Why Didn't Jesus Forgive Those Who Crucified Him?

Do I have to forgive someone, even if they haven't repented. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day.

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At 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673. You can also email us with your question at questions at core, Christianity.com now.

During these challenging times we had been doing our best to share some encouraging stories with you some of them from different places around the globe and a drill.

Here's one that brought a smile to my face. John Matson is a mail carrier for the Royal Mail in Sunderland, England after Great Britain issued their lockdown order due to the coronavirus. John decided to deliver the post in different costumes in order to bring a little bit of cheer to his residence, so you can find them dressed up as a gladiator one day at a World War I aviator, the next that's awesome that listen to this. He says after my first round dressed as a cheerleader the next day. People were already out waiting for me. Even before I got there dressed as Little Bo Peep by doing this and seeing my customers smile it helps me to keep my spirits up to that a drill I know you have been built delivering your Sunday morning sermons online each week.

I'm wondering, have you considered doing it in costume yet. No, I don't think I ever will. But what a range of I mean from gladiator to Little Bo Peep that where it is, where is he finding these customs that one who, in the midst of the coronavirus crisis but yet I would wait outside to see my mailman if he was dressed up like that.

So my guess is John may have a theatrical background yes probably pretty funny okay drill let's get to our first question of the day and Jim sent us an email and here's what he says. Dear Pastor Israel, I have repented of sexual immorality and drunkenness. I know without a doubt that those are things that are against God's law and I'm sorry for committing those sins. However, I'm older now I'm 62, and sometimes I wonder if I genuinely repented, or is my decreased desire to do these things, a function of getting older. What do you think God bless you, Jim. Let me tell you something repentance in this life will never be perfect. The question is do you recognize those things are sins yes and it sounds like based on what you said and have you turned to Jesus to forgive you of those sins that so repentance is turning from our sins to Christ. I used to love reading old sermons by the Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon in one sermon that was really impactful for me. He said something that I could identify with.

He said I have to pray to God to forgive my prayers we meant by that was that. Even our best works as believers still need the atoning blood of Jesus Christ never done something good for someone and then immediately thought afterwards or maybe even while you were doing it. She don't I look good or I wonder who's watching me right now you ever repented of something and then found yourself tempted to go back to that same sin again that same sin that you know is heinous and yet for some strange reason, your heart is still drawn to it.

Even our best offerings to the Lord our imperfect Jim, I think we realize that were free to say Lord have mercy upon me, I repent of my repentance and I cling to Jesus. If those temptations aren't as strong in your life anymore. Jim give thanks to the Lord.

I think that's the proper response rather than wonder is this real is this just because time is gone by maybe I really didn't repent say Lord, thank you that, whether through time or a miracle of your grace in my heart these things don't have the correct on me that they once had. When you give glory to Jesus like that Jim I think you can't go wrong. Jim, we thank you so much for your question. Your very honest question to us and I will be praying for you as you continue to seek the Lord's will in your life later. Let's go to a call, this one came in from Jonathan my Christian on agnostic that I theology later.

Just wanted to I just want to know what exactly does the Bible say against you know when and loving other women. I know that there is a Bible verse, you know that man shall not lie with Dan but what exactly does it say about anything I've heard may be there.

You know you know more about it and I do so had a question about how much a God bless you too Jonah sitting let me just say I'm so encouraged by the fact that you are willing to give us a call that you listen to the program. I hope that you continue to listen that it's encouraging for you and that helps you to think through some of the claims of the Christian faith. I think that's so neat that your studying theology. I wish we could down for coffee and just talk about God and in the Bible. And so I appreciate your question and I'm grateful that you felt comfortable enough to ask it of gay and lesbian relationships were unknown to the ancient world and the verse. It comes to my mind, especially to your question.

You know what about women is Romans chapter 1, the apostle Paul said there beginning in verse 28. He says God gave them then there is referring to people who rejected God's truth turned away from the Lord his God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, then committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error.

Here's what Paul is saying you think same-sex relations in the burning passion that drives them is contrary to God's natural order note.

I know that this flies in the face of what people are saying today and the culture, maybe even some of your own professors, Jonathan and and I've seen some people do interpretive gymnastics. I think with text like this one the Tryon argue that there not saying what they seem clearly to be saying, which is that this is not something that's in line with how God is designed us having settled that the question is why how come God is said this, why does God care about who person sleeps with. That's one objection I've heard is the most important thing that we just love each other two people love each other. Tears whether there both male or both female will look according to the Bible. Sex is meant to be enjoyed within the marriage relationship in marriage is an ordinance between two complementary persons, male and female the union of male and female reflects the unity in diversity, the cannot be exhibited in same-sex relationships. Men and women are distinct were equal before God, but were also different and it seems like in our culture today more than ever were trying to erase the fundamental distinctness the beauty in diversity exists between man and woman God created us to care for and complement each other in marriage in a way that can only happen through heterosexual marriage and so if anyone thinks all that's just such an arrogant view. You know, I can't believe you hold that I want to push practices in some strange view foisted upon us by old Drive fuddy-duddies. This is this view of marriage in the family has been the dominant and universal view for the history of humanity. What I think is arrogant is when people today redefine everything and impose their new definitions upon everyone else as if the whole world got this wrong Jonathan.

I want to speak to you directly as a student of theology and someone wrestling with the Christian sexual ethic. Jesus was absolutely countercultural when he talked about marriage, divorce, sexuality in his day there was a school of thought that said a man to divorce his wife for just about any reason Jesus didn't agree with that. Jesus elevated marriage and women in society and he called people to sexual purity whether they burned with lust for the opposite or the same sex. If it is your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off. Referring it now.

Seriously, we should take lust. Why, because sexual sin exploits my neighbor. We call it love. But so often what were doing is taking something from someone else, something precious in order to gratify our own desires and that's not pleasing to the Lord. And Jesus calls you Jonathan to follow him to experience his grace, his forgiveness, his love not hope it is you study theology at Arkansas State that you'll open up the Gospels and read them with an open heart. Let Jesus speak to you and just one last thing, you know Paul in first Corinthians chapter 6 is he's writing to the Corinthians. He says some of them had practice homosexuality that you suited some of them were in gay relationships. Prior to entering into the church lesbian relationships.

As such were some of you but you were washed, you were sanctified by Jesus as a look. Sin is sin, but the blood of Jesus covers all sin and we go to him no matter what we've been through or what we've done. God is gracious and merciful, Jonathan.

I pray that the answer is helpful to one of the arguments we often hear is that Jesus never talked about homosexuality, which really is an argument from silence, but he clearly did talk about marriage and God's intent for marriage. In fact, when he was talking to the Pharisees about divorce. He said that a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife and that's about as clear a statement about marriage in heterosexual relationships that we can find in Scripture coming from our Lord and Savior.

You're right it is an argument from silence for Jesus as you say there you know when he talks about marriage when he talks about relationships and he sees the film Jesus believed in the Old Testament. He said I didn't come to abolish the law and the prophets, but to fulfill. And so it's not as if Jesus shows up and he's teaching things that are completely contrary to what were already embraced by the people of God. He's helping us to understand those things better and part of the way he does that is used that is in his teaching on marriage, and I just think it's really wonderful when you when you look at it and the way in which Jesus bolstered marriage in that society and women. People often miss this Jesus his earliest disciples were women who were supporting him. The very first people to testify of the the risen Lord, were women as a Jesus you know he honored marriage and he honored women as well. I just think that's such an important point here listening to your core, Christianity, and we would love to receive your question you can call us at 833 the core that's 833-843-2673 and by the way, you can call us 24 hours a day, or leave your question on our website.

If you go to core Christianity.com/radio there's a little microphone there on the side and you can record your question for us.

So please do that would love to hear your questions. David wrote to us, and he said Jesus established during his ministry that he had the authority and power to directly and immediately forgive sins when he was on the cross.

Why did he pray asking the father to forgive the accessories to his murder rather than just forgiving him directly by saying I forgive you or your sins are forgiven. Was this an indication that they would be forgiven when they realized what they done and repented.

Like when they were cut to the heart on Pentecost I ask this because I frequently hear Christians say we should forgive even when the offender doesn't repent. But what I read in all my studies is that forgiveness is contingent on repentance and you help me understand this. I love this question. David and I think it's such a practical question. I know I've had this conversation with a lot of people in my church and I think there's some distinctions that can be really really helpful for you as you think about this. The first going back rightly Jesus did make it absolutely clear that he had authority on earth to forgive sins. In fact, look at text like Mark chapter 2, where a few guys lower their friend a paralytic into a room where Jesus is teaching and they lure them into the room because they want Jesus to heal him with your member with Jesus that everyone is expecting Jesus to say you're healed, you know, stand up your delivered from this sickness and Jesus. Instead, says your sins are forgiven and everybody probably wondering hate Jesus you know. Thanks. But that's not what we came for, and people begin to grumble against Jesus.

Some of the religious leaders and Jesus then says you know what's easier to say, your sins are forgiven will rise, take up your bed and walk so that you might know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.

He says I'm going to say rise, take up your bed and walk in heels. The guy and he does this amazing miracle to demonstrate the greater miracle that Jesus has power. The ability of the authority to forgive all of our sins so it's clear and you're right. And so why then on the cross is Jesus is near death does he say father you forgive them. They don't know what they're doing well. I think you have the right idea. These people probably these talking about had not yet repented. He's praying for them.

He's asking the Lord his father to lead them to repentance.

And so I think that's why he doesn't just say your forgiveness often in the Gospels when Jesus, forgive someone up there since he says to them. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.

Your forgiven and I don't think that had happened yet. There there watching Jesus as he's being crucified and Jesus is praying for his enemies.

Those who have mocked him those who have treated him with disdain and so I think that's that's the answer. The first part. Your question of the second part of your question a really practical question is well but do I have to forgive people if they haven't repented and I think this is where some some distinctions are important, the distinction between forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration brother. I think we as believers are called to forgive all the time. That means that whether a person repents, whether they own their sin or not. I think that from the heart. We should seek to forgive them.

If we have to wait for someone to repent before we can forgive them from the heart. Then in one sense we're stuck in bondage were unable to forgive into another person deals with their own sin. And I think I think in our own hearts.

We can forgive others who have sinned against us, but that doesn't mean that were reconciled so we forgive as believers in it. I would go to a passage like Matthew chapter 6 were Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 612 forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors to suggest something that were called to his Christians reconciliation though is is different than forgiveness in the sense that reconciliation requires another person to realize what they've done of the words I can be reconciled to this person until they do repent until they confess their sin.

That's where you have reconciliation where there is this healing that takes place after an offense has happened. So forgiveness is something that were call to all the time. As believers, whether person repents or not reconciliation, which is were also called to pursue can only happen if a person repents restoration. Here's the third thing is another step now.

Restoration happens when when the relationship is restored to what it was originally now you can forgive someone reconciled with someone and that doesn't necessarily mean that the relationship has to be restored. I think of abusive relationships.

For example, a relationship where something is happened were restoration is impossible where it's just not a wise decision to restore things you can forgive. Maybe the other person has repented, but that doesn't mean that you should necessarily restore and then there are instances where restoration is possible and if it's what we ought to do and so David as Christians we should forgive, we should seek reconciliation and when is wise and prudent, we should also embrace restoration. That's a really helpful distinction. Thank you Andrew for clarifying that you're listening to core Christianity and right now we know that there are so many families and churches and businesses that are struggling because of that having a sure confidence in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross on our behalf is supposed so critical to record Christianity.

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It will help you understand that book and apply to your life and maybe even using the small group setting to make a donation and receive the study on Romans just head over to core Christianity.com that's core Christianity.com and on behalf of all of us. Thank you so much for your support you no blouse in it. Recommend to people as well. I know for me as a pastor I love when I come across good study material for church for small groups to make. This is something you could also recommend to your small group leader or to your Pastor I think they'd be encouraged by let's go to another call that came in and once again you can call us anytime 24 hours a day, or go to our website and leave your question are numbers 833-843-2670 3833.

The core later. Let's go to another call that we received. My name is Ari and I'm calling from Milwaukee Wisconsin and my question is I was reading through Ephesians chapter 4 verse 30 it says do not agree Holy Spirit, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption and I was just kind of puzzled by the phrase do not grieve the Holy Spirit and was just wanting to know where you guys this interpretation and thoughts on what that means and how we grieve the Holy Spirit in our lives. Hey, are you get to hear from you and I what a great question from Ephesians 4 I think the first thing that it tells us is the Holy Spirit is a person doesn't mean Jehovah's Witnesses and other sex will teach that the Holy Spirit is the force and impersonal force, but according to the Christian faith. He's the third person of the holy Trinity and how is it that he can be grieved by us all because he lives inside of us. He lives inside of you.

First print is chapter 6, verse 19, or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, you are not your own. Remember what happened are in the Old Testament when the people of God brought idols into the temple of the Lord. I think of one text like Ezekiel 23 verse 39 when they had slaughtered their children and sacrifice to their idols on the same day they came into my sanctuary to profane it, and behold, this is what they did in my house. Will Ari when we allow murder through hatred, adultery through lustful eyes.

As Jesus spoke in the sermon on the mount corruption through our speech into God's temple. It grieves God the temple of the Holy Spirit we are the temple of the Holy Spirit as believers in Jesus Christ. Now what grieving God does not mean is that the Lord leaves us or abandons us, but we do experience his conviction and even a sense of having quenched the spirit in our lives, then the verse after that expectation not to grieve the Holy Spirit verse 31 he says let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you, so we grieve the Holy Spirit when we hurt our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ through our words through our actions.

That's really what Paul is getting at here now. Fortunately he also gives us the solution in the very next chapter, if you look at verse 18 of chapter 5, Paul said do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the spirit addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always for everything to God the father, the name of our Lord Jesus Christ submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ was really interesting.

I think there in Ephesians 4 and five is in the context of grieving the Holy Spirit you have this exhortation not to use our words hurt fully against others instead to speak to each other with the word of God. Psalms hymns and spiritual songs, giving thanks to the Lord. When you do that you're filled with the spirit Ari thank you so much for your question or just about out of time, but it really had an email question coming from Warren and he says thanks so much for your ministry. I was wondering, given all the disappointing things that King Saul did in the Old Testament. Do we have any good reason to believe that we will see him in heaven.

Good question and I've I've thought about this one as well.

You know the life of Saul is one of the most tragic stories in the Bible. Saul I think was an apostate and he really at the end of his life.

He just turned away from the Lord. Abuse consulting at a which is essentially an open web practicing divination and so it really is a tragic story. Now is sulking to be in heaven. I mean it that I think those kinds of things are above my pay grade, but certainly it seems to me like the Scriptures depict him as one who turned away from the Lord is so interesting because actually when you read it first annual chapter 16 I just talked about you and the question to Ari that the Holy Spirit will never leave us. But first Samuel chapter 16 verse 14 were told that the Holy Spirit did leave Saul.

What's the difference between what happened there in the fact that the Holy Spirit will leave us will the spirit came upon Saul for a particular purpose, as his role as king in that office and also as one who prophesied from time to time were not under the old covenant under the new covenant. Instead, God's promise to put his spirit in all believers and we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. I don't think we can ever become unsealed.

So the good news for you is that under the new covenant, God's promise to fill us with his police. Thanks for listening to core Christianity to request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us@corechristianity.com and click on offers in the menu for or call us at 1-833-843-2673 that's a 33 core when you contact us. Please let us know how you been encouraged by this podcast and be sure to join us next time. As we explore the truth of God's word together