Contradiction in forgiveness
The Word says that if we do not forgive our brother, our Heavenly Father will not forgive us. We, however....are expected to forgive all....all of the time. Why would God ask us to do something contrary to His nature.Is forgiveness unconditional or not???? I believe that there is a perspective I'm missing here. It just doesn't make sense.
Further views..
Elderdad, I am by no means talking about minor sins but grievious ones. Also, the verse in Luke is read in the Greek manuscripts, as "as we forgive all those who're indebted to us"
Jeff, in your examples - 1) Those who crucified Jesus didnot know that it was God on the cross..But does a rapist, a murderer not know what he's doing?
2) The example of the rich man and his servants is not even applicable here - for the servant was pleading for forgiveness, not laughing in his master's face.
Let me ask, why does the Bible say that if your brother sins against you, go and show him you fault.....tell it to the church if he doesn't listen..treat him as a pagan..(Matt18:15-17)? Why not just say, forgive your brother even if he doesn't repent of his sin?
Why does Jesus tell His disciples in John 20:23, "If you forgive anyone his sins they are forgiven, if you donot forgive them they are not forgiven"? Why not just ask them to simply forgive everyone?
Why does Paul pass judgement on the sexually immoral man in 1 Cor 5? Why does he ask believers to hand this man over to satan, so that the flesh is destroyed? Why not simply tell the church to forgive, though he continues to be proud of his sin?
It is clear to me that regarding forgiveness, a distinction is drawn between minor offences (rather be wronged against than have lawsuits amongst believers etc), and major sins...And in the latter case, between the state of repentence and proud boasting.
Talk is cheap, which is why I have a problem with Christian 'proclamations' of forgiveness to those who boast of their sins. Do Christians report offences to the police? Why?
A Christian woman who's raped and has 'forgiven' her rapist though he may sneer at her everyday, shouldn't want to see him punished, right? So she shouldn't report him..Otherwise forgiveness is just words..
Why do Christians ever seek justice? They should just allow sinners to keep using them as they count to seventy times seven..
Christians should have no use for law enforcement agencies...For where there's mercy, there should be no need for law..and all rapists, terrorists, murderers and child-molestors should roam free, as we turn the other cheek..Upto non-Christians to bring them to justice if they want..We Christians simply forgive..
Another thing, if sinners really don't know what they're doing, it's only satan who's making them do this, then why isn't God's punishment reserved only for satan? Why doesn't He forgive all who're so 'unknowingly' following satan - and bring about universal salvation regardless of repentence?
This whole arguement of unconditional forgiveness may sound like 'love for enemies' but in reality, it's highly patronizing towards them...as it presumes that they have no free will and no knowledge of right or wrong...
Not only that, it's highly judgemental towards other Christians who're unable to forgive someone who's ripped their lives apart remorselessly...Telling them that they lack the love of God, and that they've rejected Christ's forgiveness...Besides, it's often hypocritical as demonstrated by our reliance on the law even as talk of unconditional forgiveness.
Please remember that because God is Love, He wants all to come to 'repentence', so they may be saved....That is true love....Not this make-believe forgiveness that neither releases a sinner from temporal nor eternal punishment for his sins.
Noshi
Noshi