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Forgiving Others On Behalf of God
Brian Mashburn
April 23, 2006
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Forgiving Others - Your Priestly Duty
My son Shade had his first coach pitch baseball game, at which he went 2 for 2 at the plate with 2 singles and scored once. He slid to catch a grounder in outfield and quickly stood up and threw it in to first base. These were great successes for our team of 6 year olds, and I was so attentive to them. Shade's success (and failure) matter to me.
Why? There are 9 other perfectly valid human beings on the team with him. All of which I love and care about. And there are 10 more kids in the opposing dugout, too, all of whom I cheer on and want to succeed and be built up through the sport. I genuinely care for each kid out there. So why such a profound focus on the one that is my son (other than the obvious reason, "because he's my son")?
At least part of the answer is that he represents me out there. No one else does. What he does, for better or worse, reflects on me. His actions say something about who I am. It's a little intimidating, for them and me, but my kids' actions, attitudes, and character speak something to the world about their dad.
This same concept is present in the Bible as it relates to God and His people representing Him. This idea is known as "priesthood." God has always chosen people on earth to act as He would, do as He would, and be as He is. Peter drives this point home by telling us forthrightly that we are a "Holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Jesus was alluding to this priestly duty of His followers when He told them, "If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." (John 20:23)
What an honor to represent our Father here on earth. It's probably a little intimidating for you, but if you can remember that God knows what He is doing, it will satisfy your heart profoundly. We forgive like Christ forgave us because God wants to show the world through us what He is like.