Ephesians 4:32 - Can I forgive if they won’t own it?
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” —Ephesians 4:31–5:2
What does God do if I refuse to confess, repent, and ask forgiveness?
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” —1 John 1:8–10
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” —John 3:36
But didn’t Jesus forgive people UNCONDITIONALLY from the Cross?
“And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” ” —Luke 23:34–35
Jesus’ prayer request is FULFILLED with REPENTANT crowds
“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” —Acts 2:36–38
Jesus’ Prayer request goes UNFULFILLED with UNREPENTANT Jewish leaders
“The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.” —Acts 5:30–33
What do I do if someone hasn’t confessed, repented, and asked forgiveness?
*For details on biblical confession, listen to message #4 titled “Own Your Part” from the Waging Peace series given July 19, 2020 (found on 1MSO app)
1. Adopt an attitude of forgiveness with the first promise (see Undivided Week 25)
PROMISE 1: “I will not dwell on this incident.”
2. Stand eagerly ready to complete reconciliation with the remaining three promises as soon as he or she repents
PROMISE 2: “I will not bring up this incident again and use it against you.”
PROMISE 3: “I will not talk to others about this incident.”
PROMISE 4: “I will not let this incident stand between us or hinder our personal relationship.”
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” —Matthew 18:15-17
Do I need to actively address someone who has sinned against me, but hasn’t confessed, repented, and asked forgiveness? MAYBE…
*For details on addressing sin, listen to message #22 titled “Everyone Else is Doing It - Anger” from the Undivided series June 23, 2024 (found on 1MSO app)
“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” —Proverbs 19:11
1. Is the SIN grieving you or hindering your relationship?
2. Could resistance prevent others from suffering repetition of sin?
3. Would it reveal sin that has put them at odds with God?
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” —2 Corinthians 5:17–19
How do I give to 1MSO?
The people of One Missoula Church give tangible resources back to God in order to suffocate greed in our own lives and amplify the impact of the Gospel in the lives of others. We’ve removed every barrier and inconvenience to make this sacrificial act as accessible and simple as possible. At present, here are the avenues for this act of devotion:
- Sunday Morning – offering boxes on the communion tables at the back
- Snail Mail – postage-paid envelopes available
- Text “1MSO” to 406-631-3323
- Online at https://onemissoulachurch.com/give
- Via the One Missoula App under the “Giving” tab
