Why should leaders be concerned with forgiveness?
Matthew 6:14-15“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Colossians 3:13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
1 Peter 3:8-9Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.
Tensions and conflicts invariably arise between leaders and the people they lead. Wise leaders make confession of their failures and forgiveness of others a way of life in their group or organization. They set the tone, with believers and non-believers alike. They are motivated by the clear teaching of God’s Word that we will receive God’s forgiveness only when we are willing to forgive others who have wronged us.
Matthew 18:15-17“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.”
Matthew 18:21-22Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”
Mark 11:25-26“When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
Luke 17:3-4“So watch yourselves! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”
Leaders need to have a strong relationship with God, and when we refuse to forgive, our relationship with God is stunted. Just as God forgives us without limit, so we should forgive others without count. Leaders, however, are also called to shepherd those under their care. Part of that includes confronting sin, calling for repentance, and applying discipline. Without this, grace becomes cheap, and sin becomes acceptable. Sometimes, a leader’s love must be tough.
2 Corinthians 2:5-8I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.
Good leaders understand that refusing to forgive someone can push that person into even deeper problems. It is acceptable to require a person to suffer the natural and logical consequences for their mistakes or offenses. It is not acceptable to discourage them by withholding forgiveness.
