I had posted this in response to someone asking how to forgive the OP and it got into a debate about the scriptures. I thought i would share with all. Hope it helps someone.
The bible tells us in Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Forgiveness has nothing to do with the other person. Not forgiving someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick. When we hold on to something it hurts our whole body spiritually, mentally and physically so why hold on to it. Give it up and remember it is God who they have to repent to not us. Repentance is between God and us and the same goes for them. We are not tasked with trying to make them change or feel guilty or make them face consequences for their action we are tasked to love and that is it.
remember that when someone hurts us they may not even know they are hurting us and they may not do it intentionally and even if they do it is only pride that makes us hold on to the hurt until they get their "just rewards". We have to let it go and go give it over to God he can make a way where there is no way. If we are holding on to it and not letting God handle it we are depriving the person of seeing God because they will only see us. Forgive let go and let God.
Also how do you know that person hasn’t repented to God but is afraid of YOUR wrath because you are still holding on to the bitterness? Holding on to bitterness and showing people that God is a God of vengeance and a God of wrath is what turns people away from God. That is why they feel that they cannot come to God. because they have sinned and we can’t forgive them and if we are proclaiming that God is in us they feel that God can’t forgive them either and God is just waiting for them to come but we by not forgiving and holding on and showing resentment and even hurt are blocking God because all they see is us all they hear is us and remember God is a gentleman he speaks with a small voice so we are depriving them a chance to repent.
Please don’t take Luke 17 3-4 out of context. it is talking about if someone comes to you and says sorry but continues to hurt and continues to say sorry. We are not to grow tired of forgiving them because it will cause them to stumble. And as Luke 17:2 says if we cause them to stumble it would be better for us to have a millstone around our neck and be thrown into the ocean.
That is also what our spouses are doing they are testing the waters and you. You say that God is in you. Does God ever get tired of you repenting or saying sorry no matter what. We all run from God sometimes even David a man of God's heart but god never got tired and he never said I’m done with you and I will rescind my promise to you David.
Never!!!
So we are not to either. If our spouse tests us and we fail we apologize and start again. That is what God wants for us, to show his love and mercy here on earth. And it is hard. So we will fail. But it is nice knowing that God knew we would fail. He told Peter “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and WHEN YOU HAVE RETURNED TO ME, strengthen your brethren.†Jesus knew we would fail the tests when Satan sifts us. Peter was his closest. He was the one who walked on water in fath and knew all of the maricles Jesus had performend, he was the one who first stated that Jesus was the son of God, but Jesus still knew, even with this knowledge and proof, he would fail.
BUT.... amen for the but
he knew that he would be stronger after the fall and be able to strengthen his brethren. Amen
The bible tells us in Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Forgiveness has nothing to do with the other person. Not forgiving someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick. When we hold on to something it hurts our whole body spiritually, mentally and physically so why hold on to it. Give it up and remember it is God who they have to repent to not us. Repentance is between God and us and the same goes for them. We are not tasked with trying to make them change or feel guilty or make them face consequences for their action we are tasked to love and that is it.
remember that when someone hurts us they may not even know they are hurting us and they may not do it intentionally and even if they do it is only pride that makes us hold on to the hurt until they get their "just rewards". We have to let it go and go give it over to God he can make a way where there is no way. If we are holding on to it and not letting God handle it we are depriving the person of seeing God because they will only see us. Forgive let go and let God.
Also how do you know that person hasn’t repented to God but is afraid of YOUR wrath because you are still holding on to the bitterness? Holding on to bitterness and showing people that God is a God of vengeance and a God of wrath is what turns people away from God. That is why they feel that they cannot come to God. because they have sinned and we can’t forgive them and if we are proclaiming that God is in us they feel that God can’t forgive them either and God is just waiting for them to come but we by not forgiving and holding on and showing resentment and even hurt are blocking God because all they see is us all they hear is us and remember God is a gentleman he speaks with a small voice so we are depriving them a chance to repent.
Please don’t take Luke 17 3-4 out of context. it is talking about if someone comes to you and says sorry but continues to hurt and continues to say sorry. We are not to grow tired of forgiving them because it will cause them to stumble. And as Luke 17:2 says if we cause them to stumble it would be better for us to have a millstone around our neck and be thrown into the ocean.
That is also what our spouses are doing they are testing the waters and you. You say that God is in you. Does God ever get tired of you repenting or saying sorry no matter what. We all run from God sometimes even David a man of God's heart but god never got tired and he never said I’m done with you and I will rescind my promise to you David.
Never!!!
So we are not to either. If our spouse tests us and we fail we apologize and start again. That is what God wants for us, to show his love and mercy here on earth. And it is hard. So we will fail. But it is nice knowing that God knew we would fail. He told Peter “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and WHEN YOU HAVE RETURNED TO ME, strengthen your brethren.†Jesus knew we would fail the tests when Satan sifts us. Peter was his closest. He was the one who walked on water in fath and knew all of the maricles Jesus had performend, he was the one who first stated that Jesus was the son of God, but Jesus still knew, even with this knowledge and proof, he would fail.
BUT.... amen for the but
he knew that he would be stronger after the fall and be able to strengthen his brethren. Amen
