Question on Forgiveness

sermonindex Jun 17, 2011

Why does God command us to forgive those who have done us evil who have not even repented or asked us for forgiveness but He Himself did not forgive Judas or others who have not repented or asked for forgiveness? This is a question in my mind that has me confused. I know there is a valid answer out there but i cannot think of it at this time. I think i have also heard at least one sermon that claimed that God does NOT expect us to forgive those who have not repented. So, does anyone know?

T

twayneb Jun 18, 2011

Suppose that you have enemies who have done wrong to you time and time again. These enemies have only one way of atoning for their sins, and that is through offering themselves as blood sacrifices to you (They must die for the wrongs they have done to you). Without the shedding of blood their sins cannot be remitted. Now suppose you have a child who you decide will serve as the lamb, the sacrifice, that will reconcile these enemies to you once and for all. The sacrifice is made, your son dies in the stead of your enemies and serves as the sacrifice that they were bound to offer. Now suppose that you bring this forgiveness, this atonement, that has already been provided for them and you offer it to them. Now it is free in the sense that they need only receive it, believing that your son's sacrifice is the only sacrifice that you find acceptable. But it is not free in the sense that it costs them nothing. They must give their lives to you in their totality. It will cost them everything, but they will be in right relationship with you and inherit eternal life with you.

That is what God did for us. It is not that He has refused to forgive them. It is that they have chosen not to accept the forgiveness that was offered. Adolph Hitler was, in this sense, forgiven 2000 years before he lived. That is the blood of Jesus Christ atoned for his sins as much as for yours or for mine. Yet, Adolph Hitler died never having received that gift of atonement. He never entered into relationship with God through Christ. It is that fact that will serve as the basis for his judgment in the end.

Hope that helps.

sermonindex Jun 18, 2011

Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

That's reason enough to forgive EVERYBODY - Amen? :)

Two other reasons - Unforgiveness only hurts us in the long run. It does nothing for the other person whatsoever.

I 'think' also, that there's some sort of spiritual aspect to us forgiving a person ... I believe it sets them free from 'our' judgment and then they are free for GOD to work on them.
There is a spiritual hold we have over a person when we don't forgive them and it goes two ways, in other words. Both we and they are freed-up for GOD to work through or on us both.
It's a fearful thing to not forgive - that's all I really know.

sermonindex Jun 18, 2011

It might be easier to see it from here.

Eccl 7:21-22

21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

Basically, there is no evil that another has done, that you are not capable of doing yourself, were it not for the restraining influence of God. If that is the case, and it is, then none has any right to withhold forgiveness if he ever expects it for himself.

Those who are easily offended are those who extend the least forgiveness, but those who take no offense at anything that anyone does or says about them are those who have learned that they truly are abominable wretches, and that nothing that anyone says or does to them can be too low for what they deserve. The easily offended types spend much time defending themselves, the unoffendable types never defend themselves.

OJ

sermonindex Jun 18, 2011

Basically, there is no evil that another has done, that you are not capable of doing yourself were it not for the restraining influence of God. If that is the case, and it is, then none has any right to withhold forgiveness if he ever expects it for himself.

Old Joe, what you said is true.

I'm just still not clear on why God did not forgive Judas.

But he did forgive Peter. Is it because Judas didn't ask for it and Peter did?

sermonindex Jun 18, 2011

There two ways of looking at why God didn't forgive Judas, which is the root of the great Cal-Arm divide.

1) Romans 9:18 God has mercy on whom He will.
2) John 5:40 Judas wouldn't come

The first lays the issue with God, the second lays the issue with Judas. We can say no more other than that both are true.

Backing up though, God is never in need of forgiveness, for He does nothing wrong, therefore He is under no obligation to forgive. All obligation to forgive is left to those in need of it themselves. God forgives, but it is on His terms, we forgive, and it is also on God's terms. God avenges, but it is on His terms, however when we avenge, it is on our terms, which is why vengeance is to be left to the most High God who is good and right in all that He does.

OJ

sermonindex Jun 18, 2011

Backing up though, God is never in need of forgiveness, for He does nothing wrong, therefore He is under no obligation to forgive. All obligation to forgive is left to those in need of it themselves. God forgives, but it is on His terms, we forgive, and it is also on God's terms. God avenges, but it is on His terms, however when we avenge, it is on our terms, which is why vengeance is to be left to the most High God who is good and right in all that He does.

What a powerful way of putting it. Thank you.

J

jimp Jun 18, 2011

hi, as a young man in the ministry i fell into an old trap of satan and being basically very dumb allowed it to ruin my marriage and my ministry.i was counseling a ex high fashion model alone as sshe was going thru a divorce and fell prey to her charm and fell into sin . my wife asked me if i was having an afair and i told her i was but it would end that day if she would forgive me. she went the other way and divorced me. she had m.s.but was able to get around fine. she went from walking to a cane to a walker to a wheel chair to bed ridden because of her unforgiveness . she called me and i went to her home where she was in bed and we forgave each other and hugged each other and prayed for each other. it did not save our marriagebut she was walking the next day and has been doing well forover 25 years. it breaks my heart to reveal this about how much an idiot i am but if it helps you then ,amen.jimp