Forgiveness?

Question

Jesus, crucified on the cross, prays to God and asks him to forgive those people who are killing him "they know not what they do". Yet some of his own followers can't seem to forgive those who don't believe in Christianity, or those who commit a certain "sin" they do not like. Why is that? If you can't forgive that, how are you to be forgiven?

*Thanks to Vlad for his earlier question... it's what made me think of this after reading some of the ridiculous posts I have seen lately*

me m - sorry, but the Bible states only one sin is not forgiven and that is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (as a matter of fact, it states I can blasphemy God, just not the Holy Spirit).

Steve, how do I know that? Because I am a Pagan and have had people act like this towards me. I also have seen people, right in here, get upset because of others saying it's Wrong to just outright attack people because they don't believe like them, or commit a certain "Sin". That is how I know.

Please quit trying to dodge that this does happen. We see it in here all of the time. I know that not ALL do this and I know some others can't stand it when people within their own religion treat others this way. But to make it seem like this doesn't happen? That's just dishonest.


To the others who have posted "we're only human, we're not like jesus, etc" I know we're only human... everyone makes mistakes. If you do not seek out to cause harm towards other people based on difference in belief, etc... then this really doesn't apply to you, does it? But jumping on it like this? Only looks like you are trying to rationalize the action.

angrygramma - there is nothing in what I've posted here that says one should look the other way when one does harm. The point to this is, too many people are at one extreme or another... and your question proves it. Either you are all for it or all against it... and if you're all against it, you should attack it.
There is no reasoning with people who are at either end of that extreme. They are blind and usually lack compassion... they set the judgement and the sentence... When people do this, there is no need for God.

Answer 1

And it is for this exact reason - the inability of those to emulate the life of Jesus, the life they so worship - that I have chosen to live a life of acceptence.
Yes, to err is to be human, and to forgive is to be divine, but to pass judgement upon others is to be foolish.
Christians love to qoute that Jesus is the true and only way to God. In their line of reasoning, by merely accepting Jesus as your saviour than you have the 'golden ticket' into Heaven, but I think you must take it a step further.
Not only must you accept Jesus as your savior (if you are christian), but you must do your best to emulate his life. And it is in this step that most christians seem to falter.
Jesus accepted all and forgave all and loved all. And christians seem unable or unwilling to follow this message of love, forgiveness and acceptance.
What I find really ironic is that I wasn't able to fully understand the message that Jesus gave us until after I started studying Eastern Philosophy and Religion as well as New Age Studies. By studying these religions and beliefs, I have gained better understanding of God and closer relationship with Nature and an understanding and importance of the connectivity of all life. I truly belief it is this connectivity the effect that one life as on a thousand that is the ultimate message from God. That if one falters we as a species all falter. But if one loves and accepts that we all love and accept.

Answer 2

The difference is in degree. God has given us the ability to forgive because we are created in His image. However, whenever a human sincerely asks God for forgiveness, He forgives totally and utterly. The Bible says that He drops our sins "in the sea of forgetfulness and remembers them no more" and that our sin is removed from us "as far as the east is from the west." That's not in a circle like the globe, that's in an infinite line!! Humans try to forgive that way, but often we cannot forget, and the harm that person has done stays with us so we no longer trust them. In some cases this is helpful but God always forgives and forgets.

Answer 3

"Yet some of his own followers can't seem to forgive those who don't believe in Christianity, or those who commit a certain "sin" they do not like. Why is that? If you can't forgive that, how are you to be forgiven?" you state.

And just how could you possibly know any of that? Because we state their position on issues does not mean we don't forgive. Example: I believe homosexuality to be a sin. An abomination. And why do we have to continue saying the same thing all the time about that. We hate the sin not the sinner.
Do I believe abortion is murder? YES. Do I hate the woman that gets one? NO. You guys do a good job of making your own argument where there isn't one.

Which proves what most of us already know. It is not about the issues, them-selves, it is about trying to force the churches to change. That is what Rosie O'Donnell is all about. And that is the only reason she talks down about Christianity as she does, because Christianity won't change to suit her sin. Just a simple fact.

Answer 4

It's because us, humans have finite intelligence which means we have limited knowledge, but God has infinite intelligence this means his knowledge is unlimited. Also Jesus is/was truly human and truly God. But we still have to try to be Disciples of Jesus/ God and forgive each other.
Also God will always be there even if you done something wrong so what Jesus showed was love. Love your enemy aswell as your friends.

Answer 5

We are just people. We aren't able to forgive like Jesus because we are imperfect beings. We are forgiven for that, too.

Answer 6

"Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors."

We get forgiven by the same measure with which we forgive others.

What is your definition of forgiveness? If my child does something terrible I have to discipline him and teach him to make amends, yet I still forgive him and love him. Should I look the other way and do nothing by your definition of forgiveness?

Answer 7

Christians are not allowed to judge. How on earth can anybody forgive anything, if they can't judge first?

At least, this sounds like the only rational explanation to me. Only problem with my logic is: I see Christians judge all the time.

Answer 8

You're right. There is NO forgiveness for those who do not accept Jesus as Savior.

We didn't make the rules. The rules are God's. Either you choose to follow them or you don't. Jesus loves you and always waits for you to accept Him. It's your choice.

But, the only way to forgiveness is through Jesus. That's God's plan and law. Christians didn't make it up. If you must blame someone, then blame God, He can take it. Can you?

Answer 9

That's the wonderful thing about christianity. They can tell everyone else how to act, but they don't follow those same guidelines that they attempt to force everyone else to follow.

Answer 10

I'm not Jesus, that's why. I don't have the immense capability of love like He does ... I'm just a human and I have faults.

Can you say otherwise?