The Forgiveness Loophole

I first heard the word ‘loophole’ when my dad and a friend were talking about taxes. They were frustrated that some taxpayers took advantage of the lack of clarity in the wording of some in tax laws (a loophole). It seemed unfair. Sometimes people use the same kind of loophole-thinking with the Bible.

Here’s an example:
When teaching about the relationship between anger and murder, Jesus said that anyone angry enough to say, “You fool,” would be deserving of hell (Matthew 5:22). He described an escalation of anger that devalued another human:

• Anger—”You are worth less than me.”
• ‘Raca’ (literally: empty-headed) - “You are worth very little.”
• ‘You Fool’—”You are worthless.”

An angry person thinks he is free from guilt. He thinks he has found a loophole in the Law of Moses. He thinks something like, “You can’t tell me I’m not righteous. I might have been angry, but I obeyed the Law; I didn’t murder anyone.”

However, that was the point Jesus was making. Just because you do not commit the act of murder does not make you righteous in God’s eyes. In fact, anger is the first step leading to murder which is an aggressive act that comes from a heart that regards another person as worthless.

Jesus made His listeners responsible in reading and understanding the Law of Moses. It was not enough to obey the letter of the law while finding legal loopholes that seemingly sidestepped ungodly attitudes and behaviors.

What about forgiveness; What are the rules??

This question betrays the heart of the person who is looking for loopholes. They are interested in the limitations of forgiveness; the extent of forgiveness; the point at which they can stop.

Do you remember Peter’s similar question?

Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times? 

--Matthew 18:21 (NASB95)

Peter might have thought that he was being generous. (The Jews limited forgiveness to three offenses.) Jesus blasted past his seven to an exaggerated value of seventy times seven. In other words, put your database away; there is no point in keeping records. Forgiveness is not limited by the number of offenses.

However, shouldn’t a person repent before I forgive them? After all, Jesus said…

And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times saying, “I repent,” forgive him. 

--Luke 17:4 (NASB95)

This is more loophole-thinking due to a misunderstanding of the concept of repentance. For centuries people have been taught that repentance is a change in behavior. It is true that repentance will result in changed behavior, but repentance is literally a mind change or change in perception. Jesus said that as soon as the person ‘expresses’ a change of heart, forgive him. You do not wait for a visible change of behavior.

God is teaching His people to think like Him. There is no limit to His forgiveness; he desires salvation for all. If we are to be like God, we must not look for forgiveness loopholes. Rather, we must adopt the heart of God toward sinners by forgiving even when we are hurt. Whether you forgive or not will not affect the salvation of another person. So, if you mistakenly forgive someone undeserving, God will sort it out. Yet, if you refuse to forgive, it will cost you your soul. (Matthew 6:14-15 & 18:35.)

Mark Stinnett

October 18, 2020