THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

142Is forgiveness conditional? Was John Wesley correct when he stated that "forgiveness isdue only to real penitents."The answer is double-edged: “Yes” and “No”. Yes, in that the deepest aspect offorgiveness—reconciliation—can only take place when there is penitence on the part of the oneguilty of the offense. The answer is no in the sense that we are not to hold animosity, resentmentor bitterness toward the one who has offended us. In cases in which people sin against otherswithout ever being aware that they have done so, they need to be made aware by the person whowas offended by them. Sins which are committed unintentionally should also be addressedbecause unintentional sins can have tragic effects on others.Jesus uses the conditional word “if” three times in these short two verses. He says, “If . . .he says, ‘I repent” (Lk 17:4). Conversely, if he doesn’t say “I repent” then there is no obligationto forgive him. Otherwise one becomes a mere doormat to such an insensitive person which onlyencourages him to continue in his sinful, unrepentant lifestyle.THE EFFICACY OF FAITH (17:5-6)This is the third of the four pronouncements. The apostle's reaction to the command ofJesus’ teaching on unlimited forgiveness appeared to them such a difficult task that they thoughtthey needed a special measure of faith to be able to comply with it.“ The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" He replied, "If you havefaith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprootedand planted in the sea,' and it will obey you” (vv. 5-6).Why did the apostles want stronger faith? It was because Jesus had just asked them toperform a very difficult task. They thought they needed more faith so they could meet thechallenges of God's demands, but Jesus knew that it was not quantity they needed but quality.They did not need an increase of faith, but a faith that, although small like a mustard seed, is “thesubstance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (11:1).Jesus drives home the point that the faith they had was more than enough to enable themto carry it out. However, it was crucial that they did so. Therefore the key to increased faith is theword "say" (v. 6), that is, we are to act upon our faith.When God calls us, we may take our newly found faith for granted and may beincreasingly susceptible to becoming angry and bitter toward those who have offended us.Therefore Jesus cautions His apostles against such pitfalls. He also warns His disciples of theinevitable attacks coming their way and points out the guilt and punishment of those responsible