PETER'S MATH PROBLEM

One might be surprised at the number of people who believe the words "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" are written in the Bible.  Though treating one's neighbor as one's self is a goal worthy of much endeavor, the very words of the aforementioned quote cannot be found in Scripture though a similar rendering is presented.

In Matthew 7:12 the Lord Jesus Himself declared, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."  Of course, Jesus, knowing all too well our human condition and disposition, surely did not include forgiveness when He spoke of "all things" - or did He?

You'll remember the story in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew where Peter asked, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?"(vs. 21).  Those who are familiar with the story can instantly quote Jesus' answer in the following verse:  "...I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."

Well, it would appear that Jesus was big on forgiveness even if His disciple, Peter, was not.  Peter had a math problem.  He could not come up with an answer for 70x7!  How like Peter we are today; conversely, how unlike the Savior many in Christian circles appear to be.  There is nothing wrong in any church or family that a long word with far-reaching effects couldn't cure - forgiveness.

I have written this before and I shall state it here again in writing:  I am weary of a Christianity that rejoices in sins forgiven, but refuses to forgive the mistakes of others.  In fact, this writer would go so far as to say that a Christianity of that variety is nowhere found in the Bible, though it often rears its self-absorbed head in Fundamental, Baptist churches and even in the finest of Christian families.

Would not the world be a better place, indeed, if we followed the words written above and forgave others as quickly as we expect God to forgive us? Why, of course it would!  There is not a person living today or ever did live that was wronged or mistreated like mankind (including us all) have treated Jesus Christ. Yet, while dying for guilty, Hell-deserving sinners on the Cross He cried, "Father, forgive them!"  

One who finds it problematic to forgive others is often blind to their own faults and failures.  One who has truly been forgiven by God through the merits of Jesus Christ should never refuse to forgive others and that goes first and foremost for this blogger.

In closing, we read in Ephesians 4:32, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."  That's it; no discussion or debate necessary!  Now let's see how good we can become at forgiving others.  And that, my friends, is my View From the Porch for Thursday, May 24, 2012.  God bless.