Forget What You Have Been Told; Ask God!

Will everyone just go to prayer and ask God about this matter of forgiveness. Yes a believer must have it in their heart, but the superficial way it is being taught leaves the act of forgiveness impotent without purpose or teeth. Read carefully all the scriptures that pertain to forgiveness, read each word in the passages and pray over them.

We have more forgiveness in our culture than ever before, at least in words, but more filth, crime and rebellion than ever before. What do you think has happened? I am convinced it is partly because we have learned platitudes that sound good but have no power in them.

We must learn the right way to forgive and it's purpose, otherwise we will walk around with a glazed look on our face saying "I forgive, I forgive", while tearing up inside.

Please let God show you this matter of forgiveness. It is commendable that so many want to be forgiving, but if it is not understood, we can actually stand in the way of God's blessing for someone who might repent because their sin has been exposed and dealt with.

Let God show us through His Word, try to forget all that you hear in our culture and all that you have been taught seeking Christ in prayer over this matter.

Forgiveness Has Been Misunderstood

Matthew 5:21-24 "“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."

 Perhaps those who don't want to require forgiveness, don't want others to require it of them. This makes very bad relationships. We are to talk things out, admit our wrongs and forgive others their wrongs. When we sweep things under the rug, we can temporarily superficially mask over things, but nothing is resolved and no one grows.

It is easier to let something go, calling it forgiveness, when all it is, is cowardess, not wanting to confront a sin.  

We do not grow in holiness as believers if we will not admit our sin. We must call one another to account to help one another.  This superficial and impotent forgiveness of today does nothing for anyone. 

The excuse is that we are to forgive for our own sake, no one will be able to give a scripture that says this. It is a humanistic, everything is about self mentality.

We do not forgive for ourselves. We forgive a brother or sister for their sake and if they have come to confess to us.

James 5:16 "Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."

When we offend others!
Matthew 5:21-24 "“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to   judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."

When others offend us!
Matthew 18:15-17 "15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’[a] 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector."

When dealing with the unsaved world we are to;
Luke 6:27-28 "27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you."

The verse in Luke does not apply to brothers and sisters in Christ, because they are not our enemies as verse 27 describes.

It is clear that we are to take abuse from the world and do no harm to anyone. With brothers and sisters in Christ we are to confront sin and abuses for the purpose of reconciliation.