Oct 23

Forgiveness

Submitted by on as 2022

  To let you know, when I post these Bible study topics, usually something has happened to get me to think about the subject. There is no format that I am using, other than I watch, read, or hear something that makes me wonder what God would do or have to say about the situation or subject. You can say it is one of the ways that really keeps me grounded and always seeking truth and answers from God. I am by no means a perfect person, Bible scholar or any expert on any of these topics. I am only trying to better my self in my Christian walk. Many times, the responses I get from the comments help me be more understanding and I very much appreciate everyone’s input.

 

   I have been watching on Netflix the Jeffrey Dahmer story. When you watch a show like that, especially because these are factual events, it is easy for us to start labeling people as monsters and in disbelief of what they had done.  But this got me thinking. Doesn’t God love him just as much as me? Is what Jeffery did, worse that what I have done in life. I have done many sins in my life. In Exodus, God gave us the ten Commandments. Jeffery committed murder. But I have lied, I have stolen and other things. In God’s eyes sin is sin. Only in our society did we start putting levels of sin. If I stole a penny or ten million dollars, didn’t I still steal. Yes, in God’s eyes.  I did a little research in Jeffery while he was in prison. It is stated he became a born again Christian and was baptized. I really started to have compassion for him, understanding that God does love him just as much as he loves me, and I am sure God did forgive him just as he has forgiven me. So here are the thoughts. As I was reading about him, the word forgiveness kept coming up. If one of our family members would have been a victim of Jeffery, could we be able to forgive him as God can, will and has?


The Bible is full of forgiveness, but these verses stood out to me.


Matthew:6

 (14)For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: (15)but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.


After the Lord’s prayer, Jesus states it real clear that we are to forgive those who have done us wrong. Just as we were asking forgiveness for the things we have done wrong. The He goes on and says If we do not forgive those, neither will God forgive us. That is a pretty profound statement. Even though God loves us and gave us His son for our sins, we still actively have to take a part as our duty as Christians to be as Christlike as possible.


Matthew 18:21:22

(21)Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? (22)Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

 

   It is pretty clear we are to continue to keep forgiving. Sometimes that is a hard pill to swallow, but it is commanded by God that we do that. Many times, I have heard people say "I can never forgive this person for what they have done.” That statement is as far from Christlike that you can get.


 I started thinking of all the people that are incarcerated, and realize I am not a better person than them, yes, their crimes landed them in jail, but in God’s eyes we are equal. Jesus died for their sins just as he has died for mine. Jesus will forgive them just as he will forgive me. Romans 3:23 says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

 

Thoughts? Would love to hear what crosses your mind on this subject.


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COMMENTS


[ posted by Evelyn, 10/23/2022 01:30 PM ]

Well it may seem hard to forgive at times, I know. I get those feelings too. I try to hold no ill will towards people sometimes. but we are human. God gave us these feeling, did he not?  How are we to handle it? Pray for them? But you have a point there. It's very hard to forgive someone who does harm to others. but we are not their judge. God will sort them out in the end. Good topic Mike.

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[ posted by Cindy, 10/27/2022 04:39 PM ]

Well, we are all a bunch of sinners.  Yep.  Every one of us will sin in may ways and shapes.   We are born in sin. All mankind was corrupted because of Adam and Eves sin and given the sentence of death.  Thanks Adam and Eve!
Adam's sin was that he would die. The curse would become the cure ultimately by Jesus dying for our sins.  Giving us an eternal life after mortal death.
Read Romans 5: 12-21
Did God forgive them after defying His words to not eat of the tree of Life? We have to assume He did.  He could have killed them, right?   But He just cast them out of the garden to fend for themselves...kind of like we are now.  We are to fend for ourselves in this world.  
Like Mike said ---a sin is a sin. There is no big or small sin, its all a sin in God's  eyes.
Anything that goes against God is a sin.   Thou shalt not kill...is a sin.
But look at David...what did he do?  Remember he was "a man after God's own heart"  he fell in love with another woman, Bathsheba, and sent her husband off to war to be killed...may not have been with his own hands, but he was the cause....
What about Paul?  he killed Christians before coming to Jesus.
It is our human nature that makes us judge the actions of others, especially horrific actions and crimes.   The devil is the pusher of evil.  Why do people do it? We may never understand that. But isn't it amazing that we have a God that is so full of love and mercy for us no matter what we have done, He still will forgive us?  Even when the devil thinks he is winning, I can just imagine the angels in heaven rejoicing when even a heinous murderer gives his life to Jesus.  God wins.  God knows if a person means it or not.  He is the ultimate judge of our hearts and minds.
 Forgiving others is hard to do. Especially when we have been wronged. But God wants us to forgive no matter what.  And it is better for us in all aspects: physically, emotionally and spiritually.  When we harbor the thoughts of being mad and angry over being wronged it separates us from God.   We feel like we need revenge against people or want karma.  In Romans 12:19 God says, "vengeance is mine, I will repay..."    Gods timing is all about God, not us.  Maybe that's why we harbor those thoughts. waiting for some kind of "pay back" on that person.
And doesn't it make sense that the God who forgives us demands we forgive others?
Why would he want to forgive us if we cant forgive others?  We are to love others, no matter what.  You can forgive them, but you ain't gotta hang out with them....lol
In Matt 18 Peter asks Jesus how many times he needs to forgive someone.
Jesus replies "I say not until thee, until seven times, but until seventy times seven."
God wants us to know that forgiveness bring peace to your body and mind and spirit.   God promises to forgive us completely and fully.  But we must also forgive others.  
I think that there are a few whom won't be forgiven...Satan and the angels who followed him into rebellion and the people who never repent and reject God and Jesus. 
Everyone else can be forgiven, who repent and accept Jesus.

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[ posted by Priscilla, 10/27/2022 05:29 PM ]

God continues to encourage us to forgive, often and continually. (Not easy, but just another reminder that we are not God nor anywhere near His level).  When forgiving we do not let others who have harmed us continue to do so, no, but because unforgiveness and holding on to hurt can create an unseen barrier around our hearts and soul, unforgiveness is dangerous. It does two things. 
 
First It binds us up.  Much like a python, wrapped around its prey, at first small pressure until eventually it is so tight the pray dies.   
 
Secondly, this barrier keeps the Holy Spirit from coming into our lives, our very souls. We are so filled with hurt and anger that we choke out any open space in our lives for the Holy Spirit to abide in us. 
 
We must be open to the Holy Spirit, who will help us let go of our unforgiveness.  

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