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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | forgiveness | Matt 18:1 | rabban | 191366 | ||
You say that you do not recognise the difference between the two levels of forgiveness, the one where someone has repented, the other where they have not? I would have thought that the difference was huge. Central to the forgiveness that Jesus describes in Luke 17.3-4 (compare Matthew 18.21-35) where a brother or sister has said 'I repent' is that the person is reinstated in the position that he or she was in before they sinned. We are saying with God, 'their sins and iniquities I will remember no more' (Hebrews 8.12 and Parallels). We are to treat them as though they had never sinned. They are a repentant brother or sister. Full trust must be restored. But in the case of the person who has not repented, while I will show full love to them (Matthew 5.42-48)I will not show full trust. I cannot trust someone who is likely to do it again. I am not sure that forgiveness necessarily means foregoing a right to justice. I can forgive and still seek justice. What I cannot do is forgive and seek vengeance. The two are incompatible. 'Vengeance is mine' says the Lord. 'I will repay' (Romans 12.19; Hebrews 10.30). |
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2 | forgiveness | Matt 18:1 | Parable | 191374 | ||
I don't disagree with the differences you describe, but those are not related to the quality of the forgiveness, but rather are consequences of the decision by the transgressor not to seek that forgiveness. Forgiveness is unilateral and not dependent upon anything done or not done by the transgressor. As I said in another post, forgiving does not necessarily imply not seeking justice, but rather releasing one's claim of entitlement to it. I agree completely that vengeance is contrary to forgiveness, for vengeance is driven by the idea that vengeance belongs to onself, and clearly it belongs only to God. |
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