Should I Always Forgive Everyone in Every Way?

[grandmamary1219]

James,

She did not call you a fool. However, based on your 1,700+ posts I do not recall even a single time you took full correction from anyone. Can you show me at least 10 posts where you admitted you were wrong about the topic that was discussed?

Every believer must have a teachable, humble spirit. None of us knows it all and everyone will always have ample room for growth and learning until they breathe their last breath.

It's obvious ample here disagree with your comments, yet you continue defending your post that we're born of Satan. Try preaching that at the pulpit, you'll likely get verbally slaughtered by people.

Learn. Learn to word things in simple to understand ways. Confusion is from the devil. You speak in ways that does in deed causes strife and confusion. Learn.

Amen Chad!!!

 

[Spockrates]

We can break this down to make it simpler. Adam had a sinful nature, I think we all agree. Next question - did it come from God, himself, or Satan?
From God - not correct, God does not create sin (i know Spockrates may latch onto this point as it seems to contradict what I said previously)
From man - also not correct, because God created man perfect.
From Satan - by the process of elimination, sin must come from Satan.

Well, my friend, I think you've done an excellent job of demonstrating when supposedly real inconsistencies were actually only apparent.

When there are any actual contradictions, the remedy is easy: All we have to do is decide which of the two opposing ideas is untrue.

 

[Christ4Ever]

I'd like to come up with a general principle to live by and forgive by. Should I always forgive, or sometimes withhold forgiveness? Should I forgive everyone, or forgive only some? Should I forgive everything, or only some things?

I think these are important questions, because Jesus seems to say only those who forgive will be forgiven:

"But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

(Matthew 6:15)

Any thoughts will be appreciated, and forgive me if I have additional questions for you if you reply.

Hello Spockrates.

To help you in your quest for this general principle in which to live by and forgive. I will attempt to tackle the questions of forgiveness and be as quick as possible. If you do these then the additional questions you asked should not be of concern.

Should I always forgive? - Yes
Sometimes withhold forgiveness? - No
Should I forgive everyone? - Yes
Forgive only some? - No
Should I forgive everything? - Yes
Only some things? - No

Answer to the first part of your question on "to live by": Read and live the Sermon on the Mount.

Always remember Spockrates if you can encapsulate Love in whatever you do, then you would do well.

To end this. Keep in mind that if Jesus Christ is not your Lord & Savior. No matter the level of forgiveness, or righteous behavior you believe you have you are lost.
C4E

Psalm 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

\I'd like to throw in this question; How do you feel when you know you're forgiven? Wouldn't you like to bless others with that feeling?

SLE

 

[Spockrates]

James:

But I hope you will continue the dialog with me. I've been thinking about Christ, and how he might forgive. I mean, he is the Son of God, so he's God. His ways are not your ways nor mine. He is able to do what is sinful for me and you, yet be innocent of doing any wrong. He is able to be unforgiving whenever he desires, and perhaps often is.

Yet he is also the Son of Man, so he's human, albeit a sinless one. As a sinless human, he cannot possibly sin, or he would cease to be who he is and become someone else--a sinner needing forgiveness to reconcile with God, like you and I. Since it is sinful to be unforgiving, he cannot fail to forgive.

Thus the contradiction--but perhaps only an apparent one: As Son of God, he may and does fail to forgive but still remain God. As Son of Man, he may not fail to forgive and still remain Son of Man. For he'd then possess the sin of man--or perhaps of the devil--and cease to be who he is.

Yet we know from Scripture this does not occur in our universe and timeline. He was, is and always will be both God and sinless Man. The question, then is this:

How can he ever be unforgiving--as the Son of God is--yet still remain Son of Man?

What I suspect, James is that one of the contradictory ideas must be untrue. But which one? Does the Son of God never fail to forgive? Or does the Son of Man sometimes fail to forgive, but still commit no sin?

 

[Spockrates]

Hello Spockrates.

To help you in your quest for this general principle in which to live by and forgive. I will attempt to tackle the questions of forgiveness and be as quick as possible. If you do these then the additional questions you asked should not be of concern.

Should I always forgive? - Yes
Sometimes withhold forgiveness? - No
Should I forgive everyone? - Yes
Forgive only some? - No
Should I forgive everything? - Yes
Only some things? - No

Answer to the first part of your question on "to live by": Read and live the Sermon on the Mount.

Always remember Spockrates if you can encapsulate Love in whatever you do, then you would do well.

To end this. Keep in mind that if Jesus Christ is not your Lord & Savior. No matter the level of forgiveness, or righteous behavior you believe you have you are lost.
C4E

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Welcome to the discussion, C4E. Glad you joined us, and I hope you will stay awhile.



My friend James and I were considering how the opposite might be true for God. God's answers to the same questions might be:

Should God always forgive? - No
Should God sometimes withhold forgiveness? - Yes
Should God forgive everyone? - No
Should God forgive only some? - Yes
Should God forgive everything? - No
Should God forgive only some things? - Yes

Judging from the scriptures about God's judging, I think this is likely true. Do you?

 

[Spockrates]

\I'd like to throw in this question; How do you feel when you know you're forgiven? Wouldn't you like to bless others with that feeling?

SLE

Hi, SLE:

If the question is for me: How I feel depends on how the forgiving one forgives me. Wanting another to experience the same feeling depends on what that feeling is.

You see, different people have different ideas of what forgiving is. So they forgive in different ways. Some ways would make me feel grateful, other ways make me feel dismayed.

Please tell me: How do you forgive? Once you do, I'll tell you how that way would make me feel.

 

[Christ4Ever]

Welcome to the discussion, C4E. Glad you joined us, and I hope you will stay awhile.



My friend James and I were considering how the opposite might be true for God. God's answers to the same questions might be:

Should God always forgive? - No
Should God sometimes withhold forgiveness? - Yes
Should God forgive everyone? - No
Should God forgive only some? - Yes
Should God forgive everything? - No
Should God forgive only some things? - Yes

Judging from the scriptures about God's judging, I think this is likely true. Do you?

Thank-you for the welcome and invitation Spockrates.
That I stay a while will depend on your answer to this question, though I will answer the other questions posed in your reply to me.

Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior Spockrates?

Now as to the questions you have asked of me: Utilizing the word "Should" in your questions, makes for an assumption that man is in a position or somehow qualified to dictate or judge the rightness of God's decision making.

Sorry. I'm not qualified to do so.
C4E

Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

 

[Spockrates]

Thank-you for the welcome and invitation Spockrates.
That I stay a while will depend on your answer to this question, though I will answer the other questions posed in your reply to me.

Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior Spockrates?

Yes.

Now as to the questions you have asked of me: Utilizing the word "Should" in your questions, makes for an assumption that man is in a position or somehow qualified to dictate or judge the rightness of God's decision making.

Sorry. I'm not qualified to do so.
C4E

O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

Yes, poor choice of word. Should have used the word does, instead.

Does God always forgive? - No
Does God sometimes withhold forgiveness? - Yes
Does God forgive everyone? - No
Does God forgive only some? - Yes
Does God forgive everything? - No
Does God forgive only some things? - Yes

You see? I'm thinking I should try to forgive as much as I am able to forgive the way God forgives. As Paul writes:

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

(Ephesians 5:1-2)

Do you think we should imitate God in the way he forgives? I'm not asking if we can forgive the eternal consequences of the forgiven's sins. I'm simply asking if we should imitate God by sometimes not forgiving, if that is indeed what he does.

 

[Spockrates]

Hey, all:

I think I have an idea what forgiveness is and how to forgive. Would anyone like to hear it and let me know if it sounds logical and true?

 

[Christ4Ever]

Looks like you've drawn me in at least for the time being

Yes.

Yes, poor choice of word. Should have used the word does, instead.

Does God always forgive? - No
Does God sometimes withhold forgiveness? - Yes
Does God forgive everyone? - No
Does God forgive only some? - Yes
Does God forgive everything? - No
Does God forgive only some things? - Yes

You see? I'm thinking I should try to forgive as much as I am able to forgive the way God forgives. As Paul writes:

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

(Ephesians 5:1-2)

Do you think we should imitate God in the way he forgives? I'm not asking if we can forgive the eternal consequences of the forgiven's sins. I'm simply asking if we should imitate God by sometimes not forgiving, if that is indeed what he does.

What you will need to do is find scriptural examples of all the above questions posed by you. Not as recorded in the OT, since the Law was the governing standard for determining a wrong with approved acceptable standard of correction. The NT example as exemplified by Christ Jesus would be of greater benefit for study/application. For it is His walk, His life, His words, with understanding through the Holy Spirit that brings us to the point where we would even begin to contemplate a desire to ask for or give forgiveness.

The use of Ephesians 5:1-2 would not be applicable to forgiveness unless as it pertains to love "...as Christ Loved us". If anything it would point more towards a sacrificial standard on our parts "....and gave Himself up for us.". From what I can tell any thought of withholding forgiveness unless one would see it as an act of love or sacrifice would be inconsistent with this verse and the subject you're looking to know more about.

Hey, all:

I think I have an idea what forgiveness is and how to forgive. Would anyone like to hear it and let me know if it sounds logical and true?

Yes please do so. With everything that so far has been posted on the subject on this thread and how you've integrated this with your own studies might, I believe, provide an interesting if not good overview on the subject of "forgiveness". Go for it brother.
YBIC
C4E


Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.

 

[Strypes]

Hey, all:

I think I have an idea what forgiveness is and how to forgive. Would anyone like to hear it and let me know if it sounds logical and true?

Not much about forgiveness is "logical", but I am very interested in what you have to say.

 

[Spockrates]

Looks like you've drawn me in at least for the time being

Glad you decided to sit and talk awhile!

What you will need to do is find scriptural examples of all the above questions posed by you. Not as recorded in the OT, since the Law was the governing standard for determining a wrong with approved acceptable standard of correction. The NT example as exemplified by Christ Jesus would be of greater benefit for study/application.

You mean scriptures where Christ indicates one should only be forgiven if she meets some condition?

For it is His walk, His life, His words, with understanding through the Holy Spirit that brings us to the point where we would even begin to contemplate a desire to ask for or give forgiveness.

Agreed.

The use of would not be applicable to forgiveness unless as it pertains to love "...as Christ Loved us". If anything it would point more towards a sacrificial standard on our parts "....and gave Himself up for us.". From what I can tell any thought of withholding forgiveness unless one would see it as an act of love or sacrifice would be inconsistent with this verse and the subject you're looking to know more about.

Well, you and I know God judges the unforgiven, for they are damned. So I suppose God's not forgiving those condemned to hell would not be an act of love for those in hell. But it would certainly be love for those in heaven. "Love...always protects," Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13. Separating the eternally sinful from the eternally righteous would protect the righteous, I think.

Yes please do so. With everything that so far has been posted on the subject on this thread and how you've integrated this with your own studies might, I believe, provide an interesting if not good overview on the subject of "forgiveness". Go for it brother.
YBIC
C4E

Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.

Thanks. My first thought is that there is a difference between thoughts and actions. Forgiveness, it seems to me might sometimes be one and other times be the other. Sometimes one might forgive with one's mind, as James suggested in this discussion, by not blaming the forgiven. Other times one might forgive with more than merely thought. One might forgive with actions, by doing something to show the forgiven she is forgiven.

What do you think of my ideas so far?

 

[Spockrates]

Not much about forgiveness is "logical", but I am very interested in what you have to say.

Thanks, Strypes. Please see my reply to Christ4Ever. I'm thinking forgiveness must be love--love we sometimes think and feel for ourselves and love we sometimes do for another. Would you like to know why?

 

[Strypes]

Would you like to know why?

Sure...

(Single word post...oops)

 

[Spockrates]

Sure...

(Single word post...oops)

Thanks. But keep in mind that I'm not sharing what I think might be the truth to persuade you. I'm not trying to convince you. I'm trying to convince myself!

It seems to me that when God forgives, God gives. As Jesus said:

"For God so loved the world, he gave his one and only Son, so that whosoever believes in him might not perish but receive eternal life."

(John 3:16)

It is this act of giving that causes us to be forgiven, I think. That is, I'm thinking God giving his Son was how he forgave us. And this giving is an act of love.

In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

(Hebrews 9:22)

And the Son of God's giving his life for us was how he forgave us, I believe. And this giving is an act of love.

What do you think, Strypes? When it comes to God, is giving his way of forgiving?

 

[Brighthouse]

Your rights!! hehe You have every right not to ever forgive,you have every right to stay angry if you wish to,you have every right to curse at them everytime you see them, you have a right to talk bad about whoever you wish to. These, among so many, are ones rights both the believer and the unbeliever has! What is your result of this is to complain to me or others, because your own life is so sorry,and you say i do not understand why I am going through such pain,and to blame God for all of your own doing, and problems!

If one forgives then they believe not only what Jesus did,but why.( mark 11:22-26!!)verse 25 is a rule, and a command not a request if you wish to be answered by the Lord. He already knows what we pray and why before we ever pray. But what the Lord will not stand for in any way, is unbelief!! having no forgiveness is having unbelief!! ( heb 3:12-19!!) if we do not forgive, we cannot enter into the Lord's rest either!( heb 4:1-10) the consequences for unbelief,and verse 11-16 the cure! This is not a ding upon any here!! It is only the truth in both boldness and love! Whatsoever a man shall bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatsoever a person shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.The meaning of this from matt 18:18??Is to me the very same as this!( gal 6:7-10!!) We blame God for putting our own selves in jail? LOL But as you all know, many indeed do! So do as you will,but do not cry about your results either.Our life is our result of either belief!! Or unbelief! This is true of any! Blessing all!

 

[Spockrates]

Your rights!! hehe You have every right not to ever forgive,you have every right to stay angry if you wish to,you have every right to curse at them everytime you see them, you have a right to talk bad about whoever you wish to. These, among so many, are ones rights both the believer and the unbeliever has! What is your result of this is to complain to me or others, because your own life is so sorry,and you say i do not understand why I am going through such pain,and to blame God for all of your own doing, and problems!

If one forgives then they believe not only what Jesus did,but why.( mark 11:22-26!!)verse 25 is a rule, and a command not a request if you wish to be answered by the Lord. He already knows what we pray and why before we ever pray. But what the Lord will not stand for in any way, is unbelief!! having no forgiveness is having unbelief!! ( heb 3:12-19!!) if we do not forgive, we cannot enter into the Lord's rest either!( heb 4:1-10) the consequences for unbelief,and verse 11-16 the cure! This is not a ding upon any here!! It is only the truth in both boldness and love! Whatsoever a man shall bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatsoever a person shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.The meaning of this from matt 18:18??Is to me the very same as this!( gal 6:7-10!!) We blame God for putting our own selves in jail? LOL But as you all know, many indeed do! So do as you will,but do not cry about your results either.Our life is our result of either belief!! Or unbelief! This is true of any! Blessing all!

Who said anything about not forgiving, my friend? What I'm thinking is this: You should forgive some persons in every way, or every person in some ways. But you should never forgive every person in every way! Do you get my meaning, or should I explain?

 

[Strypes]

The TRUTH is Jesus is the WAY to LIFE and no one can come to the Father but by Him.

I know that is not a perfect quote of John 14:6 I rearranged it for a bit for emphasis.

Jesus' giving His life to ransom many was not the forgiving. It was the making the way, it was the paying the price, it was placing the sins of the world on one who knew no sin to pay the price for our rebellion.

God is holy and God is just. And because He loves us, He made a way for sinful man to commune with a Holy God. So He Himself came to Earth to pay the penalty (the wages of sin is death) so that we can be forgiven. God is Just and the penalty had to be paid. Once the penalty was paid and justice satisfied, He gives the gift of redemption to the "whomsoever"s that believe. Jesus' dying for our sins is not the forgiving. The forgiving comes when we believe.

Romans 8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

God's forgiving us and our forgiving others are not in the same league.

God doesn't have to "try" to forgive. He forgives us believers because He made the way for us to be forgiven. Not everyone is forgiven. Those that reject Jesus and His gift of forgiveness have to pay the price for sin themselves.



God asks us to forgive others.

There is a major difference between God's forgiveness and ours. We ask to be forgiven when we believe in Jesus. We ask God to forgive us when the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin in our lives. We forgive others even when they do not ask.


Psalm 86:5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.



Jesus' example of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18 emphasizes the result of refusing to forgive.


"Should I always forgive everyone in every way"~Spockrates

I have taken a new look at the title of this thread. To the first part, "Should I always forgive everyone", I say yes. It will set you free from the burden that comes with refusing to forgive.

To the second part "in every way".. That puts a weird twist on it. It encompasses a wide range of requirements that are not necessary. Just "let it go".. The more complicated you make it, the further away from freedom you become.

Tiz true..

 

[Spockrates]

The TRUTH is Jesus is the WAY to LIFE and no one can come to the Father but by Him.

I know that is not a perfect quote of I rearranged it for a bit for emphasis.

Jesus' giving His life to ransom many was not the forgiving. It was the making the way, it was the paying the price, it was placing the sins of the world on one who knew no sin to pay the price for our rebellion.

God is holy and God is just. And because He loves us, He made a way for sinful man to commune with a Holy God. So He Himself came to Earth to pay the penalty (the wages of sin is death) so that we can be forgiven. God is Just and the penalty had to be paid. Once the penalty was paid and justice satisfied, He gives the gift of redemption to the "whomsoever"s that believe. Jesus' dying for our sins is not the forgiving. The forgiving comes when we believe.

God's forgiving us and our forgiving others are not in the same league.

God doesn't have to "try" to forgive. He forgives us believers because He made the way for us to be forgiven. Not everyone is forgiven. Those that reject Jesus and His gift of forgiveness have to pay the price for sin themselves.

God asks us to forgive others.

There is a major difference between God's forgiveness and ours. We ask to be forgiven when we believe in Jesus. We ask God to forgive us when the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin in our lives. We forgive others even when they do not ask.

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

Jesus' example of the unforgiving servant in emphasizes the result of refusing to forgive.

"Should I always forgive everyone in every way"~Spockrates

I have taken a new look at the title of this thread. To the first part, "Should I always forgive everyone", I say yes. It will set you free from the burden that comes with refusing to forgive.

To the second part "in every way".. That puts a weird twist on it. It encompasses a wide range of requirements that are not necessary. Just "let it go".. The more complicated you make it, the further away from freedom you become.

Tiz true..

Not sure I did a good job of explaining, but I hear what you are saying. God forgives differently than we. He forgives only when we want to be forgiven (for we ask to be forgiven). We forgive even those who don't want to be forgiven (for they don't have to ask to be forgiven). And forgiving is letting go of the resentment, anger, hate or desire for revenge.

Am I understanding you?