Forgiveness

[Natt]

To be forgiven by God we first must repent.

So is this how we should treat each other. For example if someone sins against us and they are not sorry for what they have done even though they are capable of knowing what they did is wrong, are we commanded to forgive them even though that is not how God forgives?

[asap]

Matthew 18:21-22 (KJV)

21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

[Natt]

Matthew 18:21-22 (KJV)

21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

My question is when do we forgive, not if or how many times do we forgive.

[mikehev]

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:15-25

In our hearts we should forgive men always, just as Christ has forgiven us. Settle it in your heart that a person who has wronged you is forgiven. At the same time, if he refuses to admit fault, even though he is forgiven in your heart, you have no responsibilty to maintain fellowship with that person. Take a look at the verses above:

1. tell the person what they are doing wrong

2. tell the person with 1 or 2 witnesses

3. tell the church

4. if he refuses to hear the church treat him as a heathen, and a publican (break fellowship)

You have forgiven Him in your heart, but you will not resume fellowship with him until the behavior is changed.

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Matthew 18:23-35

So I would say that the important thing is to settle it in your heart that the person is forgiven, regardless of his response. After you have done all you can to reconcile the person(in accordance to what Christ mandated), if he or she is not willing to admit fault and continues in behavior that is out of order...he remains forgiven in your heart, but you don't need to associate with this person until he or she recognizes his or her error. Pray for this person, never give up on them, and the minute they return and ask for the forgiveness available to them, restore them as a brother.

Edited January 3, 2007 by mikehev

[Guest pixy]

Absolutely, yes!

Christ died for everyone. He made forgiveness avaiable for everyone. Some will not choose to accept what Christ did, but that doesn't mean that His desire is for mankind to not receive forgiveness.

[Leonard]

Jesus said basically to forgive someone an UNLIMITED number of times IF THEY REPENT. Without repentence, you have no Scriptural right to forgive. So we are to forgive on the same basis God does.

Hope that answers your question...........

[Benobi1]

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:15-25

In our hearts we should forgive men always, just as Christ has forgiven us. Settle it in your heart that a person who has wronged you is forgiven. At the same time, if he refuses to admit fault, even though he is forgiven in your heart, you have no responsibilty to maintain fellowship with that person. Take a look at the verses above:

1. tell the person what they are doing wrong

2. tell the person with 1 or 2 witnesses

3. tell the church

4. if he refuses to hear the church treat him as a heathen, and a publican (break fellowship)

You have forgiven Him in your heart, but you will not resume fellowship with him until the behavior is changed.

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Matthew 18:23-35

So I would say that the important thing is to settle it in your heart that the person is forgiven, regardless of his response. After you have done all you can to reconcile the person(in accordance to what Christ mandated), if he or she is not willing to admit fault and continues in behavior that is out of order...he remains forgiven in your heart, but you don't need to associate with this person until he or she recognizes his or her error. Pray for this person, never give up on them, and the minute they return and ask for the forgiveness available to them, restore them as a brother.

AMEN

[mike2]

To be forgiven by God we first must repent.

So is this how we should treat each other. For example if someone sins against us and they are not sorry for what they have done even though they are capable of knowing what they did is wrong, are we commanded to forgive them even though that is not how God forgives?

Gods forgiveness is always there. It doesnt depend on someone repenting. It just doesnt "kick in" until they repent.

It is no good to a person unless they realize they need it, and then accept it.

On the other hand, the person forgiving is able to put the incident behind them rather than stew on it and let it really bother them, sometimes to the point of illness.

Consider that effect when the person being forgiven doesnt realize their transgresion, or does'nt care. They go along on their merry way, while the person that refuses to forgive and keeps getting upset every time the transgressors name is brought up, just festers.

We need to forgive, if the name of someone just makes your blood boil, then you have got to find a way to forgive them.. for your own sake.

[Natt]

Thankyou for your answers

It was hypothetical question as I've heard that was unscriptural to forgive before repentance.

[freedfromsin]

Hello Natt,

very good question! The bible says this.

Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

So if you think about it holdiing onto unforgiveness is like taking vengence. We are hoping that the person will get theirs. However if we are going to be as our Lord and love them we ahould pray for them so that they do not fall into the hands of an angry God. Also the forgivenss is for us. Holding unforgiveness only hurts the holder, not the one it is against. So yes I would suggest hhat we forgive, but keep in mind that this does not release them from God's wrath. only their repentance will do that. Forgive them and pray for them.

To be forgiven by God we first must repent.

So is this how we should treat each other. For example if someone sins against us and they are not sorry for what they have done even though they are capable of knowing what they did is wrong, are we commanded to forgive them even though that is not how God forgives?