A
Few Thoughts on Forgiveness
I
don’t like the word forgiveness, because abusers, etc. use that
word to manipulate others. I don’t know what word would be
appropriate.
A1
Forgiveness is 2 fold
B1
God to humans
B2 Human to human (this would
include forgiving ourselves to live in peace after God has forgiven)
A2
Forgiveness is costly.
B1 Sinning, law breaking, must
be punished. The lawbreaker must be punished.
C1 Romans 6:23 MKJV
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C2 Mark 1:15 EMTV
and saying, "The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God
is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
C3 Matthew 11:20-22 LEB Then
he began to reproach the towns in which the majority of his miracles
had been done, because they did not repent: 21 "Woe to you,
Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had
been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in
sackcloth and ashes. 22 Nevertheless I tell you, it will be more
bearable for Tyre and for Sidon on the day of judgment than for you!
C4 Hebrews 9:22 NRSV Indeed,
under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without
the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
C5 John 3:16 EMTV For
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
A3
Some sins are crimes in society. They must be punished. Example, a
man is domestically violent to his wife. This is criminal. It is NOT
forgive and forget. The wife needs to or obtains assistance of a
lawyer, law enforcement, or both to stop him. The abused is not
seeking revenge, for a crime was committed. This crime is against
God’s law and government law.
A4
Some things to be forgiven are ignorant mistakes or no harm was done.
Example, you buy something from me, and I shortchange you. Later, I
realize my error, correct it by giving back the money I owe you, and
ask for forgiveness. You forgive instead of seeking revenge.
A5
Forgiveness does not
mean someone gets away with their evil towards us.
A6
Forgiveness does
mean that we free ourselves from revenge, giving revenge to God, who
will deal with and punish that person/s.
A7
Vengeance is not always forgotten by God’s people. Consider:
B1 The Tribulation saints:
Revelation 6:10 GNB They
shouted in a loud voice, "Almighty Lord, holy and true! How long
will it be until you judge the people on earth and punish them for
killing us?"
B2 The parable of the
persistent widow: Luke 18:7-8 WEL
“Won't God avenge
his own elect who cry out day and night to him, and yet he bears
patiently with them. 8 "I tell you that he will avenge them
quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith
on the earth?"
B3 False preachers and
teachers: Galatians 5:11-12 GNB92 But
as for me, my friends, if I continue to preach that circumcision is
necessary, why am I still being persecuted? If that were true, then
my preaching about the cross of Christ would cause no trouble. I
wish that the people who are upsetting you would go all the way; let
them go on and castrate themselves!
A8 Even though people pray for forgiveness of others, God still
punishes.
B1 The Lord Jesus: Luke
23:33-34 WEL When
they had come to the place, which is called Calvary, they crucified
him and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the
left. 34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't
know what they are doing." Then they parted his clothes and cast
lots.
B2 Stephen: Acts 7:59-60 WEL
They stoned Stephen,
who was calling out to God and saying, "Lord Jesus receive my
spirit." 60 He fell down and shouted with a loud voice, "Lord,
do not hold this sin against them." After saying that, he fell
asleep.
A9 Forgiveness of enemies will certainly add to the severity of judgment
those enemies will face: Romans 12:20
WEL Therefore, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty,
give him a drink, for in doing so you will heap coals of fire on his
head.
A10 Forgiveness does not mean doing nothing. Somethings are crimes and
the person must be stopped. Some people we trust in as physicians,
nurses, lawyers, etc. can hurt and take advantage of us. When they
do, action must be taken against them, so they will not harm someone
else. For example, a surgeon may be sloppy and careless in surgery.
When they hurt a patient, they must be stopped, so the person or
family files charges or suits. Realize, this is when he/she were
sloppy or careless, harm was committed intentionally or in
malpractice (I ain’t no lawyer), not just a bad outcome.
A11 Forgiveness should always be prayed, but punishment expected:
B1 Psalm 28 especially verse
4: Psalms 28:4 GNB92 Punish
them for what they have done, for the evil they have committed.
Punish them for all their deeds; give them what they deserve!
B2 Jeremiah 15:15 GNB92 Then
I said, “LORD, you understand. Remember me and help me. Let me have
revenge on those who persecute me. Do not be so patient with them
that they succeed in killing me. Remember that it is for your sake
that I am insulted.
B3 Jeremiah 18:21 GNB92 But
now, LORD, let their children starve to death; let them be killed in
war. Let the women lose their husbands and children; let the men die
of disease and the young men be killed in battle.
A12 I guess, for me anyway, I will pray they are forgiven (may they be
born again), but I will turn them over to God and pray they are
punished to stop them from hurting again.
A13 What word should I use? I don’t have a clue.
