Re: Why not just forgive them and move on? -- RSQUBF discussion forum

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Date Posted: 14:24:50 07/03/04 Sat
Author: Mike K.
Subject: Re: Why not just forgive them and move on?
In reply to: Joe 's message, "Re: Why not just forgive them and move on?" on 15:03:27 07/01/04 Thu

Here's my take: I must forgive because Jesus commands me to, even up to 70 x 7 times. We forgive for our own good because we don't need to be eaten up by anger and bitterness all our lives.

Well, to not forgive and to be bitter about something can be two different things.
I, for instance, am not bitter with UBF. I get upset, I get angry at times when I see the same old lies being told, the same abuse happening and the same denial of the Scriptures. This, however, is not welling up of past anger but a momentary spout of anger for a present sin (if it's a repetition of an old sin, it's the worse for showing that the people didn't learn anything but nonetheless it's a past sin).
Please note that before God, there is no statute of limitations. You will be held accountable for every single sin that is not covered under the precious blood of Jesus, which includes repentance foremost. This does not mean that we as men must hold a person accountable for their deeds, or to reside to judge them for their deeds.
I speak and act out of not seeing the fruits of repentance in these people. Not for their transgressions.
If I hear a sentence of repentance, forgiveness will be granted as the Lord Jesus told us (Mt18).
But as long as there is no repentance, we must not meddle with such people.
Please read 1Cor5! It is NOT proper to just bear a veil to ignore the sins in a brother or sister! We get a false sense of tolerance which ends in self-righteousness! We must NOT tolerate unrepentant sinners in our midst lest we compromise the very righteousness of God.

Are you more righteous than God to forgive people whom God has forsaken?

And sometimes our words forgiveness can be a real healer for the opposite party who may be ridden by guilt for what they have done.

Again, there is no forgiveness without repentance in the Bible. We can tell these people that if they repent, we are willing to extend our arms and all will be forgotten, and that is the TRUTH (or at least, it has to be if we do not want to sin against God) even if they repeat their sins, but as long as there is no repentance, then we are neither commended nor oblieged to forgive!

But do our words of forgiveness do any good for someone who sees no need to be forgiven, whose self-delusion is so great that they believe that all they've ever done is the "work of God" or is somehow justified by the "work of God," so that they don't need anybody's forgiveness?

We must tell such people clearly that God doesn't bargain with people. God doesn't need anyone, much rather He extends His grace to us that we may be used for His purpose. We are vessels, tools, not operators!
There's no bargain like "I save 100 souls for you and you let me lie to 1 person, Lord". NEVER! All man can do for God is NOTHING, what God does through man is EVERYTHING and man holds no honor for what God does, so NO MAN should boast "Well, I've pioneered 100 nations for God and so I'm His Great Servant".
Again, God doesn't bargain. Make it clear to them that as soon as they think they can get some "ease" on God's judgment with them for serving Him, they get off track!
Again, I can and WILL forgive if repentance is made, but no repentance, no forgiveness.

No bargain and no tradeoff deal!

We have to forgive, but we also have to love our neighbor as ourselves, and sometimes that love requires us to oppose them and speak the truth about them.

Most of all, don't think in terms of "we need to". If you think of something we need to, I'll give you Mt5:48!
"Therefore, thou shalt be perfect as thine Heavenly Father is perfect!"
This includes God's righteousness and holiness!
We can NOT be "more righteous" than God. And we are not allowed to be "less righteous" than Him.
We must exercise God's righteousness in our dealing with people (which is NOT the same as being judgmental, but it DOES mean that you must obey His written word and forgive whom He forgave and reject what He rejects!)
Remember: the Lord Jesus said "What you shall bind on earth, be bound in heaven, what you shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven".
If you "loose" an unrepented sin on earth, it's to be loosed in heavens - and that is an affront to the all-inclusive redeeming blood of Jesus! Remember and take care. Don't be judgmental, but be righteous.

In Christ,
Mike K.

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