Forgiving others and limits.

[JustAnotherUser]

I'm wanting to seek answers from you guys here and what your take on it is.

We're told to forgive our enemies. I'd like to give these verses that describe about enemies best and that we must forgive them for their wrongdoings towards us:

What Does the Bible Say About Enemies?

Luke 6:27-36

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

It's pretty clear that we're supposed to give what they ask of us and more than that. But it still is something that I can't either fully grasp or perhaps getting it all wrong. How would giving what we have to our enemies really do much if they seek for that type of advantage on you to start with? In what way is forgiving if they can still wrong you in your presence and pretty much nothing gets done about it? What is the message truly portraying in order to 'love your enemies'?

 

[tnurse4me]

it's not really about them, it's about you, unforgiveness is a sin, it's about your heart staying pure and clean before God, they are accountable before God, and they are in His hands, but we are to love people even if they don't love back, difficult but with God's help it is possible. Then we are really free!

 

[tnurse4me]

one other thing, there is a really good book I've heard about by peter horrobin about forgiveness it's supposed to be really good

 

[Rachel20]

Hi,


*I think that we are to forgive others, just as God forgave us - because we are called to be imitators of Christ. We too, receive the inheritance that is in Christ, through Him.

1 Peter 2:21
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

*Once upon a time, we too were enemies of God. Yet He forgave us.


Romans 5:10
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

*Also, we are called to forgive others, so that the Father himself forgives us.

Colossians 3:13
Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.


Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses


*When we are kind to our enemies, we can actually cause them to reconsider their position of behavior to us.

Romans 12:20
On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."


(from Proverbs 25:21-22)


Also, we are told this


1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

*We do get a blessing for this.

Though I know it can be painful to be kind to those who hurt us. It sometimes feels impossible to forgive others, but forgiving others is also in a way healing to many.

We release the hurts and pains and lay it at the feet of God and submit it to Him.

*Also, don’t worry. God watches all things and He is just and righteous.

For it says,

Romans 12:19
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”


Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.



I hope that this helps.


God bless you and much love,

Rachel

 

[jeff_peacemkr]

I'm wanting to seek answers from you guys here and what your take on it is.
... .... ....
Luke 6:27-36
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

It's pretty clear that we're supposed to give what they ask of us and more than that. But it still is something that I can't either fully grasp or perhaps getting it all wrong. How would giving what we have to our enemies really do much if they seek for that type of advantage on you to start with? In what way is forgiving if they can still wrong you in your presence and pretty much nothing gets done about it? What is the message truly portraying in order to 'love your enemies'?

it is simple, but no worries per your post - there is no church('known') doing so, not even as it is written for the members of the body of Christ, let alone 'enemies' ,
so you won't run into this(obedience to Scripture) pretty much anyplace you go.

for living examples, look to the ekklesia (believers) in the underground church in china, africa, russia, etc.... they do what is written to do, instead of being 'hearers' only; they are doers.

 

[GracethroughfaithinChrist]

Matthew 5:44-46
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

It's pretty clear that we're supposed to give what they ask of us and more than that. But it still is something that I can't either fully grasp or perhaps getting it all wrong. How would giving what we have to our enemies really do much if they seek for that type of advantage on you to start with? In what way is forgiving if they can still wrong you in your presence and pretty much nothing gets done about it? What is the message truly portraying in order to 'love your enemies'?

We are called to be the children of our Father in truth, mercy, and love so we must act accordingly. When a man perishes he can take nothing with him including our enemies (1 Timothy 6:7). We all are just using and borrowing things here on earth that we can't take with us to heaven, and all men will give an account of their life before God (Romans 14:12). May it be so that God brings you understanding of His perfect will.

 

[crossnote]

Freely you have received freely give. (Mt 10:8b)

Freely you have received forgiveness freely forgive.

 

[Jacob_Fitzgerald]

I'm wanting to seek answers from you guys here and what your take on it is.

We're told to forgive our enemies. I'd like to give these verses that describe about enemies best and that we must forgive them for their wrongdoings towards us:

What Does the Bible Say About Enemies?

Luke 6:27-36

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

It's pretty clear that we're supposed to give what they ask of us and more than that. But it still is something that I can't either fully grasp or perhaps getting it all wrong. How would giving what we have to our enemies really do much if they seek for that type of advantage on you to start with? In what way is forgiving if they can still wrong you in your presence and pretty much nothing gets done about it? What is the message truly portraying in order to 'love your enemies'?

Forgive and give even if those people whom you have forgiven and given to turn right around and hurt you in return. Why? Because that is what God does. He continues to give and forgive even though we contiue to sin against him, and thereby hurt him.

Matthew 5:45 - actually the whole chapter is great!
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Matthew 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

So, the next question might be "when should I flee so they don't kill me?" Maybe quickly give your gift then run for the hills.