Subject: Can we not ask God to forgive another? |
Bible Note: If I may be so bold as to interject, I think the discussion may be an amalgamation of two very distinct topics: 1. Our forgiveness of our fellow man; 2. God’s forgiveness of man. The first is mentioned in Matthew 6:14,15 / Matthew 18:21,22 / Matthew 18:34,35 / Mark 11:24-26 / Luke 17:3,4 / Colossians 3:13, and I’m sure other places as well. The latter is mentioned in Matthew 26:27,28 / Mark 2:9-11 / Acts 2:38 / Acts 13:38 / Ephesians 1:7 / Colossians 1:14 / Hebrews 8:12, and again, other places as well. We can forgive others for their trespasses against us, but only God can forgive trespasses against God. I think they are to very different applications of forgiveness one, from us to others, and the other, from God to us. We should continue to forgive those who wrong us so long as they repent. God on the other hand has granted us forgiveness of sins eternally through the blood of Jesus, should we confess and repent 1 John 1:9. I don’t know if I presented my thoughts eloquently enough to properly convey them. Maybe another who can more easily convey this thought can help or correct my understanding of the two? WOS |