The Ven. Dr. James T. Payne: “Forgiveness” (Matthew 18:35)

Here is a new sermon by the Ven. Dr. James T. Payne of St. Thomas of Canterbury REC in Texas, which I am calling Forgiveness.  In this sermon for the Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity, based on Matthew 18:35, Dr. Payne gives us some insights into the necessity of forgiveness.  This portion states it very well:

“Forgive our trespasses as we forgive the trespasses of others…”. “No, not seven times,” Jesus answered, “but seventy times seven.” Jesus was telling Peter, that as God’s mercy in forgiving us is infinite, so we must be willing to forgive others.

We see God’s mercy and forgiveness in the life and teaching of Christ. Jesus speaks of turning the other cheek, he allows Himself to be arrested, tried in a mockery of justice, beaten and crucified and then prays “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Note that Jesus does not actually forgive them because they have not repented, and have not been granted the gift of faith. But He does implore the Father’s mercy. Contrast this with the repentant thief on the cross. God offers His mercy, but without faith and repentance there can be no forgiveness.

Like the man in the parable who was forgiven a great debt he could never pay only to demand payment of what another owed him, we cannot truly put down the burden of our sins unless we can also forgive others.

How often does God forgive us? Whenever we confess our sins and plead the blood of Christ.

Does this erase the effects of sin? No. Forgiveness and consequences are not the same thing.

A convicted murderer can be granted absolution by the Church, forgiven by God, and also be put to death by the state without contradiction.

This is something which, in post Christian culture we cannot seem to understand.

Death itself is a consequence of the Fall — Death is the result of man’s sinfulness. But death is not a punishment. It has been said that if it were not for the fact of death we could never be saved because human mortality forces us to abandon the notion that we can be our own god. How often then must we forgive others who are penitent — not some legalistic number, but as often as God forgives us.

The rest of the sermon is well worth reading for his thoughts on punishment and vengeance, among other things – please see what you think.

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