Question
Dear Pastor Lance. I was reading in John 20:23 where it says, “If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” What does Jesus mean?
Answer
This is talking about the authority that God gives His children (His body). He is explaining about issues both of church discipline and also the carrying out of God’s authority on earth.
It’s a crazy that we modern-day American Christians don’t believe in the authority and power of God to hear that He would back up our word as we are in alignment with HIS Word.
If we are ambassadors of Christ, then we are writing checks on His authority and with His insignia stamp. We are also canceling things as well. This does not mean that He is putting other people’s salvation in our hands, it’s merely saying that relationally, we are allowed to carry out His mandate on earth with power and authority to make sure that it’s like God likes it.
For example, if a guy in the church violates a woman and yet plays a manipulation card about pretending to be sorry, but he’s not. The church doesn’t have to forgive that guy, but can let him live with his own consequences.
When the body comes together in leadership, their word advances the kingdom of God. I know that all sounds messy, because it is. It’s how God works through real people, in a real and broken world.
