Zero Balance

Illumination

Apparent Contradictions

There are several verses that pose a problem for us as they seem to contradict well-established truth.

Matthew 6:14–15 (NKJV)

14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Mark 11:25–26 (NKJV)

25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Luke 6:37 (NKJV)

37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Well-Established Truth

Q: What is the well-established truth that these verses seem to contradict?

A: Salvation is unconditionally and readily given to all who receive it in faith.

Resolving the Contradiction

Does God contradict Himself in His revelation to us? NO! And it turns out that reconciling these passages is not difficult; even if it is not comfortable.

Two Types of Forgiveness

There are two types of forgiveness:

Positional - our legal position or standing before God as our Judge

Relational - our relational harmony with God as our Heavenly Father

Positional Forgiveness Assured

Romans 10:13 (NKJV)

13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

There is absolutely nothing that cancels this!

Relational Forgiveness Assaulted

When we fail or refuse to forgive, we offend our Heavenly Father who forgave much. It should not surprise us that God is not pleased when we actively offend Him. When we say, “please forgive me and restore me in relationship” while simultaneously offending Him by not forgiving someone else, we should not be surprised when He notes we have yet to confess everything that is impacting our relationship with Him.

Net Zero Account

There is one passage that poses a particular problem for us.

Matthew 18:28–35 (NKJV)

28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Here the answer is simple but even less comfortable. Forgiveness was extended but actually received. How do we know? The servant did not have the ability to extend forgiveness to another.

Like a business that cannot cover a debit to reconcile a difference is bankrupt, so too, a person who cannot cover a debit to reconcile a difference is bankrupt.

Forgiven people forgive people. Our inability to forgive could be a sign that we never received forgiveness ourselves. God extended it to us, and we walked away without it. We may even think we’re ok because God extended it.

But if life in the 21st century has taught us nothing else, it has taught us that a package being sent to us and a package being received by us is definitely not the same thing.

Conclusion

Forgiven People Forgive People. We have the ability and the experience and the motivation to forgive. A harmonious relationship with our Heavenly Father depends, in this regard, upon a harmonious relationship with our earthly friends.