Jesus said, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” Mt 7:6.

We have heard the stories of a the pack of wild dogs attacking a child or woman until they are dead and unrecognizable. I also recall hearing of wild pigs in east Texas who will attack and the hunter had better have a tree to climb or his fate could be the same.

One great pearl is forgiveness. A repentant person is to be forgiven just as Christ has forgiven the Christian. But a dog or pig will treat your “forgiveness” with the same contempt they give to the blessed Gospel of Jesus. Go ahead and try it if you wish. The man has just smacked your wife across the face. Say to him, “I forgive you.” Go ahead. If you believe that forgiveness from God and forgiveness He expects you to give to others is UNCONDITION and WITHOUT ANY CONDITIONAL OF REPENTANCE, Go ahead and tell the dog or pig, “I forgive you.” That’s not what Jesus meant for you to do when He said to forgive.

In the study and discussion on the topic of forgiveness, almost always what is left out is what Jesus said, “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him”, Lk 17:3. The way Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness is portrayed is, “If a brother sins against you, forgive him.” But all of Jesus’ words are important. Jesus said to “Beware!”. This is serious stuff. This is dangerous and scary business. It is the cowards path to just “forgive” someone when you haven’t approached them and when that person hasn’t repented.

“But Dan, if you don’t forgive that person’s trespass it will torture and control you all of your life.” Bologna! Only if you let it. You mean to tell me that you can’t move on in life and live for God unless and until every injustice against you has been resolved? I say suck it up. Get up, get dressed, and get out there in the world and live for God. An injustice by an unrepentant person will control you only to the degree you let it. I don’t buy the premise and I certainly do not accept the perversion of Jesus’ teaching. To forgive an unrepentant person is to act different that God. To forgive the unrepentant is like giving pearls to dogs and pigs who will tear you to pieces.

The ungodly person doesn’t get the pearls of the Gospel. The ungodly person is handled the way Jesus said to. “Shake the dust from your feet” and move to the next person or town. The dog or pig doesn’t get your pearls. To ignore Jesus’ words is to foolishly go where you are not to go.

I say this in love. Sincerely, Dan