your own ruin, 7 then
I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers
forever and ever.
Zechariah 7:9-10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
9 “Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and
practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; 10 and do not
oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise
evil in your hearts against one another.’
Luke 16:25 New American Standard
Bible (NASB)
25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that
during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad
things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.
James 5:1-6 New American
Standard Bible (NASB)
5 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which
are coming upon you. 2 Your
riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and your silver have rusted; and
their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire.
It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! 4 Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed
your fields, and which has been
withheld by you, cries out against you;
and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord
of Sabaoth. 5 You have lived
luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened
your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You
have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.
III.
POINTS TO PONDER. Here
are some important points to remember:
A.
THE BIBLE IS NOT CONTRADICTORY. It is complimentary. It all fits together. While
there is only one plan of salvation (the Gospel) and only One Savior (the Lord
Jesus Christ); when it comes to everyday life, God knows that every
circumstance is different. So God give us different scenarios in the Bible that
will help us in every situation.
1.
He told the Israelites to destroy the Amalekites for what
they had done. This was an ungodly nation. Their atrocities
were not to be forgiven. They were to be executed.
Deuteronomy 25:17-19 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
17 “Remember what Amalek did to you along the
way when you came out from Egypt, 18 how he met you along the way and attacked
among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary; and he
did not fear God. 19 Therefore
it shall come about when the Lord your God has given you rest from all your surrounding
enemies, in the land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance to possess, you
shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you must not forget.
2.
He told David to go and take back everything that was
stolen from him by the Amalekites. These
are the exact same people that God had pronounced judgment on in Deuteronomy.
1 Samuel 30:1-8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
30 Then it happened when David and his men came to Ziklag on
the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid on the Negev and on Ziklag,
and had overthrown Ziklag and burned it with fire; 2 and they took
captive the women and all who
were in it, both small and great, without killing anyone, and carried them off and went their way. 3 When David and his men came to the city,
behold, it was burned with fire, and their wives and their sons and their
daughters had been taken captive. 4 Then
David and the people who were with him lifted their voices and wept until there
was no strength in them to weep. 5 Now
David’s two wives had been taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail
the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. 6 Moreover
David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all
the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But
David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
7 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the
son of Ahimelech, “Please bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought the ephod to
David. 8 David
inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?” And He said
to him, “Pursue, for you will surely overtake them, and you will surely rescue all.”
3.
Paul, by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, was led to
put a man out the church for his immoral lifestyle. He was to be put out. But, he was later forgiven ONCE HE
REPENTED.
1 Corinthians 5:1-5 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
5 It is actually reported that there is immorality among
you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles,
that someone has his father’s wife. 2 You have become arrogant and
have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be
removed from your midst.
3 For I, on my part, though absent in body but
present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though
I were present. 4 In
the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit,
with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 I have decided to deliver such a one
to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in
the day of the Lord Jesus.
2 Corinthians 2:6-7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment
which was inflicted by the
majority, 7 so
that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be
overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
a.
COULD IT BE THAT REPENTANCE IS NECESSARY FOR FORGIVENESS? Take note of the word, “if.”
2 Chronicles 7:13-14 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
13 If I shut up the heavens so that there is no
rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence
among My people, 14 and
My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face
and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive
their sin and will heal their land.
1 John 1:9 New American
Standard Bible (NASB)
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
B.
WHAT FORGIVNESS IS NOT.
1.
FORGIVENESS DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU ESCAPE CONSEQUENCES
FOR YOUR ACTIONS. Forgiveness does not mean that you do not
suffer consequences. For example, say the speed limit is 60 mph; however, I
drive at 85 mph. Then the police stop me and give me a ticket. If I ask God for
forgiveness; I am completely forgiven by God. But, that does NOT let me off of
the hook for paying the consequences. The ticket does not disappear because I
am forgiven. I am forgiven; but I yet have to take responsibility for my
actions.
a.
KING DAVID’S HOUSE WAS CURSED BECAUE OF HIS SIN THAT HE
REPENTED OF. An example is King David. He confessed his
sin of adultery and murder. God forgave Him. But, that did not erase the
consequences. David’s family was cursed as a result of his actions: death, rape
and murder, reigned in his family for many years.
Psalm 51:1-2 New American
Standard Bible (NASB)
51 Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your
lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my
transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin.
2 Samuel 12:10-14 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
10 Now therefore, the sword shall never depart
from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah
the Hittite to be your wife.’ 11 Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household;
I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad
daylight. 12 Indeed you did it
secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun.’”
13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have
sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David,
“The Lord also has taken away your sin; you shall not die. 14 However, because by this deed you have
given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to
blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die.”
b.
BOTH THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT SUPPORTS THE DEATH
PENALTY. According to the Scriptures; there were some
crimes worthy of death.
Leviticus 24:17-22 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
17 ‘If a man takes the life of any human being,
he shall surely be put to death. 18 The one who takes the life of an animal
shall make it good, life for life. 19 If
a man injures his neighbor, just as he has done, so it shall be done to him:
20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye,
tooth for tooth; just as he has injured a man, so it shall be inflicted on him.
21 Thus the one who kills an animal
shall make it good, but the one who kills a man shall be put to death. 22 There shall be one standard for you; it
shall be for the stranger as well as the native, for I am the Lord your God.’”
Romans 13:1-4 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
13 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing
authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist
are established by God. 2 Therefore
whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have
opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For
rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to
have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the
same; 4 for it is a minister of
God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not
bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings
wrath on the one who practices evil.
2.
FORGIVENESS DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU AND YOUR ENEMY BECOME
FRIENDS. Forgiveness does not mean that you and the
culprit become the best of friends. In many cases where people have come from
abuse cases; it would be counterproductive to seek out to befriend your past
abuser. Sometimes you must love from a distance.
a.
JESUS DID NOT SEEK TO BECOME FRIENDS WITH HIS ENEMIES. Looking at the following passage in context; Jesus is
ASKING GOD to forgive the actual persons that were His executioners. However,
you read nowhere in the Bible that after His resurrection He sought them out to
befriend them. Note, the Bible records that it was only a few of His select
followers that He showed Himself to. He did NOT show Himself to, not try to
connect with His enemies. Basically, because I forgive you; it does NOT make us
friends.
Luke 23:32-34 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
32 Two others also, who were criminals, were
being led away to be put to death with Him.
33 When they came to the place called The Skull,
there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on
the left. 34 But
Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not
know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing
up His garments among themselves.
1 Corinthians 15:3-8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance
what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, 4 and
that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the
Scriptures, 5 and that He
appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After
that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom
remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then
He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and
last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.
C.
WE ARE NOT GOD; AND IT’S NOT UP TO US TO DETERMINE IF A
PERSON IS REALLY REMORSEFUL OR NOT. If they
repent or ask forgiveness; it should be granted. Only God is the one that knows
whether a person is really sincere or not.
1.
GOD WAS DISPLEASED WITH JONAH FOR NOT FORGIVING THE
NINEVITES.
a.
THE ASSYRIANS. The
Assyrians were one of the most wicked and vile empires ever. They thrived on
conquering and deporting entire people groups. They loved to physically torture
their captives to death. Imagine the horror to Jonah, when God called
him to minister the Word to Nineveh (the capital city of the empire).
b.
JONAH’S PREACHING. When
Jonah’s ministry was successful and the enemies of his nation repented (and God
was no longer going to judge them – at least for that moment); Jonah was very
displeased, to the point he wanted to die.
Jonah 3:10 New American
Standard Bible (NASB)
10 When God saw their deeds, that they turned
from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had
declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.
Jonah 4:1-4 New American
Standard Bible (NASB)
4 But it greatly displeased Jonah and he became angry. 2 He prayed to
the Lord and said, “Please Lord, was not this what I said while I was still
in my own country? Therefore in
order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious
and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one
who relents concerning calamity. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for death is
better to me than life.” 4 The
Lord said, “Do you have good reason to be angry?”
Jonah 4:10-11 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
10 Then the Lord said, “You had compassion on the plant for
which you did not work and which
you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight. 11 Should I not
have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000
persons who do not know the difference
between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?”
2.
JESUS WAS DISPLEASED WITH THE RELIGIOUS RULERS FOR HOW
THEY VIEWED REPENTANT SINNERS.
Luke 7:38 New American
Standard Bible (NASB)
38 and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her
tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and
anointing them with the perfume.
Luke 7:44-50 New American
Standard Bible (NASB)
44 Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house;
you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and
wiped them with her hair. 45 You
gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My
feet. 46 You did not anoint My
head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47 For
this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she
loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 49 Those
who were reclining at the table
with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50 And
He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in
peace.”
IV.
CONCLUSION. Is
there ever a time when forgiveness is out of the question? When it comes to
ungodly systems that violate the poor and oppressed; we are to fight for
justice. These systems are not to be forgiven; they are to be overhauled. When
it comes to individuals who have transgressed, we should be the bigger person
and be like Christ who offered forgiveness to us for our sins!
Psalm 103:3 New American
Standard Bible (NASB)
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Psalm 103:10 New American Standard
Bible (NASB)
10 He has not dealt with us according to our
sins,
Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
Romans 5:8-10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more
then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were
reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been
reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 New American Standard Bible(NASB)
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things
passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who
reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of
reconciliation, 19 namely, that
God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their
trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
