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NASB | Matthew 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" [Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48] |
Bible Question: if your husband try to harm you or he aloud another person to try to harm you should they be forgiven |
Bible Answer: The first thing to note about forgiveness from our point of view is that we can only forgive an offence against ourselves (even if it is sometimes indirect). I cannot forgive someone who offends against society or another. Only society as a whole or that other can do that. Thus due punishment may be required in that case. Having established that there are different levels of forgiveness. There is the total forgiveness that I should give to the one who has come to me saying 'I am sorry, and will not do it again' and means it. For such a person my forgiveness should mean that I reinstate them into the same position as if they had never sinned. That is the forgiveness that Jesus had mainly in mind in the Lord's prayer. It is the forgiveness that God gives us. He treats us as though we had never sinned. Then there is the lesser forgiveness that I give to those who have sinned against me but have not repented. I seek not to be bitter against them and to show a Christlike spirit towards them, but I have to take into account their previous behaviour. This would seem to be the situation in your case. Forgiveness does not mean being foolish. Sometimes you have to forgive from behind a protecting wall. Thus with a violent husband or wife forgiveness does not mean making yourself open to further abuse. You have no responsibility to do that. Unless there is a dramatic change e.g. through Christian conversion, a wife or husband beater will remain a wife or husband beater. But for your own sake it is good to be rid of any bitterness that may be in your heart, and to wish them well and pray for them. Nor does forgiveness mean that you should forego justified compensation. It simply means revealing Christlikeness towards them in your general attitude towards them, while keeping them out of your life. |