Uncanny Forgiveness

[Starise]

There are few instances of forgiveness in the in the bible that are quite extraordinary.

These examples cause me to ponder how I would respond.

One example is Steven the martyr. Acts 7:54-60

54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Now imagine this man being pelted with large stones. My first thought would probably be OUCH! Instead Stephen was asking God not to hold the sin against them.

Jesus at His crucifixion- 

Luke 23:34

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

In the first example Stephen does not give a reason why he didn't want the Lord to hold the sin against his enemies. In the second example of our Lord's death, Jesus indicates ignorance as a reason for forgiveness. The ignorance was they didn't know what they were doing, even so, this is harsh treatment for anyone to endure, especially if they were innocent.

Jesus said this after a very grueling time of beating with a very sharp whip on His back. He was beat about the face, had His beard ripped out and had a crown of thorn put into His head. He would have been in great pain as they nailed Him to the cross, yet He STILL asked forgiveness for these men. He would have been aware of the extremity of His father's wrath poured out.

Many men would not venture to feel much forgiveness in these circumstances.

In contrast king David prayed aggressively against his enemies.

Psalm 55:15-19

15Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.

17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

Psalm 94:23

23 And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the Lord our God shall cut them off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Alive]

I like this topic---my conviction and experience is that there is available to those that are 'In Christ" of the Father an abundance of forgiveness that flows freely from Christ and through us. It is as available as salt is in the sea.

[missmuffet]

Sometimes well-meaning believers proclaim that their anger toward something or someone is " righteous indignation." Forgiveness is God's gift to us through the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. He expects us, in turn, to share forgiveness with those who sin against us. We can't allow pride to dictate our actions. It requires humility to give a gift as precious as forgiveness. Bitterness, wrath and anger are by-products of failing to promptly deal with a problem. 

[Starise]

I think of Matt 6:15

But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

I  think this verse should be read in tandem with other verses on the subject to get the whole picture. Do we forgive because there is a condition attached to us as a result or do we forgive because it's in our heart to do so?

Part of the Lord's prayer-

"Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors" In some translations it says 'sins' instead of debts.

Similar to " Husbands love your wives" . Forgiveness requires an action on our part with no instruction manual. We are simply told to do it.

Sometimes doing a thing comes naturally, sometimes it doesn't.

 

[Starise]

8 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

Sometimes well-meaning believers proclaim that their anger toward something or someone is " righteous indignation." Forgiveness is God's gift to us through the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. He expects us, in turn, to share forgiveness with those who sin against us. We can't allow pride to dictate our actions. It requires humility to give a gift as precious as forgiveness. Bitterness, wrath and anger are by-products of failing to promptly deal with a problem. 

I have met others like this but they usually are not believers.

We are told to forgive 70 times 7.

The world might be a more peaceful place if we could only be around the people who we know we won't need to forgive....or do those people exist?

Edited February 10, 2022 by Starise

[missmuffet]

Just now, Starise said:

I have met others like this but they usually are not believers.

We are told to forgive 70 times 7.

And it is very difficult. Especially when someone has hurt us deeply. We need to ask God to help us in this forgiveness process, we can't do it on our own. As humans our first response it to " get back". 

[Alive]

17 minutes ago, Starise said:

I think of Matt 6:15

But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

I  think this verse should be read in tandem with other verses on the subject to get the whole picture. Do we forgive because there is a condition attached to us as a result or do we forgive because it's in our heart to do so?

Part of the Lord's prayer-

"Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors" In some translations it says 'sins' instead of debts.

Similar to " Husbands love your wives" . Forgiveness requires an action on our part with no instruction manual. We are simply told to do it.

Sometimes doing a thing comes naturally, sometimes it doesn't.

 

Brother--I think this is also connected to our ongoing sanctification and an awareness (if you will) of the degree to which we are aware of our personal need for Grace, Mercy and Forgiveness. We are all on a path as many on this forum have stated.

Years ago, we taught folks like this: the Life and Nature of Christ in us flows. An analogy of the faucet is helpful. The handle is on or not. There are things in our hearts that can be blockages to that flowing. These are the things the Lord touches in each of us, so that they are dealt with and no longer a problem. This is relative and progressive in the saints. We are being changed.

But to repeat, regarding extending Grace toward others; it is directly proportional to our awarenes of need of the same.

Its a real thing.

[Willa]

I agree, missmuffy.  We can only "channel" Christ's love and forgiveness.  It is not in ourselves to forgive.  It is Christ in us Who forgives.  His life in us enables us to offer forgiveness as it undoubtedly did in Stephen.  God forgives them even when we can't, or when they never apologize or ask for forgiveness.  Unforgiveness only corrupts us.  We have no choice but to forgive or the bitterness will affect every area of our lives and hurt every person we know and love.

[missmuffet]

We must also learn to forgive ourselves. 

[Ani Tefillah]

20 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

We must also learn to forgive ourselves. 

So true, but it can be hard sometimes. 

I remember I read a book many years ago "Do you believe the truth about yourself" or something. It was based on the Bible, so I could learn to know the truth about myself through the Bible. 

I learned that it is important what I say about myself to myself, because if I keep repeating it, I will believe it. 

 

I still have to remind myself of that now and then, to be careful what I say to myself etc. 

It helps me to look at myself in the mirror, and tell myself that I forgive myself, love all the wrinkles etc. 😊