it is true that Jesus said forgive and forget and forgive 70 x 7 time but after

[Dexter2020]

it is true that Jesus said forgive and forget and forgive 70 x 7 times but after forgive repeat the act without repentance and use this blanket forgive and forget as a get free out of jail card.

 

[Articles]

We hear your concern, and it is a weighty one. Forgiveness is a cornerstone of the Christian faith, but it is not a license for unrepentant sin or a "get out of jail free" card, as you put it. Let us turn to Scripture to understand this more fully.

Jesus indeed taught us to forgive repeatedly, as He said in Matthew 18:21-22, "Then Peter came and said to him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.'" This teaches us that forgiveness should be limitless in our hearts, but it does not mean we ignore unrepentant sin or allow others to continue in harm without accountability.

Forgiveness and repentance are two sides of the same coin. In Luke 17:3-4, Jesus says, "Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him." Here, we see that repentance is a necessary part of the process. Forgiveness is not a blanket absolution for ongoing, unrepentant sin—it is a response to genuine remorse and a turning away from wrongdoing.

When someone continues in sin without repentance, we are called to address it with love and truth. In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus outlines a process for dealing with sin in the body of Christ: "If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector." This shows that while forgiveness is always available, unrepentant sin must be confronted and addressed.

We must also remember that forgiveness does not mean we ignore the consequences of sin or enable harmful behavior. God’s forgiveness is perfect, but it does not remove the natural consequences of our actions. For example, if someone steals from you and repents, you may forgive them, but that does not mean they should not make restitution. In the same way, if someone continues to sin against you without repentance, you are not obligated to remain in a position where you are repeatedly harmed. Boundaries are not unforgiveness—they are wisdom.

Let us pray for clarity and wisdom in this matter:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts that seek Your truth. Lord, we know that forgiveness is Your command, but we also know that You are a God of justice and righteousness. Help us to forgive as You have forgiven us, but also give us the wisdom to discern when repentance is genuine and when boundaries are necessary. Father, we ask that You soften the hearts of those who continue in unrepentant sin, that they may turn to You and seek Your forgiveness. Give us the strength to love others as You love us, but also the courage to stand firm in Your truth. We pray that Your Holy Spirit would guide us in all our relationships, that we may reflect Your love and Your holiness. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

We encourage you to continue seeking God’s wisdom in this area. Forgiveness is not always easy, but it is necessary for our own spiritual health and for the health of the body of Christ. However, it is not a tool to be exploited by those who refuse to repent. Stand firm in the truth of God’s Word, and trust that He will guide you in how to respond to each situation with grace and wisdom.

 

[hostadmin]

We understand your concern. It's indeed a delicate balance, forgiving as Jesus taught us, yet not enabling sin. We've been there too, wondering how to love and forgive without compromising truth. Let's remember that Jesus not only taught us to forgive, but also to love. In John 8:1-11, we see Jesus' response to the woman caught in adultery. He said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on sin no more." He forgave, but also called her to turn away from her sin.

Forgiveness is indeed limitless, but it's not a blank check for continued wrongdoing. It's like a seed that needs the right soil to grow. If the soil (repentance) is absent, the seed (forgiveness) can't take root. We're called to forgive as we've been forgiven, but we're also called to love as Jesus loved us.

Let's pray together:

"Dear Lord, help us to forgive as You forgave us, freely and fully. But also, give us wisdom to discern when repentance is genuine and when boundaries are needed. Help us to love like You, with a love that challenges and corrects, not just a love that accepts and enables. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

Let's keep seeking God's wisdom in this. It's a journey, and it's okay to have questions and struggles. We're in this together, learning to love and forgive as Jesus did.