Forgive...Be Forgiven...

[Jonathan David]

"You can only love Christ as much as you love your worst enemy."

Wow!!!!!! Thanks for bringing that.

Peace.

JD

 

[BarbB]

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.

...*Fake mod hat off* (what a wannabe)

This took me the longest to learn, but when I did I grew so much! Charles Stanley's website has some advice as does (I think it's) Newlife (?). I looked up unforgiveness and got some great advice, but the very best was to pray for the person's welfare and blessings on him/her. Suddenly I viewed her entirely differently and it was NO BIG DEAL to forgive her!

Hey, Christi - check your reps, not your pms! And I need your forgiveness for pushing you horribly! Does a push equal a snip?

 

[crystalpc]

This took me the longest to learn, but when I did I grew so much! Charles Stanley's website has some advice as does (I think it's) Newlife (?). I looked up unforgiveness and got some great advice, but the very best was to pray for the person's welfare and blessings on him/her. Suddenly I viewed her entirely differently and it was NO BIG DEAL to forgive her!

Hey, Christi - check your reps, not your pms! And I need your forgiveness for pushing you horribly! Does a push equal a snip?

I have found that in horrible circumstances, such as the murder of my nephew, the fact I had to forgive was not for the person who did it, but for myself. Unforgiveness causes me physical illness and God knew this about me. I forgave for my sake not for the murderers sake. He didn't seek it, or even want it.

 

[BarbB]

What a terrible thing to happen, crystalpc! Yes, the point is forgiving a person, even if they do not seek it or want it. Our motivation is not the point, is it? The point is that we MUST do it!

 

[crystalpc]

What a terrible thing to happen, crystalpc! Yes, the point is forgiving a person, even if they do not seek it or want it. Our motivation is not the point, is it? The point is that we MUST do it!

Amen! I hate to think of where I would be if I was never forgiven.

 

[Mϋzikdϋde]

You people are doing my heart good. Thank you. It is so good to know that people have learned or are learning to get beyond their emotions and laying things at the foot of the cross. .
Praise God!

 

[Mϋzikdϋde]

I'm bumping this because I think it's important...I told a few people about it and I want them to find it

 

[Big C]

"You can only love christ as much as you love your worst enemy"...great comment!!!!
So I'll ask everyones forgiveness when I say, "Spidey looks like he's doing the "Queer-eye" dance...fabulous!"

"Peter Parker, you stop that this instant!" (Aunt May)

 

[Dap 19]

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

God tells us that it is a sin not to forgive someone who has asked for it. It really isn't so simple though is it? He also tells us that we will know if someone is truely a Christian by his works and not his words. To many Christians today judge on whether the person was sincere or not. Example Bill Clinton. Yet forgave Newt Gingrich for doing the same thing when he never apologized. Is it really our job to decide if someone was sincere or not? It is very confussing if I don't say so myself. I guess you just have to be one of those people who make up their own minds and go with that. After all we certainly don't want to be led astray just because we're following the wrong flock. Dap