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what exactly does forgiveness mean?
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Posted by: Frederik
Does this mean that you will never become angry again at this person?
Does this mean that you'll never again think of what this person did wrong?
What exactly does forgiveness mean?
I think forgiveness is a decision, you have to be willing to forgive even when you think you cannot, this is the first step.
But how do you know you really have forgiven? Imagine you know somebody who you're very angry at and then you forgive him and find peace but you do not see this person in month and you think that everything is fine now.
And then you see this person again and as you see this person you become totally angry again. Does this mean you have not really forgiven?
Posted by: son of God
an act of GODS grace to forget forever and not hold people of faith acountabel for sins they confess to a lesser degree the graciose human act of God by which belivers are put into right relationship to god and tranfeird from spiritual death to spiritual life through the sacfice of JESUS CHRIST it on going gift without christain lives would be out of joint and full of guilt in short fredrick (its the act and attuitdude toward thosewho have wronged us that restores relationships and fellowship. servant
Posted by: Frederik
Um...
and this means?
This sounds like from a dictionary.
Posted by: Sulten
Frederick I have experienced having my heart changed towards other's I've had anger over. I do not believe that you can do this on your own. I believe it is an act of grace, that you first ask God to change your heart towards that person and he does so. It's happened to me and it was a struggle to get to the point to surrender myself to His will and ask Him to work forgiveness in my heart. The key is you have to really want it, and ask for it. If you're just enjoying so to speak your anger and you're not ready in your heart to really let go it won't happen. You have to completely surrender yourself to God and ask him to change your heart. I don't think this means that you never will be angry again towards anyone. I think it is a process that we have to repeat our whole lives.
Posted by: Frederik
Okay, thanks.
Posted by: wiselady
I believe forgiveness,is hard for everyone.We must forgive others, if we
want God to forgive us.We also should as God to forgive us of our sins.
Regardless of what we have done, or how far we have fallen,it's not to
late.It doesn't matter how low the mistake is,it's not to late to dig down,
pull out that mistake,and the let it go.What makes a Christian a Christian
is not perfection but forgiveness.
GOD BLESS
Posted by: Tatian
You may in your sense of justice at heart hold that someone owes you something. But At heart itself understand that that one cannot and will not repay you. But remember the crucifixion. Choose not to require repayment. Admire at heart Jesus. Let that offender go, and without trusting that one, forget the offence. Seeing that one again if forgetting doesn't work, let that one go again straight away if possible. Ask for grace to achieve this, such as by seeking God's face or by the laying on of hands.
Instead look to Jesus to repay you.
Posted by: MarkSentMe
Forgiveness is taking "the high road". It's saying 'yes, you wronged me, you hurt me, you cause me pain' but I am willing to let it go so I can move on with my life. And you move on. Forgive ONLY when you can move on. If there is going to be any doubt or resentment or harbored ill feelings, then by all means, hold off on the "I forgive you" until you are truly in a spiritual place where you can freely do it. Don't say,"I forgive you, But.." because then your heart is not ready. And that's OK. Some things take a long time.
Case in point: when I was very young, about 4 or younger, my older brother did something to me that I have lived with all my life. I have always forgiven him. Even now, as new things have been revealed to me in regards to the incident, I still forgive him. I am not going back on what my mind and heart have resolved. I have never spoken those words to him, perhaps when I see him face to face I will. But my heart is clean of all anger towards him and I love my brother.
I hope that helps
Peace,
Sharyn
Posted by: footprint9
Just a little off-topic but...
Is it wrong to ask for God's forgiveness when you know you will repeat the mistake again? Is there any point if you are not going to change?
J
Posted by: MarkSentMe
If you are asking God's forgiveness (this being the proverbial "you" and not necessarily you the person) then you realize that the action was wrong. So if you ask for forgiveness, you are acknowledging a wrongdoing that is not pleasing to God. So why continue to do it? Like, for instance, adultery. You know it's a sin, it's against the Ten Commandments (all of them, not just the one), it causes nothing but hurt and resentment and loss of trust. The adulterer knows the pain it causes and the anguish in their heart. After awhile, if they continue to do it, despite asking forgiveness and confessing the sin, the adulterer becomes callous to that little voice that tells them it is wrong. Soon, they go on doing their own thing, ignoring God and His Commandments. So, if the person is confessing and asking forgiveness, then they have a responsibilty also. They have an obligation to actually work at avoiding the sin and the opportunity to engage in it.
My big problem is cussing. I am getting better at it. I installed a BOO-HOO Jar in my kitchen, where I do most of my talking. When I cuss, or talk bad about someone or utter negativity, I ask for forgiveness and deposit a quarter in the Jar as punishment and reminder of how much cussing I have done
The money will be donated to church for the Building Fund, to pay for a new sanctuary. If I don't clean up my mouth, I'll be tithing to the BOO-HOO Jar and buying a steeple!!
Posted by: Tatian
When you repent, you must have no intention of repeating the sin at all. For the forseeable future you should be confident that you will not do it again. The Bible seems to contradict itself teeling us that he who says he has no sin in him is a liar. It is a matter of intention, what are you willing to do and not do, error of judgement is another thing. "Watch over your heart, for there are the wellsprings of life". Watch what you want and what is your hearts desire...