I read these questions and answers and I see hostillity.This is why the people in the whole world are haveing so many problems.The bible professes to love thy neighbor.Have we all lost sight of kindness?Will you pray for all to be successfull this year?
2007-01-23 06:59:12 · 13 answers · asked by (A) 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Forgiveness is something you must do to be forgiven. (Luke 6:37)
Most people are to busy pointing a finger at someone else to forgive themelves, or others. Pray for us all...you couldn't stop me.
2007-01-23 07:04:17 · answer #1 · answered by great gig in the sky 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Forgiveness is not mandatory. You can move on from a bad event without having to forgive the instigators. You should only forgive if you feel like giving the person a second chance to get on your good side. Otherwise, you can just part ways. If the person is a stranger, there's probably little reason to forgive. If the person is a close family member, there's more incentive. If a person apologizes or tries to make amends in another fashion, that's taken on a case by case basis, but it might be a reason to forgive someone, at least to some extent. Each situation is different. It's bad to hold grudges for no reason or for too long, but just dismissing anything anybody ever does is worse.
However, I also think it is useful to try to see things from the other's point of view. This may or may not convince you to forgive something another did, at least in part.
I think that blind forgiveness without thought really defeats the purpose. Instead of addressing why someone did something, you just blanket forgive them and still hold an underlying resentment about it. It becomes just another way of showing off supposed superiority along the lines of, "Though I know what you did was wrong, I'm going to overlook your obvious faults." It really doesn't address any issues that way.
As far as loving our neighbors, I think there is a level of respect we should show towards others as a default. That level of respect can raise or lower afterwards based on interaction with the person. To say that you blanket love everybody the same really diminishes meaningful interaction with people. It's ok to not like something about a person. It gives you two something to talk about.
Prayer is useless, as has been shown in many studies. One man with a hammer can do more good than a billion people praying.
Blanket forgiveness and blanket love for everybody really diminishes the range of feeling you have for people. It makes the world bland. Really, it ok to have an opinion about things. You have a brain... Use it.
2007-01-23 07:00:57 · answer #2 · answered by nondescript 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I forgive those who want forgiveness. Even those that don't. I pray everyday for this country. I never go to sleep mad. I don't hold grudges. I am kind most of the time. Especially to the elderly and the children. YOu have a great point though. WE need to be more loving and peaceful instead of bickering. God bless
2007-01-23 07:03:44 · answer #3 · answered by suzy-Q 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Forgiveness of each other is crucial to receiving forgiveness from God. (Matthew 6:12, John 13: 34, 35)
2007-01-23 07:02:30 · answer #4 · answered by linniepooh 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter what we have done, or that we were once strangers to God. If we believe, and accept Jesus, He will forgive absolutely everything we have done, no matter what it was, how many times we did it, how long we did it, whatever.
If we have so little gratitude that we cannot extend that same forgiveness to others, no matter what they do or who they are, then we will receive no forgiveness from God. In fact, Jesus' parable about the man who owed his master 10,000 talents, tends to point to the notion that if we don't forgive others, then God will change His mind about having forgiven us.
2007-01-23 07:24:17 · answer #5 · answered by The Mokoda 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel your pain, as I think most do. However, we are all here on earth and there is evil in existence. We need to stand up against evil and stand strong in our faith. Unfortunately, the evil causes pain for all. We are commanded to be peacemakers not peace keepers. There is a huge difference. Satan wants us to be peacekeepers, not peace makers. Peacekeepers are those who do not want to make waves and just go with the flow to resist standing for what is right. That is wrong. To be a peace maker, we need to make waves. We need to put salt into the wounds and promote what is good and right, even if it offends those who do not want it. Right is right and wrong is wrong. We need to do what God commands us to do. True Christians will face much resistance in the world. God tells us that. Be angry at Satan and at evil not at God and Christians.
2007-01-23 07:06:42 · answer #6 · answered by Shayna 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you about some people being hostile..
I think it is a battle in their hearts.
i do not judge others and I dont want to be judged, only by God who is my Savior..
I pray for all the lost souls each day. I pray for success and peaceful hearts in those who are struggling....
life is supposed to be fun. God helps us through our problems...
2007-01-23 07:03:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most of those who offend (sin) God don't even see that they are in sin. How can He forgive them if they won't confess? I have no enemies. Not even Islam. I can live with them and respect their religious liberty. Can they do that for me? Jim
2007-01-23 07:19:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wrong, forgivenes is mandatory, IF you want to go to heaven, you must forgive to be forgiven. know what I mean? But its reaaly a personal preferance, you must forgive but not forget....
2007-01-23 07:09:39 · answer #9 · answered by Lil Sexy Biker Chic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible teaches us to love our neighbor, but that is not to say that we should approve of sin. www.equip.org
2007-01-23 07:01:17 · answer #10 · answered by jamesdkral 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋