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Forgiveness when Wronged

joshex

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I want to start by saying; God will forgive all sin through the sacrifice salvation of Israel (the son of God)

and I don't want to stray around the topic of who God is either, We are talking about YHWH or Yahweha, and his son Yeshu which through Greek was interpreted as Iesus (Yesus), and from Greek to through Latin and eventually Germanic and English, we get Jesus. Naturally there's the Holy Spirit, which is god in us and with us, left behind in the place of christ the messiah. this is the god to whom we refer in christianity as the one and only god.

We have long heard that the salvation of christ is a gift, you just have to accept it to get forgiveness of sins. You just have to believe on him as your savior, and that's good enough.

But after delving into scripture, God never offered forgiveness without repentance. If you don't repent, then what are you asking him to forgive you of? if you wont admit something in your life is a sin and Sincerely seek to Continually Try to find a way out of continuing in it, then asking for blanket forgiveness wont take care of that thing you're clinging to. to forgive you of it, he needs to take it away from you and pay for it. but if you cling on to it, how then can he take it away? he'd have to throw you away with it. it's like you're saying "forgive me of my sins, but not this one, I like it too much.".

Therefore the price of forgiveness is repentance to the son of god, turning from sinful ways and asking past sin to be forgive because you at least want to change, and you're going to sincerely try. Work our your salvation with fear and trembling. Judge yourself, lest ye be judged.

Where am I going with this?

I see alot of christians in the news who've had something awful happen to them by another person, and they say "We forgive them". but the person they are forgiving has not repented of the act, they are not remorseful, they don't think they did anything wrong.

Being Willing to forgive is right and good, we are even commanded to forgive in the lord's prayer 'Forgive us as we forgive those who have tresspassed against us", even Wanting to forgive is right. we should love our enemy and want them to come to the salvation of god for their eternal soul's sake.

What would happen if David Forgave Goliath? Goliath would smirk or sneer and take it as a sign to continue attacking because no one will stand against him, he thought he was right. he blasphemed the name of god and called the israelis cowards. Goliath was an Atheist, he knew that he had come against many idols before that were called gods, and he defeated them, he thought there was no god and this would be the same as those.
"god would have intervened"
Whereby would he then intervene? it's done, you've forgiven your enemy. They're forgiven for the wrong they caused you. They didn't repent, they don't seek to change, they just shrug it off and feel justified. and if it was a sin directly against you and not aimed at god, then God stays his hand from punishment, cursing, and intervention. "you've decided to handle this one."
In this case if david decided not to fight, God would have had to stop the philistine by some other method. David would not have gotten the renown. David might not have become king, or it would have been a much harder fought road.

and we wonder why the world runs rampant to sin.
instead, we should say "I hope they realize what they did was wrong and repent. because I want to forgive them, but it's not lawful to forgive the unrepentant. there is no god-legal-mechanism for me to do so". then pray for them, that god will intervene, and work on their heart to repentance in christ.

If You forgive the unrepentant, can you save them from their sins? no, they'll still face eternal damnation if they don't repent. but they may get a pass from punishment on the earth. but sometimes punishment on the earth is just what they need, and God knows just how God should administer it. Will you really get in the way of that?

What you bind on the earth is bound in heaven and what you loose on the earth is loosed in heaven. be careful what you allow.

To forgive a person in your heart without repentance is right, but to proclaim it is wrong. have it in your heart to forgive them, but speak only that you hope they repent because you want to forgive them, not that you do forgive them, but that you want to. And pray as much, out of care for them.

Then you will see God work on your enemies. and perhaps they will change.

Psychologically and Spiritually it has a greater effect on the person than outright forgiveness.
with outright forgiveness: the person might feel a little guilt, but at the same time they'll feel it's settled. it's done, there's nothing they have to do to change. and when you broadcast this to the sinful world, the rest of the sinful get a huge grin in their mind and think you're condoning their actions. this leads to future actions of the same sort by those you forgave and the other sinners who think like them. "oh you forgave me for robbing the bank? I'll just take the money bag home then, I'll be back, let's say.. same time next week? or how about tomorrow, nah I'll come back later today with my friends."

"I hope they repent, because I want to forgive them": this makes that sinner Dwell on it. they still see your kindness and charity, they still see the face of god offering forgiveness, but they know there's something they have to do to get it, and it will eat at them till they beg for it. Other sinners in society slink back in thier chairs when they hear this, they don't grin, they contemplate that this doesn't feel nice. it's a moment of shock, and such a sinner will have that nag at their heart, and they'll think more than twice before considering to imitate that sinful act against another. and society can begin to heal.
"huh? you'll forgive me for robbing the bank if I repent and put the money back?... ah.. can't I get the forgiveness without that? no? there may be punishments on the earth if I leave that door? that's not very christian of you! huh? god will punish me, not you, what do you mean you're praying that god shows me the error of my ways for the sake of my soul? you keep saying you want to forgive me, just do it or don't do it, don't make me question my actions! stop holding me in the balance! this is bothering me. I wont be back here with my friends, I might never come back to this place, I don't like how it makes me feel. I'm going home to sit and reinspect my life."

The devil always expected that the devil would be forgiven, so he never changed and never repented. he felt justified.

Don't justify devils.


The only scripture I found where Christ forgave someone without them uttering a repentance was where men removed the roof of a place where jesus was, to let down a man who had a palsy by lowering his bed into the room. and rather than telling him to rise at first, he said "thy sins be forgiven thee", but here, the repentence need not be spoken, because they Strove for it. they would not have come to christ by such dramatic and drastic means looking for healing if they were not at least contrite in their hearts. Whatever sins any of them might have done, they had resigned themselves to repentance to get their friend healed. it's unspoken, but it's still repentance in the heart.


Repentance then is in the heart and between man and god. Now between man and man it's still good to confess our sins and apologize, repenting of what we've done against another. But repentance to god is the only repentance that counts towards eternal life.

now reinspect the lord's prayer "forgive us our trespasses as we for give those who trespass against us"
you forgive them in your heart; you are right with god, and thus shall you also be forgiven.
but you tell them you only Want to forgive them, and that if they don't repent to the son of god they wont be forgiven, and god might bring punishments on the earth, even curses, as the lord decides is just and righteous according to his law.. and you pray for them to come to repentance so that you can openly forgive them.
now God has work to do as if he's saying "you're right in your heart, you've been a good watchman and warned them, but you want to be able to openly forgive them? ok, I'll start working on them to push them to such a situation"

but we are called to love and charity, that doesn't sound like love and charity! it is, you still love them in your heart and seek only good for them, you seek that they would repent of their sins and gain eternal life.
Charity is different than robbing a bank. if a man asks you for your shirt give him your coat also. did he ask at gunpoint? is demanding a form of asking? no. but when they ask you, give them what you can.
if a man asked you for food, and you said yes, and they said "ok, I know this 3 Michelain star restaurant I've always wanted to eat at, it's 125$ per person set menu." and you in your meals are eating peanut butter sandwiches to save money? you say "well, I can love you as I love myself. I eat peanutbutter sandwiches, I can get you some of those if you want". this is correct and right. they might not like it, but it's what you have to offer.
forgiveness in you heart, but not openly forgiving, but instead advising out of love and charity of your time that they should repent of these sins in the name of the son of god, that god can save them to eternal life? this is right.

Forgiving Openly and Blindly is not what we are called to do. that makes you a chump, and god facepalms every time. God will follow his own law. he wanted to help you in this situation, he wanted to help that person that wronged you see the light, but you decided you were god and you'd handle it. so god takes the hands off approach and looks for another instance in his law or in your heart that will allow him to put his hands back on. he's trying.

He knows we're all stupid, he made us. and this may be my advice and I'm just a person whose smart enough to know I'm an idiot. Praise God that he's smart.
 
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zippy2006

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I see alot of christians in the news who've had something awful happen to them by another person, and they say "We forgive them". but the person they are forgiving has not repented of the act, they are not remorseful, they don't think they did anything wrong.

Being Willing to forgive is right and good...
Yes, this is correct. Forgiveness does not exist without repentance. To "forgive" someone who has not repented is even condescending, showing a lack of respect for the person's freedom and will. It is like telling someone that you've generously canceled their debt to you when they dispute the fact that there even exists a debt in the first place.
 
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Palmfever

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I want to start by saying; God will forgive all sin through the sacrifice salvation of Israel (the son of God)

and I don't want to stray around the topic of who God is either, We are talking about YHWH or Yahweha, and his son Yeshu which through Greek was interpreted as Iesus (Yesus), and from Greek to through Latin and eventually Germanic and English, we get Jesus. Naturally there's the Holy Spirit, which is god in us and with us, left behind in the place of christ the messiah. this is the god to whom we refer in christianity as the one and only god.

We have long heard that the salvation of christ is a gift, you just have to accept it to get forgiveness of sins. You just have to believe on him as your savior, and that's good enough.

But after delving into scripture, God never offered forgiveness without repentance. If you don't repent, then what are you asking him to forgive you of? if you wont admit something in your life is a sin and Sincerely seek to Continually Try to find a way out of continuing in it, then asking for blanket forgiveness wont take care of that thing you're clinging to. to forgive you of it, he needs to take it away from you and pay for it. but if you cling on to it, how then can he take it away? he'd have to throw you away with it. it's like you're saying "forgive me of my sins, but not this one, I like it too much.".

Therefore the price of forgiveness is repentance to the son of god, turning from sinful ways and asking past sin to be forgive because you at least want to change, and you're going to sincerely try. Work our your salvation with fear and trembling. Judge yourself, lest ye be judged.

Where am I going with this?

I see alot of christians in the news who've had something awful happen to them by another person, and they say "We forgive them". but the person they are forgiving has not repented of the act, they are not remorseful, they don't think they did anything wrong.

Being Willing to forgive is right and good, we are even commanded to forgive in the lord's prayer 'Forgive us as we forgive those who have tresspassed against us", even Wanting to forgive is right. we should love our enemy and want them to come to the salvation of god for their eternal soul's sake.

What would happen if David Forgave Goliath? Goliath would smirk or sneer and take it as a sign to continue attacking because no one will stand against him, he thought he was right. he blasphemed the name of god and called the israelis cowards. Goliath was an Atheist, he knew that he had come against many idols before that were called gods, and he defeated them, he thought there was no god and this would be the same as those.
"god would have intervened"
Whereby would he then intervene? it's done, you've forgiven your enemy. They're forgiven for the wrong they caused you. They didn't repent, they don't seek to change, they just shrug it off and feel justified. and if it was a sin directly against you and not aimed at god, then God stays his hand from punishment, cursing, and intervention. "you've decided to handle this one."
In this case if david decided not to fight, God would have had to stop the philistine by some other method. David would not have gotten the renown. David might not have become king, or it would have been a much harder fought road.

and we wonder why the world runs rampant to sin.
instead, we should say "I hope they realize what they did was wrong and repent. because I want to forgive them, but it's not lawful to forgive the unrepentant. there is no god-legal-mechanism for me to do so". then pray for them, that god will intervene, and work on their heart to repentance in christ.

If You forgive the unrepentant, can you save them from their sins? no, they'll still face eternal damnation if they don't repent. but they may get a pass from punishment on the earth. but sometimes punishment on the earth is just what they need, and God knows just how God should administer it. Will you really get in the way of that?

What you bind on the earth is bound in heaven and what you loose on the earth is loosed in heaven. be careful what you allow.

To forgive a person in your heart without repentance is right, but to proclaim it is wrong. have it in your heart to forgive them, but speak only that you hope they repent because you want to forgive them, not that you do forgive them, but that you want to. And pray as much, out of care for them.

Then you will see God work on your enemies. and perhaps they will change.

Psychologically and Spiritually it has a greater effect on the person than outright forgiveness.
with outright forgiveness: the person might feel a little guilt, but at the same time they'll feel it's settled. it's done, there's nothing they have to do to change. and when you broadcast this to the sinful world, the rest of the sinful get a huge grin in their mind and think you're condoning their actions. this leads to future actions of the same sort by those you forgave and the other sinners who think like them. "oh you forgave me for robbing the bank? I'll just take the money bag home then, I'll be back, let's say.. same time next week? or how about tomorrow, nah I'll come back later today with my friends."

"I hope they repent, because I want to forgive them": this makes that sinner Dwell on it. they still see your kindness and charity, they still see the face of god offering forgiveness, but they know there's something they have to do to get it, and it will eat at them till they beg for it. Other sinners in society slink back in thier chairs when they hear this, they don't grin, they contemplate that this doesn't feel nice. it's a moment of shock, and such a sinner will have that nag at their heart, and they'll think more than twice before considering to imitate that sinful act against another. and society can begin to heal.
"huh? you'll forgive me for robbing the bank if I repent and put the money back?... ah.. can't I get the forgiveness without that? no? there may be punishments on the earth if I leave that door? that's not very christian of you! huh? god will punish me, not you, what do you mean you're praying that god shows me the error of my ways for the sake of my soul? you keep saying you want to forgive me, just do it or don't do it, don't make me question my actions! stop holding me in the balance! this is bothering me. I wont be back here with my friends, I might never come back to this place, I don't like how it makes me feel. I'm going home to sit and reinspect my life."

The devil always expected that the devil would be forgiven, so he never changed and never repented. he felt justified.

Don't justify devils.


The only scripture I found where Christ forgave someone without them uttering a repentance was where men removed the roof of a place where jesus was, to let down a man who had a palsy by lowering his bed into the room. and rather than telling him to rise at first, he said "thy sins be forgiven thee", but here, the repentence need not be spoken, because they Strove for it. they would not have come to christ by such dramatic and drastic means looking for healing if they were not at least contrite in their hearts. Whatever sins any of them might have done, they had resigned themselves to repentance to get their friend healed. it's unspoken, but it's still repentance in the heart.


Repentance then is in the heart and between man and god. Now between man and man it's still good to confess our sins and apologize, repenting of what we've done against another. But repentance to god is the only repentance that counts towards eternal life.

now reinspect the lord's prayer "forgive us our trespasses as we for give those who trespass against us"
you forgive them in your heart; you are right with god, and thus shall you also be forgiven.
but you tell them you only Want to forgive them, and that if they don't repent to the son of god they wont be forgiven, and god might bring punishments on the earth, even curses, as the lord decides is just and righteous according to his law.. and you pray for them to come to repentance so that you can openly forgive them.
now God has work to do as if he's saying "you're right in your heart, you've been a good watchman and warned them, but you want to be able to openly forgive them? ok, I'll start working on them to push them to such a situation"

but we are called to love and charity, that doesn't sound like love and charity! it is, you still love them in your heart and seek only good for them, you seek that they would repent of their sins and gain eternal life.
Charity is different than robbing a bank. if a man asks you for your shirt give him your coat also. did he ask at gunpoint? is demanding a form of asking? no. but when they ask you, give them what you can.
if a man asked you for food, and you said yes, and they said "ok, I know this 3 Michelain star restaurant I've always wanted to eat at, it's 125$ per person set menu." and you in your meals are eating peanut butter sandwiches to save money? you say "well, I can love you as I love myself. I eat peanutbutter sandwiches, I can get you some of those if you want". this is correct and right. they might not like it, but it's what you have to offer.
forgiveness in you heart, but not openly forgiving, but instead advising out of love and charity of your time that they should repent of these sins in the name of the son of god, that god can save them to eternal life? this is right.

Forgiving Openly and Blindly is not what we are called to do. that makes you a chump, and god facepalms every time. God will follow his own law. he wanted to help you in this situation, he wanted to help that person that wronged you see the light, but you decided you were god and you'd handle it. so god takes the hands off approach and looks for another instance in his law or in your heart that will allow him to put his hands back on. he's trying.

He knows we're all stupid, he made us. and this may be my advice and I'm just a person whose smart enough to know I'm an idiot. Praise God that he's smart.
I'm with you.
However, offense is taken. Ill feelings seek a harbor. We have some responsibility.
In light of Romans 12:20;
"In doing so you heap coals of fire..."
I find it to be more forgiving to not only individually forgive, but also ask God to forgive them. He will.
Everyone sins.
I have no need to enhance Gods retribution on anyone, they will answer for themselves.
I had a man after church service one morning tell me a story of a friend who had ripped him off. He was bitter yet he said, "I forgive him, because doing so is like "heaping coals of fire on his head."

That really didn't sound much like any form of forgiveness I'm interested in.
When we forgive, it heals us. The sin remains on their account. We will all make mistakes. No person needs a wrong against me on their ledger.

Romans 12:17-20
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Yes, repenting/admitting our failure is of necessity a first step in redemption. If we have no sense of being wrong, why have no need to be made right.
As Christ told the Pharisees
John 9
35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”

37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

39 Jesus said,[a] “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”

41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

1 John 8
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
 
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fhansen

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I want to start by saying; God will forgive all sin through the sacrifice salvation of Israel (the son of God)

and I don't want to stray around the topic of who God is either, We are talking about YHWH or Yahweha, and his son Yeshu which through Greek was interpreted as Iesus (Yesus), and from Greek to through Latin and eventually Germanic and English, we get Jesus. Naturally there's the Holy Spirit, which is god in us and with us, left behind in the place of christ the messiah. this is the god to whom we refer in christianity as the one and only god.

We have long heard that the salvation of christ is a gift, you just have to accept it to get forgiveness of sins. You just have to believe on him as your savior, and that's good enough.

But after delving into scripture, God never offered forgiveness without repentance. If you don't repent, then what are you asking him to forgive you of? if you wont admit something in your life is a sin and Sincerely seek to Continually Try to find a way out of continuing in it, then asking for blanket forgiveness wont take care of that thing you're clinging to. to forgive you of it, he needs to take it away from you and pay for it. but if you cling on to it, how then can he take it away? he'd have to throw you away with it. it's like you're saying "forgive me of my sins, but not this one, I like it too much.".

Therefore the price of forgiveness is repentance to the son of god, turning from sinful ways and asking past sin to be forgive because you at least want to change, and you're going to sincerely try. Work our your salvation with fear and trembling. Judge yourself, lest ye be judged.

Where am I going with this?

I see alot of christians in the news who've had something awful happen to them by another person, and they say "We forgive them". but the person they are forgiving has not repented of the act, they are not remorseful, they don't think they did anything wrong.

Being Willing to forgive is right and good, we are even commanded to forgive in the lord's prayer 'Forgive us as we forgive those who have tresspassed against us", even Wanting to forgive is right. we should love our enemy and want them to come to the salvation of god for their eternal soul's sake.

What would happen if David Forgave Goliath? Goliath would smirk or sneer and take it as a sign to continue attacking because no one will stand against him, he thought he was right. he blasphemed the name of god and called the israelis cowards. Goliath was an Atheist, he knew that he had come against many idols before that were called gods, and he defeated them, he thought there was no god and this would be the same as those.
"god would have intervened"
Whereby would he then intervene? it's done, you've forgiven your enemy. They're forgiven for the wrong they caused you. They didn't repent, they don't seek to change, they just shrug it off and feel justified. and if it was a sin directly against you and not aimed at god, then God stays his hand from punishment, cursing, and intervention. "you've decided to handle this one."
In this case if david decided not to fight, God would have had to stop the philistine by some other method. David would not have gotten the renown. David might not have become king, or it would have been a much harder fought road.

and we wonder why the world runs rampant to sin.
instead, we should say "I hope they realize what they did was wrong and repent. because I want to forgive them, but it's not lawful to forgive the unrepentant. there is no god-legal-mechanism for me to do so". then pray for them, that god will intervene, and work on their heart to repentance in christ.

If You forgive the unrepentant, can you save them from their sins? no, they'll still face eternal damnation if they don't repent. but they may get a pass from punishment on the earth. but sometimes punishment on the earth is just what they need, and God knows just how God should administer it. Will you really get in the way of that?

What you bind on the earth is bound in heaven and what you loose on the earth is loosed in heaven. be careful what you allow.

To forgive a person in your heart without repentance is right, but to proclaim it is wrong. have it in your heart to forgive them, but speak only that you hope they repent because you want to forgive them, not that you do forgive them, but that you want to. And pray as much, out of care for them.

Then you will see God work on your enemies. and perhaps they will change.

Psychologically and Spiritually it has a greater effect on the person than outright forgiveness.
with outright forgiveness: the person might feel a little guilt, but at the same time they'll feel it's settled. it's done, there's nothing they have to do to change. and when you broadcast this to the sinful world, the rest of the sinful get a huge grin in their mind and think you're condoning their actions. this leads to future actions of the same sort by those you forgave and the other sinners who think like them. "oh you forgave me for robbing the bank? I'll just take the money bag home then, I'll be back, let's say.. same time next week? or how about tomorrow, nah I'll come back later today with my friends."

"I hope they repent, because I want to forgive them": this makes that sinner Dwell on it. they still see your kindness and charity, they still see the face of god offering forgiveness, but they know there's something they have to do to get it, and it will eat at them till they beg for it. Other sinners in society slink back in thier chairs when they hear this, they don't grin, they contemplate that this doesn't feel nice. it's a moment of shock, and such a sinner will have that nag at their heart, and they'll think more than twice before considering to imitate that sinful act against another. and society can begin to heal.
"huh? you'll forgive me for robbing the bank if I repent and put the money back?... ah.. can't I get the forgiveness without that? no? there may be punishments on the earth if I leave that door? that's not very christian of you! huh? god will punish me, not you, what do you mean you're praying that god shows me the error of my ways for the sake of my soul? you keep saying you want to forgive me, just do it or don't do it, don't make me question my actions! stop holding me in the balance! this is bothering me. I wont be back here with my friends, I might never come back to this place, I don't like how it makes me feel. I'm going home to sit and reinspect my life."

The devil always expected that the devil would be forgiven, so he never changed and never repented. he felt justified.

Don't justify devils.


The only scripture I found where Christ forgave someone without them uttering a repentance was where men removed the roof of a place where jesus was, to let down a man who had a palsy by lowering his bed into the room. and rather than telling him to rise at first, he said "thy sins be forgiven thee", but here, the repentence need not be spoken, because they Strove for it. they would not have come to christ by such dramatic and drastic means looking for healing if they were not at least contrite in their hearts. Whatever sins any of them might have done, they had resigned themselves to repentance to get their friend healed. it's unspoken, but it's still repentance in the heart.


Repentance then is in the heart and between man and god. Now between man and man it's still good to confess our sins and apologize, repenting of what we've done against another. But repentance to god is the only repentance that counts towards eternal life.

now reinspect the lord's prayer "forgive us our trespasses as we for give those who trespass against us"
you forgive them in your heart; you are right with god, and thus shall you also be forgiven.
but you tell them you only Want to forgive them, and that if they don't repent to the son of god they wont be forgiven, and god might bring punishments on the earth, even curses, as the lord decides is just and righteous according to his law.. and you pray for them to come to repentance so that you can openly forgive them.
now God has work to do as if he's saying "you're right in your heart, you've been a good watchman and warned them, but you want to be able to openly forgive them? ok, I'll start working on them to push them to such a situation"

but we are called to love and charity, that doesn't sound like love and charity! it is, you still love them in your heart and seek only good for them, you seek that they would repent of their sins and gain eternal life.
Charity is different than robbing a bank. if a man asks you for your shirt give him your coat also. did he ask at gunpoint? is demanding a form of asking? no. but when they ask you, give them what you can.
if a man asked you for food, and you said yes, and they said "ok, I know this 3 Michelain star restaurant I've always wanted to eat at, it's 125$ per person set menu." and you in your meals are eating peanut butter sandwiches to save money? you say "well, I can love you as I love myself. I eat peanutbutter sandwiches, I can get you some of those if you want". this is correct and right. they might not like it, but it's what you have to offer.
forgiveness in you heart, but not openly forgiving, but instead advising out of love and charity of your time that they should repent of these sins in the name of the son of god, that god can save them to eternal life? this is right.

Forgiving Openly and Blindly is not what we are called to do. that makes you a chump, and god facepalms every time. God will follow his own law. he wanted to help you in this situation, he wanted to help that person that wronged you see the light, but you decided you were god and you'd handle it. so god takes the hands off approach and looks for another instance in his law or in your heart that will allow him to put his hands back on. he's trying.

He knows we're all stupid, he made us. and this may be my advice and I'm just a person whose smart enough to know I'm an idiot. Praise God that he's smart.
Forgiving the unrepentant can cause them to repent. Our forgiveness is already secured by Christ, who “died for us while we were yet sinners”. Granted, forgiveness does no good for the sinnerr until they repent, but they can be ensured that they're forgiveness is already accomplished.
 
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com7fy8

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If You forgive the unrepentant, can you save them from their sins? no, they'll still face eternal damnation if they don't repent. but they may get a pass from punishment on the earth. but sometimes punishment on the earth is just what they need, and God knows just how God should administer it. Will you really get in the way of that?
Well, Jesus on the cross ***prayed*** >

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (in Luke 23:34)

If you can do something, already, in your heart, by desiring it . . . well, Jesus in His heart desired and prayed forgiveness to them; so, right then, I would say, Jesus already forgave them. And you might read what happened a few verses later > one of the criminals hanging next to Jesus stood up for Jesus. So, possibly I see, that prayer got the guy forgiven so he then confessed Jesus and Jesus confessed him.

Because prayer in the Holy Spirit is all-loving so it can affect many people with God's grace, even though not all get forgiven. They still can be blessed, somehow.
 
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stevevw

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I think coming to the point where someone accepts Christ into their heart is repenting or cannot be done without a disposition of surrendering oneself to God.

I don't think someone comes before God and has to remember their sins and then repent and then accept Christ. I think the disposition that someone gets to a point of surrender and submission of ones life is repenting of that life of sin. Is admitting that they are a sinner and need Christ.

The law was established to cause people to see they fell short of God. So already we know of Gods laws and that we are slaves to sin. Though we may deny this or rationalise away its reality. Compromising our sin as not so bad or not sin at all.

So I think part of coming to God is simply acknowledging we are sinners who need to repent. Otherwise there is no need for salvation in Christ. This same surrender and disposition continues as we realise and surrender more of ourselves and sin to God.
 
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Flabound

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Im not clear if we're discussing forgiveness or judgement.

Im admonished to forgive those who " trespass " against me. Assuming I desire my Father in Heaven to forgive me. Period.
( " Forgive us our trespasses AS we forgive those who trespass against us" not IF we forgive. But AS we forgive. Or to the extent we forgive)

It's not my job to judge if someone is in sin, and in need of repentence.
I'm unqualified to do so.
 
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Delvianna

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I agree with ZIppy. We are called to love our "enemies" and someone who has wronged you, even repeatedly can be classified as an "enemy". But love can be done while also not forgiving. Because God loves those even who want nothing to do with Him and they will not be forgiven at the judgement.

Forgiveness HAS to have repentance behind it or all you are doing is giving them the green light to continually keep hurting you. That's enabling, and that isn't going to help them repent and change. Thats why Paul instructed the church to remove those who refuse to repent of their sin. Once they do repent, they are brought back in.
 
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stevevw

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I think this is one of the hardest sins or dispositions to overcome as humans. To love enermies and turn the other cheek. Or to submit and obey even when the other is wrong or unjust.

This is truely steel manning a Christian to be like Christ. Its a constant battle to let go of the natural human inclination to seek payback or Restorative justice.

Its radically different and there is a good reason its the 2nd greatest commandment as all other sins stem from this because they always involve another person.
 
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Flabound

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I think this is one of the hardest sins or dispositions to overcome as humans. To love enermies and turn the other cheek. Or to submit and obey even when the other is wrong or unjust.

This is truely steel manning a Christian to be like Christ. Its a constant battle to let go of the natural human inclination to seek payback or Restorative justice.

Its radically different and there is a good reason its the 2nd greatest commandment as all other sins stem from this because they always involve another person.
It does appear that way. And I would add the human impulse for scapegoats.
 
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stevevw

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It does appear that way. And I would add the human impulse for scapegoats.
Yes especially when the secular ideology promotes scapegoating. Pinning certain wrongs or bad behaviour on certain groups to make other groups look good. Or deminishing their role in doing the same thing.

Whereas under Christ all are sinners regardless and goodness is not something people point out in themselves or fixating on the bad others have done. Which leads to scapegoating, shaming, and cancelling them.

Another consequence I think is that because its about grevience and blaming people theres a tendency to not be forgiving. To hate the out group and demonise them. Building resentment and envy.

The oopposite of loving your enermies and forgiving those who have trespassed against us. Christ makes us humble and meek which I think is the only way we can overcome this fallen tendency to be enermies and hate each other.
 
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I mean, when somebody commits crimes. I know about someone who committed several crimes, but I forgave him. :)

Not everyone forgave him, though. I was one of the few who did. Most everyone else still to this day judges him for the crimes he committed, calls him a bad person, and say they don't like him. :( Why are people like that? They're so quick to judge.

Everyone makes mistakes.

I could tell these people that before they point fingers and judge they should look at themselves in the mirror! HA! I'm sure they have skeletons in their closets too! That would make them hypocrites!
 
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Chaplain Jim

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Matthew 6:14-15 "If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins"
 
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