This morning, I came across a thread on Quora.com where some had asked a question regarding Matthew 18:22. While there were many comments making light of the text, mistakenly considering the number referenced rather the true implication of forgivenesses, others sadly misinterpreted it as a sin free for all, especially against Christians. Therefore, I decided to join the conversation with the following answer (in part).
Yes, we are all human and therefore fallible, therefore we're going to sin. The difference is humility vs. arrogance. We don't continue in deliberate sin computing the number of forgivenesses we have left. That's foolishness. Rather, in all things, we must approach God in humility and sincerity (sprint and truth). We must always remember that we are dealing with deity. God's ways are always right (that's His Righteousness). Therefore, repentance does not shield us from earthly, or even spiritual consequences, it delivers us from eternal damnation. Consider king David and how profusely he repented, yet he and his family suffered a multiplicity of consequences because of his sinfulness. Some people erroneously believe that because that's an old testament reference, because of Jesus, every person will only bear the consequences of their own sins. That's a misinterpretation of scripture. "The wages of sin is death." While it is true that Jesus paid that debt on Calvary, most, if not all of us will surely die. Howbeit, it is only by accepting Jesus's sacrifice through repentance that we no longer will we perish (die in sin because of sin). Neither for our own sins nor the sins of our father. Howbeit, it is still very probable to suffer the earthly consequences for our's and our father's sins: It happens everyday. It's HUMILITY vs ARROGANCE
In things scriptural and sspiritual, understanding is key. Just because a number is symbolically used as a metaphor of God infinite grace doesn’t mean that He excuses sin nor does it mean we have free-range, (not even up to 490 times on one day) to sin against God or others. While, the free gift of repentance renders God's grace of forgiveness, God never tolerates sin. Sin renders it's own consequenses, otherwise known as punishment. That analogy was impeccably depicted through Jesus's encounter with the two thieves that hung on the crosses next to him. Like God, Jesus did not engage the unreconciled thief (Matthew 5:24) . But unto the repentant thief:
And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."
Because of Jesus, God forgives; He does not tolerate. If only the other thief had repented.
I thank the Holy Ghost for imparting this knowledge to me. Even as I write, He pours into me that I may freely give to those with ears to hear. Therefore, please pardon grammatical and punctuation errors as I am trying to keep up with flow of this impartation.
[/SIZE]
Afterthought: Regarding the unrepentant thief. Can you imagine, that because someone in assuming that they're facing the same destiny as someone else, mockingly misreads God's greater purpose? It's like a blind person foolishly taunting someone else just because they're both at the ophthalmologist's office. But, the reality is that while the taunter is there to be treated for blindness, the one being taunted is actually there to take part in a study to prevent blindness.[/JUSTIFY]
Yes, we are all human and therefore fallible, therefore we're going to sin. The difference is humility vs. arrogance. We don't continue in deliberate sin computing the number of forgivenesses we have left. That's foolishness. Rather, in all things, we must approach God in humility and sincerity (sprint and truth). We must always remember that we are dealing with deity. God's ways are always right (that's His Righteousness). Therefore, repentance does not shield us from earthly, or even spiritual consequences, it delivers us from eternal damnation. Consider king David and how profusely he repented, yet he and his family suffered a multiplicity of consequences because of his sinfulness. Some people erroneously believe that because that's an old testament reference, because of Jesus, every person will only bear the consequences of their own sins. That's a misinterpretation of scripture. "The wages of sin is death." While it is true that Jesus paid that debt on Calvary, most, if not all of us will surely die. Howbeit, it is only by accepting Jesus's sacrifice through repentance that we no longer will we perish (die in sin because of sin). Neither for our own sins nor the sins of our father. Howbeit, it is still very probable to suffer the earthly consequences for our's and our father's sins: It happens everyday. It's HUMILITY vs ARROGANCE
In things scriptural and sspiritual, understanding is key. Just because a number is symbolically used as a metaphor of God infinite grace doesn’t mean that He excuses sin nor does it mean we have free-range, (not even up to 490 times on one day) to sin against God or others. While, the free gift of repentance renders God's grace of forgiveness, God never tolerates sin. Sin renders it's own consequenses, otherwise known as punishment. That analogy was impeccably depicted through Jesus's encounter with the two thieves that hung on the crosses next to him. Like God, Jesus did not engage the unreconciled thief (Matthew 5:24) . But unto the repentant thief:
And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."
Because of Jesus, God forgives; He does not tolerate. If only the other thief had repented.
I thank the Holy Ghost for imparting this knowledge to me. Even as I write, He pours into me that I may freely give to those with ears to hear. Therefore, please pardon grammatical and punctuation errors as I am trying to keep up with flow of this impartation.
[/SIZE]
Afterthought: Regarding the unrepentant thief. Can you imagine, that because someone in assuming that they're facing the same destiny as someone else, mockingly misreads God's greater purpose? It's like a blind person foolishly taunting someone else just because they're both at the ophthalmologist's office. But, the reality is that while the taunter is there to be treated for blindness, the one being taunted is actually there to take part in a study to prevent blindness.[/JUSTIFY]
