Considered: two kinds of forgiveness, the differences in these kinds of forgiveness, and uses of these two kinds of forgiveness.

One kind of forgiveness is essential for fellowship with God, and the other kind of forgiveness often is critical for solving problems such as: anger, bitterness, guilt feelings, depression, postpartum depression, sexual abuse, anorexia, bulimia, marriage, child rearing, and divorce.

Would it make sense to let the offenses of others, against you or those you love, hinder your fellowship with God? Of course not! But, many Christians do--some for many years.

Fellowship with God is dependent upon our forgiveness when we are offended by others. We pray, "Forgive us as we forgive others." Would it be accurate to pray: "Forgive us if we forgive others"? Jesus says, "But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses" (Matt. 6:15). The forgiveness that we will forfeit is fellowship forgiveness.

How are we to forgive? When? Under what conditions? God has given two separate and distinct kinds of forgiveness for our use. Consider the ways in which the Bible clearly distinguishes them.

Different Conditions

• If he repents, forgive him -- Luke 17:3-4

• If you have anything against anyone, forgive -- Mark 11:25
  With conflicting conditions ("if he repents" vs. " if you have anything against anyone"), what choice do we have but to recognize that these are two different kinds of forgiveness?

Different Individuals

• The repentant offender and the offended -- Luke 17:3-4
• God and the offended believer -- Mark 11:25
  Two humans are necessary to obey Luke 17:3-4--one who repents, and the other who grants forgiveness. Only one human (the offended believer) is necessary to obey Mark 11:25. Obviously, the two passages are teaching two different kinds of forgiveness.

Different Directions of Communications

• Horizontally, between offended and offender -- Luke 17:3-4
• Vertically, between the offended believer and God -- Mark 11:25.
  Luke 17:3-4 teaches a kind of forgiveness in which communications are horizontal--between the offended and the offender. Mark 11:25 teaches a kind of forgiveness in which communications are vertically upward from the offended believer to God.

Different Kinds of Communications

• Verbal response to repentance -- Luke 17:3-4
• While praying, therefore by praying -- Mark 11:25
  Luke 17:3-4 speaks of a kind of forgiveness in which an offended person verbally grants forgiveness in response to verbal repentance. Mark 11:25 teaches a kind of forgiveness in which a believer forgives while praying. Since the forgiveness of Mark 11:25 is to be done while praying, it follows that this kind of forgiveness is accomplished by praying.

Different Actions Commanded

• Forgive him (release the offender) -- Luke 17:3-4
• Forgive (release to God) -- Mark 11:25
  "If he repents, forgive him." (Luke 17:3). In contrast, correctly translated, Mark 11:25 says, "forgive" not "forgive him." If both Luke 17:3-4 and Mark 11:25 commanded that the offender be forgiven, then because of conflicting conditions ("if/when he repents" vs. "if you have anything against anyone") these passages would be contradictory.

A Definition of Vertical Forgiveness

The vertical forgiveness of Mark 11:25 is an act of the will--a verbal contract with God--in which the offended believer, in obedience to God, prays and releases the penalty of the offense to God.

The Commitment of Vertical Forgiveness

In the vertical forgiveness of Mark 11:25, the offended believer releases the penalty of the offense to God, promising God that he will do nothing out of malice or vindictiveness, but instead, he will treat the offender only in accordance with agape love--doing and saying only those things that are good for the offender.

Biblical Resolution Unhampered by Vertical Forgiveness

Because vertical forgiveness (Mark 11:25) does not forgive the offender, but instead releases the penalty of the offense to God, using vertical forgiveness does not prevent the offended believer from rebuking the offender to bring him to repentance (Luke 17:3). And if rebuke isn't effective, the offended believer can take the matter to the church (Matt. 18:15-17).

Restitution Unhampered by Vertical Forgiveness

Because vertical forgiveness (Mark 11:25) does not forgive either the offense or the offender, but instead releases the penalty of the offense to God, using vertical forgiveness does not preclude requiring or receiving restitution.

Horizontal Forgiveness

Horizontal forgiveness (Luke 17:3-4) restores fellowship between the offender and the offended to whatever extent is reasonable, appropriate, and circumspect. Horizontal forgiveness does not necessarily establish fellowship where none existed before the offense.

Failure to use the vertical forgiveness of Mark 11:25 when offended, or to grant the horizontal forgiveness of Luke 17:3-4 when an offender repents, will hamper fellowship with God. In addition, failure to utilize the power of forgiveness is often a root cause, or at least a major factor, of spiritual stagnation, anger problems, bitterness, hurt feelings, angry or hateful communications, refusal to talk, depression, postpartum depression, eating disorders, various other personal problems, and failures in interpersonal relationships, including divorce, parent-child estrangements, and discord in churches.

The material in Forgiveness: Obedience and Fellowship follows, in general, one of the thirteen chapters of Forgiveness: The Power and the Puzzles, by Wendell E. Miller, published by ClearBrook Publishers, P.O Box 1534, Warsaw, IN 46581.

Forgiveness: The Power and the Puzzles is a complete handbook on forgiveness. By the use of clear logic, the reader is led to an understanding of the six kinds of forgiveness that are taught in the Scriptures, what principle activates the power of each one, and how problems are solved using the power of forgiveness. Many readers find these chapters to be especially helpful: "Overcoming Enemy Control," "When Forgiveness Doesn't Work," and "Extending the Power of Forgiveness."

For more information, see: Forgiveness: The Power and the Puzzles and Overview of Forgiveness: The Power and the Puzzles

List prices of Forgiveness: The Power and the Puzzles are:

• Paperback edition (261 pages) . . . . $10.95
  
• Clothbound textbook/handbook edition . . . . $15.95
  (quality clothbound, no paper jacket)

In appreciation for contributions that equal or exceed list prices, Biblical Counseling Association will send (to U.S. addresses) a copy of Forgiveness: The Power and the Puzzles. Please refer to this offer. Also, please specify paperback or clothbound.Your book will be sent to you by book rate (unless you make other arrangements) by ClearBrook Publishers, and Biblical Counseling Association will send a receipt via first class mail for the amount of your contribution that exceeds the cost of providing your book. Send your contribution to Biblical Counseling Association, 1506 Tippecanoe Drive, D-1, Warsaw, IN 46580, or to make contributions using MasterCard/Visa, phone 219-267-2729 or 1-800-929-5977. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.

Go to: Forgiveness: God's Antidote for Anger.

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