Say you have sinned against God and someone else by lying. If you ask God for forgiveness but not the other person, are you still forgiven by God or do you need to make it right with everyone before you can experience true forgiveness?
2007-04-14 15:36:29 · 35 answers · asked by ? 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I like that last one--he won't be in heaven to kick anything, tho, so that's not a worry.
To your question: God forgives all who ask forgiveness based on trusting Jesus Christ's sacrifice is sufficient for them. His forgiveness is free (hence, the great horror of the Catholic church actually selling forgiveness). The Father forgives based on your trust in His Son. This is what we mean by "saved by faith, not by works, lest anyone would boast" (Philippians 2:8-10).
So, do you need to go to the person to ask their forgiveness? Is that a work to be done to be forgiven by God? If so, then no, you don't. I'd say that God will not require that of you to be forgiven by Him. His forgiveness is free. However, as you have accepted His Holy Spirit with His forgiveness, the Holy Spirit will then tell you to go make it right between you and the other person. The difference? The only "good" work is one God specifically tells you to do. But the first thing He's telling you to do is to come to Jesus Christ and be saved.
2007-04-14 15:45:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should really talk to the person you have wronged, and make amends somehow. Nobody says it will be easy, but the action of seeking forgiveness and making amends (on a human level) is quite an action of humility. It is a good exercise in destroying the sinful pride that led you to lie in the first place. It will also give your victim a chance to work through their injury, and give them an opportunity to forgive you.
Forgiveness should be sought at any level possible. Just apologizing "to God" is the easy way out: no risk of human emotional pain or embarrassment!
If you are truely penitent, then this is the natural way to show it: by making things right. Not just with God, but with humans as well.
2007-04-14 15:59:15 · answer #2 · answered by MamaBear 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"If you ask God for forgiveness but not the other person, are you still forgiven by God or do you need to make it right with everyone before you can experience true forgiveness?" - As opposed to false forgiveness?
Imogen Sue: You wrote, "If the human will not forgive you then you will go to God's presence unforgiven." Where do the scriptures teach that God's forgiveness is contingent upon the forgiveness of another person?
.
2007-04-14 15:42:29 · answer #3 · answered by Weird Darryl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should always try to make things right with the ones you sin against, no doubt. However, only God can grant absolute forgiveness for all your sins; through Jesus Christ his son. All you must do is believe in what Jesus came to earth to do for you. You do not need to be forgiven by the other person in order to obtain forgiveness from God.
2007-04-14 15:45:17 · answer #4 · answered by JimDean 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think for closure both need to be done....God's love is unconditional. There have been things I've asked God for forgiveness as well as the person I transgressed. I feel the wrong was forgiven, but, alas, I still think about those "mistakes" today and beat myself up for it.....we won't have true understanding in this life. I'd say do the best you can and try to get the forgiveness on both fronts.
Peace, Love and Blessings,
Greenwood
2007-04-14 15:40:22 · answer #5 · answered by Greenwood 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are forgiven by God, that is all that counts! People don't have to forgive you. Their choice to forgive you is between them and God. It's not necessary to ask the forgiveness of the person if it will cause strife by bringing it up, however sometimes God will lead us to ask forgiveness in order to heal a relationship. True forgiveness comes through Jesus Christ and is not dependent on whether someone you wronged forgives you. Its God's mercy and grace that Forgives.
2007-04-14 15:48:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Salvation and forgiveness are free from God. If you ask Him, He is sure to forgive. If you have the love that comes from God from a relationship with Him, you will ernestly pursue forgiveness. That does not mean giving up just because the other person refuses to forgive you. You are not dead. They are not dead. There is still hope. The Christian God, however, does not sell His forgiveness. You cannot earn it. You live it.
2007-04-14 16:01:19 · answer #7 · answered by johnlloydscharf 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good Question!
I don't think it is always possible to go to the person and ask forgiveness, although it would be ideal.
You may get yourself into more trouble by approaching someone who is angry at you than by just praying God will forgive you and move on.
Yes God still forgives you, he always forgives you.
2007-04-14 15:48:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was taught as a child that you must make it right. But the bible clearly states that you only need to be truly repentant and ask God for forgiveness. Sometimes a sin cannot be made right. Best wishes.
2007-04-14 15:41:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus said that if someone has something against anyone, you should be reconciled to them:
Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
There are times when you can't ask someone's forgiveness, either due to death, disability, or some other reason. In that case, God understands and will forgive you.
But on the whole, it's best to be reconciled with the other person directly, as well as with God.
2007-04-14 15:43:21 · answer #10 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋