C
[h=3]Ephesians 4:32[/h] And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
The way I understand the procedure for obtaining the forgiveness from God, is that we must first confess our guilt, then repent (that is to turn away; stop the offense), then ask for His mercy.
So, if we are to forgive "one another, even as God in Christ forgave", are we allowed to hold back on forgiving, until the offenders follow the procedures for obtaining forgiveness from us.
The reason I ask this is because I have recently forgiven someone, who has caused irreparable damage to me and my family.
I told her that I forgive her in an email message, two days ago.
There is no way she could ever repair the damage she has done, and I don't expect her to even try.
I thought that if, by telling her she is forgiven, it would help me to sleep at night.
But, not being able to sleep again last night, and thinking on this scripture, I'm having second thoughts.
I don't believe it is possible to be more forgiving than God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, or even as forgiving.
I believe He expects us to try to be as forgiving.
But does He expect us to one up Him, by forgiving the unrepentant.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
The way I understand the procedure for obtaining the forgiveness from God, is that we must first confess our guilt, then repent (that is to turn away; stop the offense), then ask for His mercy.
So, if we are to forgive "one another, even as God in Christ forgave", are we allowed to hold back on forgiving, until the offenders follow the procedures for obtaining forgiveness from us.
The reason I ask this is because I have recently forgiven someone, who has caused irreparable damage to me and my family.
I told her that I forgive her in an email message, two days ago.
There is no way she could ever repair the damage she has done, and I don't expect her to even try.
I thought that if, by telling her she is forgiven, it would help me to sleep at night.
But, not being able to sleep again last night, and thinking on this scripture, I'm having second thoughts.
I don't believe it is possible to be more forgiving than God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, or even as forgiving.
I believe He expects us to try to be as forgiving.
But does He expect us to one up Him, by forgiving the unrepentant.