When Someone Sins Against You

Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21b-22

When someone sins against you then, in order to begin the forgiveness process, go to them and speak with them about it. You may take along a witness who is also a believer and if this does not solve the problem then take the matter to the Church body for alignment with Christ's will. With prayerful discernment and a focus on a Christ-like compassionate working of the will of Christ then believers work together as the matter is taken to the whole Church.

As believers we are are to advocate for one another in the most Loving manner and with the wisdom of God. The Armor of God to blesses and guides us to trust the Lord with dependence and obedience. We join together to stand against evil within our midst and take courage from Christ to listen, help, and resolve.

We may then ask: How can one who is injured move toward forgiveness of the most egregious act against another believer? Our response is to involve ourselves using prayerful discernment and compassionate correction toward the sinner and protect the injured.

Scriptures directs us further. Our intention is hold onto believers while standing firm that Jesus instructs the sin not be repeated. Jesus says to us, "Go and sin no more." As we compassionately stand with the one who has been sinned against we also call the sinner into accountability. In this manner our Lord has made a Way for us to forgive the repentant sinner who has sinned against our community by uniting the body of Christ's Church in His Loving correction. This produces the blessings of injury repairing and community care.

Forgiveness

21 Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, if another member of the church[a] sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

23 “For this reason the Kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25 and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35 So My Heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” Matthew 18:21-35