When we look at the text of Matthew 18 verses 21-22, we find what appears to be the definitive Christological view on forgiveness: “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”  Though Christ’s words are symbolic of an unlimited amount and the parable following in verses 23-35 demonstrate the need for unlimited forgiveness, what is strangely missing is the juridical viewpoint of Western Christianity that the normal consequences of sin are not obviated by forgiveness.  Well, at least most of the time this is the case.

Although the word consequence or consequences does not appear in the New Testament of the Authorized Version or the New International Version, the concept of “consequences” resonates within the Bible, especially 2 Kingdoms (2 Kings).  In the story of King David and Bathsheeba, the prophet Nathan foretells the consequences of David’s sins of adultery and murder.  As king, David will suffer internal strife and struggle within his own house (incest, fratricide, and rebellion), warfare from without, and the child born of adultery will die.  Not even David’s moving repentance psalm (Psalm 50) will alter Nathan’s prophecy, despite the psalm being a model of true repentance for his sins.

So just what does the unlimited forgiveness in Matthew 18 address?

Forgiveness, like David’s “Against you only have I sinned” (Psalm 50:6), only addresses the forgiving party, which is the “offended” party.  God knows just how much unforgiveness hurts the individual that was wronged, which is why He commands us to forgive.  Thus, forgiveness is about healing one’s self.  It is not about excusing the consequences associated with the offender’s conduct, whether prophesied or a known result codified in a country’s laws or the severing of a relationship, etc.  Forgiveness heals.  And God is so adamant that His children be healed (so that He can proceed with the individual’s theosis), He commands us to forgive – for our own sake!

But what of the offender?  How does the offender heal?

Again, as demonstrated by David in Psalm 50, the offender is healed through repentance and God’s forgiveness, not man’s forgiveness.  In another synoptic Gospel, the Scribes correctly ask who can forgive sin but God alone (Mark 2:7).  Again we see God’s amazing mercy for both the offended and offender.  One is healed by the commanded act of forgiveness and the other is healed by sincere repentance.

But what about insincere repentance and lengthy forgiveness?

Depending on how egregious the offense is, it may take a considerable amount of time to forgive an offending party.  Human beings are fallible and sometimes forgiveness becomes a process.  Yet, as God sees one struggle in moving toward forgiveness, His Fatherly heart is joyful as any parent is when watching their child make spiritual progress.  The important aspect of forgiveness is neither to be slack or too eager to forgive when not ready to completely forgive.  Continue to pray and continue to move toward forgiveness, especially when the offense is devastating.  As for insincere repentance, the offended needs to be extremely careful!  If one thinks insincere repentance is the mark of the offender, such an “observation” may be commensurate with weeding another’s garden or looking at the speck in another’s eye.  However (and this is a big however), if the offending party continues to repeat the offense on a regular basis, then a change of heart or “turning away” from the sin is not evident.  There should be fruit that demonstrates sincere repentance.  And, no, it does not have to be a series of mea culpas.  Yet, there does need to be something noticeably different in the offender’s behavior.

Can you give an example of when an offense irrevocably destroys a relationship?

Within the context of marriage, adultery is the first one – and sometimes only one – that is recognized as a basis for divorce within many (if not most) Protestant sects.  Yet, what of spousal rape?  Physical abuse that blackens eyes or breaks bones?  Emotional abuse?  A spouse not returning at night on a regular basis (a form of abandonment)?  Clearly these types of behaviors go to the heart of the marital relationship, so why are they not a basis for divorce?  In God’s “economy” there is really no legitimate reason that these behaviors are not grounds for divorce.  Unfortunately, the Western Church in its overall “protest” (Protestant) fails to grasp the concept of ekonomia that has resided within the historic Church.  In its zeal to re-balance the scales imbalanced by Roman Catholicism’s excesses, the Reformation oft times throws the baby out with the bath water.  Add into the equation its own form of juridical legalism inherited from the Catholic Church, and today’s Protestant sects can become loveless pits of conditional love and harsh judgmentalism.  Such things are not part of the Kingdom of God.

What about non-marital relationships – can they be irrevocably destroyed by an offense?

Any relationship can be lost when not attended to and Christ makes it clear that relationships are the most important thing we do.  Love God and love others are the basis for the most simplified distillation of the Gospel message.  When we fail to love, we can easily fall into neglect of our critical relationships, as well as sin.  Perhaps one of the deadliest offenses to the non-marital relationship is gossip and there is far too much gossip within the church.  Another example is the “gutless” Christian.  Christ is both the Lamb of God and the Lion of Judah and, within these polar opposites, Christ embodies a completely balanced persona in His humanity.  Often times contemporary Christians fail to obey God, because they are afraid of man.  Complicating this quandary is the American Christian affinity for “interpreting” the Bible literally or with a post-Reformation hermeneutic.  In both instances, the Christian can readily justify an abusive pastor, by failing to align one’s self with the historical church, its creeds and councils, and its checks and balances.  Today’s Christian landscape has become a hodge-podge of non-denominational “churches” lead by “self-ordained” pastors.  Unfortunately, not only can these conditions lead to cult formation, the pressure to conform overrides critical thinking.  And let someone “rock the boat” with a legitimate concern or biblical basis for disagreement, and the group pounces on the individual in attempts to bring them back to the “fold.”  The damage done to these strong individuals, both by excommunication or dis-fellowship, can be devastating and effectively destroy a non-marital relationship.

Lastly, it is important to remember that God provides healing for both parties to an offense.  It is also important to understand that healing does not automatically equate to the restoration of a relationship.  Sometimes it may take years for a relationship’s full restoration, even though both parties are presently healed by the respective mechanisms God provides.  It is particularly important to note that an offense can be so egregious and consequence-laden that a relationship is permanently destroyed (e.g. spousal rape). However, even though marriages and non-marital relationships may not withstand human hurt, all of us can be reconciled to God through forgiveness and repentance.

Barack Obama has not left the campaign trail since taking office. And one thing we have learned from his example is that community organizers don’t necessarily equate to leaders with leadership skills. It is one thing to organize a like-minded rabble to protest against and denounce the latest invented villain, but it is quite another to lead a country that is nearly divided in half in its belief as to the proper role of the federal government.

Although telling a lie to protect America and Americans is acceptable (and a biblical argument can be made defending the practice), to tell multiple lies that result in an extremely negative impact to America’s children is intolerable. Obama’s repeated use of the words “tax cut” to describe existing tax rates is not only vile, but it threatens our childrens’ future. If Barack Obama was truly concerned with tax equity, then he would be leading the charge to end the loopholes that his supporters at General Electric, etc., enjoy.

However, it is blatant for all with eyes to see and ears to hear that Obama would rather engage in class warfare and rip America apart then to make the hard choice and take steps to amend the tax code, as well as ending tax support for corrupt entities such as Fannie and Freddie. Obama is engaged in a campaign to pit American against American, continue spending money that doesn’t exist, and destroy our childrens’ future.

Our president can claim that he is a Christian, but not leaving an inheritance for our children is an abdication of biblical responsibility on the part of Obama the individual and Obama the so-called leader. Despite his denials, Obama spent years under the tutelage of an America-hater masquerading as an under-shepherd of Almighty God, and the “fruit” we see from Obama indicates he was listening more closely than he is willing to admit.

In the final analysis it does not matter who Obama’s biological father is or was, because his “spiritual father” is Satan himself — the “father of lies.” And although Americans are expected to respect the presidential office, there can be no respect for a man that places short-term elitist and personal interests above the good of the country and the country’s future.

Once the young man comes to his senses, he returns to his father’s land and home. Before he even has the opportunity to admit his sin and to be treated as one of his father’s servants, the lad’s father “ran” while his son “was still a great way off.” Such a display on the part of the father was considered “unseemly” in Jewish culture (an older man running). Yet, the father was so taken with love for his son that, unseemly or not, he ran to his son.

This is what God does with each one of us whenever we are willing to repent and turn back to God the Father.

Unfortunately, we live in an age where God is the furthest thing from many people’s minds and certainly in their actions toward others. In Wisconsin this past week, teachers and other public servants were protesting changes that their employers want made — and their employers are the residents of Wisconsin who pay the taxes that employ the public “servants.” In their perverted outcry, the union members have gone so far as to insist that collective bargaining is a “basic human right.”

Not only does the Bible fail to address this assertion by the union, but there is absolutely nothing in our Declaration of Independence or Constitution that could be construed in such a far-fetched manner. Thus, we see the perverseness of this present age played out once again. Compounding the affront to the citizens in Wisconsin (and elsewhere) is the clear violations of the seventh and eighth Commandments of God. Not only have the public servants wasted time at work (they didn’t show up, thereby “stealing” from the taxpayers), they have gone so far as to distribute “fake” sick notes, thereby bearing false witness. That we entrust our children to such debased individuals is a frightening thought indeed.

The unethical and ungodly conduct of Wisconsin’s public servants should give us a basis for a renewed fervor in praying for those who are so far from God they don’t even realize that their actions have consequences. Their actions sow seeds of rebellion in our children, promote greedy attitudes, and are selfish and self-centered. States with collective bargaining civil servants are on the verge of bankruptcy. Yet, despite the millions of unemployed and underemployed Americans, the “servants” are demanding the status quo of holding a gun to the taxpayers’ heads via strikes, threats, intimidation, defiance of God and a hateful attitude toward their “employers.” And if you think these “civil” servants are in any way acting “civil,” then you need to look at the protest pictures that no mainstream media will cover — not even Fox News (Warning: Graphic Language).

So what will Wisconsin do? Hopefully the governor and the Republicans will remain stalwart in their drive to curtail collective bargaining (not “end,” as the protesters duplicitously allege). Otherwise the taxpayers of Wisconsin will be feeding greedy “swine-like” public servants for years to come.

“Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” Matthew 23:28

Recently, a friend suggested to another they seek “righteous counsel.”  The friend was presupposing that all pastors provide such counsel, because of the numerous warnings about the unrighteousness of the Pharisees throughout the New Covenant – such as the one found in Matthew 23.

Unfortunately, too often America’s pastorate fails to provide such counsel for a variety of reasons.

“We come to understand that we are in a living relationship with Christ which requires us to learn the one true rule of the Master — the law of love. We learn how to apply this law to every situation. “Love God first, then love your neighbor as yourself.” This Law of love moves us beyond the fear of breaking rules to imitating Christ our Lord.” —Fr. Ted Bobosh

As Father Boboosh notes, there is such a thing as the law of love, which contains the two elements of Christ’s command to Christians – love God, love others, even your enemies.  Yet, there are still far too many within the church that seek to elevate “man’s rules” or a personal agenda or a knee-jerk reaction to societal ills above Christ’s “Law of Love.”

One example can encompass both a knee-jerk reaction and “man’s rules” simultaneously.  Divorce is a sticky issue in Christian circles but, unfortunately, it’s an ever-growing issue within the church.  Granted, some churches look the other way and don’t begin to apply God’s standards in the least.  In response to the dilemma, other churches go too far.  Let’s look at the latter.

A wife begs her husband to come home at night, but he ignores her.  Adding to her frustration, her husband beats her daughter from a previous marriage and fails to provide financially for either of her children from a previous marriage – a marriage that resulted in widowhood for her.  Not only does the husband fail to provide for the children, he depletes her childrens inheritance left behind by the deceased husband, spending it on his desires and, in essence, forcing the wife to provide for him.  Although this is not a strange example in the world, the husband responsible for these travesties claims Christ as Savior, and browbeats his newly believing wife into submission with his so-called “maturity in the Lord.”

Unlike the worldly man, this “Christian” man cannot be divorced for his behavior; because there’s no proof his failure to return home at night is related to an ongoing adultery.  And although his lack of provision categorizes him as “worse than an infidel,” the Christian wife is not free to leave or divorce him.  However, the widow finally has enough and divorces the infidel anyway, bringing the wrath of her pastors upon her, which results in her excommunication for the grievous sin of divorce.

During the course of the divorce, however, the man confesses to sexual sin, but claims it is not adultery.  The pastors accept his explanation and continue with their persecution of the woman.  Months pass and the full extent of the man’s sexual sin is revealed, fully meeting Christ’s definition of adultery.  However, the pastorate invokes a “man-centered” definition of adultery that conflicts with the Bible, insisting the man only committed the “first degree” of adultery, not the “third degree,” which would conclusively make him guilty of adultery in the pastors’ eyes.

Why are the pastors so willing to turn a blind eye to Christ’s own words?  Simple.  The epidemic of divorce must be stemmed in the church, even if it means violating the clear dictate of Holy Scripture.  For, after all, God hates divorce! (Malachi)

Actually, God hates sin; and adultery is such an egregious sin that it trumps God’s hatred of divorce, for God provides one exception to His hatred of divorce – adultery.  Why?  Adultery nullifies the covenant between a man and a woman, rends bone from bone and flesh from flesh, murders the spiritual bond between husband and wife, destroys trust, and blackens the transparency needed to maintain the married covenant.

“All of us who are human beings are in the image of God. But to be in his likeness belongs only to those who by great love have attached their freedom to God.”—St. Diadochus of Photike

Like the freedom Soldiers experience when they forsake their civilian “rights” to serve a higher purpose, freedom to God liberates.  At Pont du Hoc in Normandy, there is an inscription within one of the former German bunkers the Army’s Rangers took control of on June 6, 1944: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13  Such is the liberation found in love, for it is a freedom not found within the world…it is other worldly.  A man willingly lays down his life for his wife, just as Christ did for the church.  This is the standard, and this “willingness” is demonstrated on a daily basis by dying to self and self-centered interests.  When a man enters into the so-called “first degree of adultery,” he has already forsaken that willingness to sacrifice and love his wife.  He is already a covenant breaker and, in the example above, combined with the other aspects of his unfaithfulness to God, the pastorate’s primary focus needs to be on him – not her.

“Ever let mercy outweigh all else in you. Let our compassion be a mirror where we may see in ourselves that likeness and that true image which belong to the Divine nature and Divine essence. A heart hard and unmerciful will never be pure.”—St. Isaac of Syria, Directions on Spiritual Training

God’s “Law of Love” is based on His mercy.  In the example within this post, both former spouses need God’s mercy and pastoral mercy.  She for the gruesome marriage she endured and he as part of restoration to a right relationship with God.  Unfortunately, when a church’s leaders seek to elevate a knee-jerk reaction to a societal ill within the church above Scripture, neither spouse is served in God’s best interests.  Scripture is clear: Regardless of how much God hates divorce, He understands the devastation of adultery, and man has no right to minimize or re-codify (what God makes clear in his Word) in an effort to stop a biblical reason for divorce.  Otherwise, one engages in un-righteous counsel.

What good is it if we abstain from eating birds and fish, but bite and devour our brothers? Saint John Chrysostom

Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to him who sits on
Heaven’s mercy seat

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
to You the only wise King

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of your name
Jesus your name is power
Breath, and living water
Such a marvelous mystery
Yeah…

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

We can do nothing against our faults without the help of God…And we ought not be puffed up by victories over them…lest He see your arrogant heart…and you begin to be forsaken by Him, and troubled once more by that passion, which by God’s grace you had previously overcome.” John Cassian

Nativity Sermon
By Saint John Chrysostom

I behold a new and wondrous mystery!
My ears resound to the shepherd’s song, piping no
soft melody, but loudly chanting a heavenly hymn!
The angels sing!
The archangels blend their voices in harmony!
The cherubim resound their joyful praise!
The seraphim exalt His glory!

All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead herein…on earth and man in heaven. He who is above now, for our salvation, dwells here below; and we, who were lowly, are exalted by divine mercy!
Today Bethlehem resembles heaven, hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices and, in place of the sun, witnessing the rising of the Sun of Justice!

Ask not how this is accomplished, for where God wills, the order of nature is overturned. For He willed. He had the powers.  He descended. He saved. All things move in obedience to God.
Today He Who Is, is born!  And He Who Is becomes what He was not!  For when He was God, He became man – while not relinquishing the Godhead that is His…

And so the kings have come, and they have seen the heavenly King that has come upon the earth, not bringing with Him angels, nor archangels, nor thrones, nor dominions, nor powers, nor principalities, but, treading a new and solitary path, He has come forth from a spotless womb.
Yet He has not forsaken His angels, nor left them deprived of His care, nor because of His incarnation has He ceased being God.  And behold,

Kings have come, that they might serve the Leader of the Hosts of Heaven;
Women, that they might adore Him Who was born of a woman so that He might change the pains of childbirth into joy;
Virgins, to the Son of the Virgin…
Infants, that they may adore Him who became a little child, so that out of the mouths of infants He might perfect praise;
Children, to the Child who raised up martyrs through the rage of   Herod;
Men, to Him who became man that He might heal the miseries of His servants;
Shepherds, to the Good Shepherd who has laid down His life for His sheep;
Priests, to Him who has become a High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek;
Servants, to Him who took upon Himself the form of a servant, that He might bless our stewardship with the reward of freedom (Philippians 2:7);
Fishermen, to the Fisher of humanity;
Publicans, to Him who from among them named a chosen evangelist;
Sinful women, to Him who exposed His feet to the tears of the repentant woman;
And that I may embrace them all together, all sinners have come, that they may look upon the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!

Since, therefore, all rejoice, I too desire to rejoice!
I too wish to share the choral dance, to celebrate the festival! But I take my part, not plucking the harp nor with the music of pipes nor holding a torch, but holding in my arms the cradle of Christ!
For this is all my hope!
This is my life!
This is my salvation!
This is my pipe, my harp!

And bearing it I come, and having from its power received the gift of speech, I too, with the angels and shepherds sing:
“Glory to God in the Highest! And on earth peace to men of good will!”

Peace and blessings to all of you this Fourth of July weekend!

BTW, we’ll also be updating the trip via Twitter at http://twitter.com/Gottesfurcht