Since the heart is only known by God, how can we be SURE?

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Ah ha! We have once again reached the original question.............is that really indicative that there's still an issue going on. And by issues, I'm assuming that you mean unforgiveness or bitterness.

I could agree with you if the issues that is still going on could be one of the "BUT" in the scripture you feel is going on and you are distancing yourself from that person to protect yourself.

Come full circle. It happens eventually.

I don't want any bitterness or unforgiveness in my heart toward anybody. I know what it is to have to deal with hurt and anger and to come out successfully on the other end of catastrophic difficulty and trial successfully.

When I was home this summer the DS's wife and I were in conversation and she looked at me and said ...... "I feel such LOVE emanating from you!"

I was so glad that I didn't have to cross the aisle to avoid speaking to her or ANYbody when I was home. And I am so glad that I was able to say to her ..... "It's because LOVE is all I have in my heart for you and everybody!"

Will we ever be best friends? I doubt it because we never were for one thing and there'd be small opportunity for that, but there's NObody that I couldn't sit down and fellowship with.

It's a wonderful feeling. And there would be those who would say I'd have justification for feeling differently, but no way. I like it THIS way better.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Rico

Maybe it has to be 3 pages long and written by a wordsmith?????

That's when you lose readers.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I don't write papers anymore!

It's been great guys - gonna catch some !

Night. It has been a good discussion all around.

I am going to finish this costume tonight - before I go to bed. I am determined. I hope the sleeves go in right. I'm getting tired myself. lol

Night all! Thanks Rico. I gleaned something tonight. I feel happy about that!

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

So, what do you consider studying, Felicity? Looking up meanings in Greek isn't studying to you?

Maybe I missed posts containing anything like that somewhere within 20+ pages.

It's been interesting and I feel for those struggling with this. I'm glad we can find the answers in Scripture and waiting on God. Forgiveness is a choice but in some situations it's a bit like a miracle too. Like the way God forgives us. And then the huge transformation that makes in our lives as a result!

[stmatthew]

Here is some examples of the "Godly" kind of forgiveness.

Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Acts 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.


In the midst of being "done wrong" these two examples shine as an example of what someone full of Gods love will do.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

So, what do you consider studying, Felicity? Looking up meanings in Greek isn't studying to you?

Originally Posted by Felicity

Maybe I missed posts containing anything like that somewhere within 20+ pages.

I did a little recap for you since you missed the studies.

All the posts listed have scripture reference. The other posts are going off of the scripture texts and bringing them into real life situations and other posts are going off of other's thoughts.

All conversations were started by the study in post 1.

1, 4, 17, 44, 54, 55, 59 71, 72, 95, 160, 172, 175, 179, 183, 184, 235

Incidentally, Post 59 has an excellent point on the Greek in regard to forgiveness.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

Here is some examples of the "Godly" kind of forgiveness.

Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Acts 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.


In the midst of being "done wrong" these two examples shine as an example of what someone full of Gods love will do.

Thanks Matt!

[Rico]

If no one has anything else to add to this thread this evening I believe I will call it a night. See y'alllzzz tomorrow.

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

Rico,

I disagree. God extended the provision of forgiveness before we asked. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. He did not wait until we asked. It did not change our lives until we did, though.

Originally Posted by Rico

Brother, if your sins were already forgiven there would have been no reason whatsoever for you to repent when you. Calvary is the means by which forgiveness was made available to man, but that does not mean you were already forgiven before you repented.

Bro,

I think we just said the same thing. If We can receive forgiveness because of Calvary, which was 2000 years ago, then the forgiveness is already there for us. We just must appropriate it for it to have any effect in our lives. God offered it on Calvary. He did his part.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

Bro,

I think we just said the same thing. If We can receive forgiveness because of Calvary, which was 2000 years ago, then the forgiveness is already there for us. We just must appropriate it for it to have any effect in our lives. God offered it on Calvary. He did his part.

But the sin is not forgiven until we ask it of Him. This notion that we are required to forgive someone before they ask seems like a dangerous road to go down, in my opinion, because God does not forgive our sin until we ask Him to, so why would He expect us to do something He doesn't do? I can see this leading to someone thinking they can do whatever they want, using the reasoning that they are already forgiven for it. Anyone who sins without asking for forgiveness from God is only living in a deferred state of judgement.