I will not hesitate to forgive someone if they express genuine sorrow and repent of their wrongdoing, but is it appropriate to forgive them if they don't? Jesus said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Do you think God forgives those who repeadly blaspheme His name and show no sorrow for their actions? What are your thoughts on what Jesus said as he hung there dying on the cross?
2006-08-28 09:37:58 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes we should, but that doesnt mean to condone their actions or become best friends with them. Forgiving merely means to get past it. What good is it to NOT forgive someone? Does it hurt them? No, if they dont care what they did, they surely care less that you still carry it with you. Often times thats probably exactly what they want. If someone intentionally hurts you with no remorce, they win if it still remains with you. Forgiving them and getting past it is great 'revenge'
2006-08-28 09:45:33 · answer #1 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am an ordained pagan minister. ans somewhat of a religious scholar.
i have studied christian faith,,as well as many other religions
so if you are a priest of minister of some sort i would answer as such......
I thought that in the christian Faith that an Idol was ANYTHING THAT CAME BETWEEN YOU AND GOD. idol worship is expressly forbidden in the bible...so WHY do so many people think that they need a priest as a voice for god to forgive them.
if they are truely sorry then GOD and GOD alone will be able to firgive them. God does not need a mortal here on earth to voice his forgiveness.
a priest is simply a teacher, someone to teach people about God and Jesus. and to try to help them understand what the bible means.
if you are an everyday joe... i would answer as such...
Judgement is reserved for GOD alone. your firgiveness is niether needed nor wanted by most, as you do not have the right to judge
someone niether do you have the fight to firgive them of their spiritual sins.....
now if this was not a spiritual question and it was along the lines of "my neighbor allows his dog to s**t on my doorstep everyday and refuses to clean it up,",,then yeah you have a right to be mad.
and if he says sorry but never does anything about it then you get to a point where sorry no longer cuts it, and you may take some legal action against your neighbor.
but as far as God is concerned, no man has the right to judge or to forgive, this is god's work to do.
2006-08-28 10:07:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is so much wisdom that could drawn out of what Jesus said on the cross, but by saying what He did on the cross, Jesus tells us all that there is no crime (bar one) beyond the forgiveness of God through Jesus. It is only through Jesus that our sins can be forgiven, because it was He that paid the price.
But most of all His words speak most powerfully of the love of God and the power of forgivness.
2006-08-28 09:58:47 · answer #3 · answered by movedby 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our forgiveness of others is for our benefit, not theirs. By forgiving, we release the bitterness and anger we may feel when we are wronged, and can then move on in our maturity in Christ. If you wait for someone who has wronged you to repent or express sorrow, you may be waiting till your final day, while hanging on to that bitterness which will hinder your walk with the Lord.
God's forgiveness is bestowed on those who genuinely repent, and receive the forgiveness offered through Christ. If they refuse, their refusal of Christ along with their sins will be revealed at the Great White Throne.
2006-08-28 09:47:07 · answer #4 · answered by BrotherMichael 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
WE are to forgive no matter what, because we cannot judge the heart. God forgives, but only if the sinner repents, because sin is not allowed in the presence of God. The sinner must come to God through God's chosen method, Jesus Christ. I guess to put it another way, God's forgiveness is available to all, but must be received.
2006-08-28 09:43:31 · answer #5 · answered by ©2007 answers by missy 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's not up to you or I to judge or decide who we will forgive and for what. Jesus said to forgive period. The Lord will judge when it is time. As for what Jesus said on the cross, Jesus is pure love, he felt compassion for all and most of all for the "sick" as he referred to them in his illustration about physicians. Also, some of the people around him were saved because of his witness on the cross that even as he was dying at their hands he was praying for their souls. You can't have any better witness to the people than that.
2006-08-28 09:49:43 · answer #6 · answered by Only hell mama ever raised 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not Christian but would like to respond.
I have learned that when I forgive someone it makes me feel better. Forgiveness isn't condoning someones negative behaviors. It is simply refusing to carry the baggage of anger and hostility.
Blessings )O(
2006-08-28 09:45:42 · answer #7 · answered by Epona Willow 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even though I'm not a Christian and not your target audience, I'm pretty sure that your bible says that no one can judge or forgive but your god. What you feel towards a person is your own business, and if you can't forgive someone for something they did, that's fine, but it isn't your place to judge anyone. Here on earth, it is the job of our courts, and in your belief, is is the job of your god.
2006-08-28 09:43:45 · answer #8 · answered by Girl Wonder 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Do you want to be forgiven for things you might not realize are bad? If you do, then you should forgive as you would want to be forgiven. If you expect Grace from God, you should be prepared to give it.
2006-08-28 09:43:25 · answer #9 · answered by luvwinz 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think there's anyone who actually NEEDS you, personally, to forgive them. So forgive who ever you want ... or not.
2006-08-28 09:49:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋