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NASB | Luke 17:3 "Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 17:3 "Pay attention and always be on guard [looking out for one another]! If your brother sins and disregards God's precepts, solemnly warn him; and if he repents and changes, forgive him. |
Bible Question: Can you forgive a person for a deed that they are not remorseful for? I don't seem to be able to find this addressed directly. Assuming the perpetrator is evil, they have probably blamed the bad act as the victims fault. Is this addressed directly? |
Bible Answer: For a Child of God, remorse is not necessary for forgiveness. Matthew 5:44 says, ". . . bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. . ." The perpetrator may be evil, but sin is sin. God let's us know that "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)." Just as God saved us, He can save someone who is yet unsaved. When someone is unsaved, they are, of course, not of God and do things that are ungodly, there is no limit as to what evil to expect of them (nothing surprises me anymore). This is a soul that needs Jesus just like the rest of us and that's why God says we have to love them regardless of their unrighteousness (which is longsuffering). Forgiveness is a conditional promise: if you forgive, you will be forgiven; "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:14-15)." Just as God had compassion on us, we are to have compassion on others. Jesus gave His life even when we were not remorseful. Forgive this person, for your sake, and pray for him/her. I hope this helps, WalkingTalkingBible |