Forgiving the dead

[tstumf]

Question. If you were still harboring resentment, anger and bitterness against someone who sinned against you long in the past and they died before you genuinely wanted to forgive them is there a path in forgiveness you can take to God in prayer? Or is it a lost cause and just something I’m going to have to account for with God when it’s my time? The Person was not a believer and neither was I at the time the transgression took place not that that matters.

 

[Magenta]

My understanding is that all sin is first and foremost against God. I do also understand how difficult it can be to forgive the sins of others, despite not forgiving often being a detriment to our own selves. It does not help to have people tell us we must do this or we must do that, especially since those things which have wounded us most deeply often take time to identify, process, express, and heal from. It is not always the case that both parties involved have been hurt by each other, but in such cases, it may be easier to forgive knowing you are forgiven, but that is not always enough either, if the person who forgives first caused much more pain or did so deliberately as opposed to unknowingly. Taking it to God under any and all circumstances is advisable, and I hope you are able to feel peace around this issue by doing so.

 

[tstumf]

My understanding is that all sin is first and foremost against God. I do also understand how difficult it can be to forgive the sins of others, despite not forgiving often being a detriment to our own selves. It does not help to have people tell us we must do this or we must do that, especially since those things which have wounded us most deeply often take time to identify, process, express, and heal from. It is not always the case that both parties involved have been hurt by each other, but in such cases, it may be easier to forgive knowing you are forgiven, but that is not always enough either, if the person who forgives first caused much more pain or did so deliberately as opposed to unknowingly. Taking it to God under any and all circumstances is advisable, and I hope you are able to feel peace around this issue by doing so.

Thankyou. I’m just in the process of some deep soul work , examining my heart and where I’ve hurt people in the past , how they’ve hurt me. Learning the importance of forgiveness and in doing so I uncovering a lot of buried
un-forgiveness that has been simmering under the surface for the majority of my life and how holding onto that unforgiving spirit towards them has contributed to bitterness and cynicism in my spirit . God was really good at bringing people to mind by name from my past that I hadn't forgiven and a couple of those names God revealed are now deceased. So in process of reflection I wasn’t too sure what God would have me do with my unforgiving heart towards the now deceased. I’ve prayed to God inviting him to reveal how I should pray for them and me and am currently waiting for a word.

 

[p_rehbein]

F.Y.I.

(excerpt)

1) In order for your heart to heal, you must forgive.

You’ve heard the phrase “time heals all wounds”. That is a myth. Time provides perspective but time alone does not heal. Forgiveness, not time, heals.



(here)

Can you forgive dead people? - Mark Riggins

(disclaimer)

I do not know this person, and have not read the Book, but what he writes here seems to be in keeping with Christian values.

 

[wintersrain]

Question. If you were still harboring resentment, anger and bitterness against someone who sinned against you long in the past and they died before you genuinely wanted to forgive them is there a path in forgiveness you can take to God in prayer? Or is it a lost cause and just something I’m going to have to account for with God when it’s my time? The Person was not a believer and neither was I at the time the transgression took place not that that matters.

I don't harbor grudges against those who are now dead.
They're dead. They, as well as all of us, will answer at the judgment for our actions and words.

Don't let the dead kill your living.

 

[Gideon300]

Question. If you were still harboring resentment, anger and bitterness against someone who sinned against you long in the past and they died before you genuinely wanted to forgive them is there a path in forgiveness you can take to God in prayer? Or is it a lost cause and just something I’m going to have to account for with God when it’s my time? The Person was not a believer and neither was I at the time the transgression took place not that that matters.

True forgiveness is impossible on our own. We have a solution. As always, it is found only in Jesus. He lives to make intercession for us. We can ask Him to forgive those who have offended on our behalf. He set the precedent when He asked God the Father to forgive those who crucified Him.

I've been saved 50 years. Years ago, there was much talk about inner healing. I discovered what that meant. It is the process of forgiving every person every hurt or offence that they've caused. I still get offended from time to time. I still ask Lord Jesus to forgive on my behalf, as if He were me. Then I ask Him to work His forgiveness into my heart so that there is no hurt attached to the memory of the offence.

It works. My ex wife changed address and refused to tell me where she'd gone. I did not see my kids for 15 years. The first few months were torture. I had help from a friend who had suffered similarly. He told me the secret. I prayed as he suggested. Peace came on me from then on.

15 years later, the Lord led me to find my ex wife. When I met her, I had no hostility at all. A few of us got together and cleaned up the place she was living. She moved again after a while so I rarely see her. I'm entirely neutral about this. That's something beyond human ability. I take no credit. All glory to Jesus!

Unforgiveness puts us in a kind of prison. In Jesus, we can be set free.

It does not matter if the offence is old or recent. If you are troubled, take it to the Lord as I've suggested. He delights to help us in our weakness.

 

[2ndTimothyGroup]

Question. If you were still harboring resentment, anger and bitterness against someone who sinned against you long in the past and they died before you genuinely wanted to forgive them is there a path in forgiveness you can take to God in prayer? Or is it a lost cause and just something I’m going to have to account for with God when it’s my time? The Person was not a believer and neither was I at the time the transgression took place not that that matters.

This is an interesting idea. I have asked the Lord to forgive someone who died and who had caused me a lot of harm. I find it interesting that within myself, I would ask the Lord to forgive someone who had died years ago. I wonder if this is a natural response for someone who practices Forgiveness . . .

 

[Gardenias]

God does not forgive the dead if they had NOT repented in life. Death stopped the chance for salvation and redemption forever!

However for us the living we must FORGIVE dead or live people for if not then we won't be forgiven,so says the word.

Hate and unforgiveness keep us bound and our hearts have an empty place where love should be.

Furthermore few people know or care if you forgive them.
Forgiving is for us,then healing comes.

People I have wronged I pray for God to bring them healing from the hurt I've caused and myself forgiveness!