And be ye kind to one another
William MacDonald teaches that true Christian kindness involves a biblical process of forgiveness that begins in the heart and extends outward, reflecting God's mercy toward us.
In this teaching sermon, William MacDonald explores the biblical principles of forgiveness and kindness as outlined in Ephesians 4:32 and Matthew 18. He emphasizes a step-by-step process of forgiving others that begins in the heart and moves toward reconciliation, reflecting the mercy God has shown us. MacDonald encourages believers to practice forgiveness repeatedly and sincerely, fostering peace and spiritual health within the Christian community.
Text
“And be ye kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Eph. 4:32 NASB)
There is a definite order to be followed in connection with Scriptural forgiveness. If we would follow this order we would save ourselves a lot of headaches and heartaches.
The first thing to do when you have been wronged is to forgive that person in your heart. You don’t tell him yet that he has been forgiven, but by forgiving him in your heart, you leave the matter between the Lord and him. This prevents your gastric juices from turning into sulphuric acid, and saves you from other horrible physical and emotional disorders.
Next you go to the brother and rebuke him (Lu. 17:3). Instead of blabbing to others about how you have been wronged, “Go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone” (Mt. 18:15). Try to contain the problem as much as possible, that is, try to keep it as private as you can.
If he does not confess and ask forgiveness, then go to him with one or two witnesses (Mt. 18:16). This provides adequate Scriptural testimony as to the offender’s attitude.
If he is still unbending, then you take the matter to the assembly, accompanied by the witnesses. If he refuses to listen to the judgment of the assembly, then, of course, he is dis-fellowshiped (Matt. 18:17).
But if at any point during this process, he repents, then you forgive him (Lu. 17:3). You have already forgiven him in your heart, but now you administer forgiveness to him. Here it is important not to gloss over the matter. Don’t say “Oh that’s alright. You really didn’t do anything wrong.” Rather say, “I very gladly forgive you. Now the whole matter is closed. Let’s get down and pray together.”
The shame of having to confess and repent may deter him from wronging you again. But even if he repeats his sin and then repents, you must forgive him. Even if he does it seven times in one day and repents seven times, you must forgive him—whether you think he’s sincere or not (Lu. 17:4).
We must never forget that we have been forgiven millions. We must not hesitate to forgive others for what amounts to a few dollars, figuratively speaking (Mt. 18:23-35).
Sermon Outline
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I
- Forgive in your heart first
- Leave the matter between the Lord and the offender
- Avoid physical and emotional harm by forgiving internally
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II
- Confront the offender privately
- Avoid gossip and keep the issue confidential
- Follow biblical steps for rebuke
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III
- Involve witnesses if private confrontation fails
- Take the matter to the church assembly if needed
- Disfellowship if the offender refuses to repent
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IV
- Forgive immediately upon repentance
- Do not minimize the offense when forgiving
- Forgive repeatedly as Christ forgives us
Key Quotes
“And be ye kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” — William MacDonald
“If we would follow this order we would save ourselves a lot of headaches and heartaches.” — William MacDonald
“Don’t say Oh that’s alright. You really didn’t do anything wrong. Rather say, I very gladly forgive you. Now the whole matter is closed. Let’s get down and pray together.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Begin forgiving others internally before addressing the issue outwardly.
- Handle offenses privately and avoid spreading gossip.
- Be willing to forgive repeatedly, just as God forgives us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first step in forgiving someone according to the sermon?
The first step is to forgive the person in your heart, leaving the matter between God and the offender.
Why should we keep the matter private initially?
Keeping the matter private prevents gossip and helps contain the problem, promoting reconciliation.
What should be done if the offender refuses to repent after private confrontation?
You should bring one or two witnesses and if still unrepentant, take the matter to the church assembly.
How many times should we forgive someone who repents repeatedly?
We must forgive them even if they sin and repent seven times in one day, reflecting Christ's mercy.
What biblical passage emphasizes the importance of forgiveness?
Matthew 18:23-35, the parable of the unmerciful servant, highlights the necessity of forgiving others as God forgives us.