Forgive, Even if They Don't Repent
Prayer 365 // 5 Keys to Forgiveness (Day 4)
More from this week:
Today's Scripture:
"Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots." - Luke 23:32-34 NIV
Today's Devotional:
Our theme for this week of devotion and prayer is the "5 Keys to Forgiveness." This is a continuation from Sunday's message titled "The Rhythm of Forgiveness." And with these keys, we are going to open the door of our hearts to God as we forgive to be forgiven.
So here are the 5 Keys to Forgiveness:
Today's focus is the fourth key: Forgive Even if They Don't Repent. This is one I've been looking forward to all week because I believe it will free us in a powerful way. Earlier this week we lifted a lesson on rebuke (Luke 17:34), where Jesus instructs us to rebuke our brother/sister if they sin against us. Then He said if they repent, forgive them. This is a powerful and challenging instruction, however, it's possible by faith. Yes, the same faith that saves us is the same faith we can use to forgive others. But all of this still leaves us with a question: What if they don't repent? Do we withhold our forgiveness?
Before I respond, I want to direct you to a passage that's located six chapters further in the same book: Luke 23:32-34 (our focus text for today's devotional). Here we find Jesus being being nailed being crucified. Nailed to a cross between two criminals. Both His hands and feet secured by nails and He had to lift Himself in order to relieve the pressure off His lungs to breathe. He was beaten, bruised, and bloodied. His flesh broken open and blood flowing down His body. A crown of 72 thorns pressed in His head. It was was from this place that Jesus said these words: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
This was not a joyous occasion, it was not a celebration. This was brutal, vicious, and horrifying. Yet the love within Him was greater than the hate they showed. He asked for their forgiveness. The same people that were killing Him... He asked for their forgiveness. The same people that mocked Him... He asked for their forgiveness. The same people that chose a murderer named Barabbas over Him... He asked for their forgiveness. There was no repentance, no remorse, yet He forgave.
Now, concerning the question, "What if they don't repent? Do we withhold our forgiveness?" Through the context of the perfect example we find in Jesus, my answer is "No. Forgive, even if they don't repent." I know this is difficult, I know it's challenging. But I believe all things are possible through Christ.
Let's take a look at a few more scriptures:
1. Colossians 3:13-14 NIV - "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Don't allow the absence of their remorse to stop your forgiveness, it didn't stop Jesus from staying on the cross.
2. Colossians 3:2 NIV - "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Instead of focusing on what they did or didn't do, focus on Christ and what He did for each of us.
3. Acts 7:59-60 NIV - "While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep." Stephen was a man, a deacon in the early church, and full of the Holy Spirit, he declared the Gospel of Jesus to the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Council. As they stoned him, with rocks breaking his bones, his last dying words were asking God to forgive them.
This may seem extreme, it may even seem crazy, but it's possible and necessary. Don't allow an unforgiving heart rule your life, instead allow the love of God to have rulership and the peace of God to guard your heart. My prayer for you is that you would receive the supernatural strength and courage found in God's love to forgive, even when they don't repent.
I'm praying for you and with you,
Pastor Enrique Brooks
So here are the 5 Keys to Forgiveness:
- Give Grace
- Rebuke (to Restore)
- Forgive Deeply and Quickly
- Forgive Even if They Don’t Repent
- Pray for Them
Today's focus is the fourth key: Forgive Even if They Don't Repent. This is one I've been looking forward to all week because I believe it will free us in a powerful way. Earlier this week we lifted a lesson on rebuke (Luke 17:34), where Jesus instructs us to rebuke our brother/sister if they sin against us. Then He said if they repent, forgive them. This is a powerful and challenging instruction, however, it's possible by faith. Yes, the same faith that saves us is the same faith we can use to forgive others. But all of this still leaves us with a question: What if they don't repent? Do we withhold our forgiveness?
Before I respond, I want to direct you to a passage that's located six chapters further in the same book: Luke 23:32-34 (our focus text for today's devotional). Here we find Jesus being being nailed being crucified. Nailed to a cross between two criminals. Both His hands and feet secured by nails and He had to lift Himself in order to relieve the pressure off His lungs to breathe. He was beaten, bruised, and bloodied. His flesh broken open and blood flowing down His body. A crown of 72 thorns pressed in His head. It was was from this place that Jesus said these words: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
This was not a joyous occasion, it was not a celebration. This was brutal, vicious, and horrifying. Yet the love within Him was greater than the hate they showed. He asked for their forgiveness. The same people that were killing Him... He asked for their forgiveness. The same people that mocked Him... He asked for their forgiveness. The same people that chose a murderer named Barabbas over Him... He asked for their forgiveness. There was no repentance, no remorse, yet He forgave.
Now, concerning the question, "What if they don't repent? Do we withhold our forgiveness?" Through the context of the perfect example we find in Jesus, my answer is "No. Forgive, even if they don't repent." I know this is difficult, I know it's challenging. But I believe all things are possible through Christ.
Let's take a look at a few more scriptures:
1. Colossians 3:13-14 NIV - "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Don't allow the absence of their remorse to stop your forgiveness, it didn't stop Jesus from staying on the cross.
2. Colossians 3:2 NIV - "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Instead of focusing on what they did or didn't do, focus on Christ and what He did for each of us.
3. Acts 7:59-60 NIV - "While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep." Stephen was a man, a deacon in the early church, and full of the Holy Spirit, he declared the Gospel of Jesus to the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Council. As they stoned him, with rocks breaking his bones, his last dying words were asking God to forgive them.
This may seem extreme, it may even seem crazy, but it's possible and necessary. Don't allow an unforgiving heart rule your life, instead allow the love of God to have rulership and the peace of God to guard your heart. My prayer for you is that you would receive the supernatural strength and courage found in God's love to forgive, even when they don't repent.
I'm praying for you and with you,
Pastor Enrique Brooks
Did you know that Thryve Church prays together 365 days a year? Join us Monday-Friday at 6:30am & Saturdays at 8am for "Prayer at the Altar" by dialing 339- 207-7471 and then join us Sundays at 11am for Worship Service! Learn More