This series is focused on individual accountability. In each case, doing the right thing is not dependent on the action of another. Whether or not anyone else does the right thing has nothing to do with our doing the right thing. An illustration of this is in the area of forgiveness. The Bible teaches that…
We have probably heard or even said something to the effect that we need to forgive so we can “move on.” This is such a common but faulty teaching that I must, again, address it. In the first place, the design of forgiveness is not to prevent the forgiver from being consumed with bitterness. Forgiveness…
Matthew 18 and similar passages reveal that forgiveness in some contexts is connected to forgiving or release of a debt. Similarly, when one sins against another, the offending person is in debt to the offended. Ideally, both the offender and offended meet halfway to reach reconciliation (cf. Matthew 5, 18). But, the difference is that…