S) "23 If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained."
John 20:23 (NASB)
O) This is a difficult verse. There seem to be three views of this verse, having varying levels of authoritative power, if we can call it that. The two operative factors in this are the sins, and those who are forgiving them. The Catholic view of this verse, is that this authority was given to the apostles, and that they are then qualified to forgive sins of any kind. With that, the Catholic view is also that being an apostle of Jesus Christ is an office that is transferrable (as opposed to the more traditional protestant belief, that the apostles of Jesus were a finite number of people, and then there were apostles of churches, which didn't exactly carry the same kind of authority, then). The next view is perhaps the most narrow in scope, that this authority was only given to these specific men (and Paul), as they were the only direct apostles of Jesus, and the authority to forgive sins is directly related to the terms of the gospel. That is to say, they had the authority to forgive sins, after receiving the Holy Spirit and having God's discernment with them, but it was still contingent on a person receiving the terms of the gospel. So, if they properly presented the truth of the gospel, they were actively participating in the forgiveness of sins. On the other hand, then if they discerned people as unworthy of the gospel, or unwilling to repent in the first place, they might withhold the preaching of the gospel, therefore the sins of those unhearing people would be retained. The last view is more general in regard to those who are forgiving, but more specific in regards to what is being forgiven. If the basis of this authority is on receiving the Holy Spirit, then it stands to reason that any believer who has been baptized in the Holy Spirit, would carry this authority. However, the authority to forgive may only be applicable if the sins are committed against that believer. For example, when Stephen was being stoned, like Jesus, he prayed that God would forgive those who were killing him. This would also relate to the commands Jesus gave, that we must forgive if we are to be forgiven, but we could hardly forgive someone for sins committed against others, if we were not affected. Of course, this could be some other mix of what can be forgiven, and by whom; it remains a difficult verse.
A) While I'm not entirely sure about how this verse should be applied, it is still clear from the context of the entire New Testament that I must be forgiving. It is also absolutely clear, that no one is forgiven apart from the atoning work of Jesus Christ, Himself. It is also quite clear, that I must be willing to share the gospel with those who need to hear it. I tend to think this verse is for all believers (at least, those who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit) but the ability to forgive is still limited to the sins that are against us, directly. It is somewhat comforting to think that, if I am forgiving those who sin against me, even if they have not accepted the gospel, that they may have one less sin against them. They would doubtlessly still be guilty for other sins (sins against other nonbelievers, there would be no such forgiveness), so I'm not exactly sure how it would matter, exactly. There are allusions, even in the New Testament, about varying levels of punishment (see Luke 12:47-48). At the very least, my own forgiveness certainly motivates me to forgive others. I have been forgiven much, and so I forgive everyone, even if they aren't yet sorry. After all, even while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me.
P) Father, thank You for the grace that prevails in my life. Your love for me is amazing, that Jesus died for my sins while I was still Your enemy. Help me to focus on the grace of the gospel, this way. To focus on the love and sacrifice of Jesus, even while I was a sinner in every way. Even now, even as I seek Your ways and desire to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ, I know that I am still in need of that same mercy. Let this need for forgiveness and grace, my persisting need of You, motivate me to a life of love and compassion for others, even my enemies. Let my heart remain soft, forgiving anyone who has sinned against me, just as You have forgiven me, even before they are repentant. If that means You don't hold that particular sin against them, then all the more I celebrate that mercy for them, and I pray that small act of mercy might soften their hearts to the gospel. Let all of this be to the glory of Your name. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
