Forgive...Be Forgiven...

[Mϋzikdϋde]

I've noticed that a large number of Christians don't know how to truly forgive another Christian, or any other person for that matter. I've also noticed that so many Christians don't know how to be forgiven.

I'll make this short so everyone else can discuss it.

The way I see it, instead of apologizing for something it is better to ask forgiveness. That way it's a two way decision.
An apology is generally designed to make the offender feel better about himself/herself for commiting the offense. If you ask for forgiveness you are showing concern for the offended party's feelings and bringing yourself into a place of humility.

If someone asks your forgiveness for an offense you are to forgive them. Period, no conditions. If they offend you a second time for the same offense, you to forgive them again.

The only thing that stands in the way of forgiveness is pride. No one wants to be walked on, no one wants to appear weak, no one wants to be taken advantage of...yet we do just that to Christ every day.

Are we above Jesus? Can we refuse to forgive those who sin against us while we accept salvation from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

It is truly a slap in the face to Christ to accept his forgiveness without forgiving each other.

One more thing. Forgiveness begins with forgiving yourself.

Discuss

 

[Jonathan David]

What a thread... and I think that we should put it into practice.

Jameseb - I called you out in public yesterday. I called you a troll and should have dealt with that privately. I am deeply sorry and I ask for your forgiveness.

Peace.

Jon

 

[jameseb]

Edited to say I forgive all who have ever unwillingly or willingly given me grief through words or action. I shouldn't mention just one person, but all those who have given grief to me and those that I have given grief to. We all have our problems in life, all of us have our own weary shoes to wear... we should always consider that and remember we're not the only one's that suffer. I forgive all... each and every soul I've encountered in my life. I hope each and every one of them will also forgive me.

 

[Mϋzikdϋde]

Pray for that person and let go of the contempt you harbor for the situation. Compare your pain to that of Jesus. It really puts things into perspective.
It's easy to say you forgive but so difficult to release your heart of anything but love for those who hurt you. We've all felt it.

Matthew 5

7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

Luke 6
35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others

37"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.



Colossians 3
13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.



and finally...


Psalm 103
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.



When we forgive, we forget as if it never happened

 

[alaurie]

Pray for that person and let go of the contempt you harbor for the situation. Compare your pain to that of Jesus. It really puts things into perspective.
It's easy to say you forgive but so difficult to release your heart of anything but love for those who hurt you. We've all felt it.

Matthew 5

7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

Luke 6
35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others

37"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.



Colossians 3
13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.



and finally...


Psalm 103
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.



When we forgive, we forget as if it never happened

Wonderful post and thread. Being able to forgive is a particular weakness for me, especially in work situations when the offending behavior occurs on at least a weekly basis. Many, many times to get the above "head knowledge" into the heart there has to be the prayer "God, I know you want me to forgive her, I don't want to, don't even want to pray for the strength to be able to. Help me get to the place that I even can. Amen." He won't let you down.

...In my weakness, he is strong.

 

[Blessed75]

I edited this post b/c some things just aren't worth it - and sometimes, it's best if I'm the bigger person. I will not air other's dirty laundry on a public forum. I will not do what has been done to me.

Great idea John if some things weren't so personal.

 

[J.A.I]

Don't mean to rain on the parade, but it looks like this thread is going to turn ugly.

 

[J.A.I]

My spidey sense is tingling and it looks like this is going to become a fingerpointing thread.

"I forgive you for being a suckbutt person!"

See how that works ? It is an indirect insult. I dunno, man, something tells me things are gonna get ugly, ugly, ugly... (Sorry, had a secular flashback of Bubba Sparxxx's "Ugly" song).....

 

[jameseb]

What a thread... and I think that we should put it into practice.

Jameseb - I called you out in public yesterday. I called you a troll and should have dealt with that privately. I am deeply sorry and I ask for your forgiveness.

Peace.

Jon

Jonathan,

Thank you, mate. There is nothing to forgive though. I'm sorry too for the way I replied to you.

I meant to get back to your PM's, in fact I've got several people I need to get back to... between work and other things I've been a bit slow about it. Anyway, thank you again, brother. God bless

 

[Jonathan David]

Jonathan,

Thank you, mate. There is nothing to forgive though. I'm sorry too for the way I replied to you.

I meant to get back to your PM's, in fact I've got several people I need to get back to... between work and other things I've been a bit slow about it. Anyway, thank you again, brother. God bless

Thank you. I am glad that we can be square... and I am very sorry to hear about your partner. She will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace be with you.

JD

 

[jameseb]

Wonderful post and thread. Being able to forgive is a particular weakness for me, especially in work situations when the offending behavior occurs on at least a weekly basis. Many, many times to get the above "head knowledge" into the heart there has to be the prayer "God, I know you want me to forgive her, I don't want to, don't even want to pray for the strength to be able to. Help me get to the place that I even can. Amen." He won't let you down.

...In my weakness, he is strong.

Yes, thank you Muzikdude for the thread.

Allye, I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes it is so hard to forgive people... even when I say I do yet still fill anger at them in my heart. I have to work hard on that part....and I think I can say right now I bare no resentment for anyone.

 

[jameseb]

Thank you. I am glad that we can be square... and I am very sorry to hear about your partner. She will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace be with you.

JD

Thank you, Jonathan. As I was just telling someone a few minutes ago, there's nothing greater I could ask from someone than their prayers.

Thank you.

 

[LightHearted]

*Mod Hat On*

I am going to put this to a stop before this really becomes a problem. There will be no finger pointing in this thread. If in your posts above you have mentioned specifics about a person that participates in this message board, please go back and edit your posts.

Forgiveness is not about airing our dirty laundry and making snide remarks.

I do not enjoy having to edit posts in Christian Only forums. This should not be need amongst Christians.

*Mod Hat Off*

Matthew 11:24-25
Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.

 

[J.A.I]

Added her to my prayer list as well, Eric. Gonna duck out of this thread, guys, you are ALL in MY prayers.

 

[HoT-MetaL]

Seventy seven times seven.

Its OUR problem if WE pick up an offense - the other guy/gal simply carries on with their life.

When you forgive someoen you release a prisoner... yourself.

 

[Christi]

Thank you, Jonathan. As I was just telling someone a few minutes ago, there's nothing greater I could ask from someone than their prayers.

Thank you.

She's got my prayers, too, Eric.

 

[jameseb]

Added her to my prayer list as well, Eric. Gonna duck out of this thread, guys, you are ALL in MY prayers.

She's got my prayers, too, Eric.

*smiles* Thank you both from the bottom of my heart... I couldn't ask for anything more than that. God bless you both.

 

[Christi]

Although I've done this via PM......I think I owe it to Gunny and Sweetkitty (even though she's not here, where'd she go?) to apologize publicly to them. I was rude to them within threads and talked mean about them behind their backs in pms. They both graciously and lovingly forgave me, but I hope that if I've unknowingly (although with them I knowingly did it), hurt or offended anyone, that they would please contact me so we can work it out. I got real snippy with Newlamb one day, and she is such a sweetheart.....I never asked for her forgiveness because she never flinched or treated me any different, but I ask for it today if you are here, Newlamb.

 

[Christi]

This is the best thread, I feel so much better! (Maybe just cause I haven't checked my pm's yet. Gulp. )

 

[Mϋzikdϋde]

I just want to add:
Forgiveness isn't about waiting for someone to ask for it or to apologize. We need to forgive people even if they aren't sorry for offending us.

Ah yes, this is where it gets tough.
I also want to add to what Lighthearted said. It's fine to apologize and ask forgiveness in this thread but I'll be upset if anyone tries to antagonize someone into settling an argument.

My main intent for this thread was to discuss God's teachings about forgiveness but if the Holy Spirit wants to use it for conflict resolution I wont try to stop it. Just pleeeeeease make sure you follow the Spirits lead and keep a leash on any animosity you may have for someone.
We don't want to have any examples for the "don'ts" section of this thread.

*Fake mod hat off* (what a wannabe)