Are we still required to fogive those who harm us,if they are not sorry for what they've done?

Question

Bible references about this subject would be appreciated.I don't have a difficult time forgiving those who ask for forgiveness.

I just struggle with forgiving those who have no shame or regret about what they've done.

Answer 1

We are told not to carry a grudge against a fellow believer!

However, Luke 17:3, 4 said, "Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother should sin, rebuke him; and if he should repent, forgive him. 4And if he should sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times should return to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him."

Thus Luke shows that an unrepentant person needs not to be forgiven. Still we must not carry anger and a grudge.

We can pray for our enemies as we're told to do. How? Pray that God disciplines them as well as ourselves all and teaches us all to live in righteousness and peace. In this way to pray that the wrongdoer learns to do God's will is a loving prayer -- demonstrating your Agape love for your enemy.

How do we avoid anger and grudges? This may be accomplished by realizing that God will pay back everyone their sins without partiality, even if it takes years!

(Darby) Romans 12:19-21, "if possible, as far as depends on you, living in peace with all men; 19not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance belongs to me, *I* will recompense, saith the Lord. 20If therefore thine enemy should hunger, feed him; if he should thirst, give him drink; for, so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. 21Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Another point: When King Saul repeatedly attempted to harm David, David ran as away from the person who wanted to harm him. We should follow his example if needed.

Answer 2

I agree jointly with your relative which you gain salvation by potential of being born back, or shall I say, believing interior the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, yet i don't agree jointly with your relative asserting that a Catholic can't flow to heaven, or maybe that a Catholic isn't born back. i'm specific that there are incredibly some church homes that the folk going to them declare to be born back and or not. as far as someone's salvation, there's no way that all of us be attentive to for specific if somebody else is saved or not. the only insurance that we've is regardless of if we are saved or not.

Answer 3

Forgiving people - what does that really mean?

When someone harms us part of us always thinks that it’s partly our fault and we can’t help but feel guilty about it, even if we are not aware of it the guilt, it is always there: it is my fault that I found myself in that situation, how did I not see the signs, I am sure I could have avoided that, am I such a worthless person – why did God let that happen to me, and so on.


Forgiving people actually means forgiving ourselves. Finding a way to remove that type of guilt. I don’t know why they call it forgiving people.

Answer 4

I don't know about Bible, but in Qur'an if you can forgive or love someone you dislike for the sake of God, it is better for you, while being worthy of rewards. Forgiveness is always the way to go, if they are sorry or not.

Answer 5

When Jesus was being executed he prayed that his Father would forgive them because they didn't know what they were doing. Obviously if they didn't know what they were doing, they weren't sorry. You do your part. Forgive them. It's between them and God whether they're repentant. When in doubt, always follow the example of Jesus.

Answer 6

I don't have a belief system that 'requires' me to forgive people.

To me it's just common sense. It's unhealthy to hold a grudge. It locks up your emotions so you can't move on with your life. And so if someone has done you wrong you're just compounding the wrong really.

Well, that's just my view. Goes with my 'credo' - 'Be excellent to each other'. Peace.
.

Answer 7

The infinite wisdom of The Holy Bible, when You forgive,You feel better,it is something you do for Yourself, not others.Try it.

Answer 8

Yes you are. God will deal with the harm they have inflected upon you and or other's. Christ said "If a man smites you on the right cheek, give him the other." That pretty much handles it. It is one of the hardest things you will ever have to do. I learned how not to hate or place blame on people that have hurt me and my family. I pray for them. It's hard to pray for someone and keep hating them. That's how we were raised.

Answer 9

70 times seven.


We expect God to forgive us over and over as many times as it takes.

So, if we are to "be ye imitators of God." we must also.

In essence that is what makes us God's children.

Answer 10

Jesus said who so ever sins you remit they are remitted and who so ever sin you retain they are retained. St.John 20:23.
Also read the 17th chapter of St. Luke.