How many times will God forgive?

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M

MarriedWoman

Guest
#1
From the age of 13 upwards until this last year I have sinned. I didn't know The Lord properly and I didn't know half the commandments and also didn't really have much faith. This last year I have began to go to church, read the bible and also pray. My faith is stronger than ever before and I've finally found The Lord. I have made mistakes which I am cross about and always ask for forgiveness when I feel I could have done wrong. Is there a limit on how much The Lord will forgive us? Or does it depend on if we are truly sorry? I would love to be pure again in the sight of The Lord? Can we become pure again?
 

Bookends

Senior Member
Aug 28, 2012
4,225
99
48
#2
Would Jesus tell us to do something he wouldn't do?

Matthew 18

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet[d] and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’[e]30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Why 70x7? why not 80x8 etc. etc. I think because 7 has biblical meaning and symbolic of completeness. I think the Lord is saying we need forgive unending and completely. Also look at the parable, what can you gleam from it? The Master had compassion and forgave ALL his dept. Did the servant echo the attitude of his Master? No. Later the Master found out about it and called the servant and rebuked him and made him pay the debt that was forgiven. Did not the Master want the servant to follow His example of forgiveness? Yes, However if our repentance isn't genuine and we don't reciprocate the same spirit of forgiveness towards others, then the Father won't forgive us.

Also, John says in 1 John 1:9;

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Can you have the faith to believe what John says here? If your repentance is genuine then hold God to His promises. Jesus said all who come to Him he will not cast out (John 6:37).
 
May 31, 2014
179
0
0
#3
Past sins are forgivable, but there is one sin which is unforgivable. To obtain a clear conscience in regard the guilt of sins it is necessary to have the faith to obey the law that has been added.
"For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous." Rom. 2:13 NIV The law Paul is referencing is easy to obey. Compliance to it is by the faith of making your confession known to God that you are truly sorry his only begotten son was murdered when he was crucified and be baptized into your confession. However if you refuse to use this Way you will commit a the sin which is not forgivable.
 

jogoldie

Senior Member
Mar 20, 2014
1,616
48
48
#4
Romans 4:8 ...Blessed and happy and to be envied is the person whose sin the Lord will take no account
nor reckon it against him.
Also read Psalm 32:1,2.... also talks about forgiveness..
When we ask for forgiveness or anything of God.....we must present it to Him ..ask for forgiveness ....Thank Him...
then move on...we are not to worry or feel bad about it....because that clearly tells Him we didnt give it away at all...
If we hold on to it...How can God remove anything if we refuse to let go......God says as far as the east is from the west...
Dont refuse Gods help by feeling bad or guilty.....
let Him have it and forget about it....faith is what this is called..do your best to honor Him...He knows your heart...
Trust in His word...it has never ever failed.....smile my sister you couldnt be in better hands....
May peace and joy find you.....
 

starfield

Senior Member
Jun 13, 2009
3,393
58
48
#5
From the age of 13 upwards until this last year I have sinned. I didn't know The Lord properly and I didn't know half the commandments and also didn't really have much faith. This last year I have began to go to church, read the bible and also pray. My faith is stronger than ever before and I've finally found The Lord. I have made mistakes which I am cross about and always ask for forgiveness when I feel I could have done wrong. Is there a limit on how much The Lord will forgive us? Or does it depend on if we are truly sorry? I would love to be pure again in the sight of The Lord? Can we become pure again?
God's gift of forgiveness and grace has no limit. When you approach Him with a contrite heart, He blots out your transgressions and makes you pure. Don't let the accuser sow the seed of doubt in your mind. Trust in God's promises (1 John 1:9). :)


 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,297
6,591
113
#6
From the age of 13 upwards until this last year I have sinned. I didn't know The Lord properly and I didn't know half the commandments and also didn't really have much faith. This last year I have began to go to church, read the bible and also pray. My faith is stronger than ever before and I've finally found The Lord. I have made mistakes which I am cross about and always ask for forgiveness when I feel I could have done wrong. Is there a limit on how much The Lord will forgive us? Or does it depend on if we are truly sorry? I would love to be pure again in the sight of The Lord? Can we become pure again?
I couldn't help but notice that you didn't fill out anything........not one single category on your Profile Page.........and this gives me pause .......................... pretty sure others will still respond with Scriptures or thoughts though
 
M

MarriedWoman

Guest
#7
Thank you all, really informative advice and information. God Bless
 
Feb 21, 2014
5,672
18
0
#8
From the age of 13 upwards until this last year I have sinned. I didn't know The Lord properly and I didn't know half the commandments and also didn't really have much faith. This last year I have began to go to church, read the bible and also pray. My faith is stronger than ever before and I've finally found The Lord. I have made mistakes which I am cross about and always ask for forgiveness when I feel I could have done wrong. Is there a limit on how much The Lord will forgive us? Or does it depend on if we are truly sorry? I would love to be pure again in the sight of The Lord? Can we become pure again?
Hebrews 1 says about the Lord Jesus and those who love Him and trust Him,: 'He by Himself purged our sins'.

Knowing Him by faith and trusting His sin atoning work for time and eternity is what really counts. Hebrews 7.25 says He 'ever lives to make intercession' for those who believe in Him.
 
Feb 21, 2014
5,672
18
0
#9
Romans 4:8 ...Blessed and happy and to be envied is the person whose sin the Lord will take no account
nor reckon it against him.
Also read Psalm 32:1,2.... also talks about forgiveness..
When we ask for forgiveness or anything of God.....we must present it to Him ..ask for forgiveness ....Thank Him...
then move on...we are not to worry or feel bad about it....because that clearly tells Him we didnt give it away at all...
If we hold on to it...How can God remove anything if we refuse to let go......God says as far as the east is from the west...
Dont refuse Gods help by feeling bad or guilty.....
let Him have it and forget about it....faith is what this is called..do your best to honor Him...He knows your heart...
Trust in His word...it has never ever failed.....smile my sister you couldnt be in better hands....
May peace and joy find you.....
Good for our notions of forgiveness to be well grounded in Scripture.

Blessings.
 

Timeline

Senior Member
Mar 20, 2014
1,826
17
38
#10
I couldn't help but notice that you didn't fill out anything........not one single category on your Profile Page.........and this gives me pause .......................... pretty sure others will still respond with Scriptures or thoughts though
What would we do without the profile police:)

Don't check mine.....it's really crazy:p

On an unrelated topic (if one can claim that this post has a topic), I like your avatar at a glance, but about a week ago I stared at it for awhile and it became quite annoying....I guess I will stick to glancing at it.
 

jogoldie

Senior Member
Mar 20, 2014
1,616
48
48
#11
Good for our notions of forgiveness to be well grounded in Scripture.

Blessings.
God makes it so easy for us.....we make it harder than it ever has to be.....it took me a long time to understand it...
 
Feb 21, 2014
5,672
18
0
#14
You never said truer words....repentance must follow thanks for catching that...teamwork....
The joys of Romans 5 and 8 are of course preceded by the solemn fact of repentance in Romans 2.

Blessings.
 
2

2Thewaters

Guest
#15
its not how many times God will forgive
he will always forgive if you repent

the question is how many times will you repent,
after a lot of fall backs most people decide they would rather have fun and leave the truth.
 
M

MarriedWoman

Guest
#16
Thank you all, well informed now. God Bless
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,709
3,650
113
#18
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
(Lam 3:22-23)


I like that '80's Maranatha Singers song.
 

PANCAKES

Senior Member
Apr 26, 2009
451
14
18
#19
Yes, every time you repent you are forgiven, your sins are wiped clean, your robe is white. When I say repent, I do not mean "I'm sorry lord...". What I'm referring to is the kind of repentance that has you on the ground crying out to our God. Pouring out your very soul, being truthful with him in every aspect.
 

PANCAKES

Senior Member
Apr 26, 2009
451
14
18
#20
Also, Repentance means a sincere turning away, in both the mind and heart, from self to God