Articles From Our Bulletins
Forgiveness and Justice
It was an unfortunately unremarkable story on the morning news. A local church had its air conditioner stolen. It probably only made the news because the theft occurred during a particularly hot couple of days, and left the congregants without the benefit of cooled air for one of their services. The story is, in my estimation at least, “unfortunately unremarkable” because of it commonness. Rising copper and scape metal prices have created a ready market for purloined A/Cs (and electrical wiring), and churches are easy targets since they typically don’t have a lot of traffic or activity during non-service times or at night. In short, churches have become easy and relatively “safe” opportunities for thieves. So, what makes this story apparently remarkable enough for attention here?
It was the interview with “the Pastor,” and more specifically, the reporters’ overview comment regarding the situation generally and the perpetrators more explicitly. The Pastor’s statements were summarized by the reporter’s voiceover as “While he forgives the thieves, he still wants justice for them.” While we may all share his sentiments- assuming that they were accurately assessed and conveyed, think about two words: forgiveness and justice… Can we really give the first (forgiveness) and yet desire the second (justice)?
In one sense, perhaps the two are not mutually exclusive. Conceivably we could be willing to “forgive” the hurt, harm, or in this case the expense personally incurred as a result of another’s action, and still yet expect or desire that civil “justice” be meted out in the form of corrective or punitive discipline. We might even solace ourselves with the thought that although we are willing to forgive, justice needs to be served so that the offender has the opportunity to learn and do better. If so, “forgiveness” is for our benefit so that anger from the hurt doesn’t further infect and progress to resentment or worse in us; and “justice” is for their benefit so that they learn to be and do better. Perhaps there are some merits to commend this way of looking at, and even some validity in so treating the situation. But….
Is that really the way we want God to “forgive” us: to “forgive” but still demand “justice” for our sins/trespasses? Did “the rubber just meet the road” in non-biblical proverbial parlance? It sure did for me!
In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter poses the question, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” I read that Peter has doubled the number prescribed by Rabbinical teaching (3), and added one more for good measure (equaling 7 in total). Jesus surely surprised him with the answer, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” His primary point is certainly that forgiveness must, if divinely emulated and approved, be limitless.
However, consider also the parable that follows in Matthew 18:23ff. It pictures a king who wished to “settle accounts with his slaves.” One slave, in particular, “was brought to him… who owed him ten thousand talents.” Before proceeding, we need to understand that for a slave, this was an impossibly insurmountable debt. Despite the slave’s promises to the contrary, he, on slave’s wages, not only “did not have the means to repay,” neither could he live long enough to repay such an amount. But, and here’s the particular phrase we might need to consider, “the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt,” v.27. The forgiveness (from the Greek word apoluo- to set free; to let go, dismiss; to retain no longer; to let go free; release) was obviously not for the benefit of the lord, but the slave. That which was just- repayment of the debt in full (to benefit of the lord), was compassionately surrendered in forgiveness (to the benefit of the slave). Let these things temper our thoughts of the relationship between forgiveness and justice. If we forgive (for our benefit) but desire/expect justice from/for the offender (presumably for his benefit), do we really want God to “forgive” us in the same manner? “So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart,” v.35. Is it not the very suspension of justice we seek in God’s forgiveness? How can we then expect both in and from our treatment of those who sin against us?
So, while I understand and sometimes share the willingness to “forgive” while retaining the desire for “justice,” there are some considerations that are worthy of further contemplation:
- “Forgiving” someone who offends/trespasses may have some cursory benefits for me, but if that’s my only motivation, I might need to rethink things. “Do nothing from selfishness…” Philippians 2:3ff surely includes “forgiveness.”
- Our demands for “justice” on the part of those who offend/trespass against us can come back to bite us in the end (eternal judgment, not our backsides- though the latter may also be metaphorically true in some cases!). The very nature of “justice” and “compassion/mercy/forgiveness” may not always be diametric opposites, but they often are exactly that. James 2:13 echoes the sentiments expressed by Jesus in Matthew 18:35 with, “For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.” Is not the “judgment” to which James refers a plea for justice?
- By these things I’m not suggesting that commensurate punishment for crime should be eliminated, or that repentance be removed as the appropriate response for sin. I am urging careful and introspective consideration regarding our motivations for and definitions of “forgiveness,” as well as our understanding and desire for “justice.” “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it shall be measured to you,” Matthew 7:2.
Reread Matthew 18:21-35 and give it some serious thought, won’t you?
- Forgiveness_and_Justice.pdf (93.54 kB)
