The Question of Forgiveness – Sunday, February 25, 1951
If we make a mistake, upon sincere repentance we may reasonably expect forgiveness. But there may be some who seem to expect to be forgiven an unlimited number of times simply by saying they are sorry. There may be some who seem to expect to have all manner of errors corrected and canceled merely by a statement of regret.
There may be some who repent while the fear of consequences is upon them, who promptly repeat their errors. But repentance is more than saying “I’m sorry”; it is more than fear of consequences; it is more than the embarrassment of being caught; it is more than being circumspect under surveillance.
Repentance involves a change within—a change which actually abandons old errors. And only under such circumstances may we reasonably expect the law of forgiveness to function for us. The farmer who expects the earth and the climate to forgive him and yield abundantly when he plants carelessly and cultivates poorly is due for disappointment. Nature does not forgive except on demonstration of repentance.
The businessman who persists in his errors cannot count on repeated forgiveness. His creditors soon weary of forgiveness, and a persistently unrepentant businessman may expect to become bankrupt. He who desires forgiveness from friends, before the law, in business, or in dealing with nature, or in standing before God, must offer a genuine repentance—such as the Savior suggested when He said. “Go, and sin no more.”1 * * *
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”2
Seemingly then, there is virtually no limit to the number of times we are expected to forgive others. But this fact does not justify the frequent offender. The persistent repetition of error seems to suggest that repentance is not genuine. And while we may be expected to forgive others seventy times seven, it is a wise man who doesn’t count on being forgiven seventy times seven.
1John 8:11
2Matthew 18:21, 22
“The Spoken Word,” heard over Radio Station K S L and the nationwide Columbia Broadcasting System, from the Tabernacle, Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Sunday, February 25, 1951, 11:00 to 11:30 a.m., Eastern Time. Copyright, 1951
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February 25, 1951
Broadcast Number 1,123