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"No Repentance = No Forgiveness!"
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I don’t believe so. God’s grace is beyond our comprehension. His love is unconditional and eternal. He loves us so much that He sacrificed His only Son to save us. I can imagine giving up my life to save someone. But my child?? No way! In my own life, I have seen God purse me with unrelenting grace. No. We can never be more gracious than God.
Mod
I agree.
Why do you think that some Christians expect us to "forgive and forget" wrongs against an individual when the person in the wrong is NOT repentant?
Of course, we cannot hold unrepentance for the deed itself, but can there be reconciliation without repentance?
Folks, great topic. God's grace is so amazing. My name is Dean and I wrote a book: Me to We: Empowering Ourselves Through Grace. Here's an excerpt: "Not forgiving is to fall short of the grace of God, and that results in resentment. A root of animosity and sourness won‘t destroy the other person, but instead it destroys ourselves and those closest to us. It‘s time to stop wishing and wanting what we don‘t have and to be grateful for what we do have. It‘s time to stop thinking about yourself, the proverbial ME. You already know that this type of behavior is not getting us anywhere, which is why you are seeking answers and the roadmap to a better life. So, buckle up and prepare to go with me on what I pray for each of you will be a life-changing journey of fulfillment, contentment and peace."
It is available now on Amazon. I'm looking for some reviews in exchange for a free .pdf copy of the book.
If you are willing and interested, please email me at: dean@freebergwrites.com The book may be purchased at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079TJY917 and you can see some other books I'm working on at: http://www.deanfreeberg.com http://www.freeberginspires.com
Robert wrote: "Teresa wrote: "We can never be more gracious than God. ..."I agree.
Why do you think that some Christians expect us to "forgive and forget" wrongs against an individual when the person in the wr..."
Look up Metanoia (means changed mind, after mind) the word used by Jesus in Mark 1 "change your mind and believe the good news" The terrible translation of mentanoia by Jerome "Do penance" ... "repent" means nothing related to Metanoia. Jer. 31: 31-34 prophesied ministry of reconciliation II Corinthians 5: 19-20 reveals repent does not fit and cannot be squared with grace in the new covenant. REPENT is never found anywhere in John nor in Romans except at 2:4 Paul warning believers to change their mind about judging others.
Mod
My response: I looked up the word... apparently you did NOT...
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Luke 5:32 - "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to REPENTANCE."
REPENTANCE = Strong's G3341 - metanoia - "μετάνοια metánoia, met-an'-oy-ah... COMPUNCTION (FOR GUILT , including REFORMATION ); by implication, reversal (of (another's) decision):— REPENTANCE . "
Mod
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John the Baptist
Matthew 3:2 - "And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
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Jesus
Matthew 4:17 - "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
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Peter
Acts 3:19 - "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."
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Paul
Acts 17:30 - "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent :"
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I prefer to be in the company of Jesus, Peter, Paul, Johne the Baptist, etc. etc. etc.
...than in the company of a person who re-writes and re-defines the Bible to suit their own agenda.
We are told in the Bible to forgive 70 X 7 (for each person that wrongs us). Jesus says that if we don’t forgive others, we won’t be forgiven. I don’t see anywhere in The Bible that says we have to forget (correct me if I’m wrong). I think forgetting is something only God can do. I can forgive someone and try to forget, but I don’t believe it is in our power to completely forget. I do believe we can (and should) forgive someone who is not repentant. The act of forgiveness is more for us than them. It is to give us peace and let us move on with a clear conscience. I had to also learn that forgiving someone is not saying that what they did was alright. However, I don’t necessarily believe reconciliation can happen if the other person does not admit their offense. I am dealing with that right now with my step father. I have forgiven him for an offense towards my daughter (and it took years and was the hardest thing I have ever done), but he won’t admit what he did, so no! At this point, I do not believe we can reconcile.
Mod
Good thoughts Teresa. Thanks.
As to forgetting, there is this general thought (not specific to being wronged by someone)...
Philippians 3:13 - "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,"
Teresa wrote: "We are told in the Bible to forgive 70 X 7 (for each person that wrongs us). Jesus says that if we don’t forgive others, we won’t be forgiven. I don’t see anywhere in The Bible that says we have to..."A big part of forgiveness is that we give up our right to revenge upon that person. We also give up our demands that God handle it the way WE want it handled. We stop demanding life to be fair (by OUR rules).
Instead we live in gratitude for what God has done for us and look for ways to be reconciled to people WE have wronged. We seek a changed mind that doesn't insist on our rights, that doesn't take quick offense.
It doesn't mean that we trust someone who has NOT repented of their sin, nor give them opportunities to harm us or others again.
Is forgiveness available without repentance?
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