Does God require an apology to forgive us? What then can we make of the verse "Turn the other cheek..." How could God suggest forgiveness without repentence to us, if He was incapable of such a notion Himself. Wouldn't ultimate grace include forgiving others without being dependent upon them to change their ways? Wouldn't ultimate forgiveness proclaim the ever so truthful "Love your enemies?" Loving our enemies would have to include forgiving them whether or not they seek forgiveness, wouldn't it?
2007-03-10 14:02:11 · 15 answers · asked by The Lonely Skywolf 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God simply wants you to be a good little boy and accept what He is offering you
2007-03-10 14:05:33 · answer #1 · answered by kenny p 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God already loves you- you aren't an enemy. He created you to love him back and have a relationship with him. You get to choose whether you want to have this relationship or not. True love is not forced, but requires a decision and choice on the part of the other person. So- once you say you love God and are willing to go his way instead of only following your own wishes and plans, you are asking repenting of your old and starting a new.
You do have a good point about the having to continue to ask for forgiveness for sins in order for God to forgive us. I know this is so we aren't separated from God (our sin forms a wall between us and God), but I always wondered what would happen if I sinned and then immediately died without asking for forgiveness or if I sinned and honestly didn't know it. I guess I just have to know that God knows my heart even better than I do and that's what really matters.
2007-03-10 14:23:26 · answer #2 · answered by CandyLandCondoResident 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Repent:
1. To feel remorse or regret, as for something one has done or failed to do; be contrite
2. To change ones mind concerning past action.
You make repentance sound like a bad thing, when it is an act that everyone has done; regardless of religious views.
Have you ever had a disagreement with a loved one and made up?
Compare that with the above definition.
To answer your question, repentance is necessary for forgiveness.
2007-03-10 14:46:31 · answer #3 · answered by Not perfect, just forgiven 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus commands us to never give up on anyone but to always be willing to forgive. (turn the other cheek) Repentance is however necessary as it shows that your heart is in agreement with God. To repent does not mean to apologize...it means to change. A person will live as they believe. If a person claims to be a Christian but has not changed to work hard to follow God's commands, then he is a phony Christian and as Jesus himself said...."I never knew you". Another statement from the Bible is "Faith without works is dead" This means to put your heart and actions where your mouth is...
Loving your enemies does not mean that you have to like them. I dislike many people for the way they behave but I love them in a Godly way and hope that they will someday come to God.
2007-03-10 14:15:29 · answer #4 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, God's forgiveness is completely dependent upon repentence. Otherwise everyone would go to heaven. Repentence in response to God's grace brings forgiveness. Rejection of God's grace and failure to repent is precisely what sends one sinner to hell while another sinner is received into heaven.
2007-03-10 14:12:18 · answer #5 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok heres how it goes. God forgave every sin that we have and ever will commit, but you must accept his mercy in order to go to heaven. Forgivness is a free gift and we must repent, love, and follow him in return.
2007-03-10 14:11:36 · answer #6 · answered by GroundZERO 63 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
okay last time i check saying im sorry for sinning was not all that hard! Its not that hard and may i remind you he created the air you breathe so yeah he can choose not to forgive us if we dont repent.
may God bless you and everyone you love!
2007-03-10 14:09:13 · answer #7 · answered by ilovepointeshoes 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God forgives us. But we still have the choice to either want God or not. God does not force God's self into our lives. If we reject God now, we will get our wish when we die.
2007-03-10 14:10:13 · answer #8 · answered by Mary W 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about it.
If you believe in God that's a good enough start. Why would a loving God require us to beg for his love? I agree with the above statement, just be a good little boy and don't worry about it so much.
2007-03-10 14:08:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
He has already forgiven....However just like a gift, you have to ask for His forgiveness which shows you accept His gift of forgiveness.
2007-03-10 14:10:02 · answer #10 · answered by Jan P 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋