One more end-times deception that must be cleared up!
There is no forgiveness without confession, the purpose of confession and forgiveness is two sides of the same coin, for the the reconciling of a relationship. A relationship cannot be reconciled if one of the elements is not present. Forgiveness is not a feeling, its an act of no longer holding accountable the person who is sorry.
If we prematurely forgive someone who is not sorry we are an enabler, leaving no consequences for the one who is not sorry. God said we are to "forgive His way", which requires repentance. We do not automatically become bitter because the offender will not be sorry to be forgiven, we pray for them but we cannot have contact with them until there is repentance. God does not hear the prayers of those who are in sin, just as we cannot keep a relationship going when someone has sinned against us and thinks it was alright to do so.
Another very bad doctrine of the church today is the idea that we are to forgive those who are not sorry. Of course, we do no harm to them and even bless them when they cross our path, but the relationship remains broken until the offender is sorry and no longer wants to act badly toward us.
Luke 6:28-30 "Luke 6:28-30
English Standard Version
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic[a] either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back."
Also, the following passage tells us about those who have an evil heart, the solution is to have nothing to do with them.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Difficult Times Will Come (ragingly insane times in the original language)
3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of [b]godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these."
Never feel bad when you have to avoid the wicked people described in this passage of 2 Timothy. Never allow superficial Christians to guilt you into remaining in the company of those who hate you and who hate God.
Proverbs 4:14-19
"14 Do not enter the path of the wicked
And do not proceed in the way of evil people.
15 Avoid it, do not pass by it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
16 For they cannot sleep unless they do evil;
And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness,
And drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn
That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
19 The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know over what they stumble."
Our comfort is joy that comes from the Holy Spirit Who lives in us. He is our rock, we need no other validation than Him.
John 14:26
"26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you."
In these last days of apostasy, we will be continually confronted with false doctrine, the doctrines of men, and the pressure to conform to man's way. We must resist the temptation to capitulate to be accepted and be satisfied with the Holy Spirit Who lives in us as our constant companion.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
Never be guilted by man, pressured by man to follow their doctrines that are different from the Word of God. Our Christian culture is no longer looking for truth, they are only looking for self-gratification and perceived superiority. Christ and His Word is not important to most who say they are Christians. Remember this and you will be able to fend off temptations to cave to the culture and to ungodly families who claim to be Christians.
The Holy Spirit is all you need and the best you have in these last days of rebellion.
Jude 1:17-21 "17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.
18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”
19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
22 Be merciful to those who doubt;
23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh."
Hallelujah!
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