Keeping things given to us by God simple, even though we live in a very complicated world.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Forgiveness

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 18:12-22 KJV

One thing that really breaks my heart is when I do something wrong to someone close to me, and no matter how many times I try to apologize, they will not forgive me. How many times are you required to apologize before someone else is required to forgive you?

According to what I read in the Bible, you are required to forgive immediately without the person apologizing to you. Our prayers aren't even going to be answered if we have anything against our fellow Christians, which is one of the reasons the Church has very little power nowadays.

Churches and families have split over some of the dumbest reasons and people not willing to forgive over things. Whether it's a church or a family the hurt over this never heals and there are some very ugly scars left, usually in the form of appearance in the community.

Forgiveness doesn't change the past, but it sure does make the future easier.

13 comments:

Melanie said...

I wonder if it comes down to knowing and realizing your own forgiveness..and grace that the Father has given us. I think we would extend grace much more if we really understood the cross.

Cliff said...

People don't fully understand the cross because the cross isn't taught like it should be.

It is perceived that people don't want a bloody religion. We need people who can verbally paint a true picture, not only of Jesus on the cross, but of the events leading up to it. Of people causing our Saviour to suffer, of those slapping Him, spitting on Him, etc.

If we could see a fresh picture of that everyday and realize that this is for the sind WE commit, we might the forgiveness God has, and is, extending to all of us. Maybe then we can see it in our hearts to forgive others for petty stuff.

cathouse teri said...

The Bible says nothing of requiring others to forgive you.

Cliff said...

Teri: you are right about that. However if you can't find it in your heart to forgive, how can you be forgiven?

First person I have to worry about is the person at this keyboard. Make sure I'm living right. Make sure I haven't hurt anybody bad enough that they can't forgive me. If I have wronged someone, or if someone feels that I've wronged them, I hope after I've apologized that they can forgive.

And if you have wronged me, I have to forgive you. God has forgiven me of doing much worse than you can ever do to me.

BTW thanks for stopping by.

cathouse teri said...

I believe Jesus was kind of saying, "Don't worry about everyone else, and keeping score. Just make sure that you are in a constant state of forgiveness."

In essence, we are being asked to do something that is quite impossible. I simply cannot just continually forgive someone over and over and over, especially for the same offense. At some point, no matter how good I think I am at this, I say, "Stop saying you're sorry! Because you're not, or you would stop doing it!"

So Jesus is asking us to have his mind and his power in order to do this. If he were to think like that, how much forgiveness would we receive?

Cliff said...

If I said that I've forgiven you 489 times. One more then you're on your own then I haven't even forgiven you once.

Letting someone run all over you, that is letting them do the same wrong over and over isn't healthy. That's where you need to draw boundries or have some help you do so.

The other side would be harboring resentment. That comes from you not able to forgive. That's not healthy physically or mentally.

It's all a very complicated issue and you bring up some very good points and am causing me to have to use some gray matter. I like you.

cathouse teri said...

Gray matter. Our greatest gift. :)

Liquid said...

Forgiveness is easier than forgetfulness.

"Never mistake my kindness, nor my forgiveness, as stupidity"

I may be outta' line here but hey, this ain't my rodeo!

Cliff said...

Suzanne, you know you are welcome to comment on anything of mine at any time. It is easier to forgive than forget, but there also is a time when we have to take action in order to insure that what's been happening doesn't happen anymore.

Jesus set guidelines for things like church discipline and the procedure to go through in order to cast one out of church. Same goes with divorce.

If someone continues to cause hurt, especially physical hurt then that's a violation of man's laws as well as God's, but by breaking man's laws subjects one to a judge appointed by man. I believe if someone violates you in that way, let the courts handle them. forgive them but do what you can to avoid any future contact with them.

The Bible says we should have the mind of Christ, but that doesn't happen instantaneously. It takes time and lots of prayer and Bible study.

cathouse teri said...

Well, when the instructions were given... yes, they were given to the church as functions of the church. It is not to be mistaken as something to do with mankind, in general.

What I mean is, christians are to call upon the commonality of their belief in the scriptures in order to admonish one another.

Scripture is not written for the purpose of upbraiding in the arena (or rodeo ~ hee) of the "world."

cathouse teri said...

Regarding the lovely Ms. Liquid's comment.

I agree. Sometimes we forgive, and we never forget. That's just the way it is. Ya know, with the gray matter. :)

Cliff said...

I write as a Christian, and as such, I am called to love everybody since I am forbidden by God to judge anybody. If I were to judge, I would be judged by the law. Since I choose to live by grace, I will be judged by grace.

Sindi said...

Boy OH Boy, I don't know if I am right by making this comment but I have never been one to shut up.

I do agree with Liquid that we can forgive but not forget. I also agree with you, Cliff, that you do have to take action. This is the best way I know how to explain what I am trying to say so I hope you get it.

If I were to walk up to you very quickly and then pop you in the mouth, you in turn would get angry.At a later time I may come to you and I would ask for your forgiveness. You would forgive me. The action I did to you would not be forgotten. If I came walking up to you in the same manner again, you would take action to protect your face. Not because you have not forgiven me but because you do not want a pop in the mouth again.

You can forgive,not forget and take action.I may be way off with this one but it is how I feel.

Great post and God Bless :-)